I'm a Man, Mannish Boy, Hoochie Coochie Man, Bad to the Bone riffs

This week's harmonica lesson will show you how to play one of the most famous blues harmonica licks - I'm a Man. You will need a harmonica in the key of C. We will also be learning some well known variations.
Click here for tab and audio clips - wp.me/p5rtj9-1Nc
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TIMESTAMPS
0:10 Riff 1: I'm a Man Style Riffs
1:38 Riff 2: Mannish Boy
3:03 Riff 3: Hoochie Coochie Man
4:31 Playing All Together
4:44 Riff 4: Bad to the Bone
6:58 Free Tab Sheet and Audio Clips on the Description Link
Introduction to Improvisation eCourse - tomlinharmonicaschool.com/p/i...
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[@TomlinHarmonica]

✏ Get your FREE harmonica tab PDF and audio clips here 👉 foxly.link/9EtnzC

[@MarioAReyes-qd8xq]

Incredibly clear lesson, as always. Thanks Tomlin!

[@mrwirrall]

I’m learning more from this mans videos than any other, it’s incredible how much what seems so little is

[@sierradk]

Great! A simple format for these four legendary licks. Thank you from California.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+sierradk you are most welcome from Scotland :-)

[@shannoncrawford8902]

Tomlin. Your Video lessons are very clear, simple and easy to understand. You will be my guru for blues harp mastery. You are my inspiration to practice every day. Thank you

[@rjp63vip]

Thank you! I'm gonna have fun with this! 😆😉 awesome!

[@rolandoneill6225]

Thanks Tomlin, your lessons are very easy to understand and I enjoy them very much.

[@benmuluc]

Thanks Tomlin/mate, I like your lessons....I just started playing and your videos are very supportive.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Kees Dol that's great to hear buddy. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with along the way :-)

[@davidchurch1954]

loving these videos, alwasy get a bit lost and frustrated and I actually feel like im getting closer to being able to jam along now. Cheeers bro!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+David Church hi David, that's awesome to hear :-)

[@jquery2774]

Thank you again. Taught me variations on 'I am a man' and how to mix them together. Still don't have the solo but it will come. ... one day. In fact you even got into that a little.

[@TenaciousCovers]

Beautifully simple. Loving the channel. Thanks

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Nick Walters cheers Nick :-)

[@davixavier3261]

Sweet lesson! Thanks for sharing!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Davi de Lima my pleasure Davi :-)

[@peizhongwang401]

Thank you very much for the very clear and easy-to-follow instructions. I really enjoy it.

[@dominicsimone7229]

thanks for all your help tomlin

[@mooseman1233]

Of all the video instructors on the web, you are clearly the best teacher. Thanks professor!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+mooseman123 you are too kind, thank you very much!

[@michaelsammon5334]

Certainly right mate. I had to wait 12mins one till he actually showed us. 6mins of him playing. Then 6mins of him talking about what he was going to show us. I turned it off. For some reason he started talking to us through a children's stuffed teddy bear!!!

[@MinosCheckpoint]

Awesome! Tomlin you're the best!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Jon Elordi I'm glad you like it Jon :-)

[@birdvidz5349]

Thanks a lot for doing these lessons and breaking it down like you do

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Tom Fox it's my pleasure Tom - I really appreciate you watching them :-)

[@sirlaw2930]

Thank you! you are an awesome teacher!

[@r5yamaha]

Thanks...this helps distinguish between the three riffs.

[@NS88crew]

You are the best as always!

[@MatameVideos]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful

[@arturoolivelia]

thanks for sharing Tomlin....!!! gracias por compartir Tomlin...!!! from México

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Arcturus Olivelious de nada mi amigo :-)

[@bobmit1]

Great. Especially the bit about the Harmonica Trance. It's what I took up the harp to do. Now to find a band.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+ROBERT MITCHELL excellent, I'm glad you like it Robert. Go forth and find a band :-)

[@huwieadventures67]

Awesome lesson man, thanks!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+John crocodilo Lawler thanks John!

[@SueDNim]

I'm glad I found this while looking for the I'm a Man riff. Insta-subscribe. You're making me want to dig out my old harmonica and actually learn to play it this time.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

That's cool, hope you stick with it! :-)

[@57jross]

Great! Learned a lot. now for practice.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Excellent - good luck :-)

[@ianlewis8086]

Great stuff, thanks

[@GrahamAW2001]

Excellent videos. Thanks so much for the help

[@TomlinHarmonica]

My pleasure Graham :-)

[@mohammadnecro9820]

I learned how to bend with this video and these riffs Thanks alot

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Mohammad Necro that is awesome Mohammed :-)

[@kevinblack8512]

Your'e awesome man!

[@John-Evans]

Great thanks. I play this lick and have for many years but I use hole 3 blow instead of hole 2 draw for both the first and final note. This saves having to get from hole 2 across to hole 4 and the final note is easier still as I simply change the hole 3 draw to a hole 3 blow. I tried you way which is the correct notes but find my way easier.

[@theusher2893]

THE greatest riff in harmonica history. Thank you for helping me learn, greetings from Texas!

[@RileySmelliott]

At my school we are learning how to play the harmonica, my teacher uses your videos a lot, your videos are very detailed and easy to follow. Thank you for making these videos!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Cheers Scout! I'm glad that they are useful for you all :-)

[@rogeriovalle6777]

Parabéns! Muito bom!👏👏👏👏

[@emilianob.3821]

It's Perfect !

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Emiliano B. Thanks Emiliano!

[@kevinobrien6837]

Thanks. Tommy

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Kevin o'brien thanks Kevin :-)

[@sprengologist92]

Simple but nice riff!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Sprengologist I'm glad you like it :-)

[@gingerbeardactual1249]

Awesome

[@tlllau]

Thank you!

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+tlllau my pleasure :-)

[@robcook8456]

You're a good teacher dude

[@Kivanuno]

Thanks Tom, just started playing the harp like a month ago, your vids are pretty much everything to me, now i know i'm late to the party but if you happen to stumble upon this comment mind sliding the tab of the jam you play at 6:30? Sounds awesome

[@surajchauhan6483]

EXACTLY ! please @tomlin leckie !

[@tattoodmunkee]

You have inspired me to pick up the harmonica and study it properly, thank you so much, these videos are just perfect for a beginner like me, however tis rather unfortunate for my poor neighbours as I learn 🤣

[@clearpointtennisclub4326]

Just started your lessons and am really enjoying them. The only slight problem is that they come at you on KZbin in random order. I often feel like I've missed an earlier step. Where can I start right at the first lessons? I'm not a beginner on harp but I would like to start your lessons at square one.

[@TheEdwinzapata]

Nice. 🤝

[@CarloTizianoGrassini]

Hi and congratulations for the nice teach. Can I use instead of 2 draw 3 blow it will be easier for me.

[@preston87]

Thanks for everything Tomlin! I wonder - why not play it with 3 blow instead of 2 draw since both are g? i think it's way easier but suspect there's some deeper reason:D

[@user-ri1ep7cm4p]

One take video? Wow 🙏

[@chrismartin6618]

Great lessons thanks...Hoochie coochie man riff struggled ...finish on the 2 draw ? I've watched others teach finish on 4 blow...I couldn't get the right key on 2 draw half step 2...

[@riswandi6289]

thank u brother..

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+ris wandi thank you buddy!

[@jakarimamu]

Can you show, how to use tongue or lips to aim draw and blow to right hole.

[@Nathanael3D]

Hi Tomlin, very helpful video. Quick question: I hear you play a lot these strong and intense draws like at 6:45, it almost sounds like bends. Does that have a name, how do you alter the sound like this? Are your hands helping? Thx and cheers from Berlin.

[@larrymogen6943]

Wow how blue can you get!,

[@pourunepoigneedegamers6898]

Merci beaucoup!!!!!

[@pourunepoigneedegamers6898]

J'utilise votre tuto dans mon école primaire, vous êtes notre professeur d'harmonica virtuel! Merci

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Ca c'est super d'entendre :-)

[@terryhayes8426]

Cool

[@enjoyharmonica]

Here's a point of interest, Liam Ward have done a similar video, his is just 1 second difference in timing!?! Both were done about a year ago.

[@MegaBoomer666]

hurray I'm the first Now I've won a car he he Very beautiful video Greetings from Germany

[@mikegall434]

Hi, your lessons have really helped me out! I have a question (that will save me some money). My band wants to play Charlie Musselwhite's version of I've got a Rich Man's Woman. I was told it was in the key of A but it doesn't sound quite right. Is an AB harp needed? I'm not sure what key it's in. Can you help me out?

[@pepper5128]

Hey, I'm no music pro so I may be wrong, and I'm a bit late so you've probably figured this out already, but for anyone else, for blues songs you usually need to go 5 half steps up, so for a song in the key of A you'd need a D harp.

[@StevenGekas]

Could someone explain the bend term?

[@Nathanael3D]

Hey Tomlin, another quick question about Mannish Boy lick: I found it easier to start with 3 blow instead of 2 draw. It's the same note, the transition to 4 blow is faster and... Truth is, I'm still having a hard time drawing this 2 blow :( Anyway, I just wanted your opinion on this variation (3B, 4B, 3B, 3Db, 3B). Cheers mate :)

[@johnramirez6143]

hola amigo! como estas? me gustan mucho tus videos, son muy practicos y eso me ah ayudado bastante. Pero podrias agregarle subtitulos al español? mi ingles no es tan bueno como para entender la explicacion del tutorial. Y realmente me gustaria entender lo que dices. gracias desde ya. saludos

[@althealligator1467]

The last song that uses this is Chuck Berry's I Got to Find My Baby

[@r5yamaha]

Here is a suggestion... maybe a short harp solo that can be used 1/2 way through the song. for example...play the harp riff, then a sing a song verse, another harp riff then sing another verse until the midway through then a short solo, then a harp solo to end the song.

[@shay6047]

cant get the 1 hole draw to sound clear, for me it sounds like a train that lost one wheel while running.. any advice? btw love those lessons tomlin great guidance

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+delightful _ this is a very common problem. You will need to make your mouth cavity as big as you can. Try making an "ah" sound and dropping your jaw a little. This will make the 1 draw sound a little clearer. :-)

[@nathanholt1637]

Is there a reason why we use the 2 draw and not 3 blow since it feels easier and is the same note?

[@jimauld7284]

Tomlin who do you like as a harp playet

[@paddor]

What does it mean to start at beat 3? When does this really matter?

[@purplezoso]

Hi Tomlin, what Susuki harp model are you using in this lesson? Thx Andy

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Andy - I'm using a Suzuki Manji with Promaster cover plates and an Andrew Zajac Dark Comb.:-)

[@benwhite4815]

Awesome lesson as usual man, just one question. Does it matter awfully if I do the 3 blow instead of the 2 draw for these riffs, as they're essentially the same note?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Hi Ben - That's totally fine :-)

[@benwhite4815]

Ok that's great, 'cause that's the way I've taught myself to play them. Keep up the brilliant work, buddy!

[@michaelsammon5334]

Tomlin. Im trying to learn 'alfie'. I can get pure single notes. Can you give me any tips. Or maybe play it yourself on here. I have watched numerous video tutorials over the years but i just follow yours now. You just get on with it. Most of the videos i have watched you have to wait ages till they show you. The record is 12 mins 45seconds till he actually showed us. 6mins of him playing and then 6mins 45seconds of him talking about what he was going to show us.!!! What is the best amp and microphone combination tomlin? I dont play in a band or anything so it can be a small amp. Does anything top the green bullet. Thanks tomlin.... Mike.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Michael Sammon hi Mike, glad you enjoy the videos. I'm sorry I don't know how to play Alfie. For microphones I'm not a big fan of the green bullet - they're very difficult to get a good sound out of. Here is a video I did about my microphones - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a36kqaWYdrmLjs0

[@vitorangelo9155]

Do I have to play these riffs in order like a music or they have to be played separately, with no connection? Great video, as always! Improved a lot since I found your channel.

[@kyledeane9979]

Vitor Angelo I advise Watching his beginner Blues, It will be very hard for you if you don't understand The scale , Tomlin is one of the best Teachers I have ever used.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Jack Deane thanks for the support Jack :-)

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Vitor Angelo hi Vítor, you should play the riffs seperately. They come from four different songs which you can listen to and hear what they sound like :-)

[@axelvarbai6381]

Hello Tomlin! May I ask what second position means? You always say second position in the key of G.. I have a C harmonica but I dont know what the other stuff means. Thank you.

[@bluesdoggmusicrediker4614]

2ND POSITION IS MOSTLY DRAW NOTES...BLUES CROSS HARP

[@andreagerelli3965]

How can I make a B flat on a C major Harmonica?

[@jimauld7284]

My 1 draw sounds like it's almost vibrating and struggling for air, very new to the harp could this be my being a new start and just needing more practice

[@lizardking2716]

that happend to me alot too! but I learned it was how much air I was putting in

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

Hi love your teaching, just a comment? I think it would be like a treat to hear you play the song completely throughout? Then teach us the chords just my thought if anyone agrees put thumbs up👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@stick-itproductions.3307]

Umm.. every time I try to use tongue blocking on two the note bends. I don't know how I'm doing it or why.

[@TheRealDarthCosby]

Youre awesome Tom!!! If I ever meet you in real life, I'm gunna buy you a beer. Hell... I'll buy you two!!! ... nothing imported though.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Michael Berg aw thank you Michael! Beer sounds great. Whereabouts are you? What counts as imported?

[@TheRealDarthCosby]

I'm living in Japan ATM, but doing an online doctorate at U. of Liverpool, so I'll be coming to the UK at some point! Imported? lol.. That was more of a - bad - joke poking fun at how stingy I am. :)

[@vivektandon4509]

hi tomlin do you play the manji?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Vivek Tandon I do yes and the Olive also :-)

[@airmojo]

These riffs can get confusing since they are so similar... aren't they often played in 1st position instead of 2nd, or maybe just some of them ?

[@ostar22]

I find it quite hard to bend the 2 draw of my C harmonica. I can manage it on the D E or F harmonicas just fine. I wonder whether it is the brand (Lee Oskar) or the technique?

[@xeno6850]

I've found that some harmonicas need to be forced a bit by sucking / blowing hard until the reeds loosen up a bit and then bending becomes much much easier. Maybe your harp is brand new? :) I use hohner special 20's and marine band deluxe tho. Never had the pleasure of trying out Lee's but I heard great things about them!

[@ostar22]

@@xeno6850 you are right it is brand new. I'll give a try forcing it to loosen the reeds a little bit!

[@xeno6850]

@@ostar22 I remember not too long ago my special 20 could barely let me draw 2.. let alone bend it! But after playing around with it and trying out different techniques and drawing a little harder for a few days, it loosened up :) Good luck brother!

[@mertylmaz2234]

mine doesn't sound the same should i get a better harmonica?

[@milkboxx3276]

Can you make a tutorial for a key of G

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Garfield Santos hi Garfield, here is a fun G harmonica song - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6GYc6t6ft9sd6s

[@haya1950]

Garfield Santos い

[@dennisboots1944]

Couldn't find the Link

[@wezev511]

Tips on blowing a single note?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+Wez Evans hey Wez, try this - www.tomlinharmonicalessons.com/play-clean-2-hole-draw-harmonica/

[@wezev511]

Tomlin Leckie hey Tomlin, thanks for that. I have actually emailed you as I have made some progress and wanted to share with you. I have sent a link to a video of my first go at improvising. Thanks for your help, Wez

[@growingayeard1061]

I love your tutorials - the best I've found! I have a quick question on this one. Why not play this with a 3 blow instead of a 2 draw? It seems much smoother, especially for the Mannish Boy lick.

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Excellent question - I tend to guide people towards playing the 2 draw as much as possible simply because there are more techniques that you can use on the note. The 3 blow sounds quite weak by comparison. That said, when you are learning, it is totally fine to play the 3 blow instead of the 2 draw until you are comfortable with it. :-)

[@growingayeard1061]

I see - that makes sense. Thanks for the swift response!

[@mahmutalgan9560]

6

[@TravisThorup]

Why not blow on 3 instead of draw on 2?

[@ilhamakbar5482]

Well it's the same note, so it's up to you

[@merlesinger2417]

I’m lot xterm. I love I 2022 covertabe

[@dreamroyale7839]

Muddy waters was first to ever play this note

[@mattmsantos]

are you a runner

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+MashedMotato a little :-)

[@4ur3n]

dammit! When will I be a cowboy?

[@TomlinHarmonica]

+4ur3n keep working on it ;-)

[@dreamroyale7839]

Bo didley was inspired by muddy

[@eberalvarez9585]

A ? ó C?

[@bloodshotgaming7]

Gg

[@jojobricks9966]

I didn't know mccauley culkin was British

[@TomlinHarmonica]

Shh, don’t tell anyone...

[@jojobricks9966]

Tomlin Leckie LOL just messin with ya man nice job on the harp

[@justinacevedo2012]

Make it nice and slow and sexy lol

[@gabrielefaini2564]

"I'm a Man" is in the key of D. Nuff said.