Soldiers Joy

This tune is well known by bluegrass and "Old Timey" players, and is often played at the start of a session. The tune is in the key of D, so you will need a D harmonica in first position.

The tune has an AABB structure, as follows:

A Part

5B 5D 6B 5B 4B 5B 6B 7B 7B

5B 5D 6B 5B 4B 5B 6B 5D 4D 4D

5B 5D 6B 5B 4B 5B 6B 7B 7B

7B 8D 8B 8D 7B 8B 8D 7B 7D 8D 7B

repeat

B Part

7B 8D 8B 8D 8B 9D 9B 8B 8D 7B 7D 7B 8D 8B 9D 8D

8B 8D 8B 9D 9B 8B 8D 7B 7D 6D 6B

7B 8D 8B 8D 8B 9D 9B 8B 8D 7B 7D 7B 8D 8B 9D 8D

8B 8D 7B 8B 8D 7B 7D 8D 7B

repeat

Here is the tune at full speed. The tune may be too fast at first, press the settings button to slow it down.

For those who can read music, here is the score.

Finally here is the backing, without the harmonica, at medium speed

and at full speed

Use these backings for your own performances.