Waltzing Matilda | Australian Folk Harmonica Lesson & Free Harp Tabs

Liam Ward
Apr 12, 2022
1 min read

Updated: Sep 18

Hello! In today's free harmonica lesson I will teach you to play the Australian folk song Waltzing Matilda. We will play it on diatonic harmonica in the key of C.

Waltzing Matilda is often called Australia’s unofficial national anthem and it's one of the most famous folk songs in the world. Written in 1895 by Banjo Paterson, the song tells the story of a swagman (itinerant worker) who camps by a billabong and ends up in a dramatic encounter with authorities - all set to a catchy, memorable melody.

Did you know?

The phrase "waltzing matilda" doesn’t refer to dancing, as it might seem. In Australian slang, "waltzing" meant walking or travelling and a "matilda" is a swag or bundle carried by a traveller.

On harmonica, this is a fantastic tune to learn because of its simple, flowing melody and rhythmic phrasing. It’s ideal for practising breath control and expression, and the melody contains a bit of bending so it's great for working on your bending too.

I hope you enjoy the free video and harp tabs!