You are currently viewing Billy Joel – PIANO MAN – How To Play On Guitar and Harmonica

Billy Joel – PIANO MAN – How To Play On Guitar and Harmonica

Piano Man Chords, Lyrics and Harmonica Tabs

Notes on Harmonica and Tabs
– Use a diatonic C harmonica.
– ‘minus’ sign means draw, otherwise blow.
– Much of the harmonica part is played as chords – playing more than one note at a time. The tabs show only the melody line. I’ll leave it up to you to decide when to play more than one note at a time.

INTRO WITH HARMONICA
C Em/B Am C/G
5 -5 6 -6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4

F C/E D7 G
4 -4 5 -4

C Em/B Am C/G
5 -5 6 -6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
4 4 4 -5 5 4 4

VERSE
C Em/B Am C/G
It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday

F C/E D7 G
The regular crowd shuffles in

C Em/B Am C/G
There’s an old man sitting next to me

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
Makin’ love to his tonic and gin

HARMONICA TURN AROUND
C Em/B Am C/G
5 -5 6 -6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
4 4 4 -5 5 4 4

C Em/B Am C/G
He says, “Son, can you play me a memory

F C/E D7 G
I’m not really sure how it goes

C Em/B Am C/G
But it’s sad and it’s sweet and I knew it complete

F G11 C
When I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

BRIDGE
Am Am/G D7/F# F
Da da da, de de da

Am Am/G D7/F# D7
Da da, de de da da da

G G/F C/E G7 D

HARMONICA BUILD UP (on original version)
5 -5 6

CHORUS
C Em/B Am C/G
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man

F C/E D7 G
Sing us a song tonight

C Em/B Am C/G
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
And you’ve got us all feelin’ all right

HARMONICA TURN AROUND
C Em/B Am C/G
5 -5 6 -6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
4 4 4 -5 5 4 4

VERSE
C Em/B Am C/G
Now John at the bar is a friend of mine

F C/E D7 G
He gets me my drinks for free

C Em/B Am C/G
And he’s quick with a joke and he’ll light up your smoke

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
But there’s some place that he’d rather be

C Em/B Am C/G
He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me.”

F C/E D7 G
As his smile ran away from his face

C Em/B Am C/G
“Well I’m sure that I could be a movie star

F G11 C
If I could get out of this place”

BRIDGE

C Em/B Am C/G
Now Paul is a real estate novelist

F C/E D7 G
Who never had time for a wife

C Em/B Am C/G
And he’s talkin’ with Davy, who’s still in the Navy

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
And probably will be for life

HARMONICA TURN AROUND
C Em/B Am C/G
5 -5 6 -6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
4 4 4 -5 5 4 4

C Em/B Am C/G
And the waitress is practicing politics

F C/E D7 G
As the businessman slowly gets stoned

C Em/B Am C/G
Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness

F G11 C
But it’s better than drinkin’ alone

PIANO SOLO
HARMONICA BUILD UP
CHORUS

HARMONICA TURN AROUND
C Em/B Am C/G
5 -5 6 -6 6 -5 5 -5 5 4

F G11 C F/C CM7 G11
4 4 4 -5 5 4 4

VERSE
C Em/B Am C/G
It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday

F C/E D7 G
And the manager gives me a smile

C Em/B Am C/G
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been comin’ to see

F G11 C
To forget about their life for a while

C Em/B Am C/G
And the piano, it sounds like a carnival

F C/E D7 G
And the microphone smells like a beer

C Em/B Am C/G
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar

F G11 C
And say, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”

BRIDGE
HARMONICA BUILDUP
CHORUS
HARMONICA TURN AROUND
END


Video Transcription

http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/billy-joel-piano-man-how-to-play-on-guitar-and-harmonica
Hey George here. Welcome to this video where I teach you how to play Billy Joel’s Piano Man on guitar and harmonica.
OK, we’re going to start off by going through the guitar chords, picking pattern, the time signature which is a little different on this song from the classic rock song.
Then we’ll go through the harmonica and we’ll play through a verse/chorus of it and then wrap it all up.
First of all, let’s start off with the time signature. Your typical rock song is in 4/4 – 4 beats to the measure with a quarter note receiving a single beat.
Piano Man is in 3/4 which is more of a waltz feel – 1 2 3, 1 2 3. That kind of idea. Ok?
For the strumming pattern, I’m going to show you how to pick this. We’re going to play the bass with the thumb (on your strumming hand) and the chords with the first, second, and third fingers on the first, second and third strings.
It has a really prominent bass line. It starts in C so we play C with our thumb and then play the rest of the chord with our first, second, and third fingers. 1, 2, 3.
Then we go to Em with B in the bass playing the 5th string, 2nd fret with our thumb.
Then play Am, then C with G in the bass, then F, then C with E in the bass, then D7 to G.
That’s the first half of the verse/chorus.
http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/billy-joel-piano-man-how-to-play-on-guitar-and-harmonica
The second part of the verse starts in C again. Continue doing that same run down – C to Em/B to Am to C/G to F.
Now we’re going to play G11. Then we go to C F/C CM7 G11.
So those are the chords that will cover the progression for the harmonica solo as well as most of the verse and chorus.
The only other part of the song is the Bridge. It starts in Am playing A in the bass with your thumb. So we continue playing a bass line, bass pattern.
Next is Am with a G bass – Am/G. Now we’ll play D7 with an F# in the bass – D7/F#, and then F.
Then Am, Am/G, D7/F# and then to D7 with D in the bass. To G and we do G in this form because we are going to follow with G with F in the bass – G/F.
Then we’ll do C with E in the bass – C/E. Then we’re going to go to G7 with a D in the bass – G7/D. And then we’re back into it.
http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/billy-joel-piano-man-how-to-play-on-guitar-and-harmonica
Ok, so those are all the sections of the song. Let’s put the harmonica to it. We’re in the key of C and I’m using a C harmonica and I’ll put the tabs where you can see them:
http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/billy-joel-piano-man-how-to-play-on-guitar-and-harmonica.
Get the harp and holder at http://www.georgegoodman.com/georgesharpshop.
Let’s try to blow this one through – There will be a harmonica solo over the intro, first verse with harmonica, and then into the chorus and then we’ll finish that up.
Ok, so that’s Piano Man by Billy Joel, on guitar and harmonica. I hope you can make something out of that and put that excellent song together.
Really a classic song with the harmonica part.
So, I hope you enjoyed the video. Please leave a message, like it, send it to your facebook friends. All that good stuff. Spread it around.
Alright, cheers, have a great day, peace.

This Post Has 73 Comments

  1. charles oppman

    Love your vids John . I’ve really ramped up my harp playing and can sit in
    with local bands. Thanks from Delaware. Ur a good instructor homey.

  2. TomJoad

    Thank you so much for this videos! Been playing guitar for a few years and
    just bought a harmonica recently, had some troubles combining them two
    until I stumbled over your channel, these are by far the best lessons on
    YouTube! And also a very, very sweet selection of songs (this one is a
    classic of course)!
    Keep on doing your great work and thank you very much for these lessons! 🙂

  3. MrTravelinJack

    As a reasonably accompished guitarist, I must say my first attempt to play
    Piano Man concurrently on both guitar and harmonica did not go well. For
    those who think it looks easy, I can say it is not. Lots of practicing
    ahead for me. George – good job on the video!

  4. Tony Vincenzi

    Well done man.. gonna learn it for sure.. just not now.. too busy making
    love to my beer.. 🙂

  5. Tan Gerine

    That was a great lesson. Very clearly explained. Thanks.

  6. Martyn Turner

    Thank you very much for a thorough but attainable version of this song.
    Every year a very good friend of mine always ask us acoustic guitar and
    fiddle players to play Piano man to which we have always replied that there
    is no piano in this back yard.It is her 50th birthday this year and your
    lesson makes me believe it’s possible .so off to practice I go.

  7. Mark Robertson

    Your video helped me out . My class and I are playing paino man for one of
    our songs. Added a few extra inturments in there couldn’t of done it with
    out this video

  8. Ivan Zapana

    I enjoyed the video, nice lesson, I dont know to play the harmonica, but
    I´ll will wistle instead =)

  9. Bob Quiñones

    Thanks for taking the time for us beginners who enjoy playing the guitar on
    our spare time.

  10. Raymond Galindo

    Great way to show how to play this tune 🙂

  11. Cal Gibson

    Loving these lessons. Thank you! I was wandering if you could do a lesson
    on Kenny Roger’s “Ruby!” I cant find any lessons for it!! Thanks again for
    the lessons. Great tutor! 😀

  12. bassai2010

    George, that was great. You are an excellent teacher and musician. Thanks
    for the video.

  13. Anthony Sacco

    cheers mate, excellent

  14. Thomas Pipp

    Thank You Sir. A perfect lesson…

  15. Tristan J Ross

    Thanks mate! Good job!!!!! Now to have a crack at it myself 🙂

  16. jakat21

    Exceptional teacher, so pleasant and helpful! Thank you.

  17. kkasper007

    THAT WAS MOST EXCELLENT !!! thank you so much i am going to do this song for a friend, i am a musician (as a hobby) so thank you so much.. i do not play the (harp) and i will probly do a version with guitar and piano :0) still.. loved this :0) thanks.. when i see it on guitar it helps me to transpose to piano .. :0) Thanks again..

  18. hunchdrunk

    thanks … that sounds great

  19. MARIO RODRIGUEZ ANGELES

    Excelente

  20. MARIO RODRIGUEZ ANGELES

    THANKS BEAUTIFUL

  21. octavio martinez

    gracias exelente leccion.

  22. sarguero

    BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO….. What a great performance!

  23. mwhall

    Great lesson, thanks

  24. orlandogoes83

    Thanx george You really got it, I was lazy for play that beautiful song but your tuto was great and you are great too. I’m from Colombia and I’m 48 and this make me feel alive and dream. I’ll try to click your page to watch and learn more, I play guitar alone in my home and in my bussiness where I sell the best colombian coffee. see it on facebook as “sweet coffee soacha”…

  25. spainasturias

    You’re great and very kind for taking the time to do this for free
    Thank you very much 🙂

  26. Conor Molloy

    C/G, F

  27. matt mitchell

    thanks man!! gerrreat instuctions

  28. CruzCruz Cruz

    Thanks George, this will be my first song whit harmonica and guitar
    Best Lesson in the internet

  29. Big Al Robinson

    Once again George…
    As a professional harp player who has performed this song numerous time on stage…it was always good to get your input.
    I actually realized that I was missing a note on one of the licks. Because you tabbed it out and played it CORRECTLY… I now got ALL the solos correctly down!!!

    1. George

      Glad the video helped out. Hope to see you in performance one of these days, Al.
      Cheers, George

  30. bulmer13

    Hey – this was awesome. Thanks so much, George! Psyched to play this tonight.

  31. George Goodman

    Hey Stan. You’re welcome and thank you.

  32. Stan Henderson

    Brilliant George ~ you have a great teaching style ~ made things simple for one of my favourite sing along songs
    Keep up great work and thanks
    Stan

  33. George Goodman

    You’re very welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

  34. TheWorkerdrone

    Great cover and excellent, clear tutorial. Thank you for this.

  35. alex

    your reall y really good at the piano 🙂 keep it up

    1. George

      Ha. I hope you didn’t come looking for a piano tutorial and if you did I hope you got something out of the video in any case.
      Thanks for commenting.
      Cheers, George

  36. therogerchip

    Wery good george, my congratulations. Roger Spain.

  37. Peter Winnett

    Hi George, like your sence of humour….I meant a very GOOD tutorial ):):

  38. George Goodman

    Hi Peter. Thanks man. That’s a very comment.
    Cheers, George

  39. Peter Winnett

    Hi George, this is a very tutorial, clear & well explained, nice man, keep rocking…regards, Pete

  40. George Goodman

    Thanks

  41. MrMkd1983

    Good job

  42. George Goodman

    That’s great. Hope it helped

  43. xXLink95Xx

    Thanks a bunch for the nice bassline tutorial! Have been looking for a good one for quite some time! 😀

  44. George Goodman

    The trick, I find, is to get each part down so you don’t have to think about them too much when you’re trying to put it all together.
    Good luck

  45. harolddesteen

    Really a good lesson 😀 I had trouble with playing the guitar and the harmonica at the same time but I think I can do it with this song :p Well, with enough practicing of course :p thanks!

  46. George Goodman

    Right on. Thank you

  47. תום שיינמן

    simply exelent. thnx

  48. Sverre Andersen

    bob dylan in the background :DDDD

  49. George Goodman

    You’re welcome.
    Actually, you’re not the fist to ask for a Long May You Run lesson so I need to move that up the list.
    Stay tuned

  50. 10baltimore

    thanks for the lessons, i appreciate it, if you get the time, do you think you could do “long may you run” by neil young?

  51. George Goodman

    muchas gracias

  52. KESTUARDOVR

    muchas gracias de antemano!!!! bendiciones…

  53. Alba 0088

    danke! es hat mir sehr geholfen.

  54. Leon0020

    Thanks. Really helpful video!

  55. George Goodman

    Thanks. I appreciate that

  56. AIfredENewman

    Finally, someone’s done it right. Smooth, polished, easy to follow. You Rock!

  57. AIfredENewman

    [..YouTube..] Finally, someone’s done it right. Smooth, polished, easy to follow. You Rock!

  58. tola256

    man incredible so fun to
    thanks strait from the 256

  59. tola256

    [..YouTube..] man incredible so fun to
    thanks strait from the 256

  60. nalakam

    great work….thank for sharing…!

  61. nalakam

    [..YouTube..] great work….thank for sharing…!

  62. nalakam

    [..YouTube..] great work….thank for sharing…!

  63. George Goodman

    Excellent. Thank you.

  64. Lynn Hemeon

    Wow great stuff

  65. lhemeon

    [..YouTube..] Wow great stuff

  66. lhemeon

    [..YouTube..] Wow great stuff

  67. StoweTexas

    really cool

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