How to play Happy Birthday on the harmonica
Updated: Mar 7
Want to play a tune for someone's birthday? I'm gonna give you the tabs to play the traditional song 'Happy Birthday to You' on a standard diatonic harmonica.
Tabs for Happy Birthday on the harmonica
BEGINNER
This version contains no bends of overblows, so it's perfect for all levels, even complete beginners:
6 6 -6 6 7 -7
Happy birthday to you
6 6 -6 6 -8 7
Happy birthday to you
6 6 9 8 7 -7 -6
Happy birthday dear [someone]
-9 -9 8 7 -8 7
Happy birthday to you
INTERMEDIATE
The intermediate version uses some draw bends. We're playing in 2nd position so it has a slightly more 'bluesy' sound to it:
-1 -1 2 -1 -2 -2/
Happy birthday to you
-1 -1 2 -1 -3// -2
Happy birthday to you
-1 -1 -4 -3 -2 -2/ 2
Happy birthday dear [someone]
4 4 -3 -2 -3// -2
Happy birthday to you
ADVANCED
Finally, the most difficult version of the tab uses overblows. Not for the faint of heart! It's in 12th position (e.g. key of F on a C harmonica):
4 4 -4 4 -5 5
Happy birthday to you
4 4 -4 4 6 -5
Happy birthday to you
4 4 7 -6 -5 5 -4
Happy birthday dear [someone]
6* 6* -6 -5 6 -5
Happy birthday to you
Thanks for joining me for this lesson. Now you can play Happy Birthday on harmonica. I hope it helps you to brighten someone's day!
Free 30 day trial of my harmonica school
Check out my harmonica school for step-by-step courses and feedback on your progress.
.png)