E9: Tina Turner - the harmonica solo

[Frank Freniere]

Tina Turner scored a massive hit single with “What’s Love Got To Do With It” from the 1984 album “Private Dancer.” While the song begins on a G#m chord in the key of B, the solo - and the remainder of the song - shifts to C#. The key of C# has seven (!) sharps so I skipped the key signature here.

The solo was performed by Bill Livsey on a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer to emulate a harmonica. The Boss SY-1 pedal does not offer a harmonica option but it has a couple of other usable settings. Speaking of Boss pedals, I wish they would switch the input/output jacks. Does anyone else find it annoying to have their pedals upside down when connected to the VP? Auto makers can put steering wheels on either side of the car – why not stompboxes???



I sometimes play this solo on the fourth fret when it sounds a bit shrill – like a harmonica!

The track. Solo begins at 2:07.