Bad Moon Rising Guitar Lesson (CCR)

Few songwriters have been able to write as many extremely catchy riffs and melodies with very simple ideas as John Fogerty. 

You see, so many of the classic CCR tunes are all based around just a few chords and very basic musical concepts. Yet at the same time are so incredibly SATISFYING to play for any level of guitar player. 

Look, I’ve studied my share of fancy and complex music. But there’s just something about playing these iconic CCR songs and chord progressions that is just so fun!

And when it comes to timeless anthems, few can match the energetic vibe of "Bad Moon Rising". 

So in this guitar lesson, I’m going to break down its catchy rhythm and groove so you can get playing it today.

PLUS this song is actually rooted in the blues. You will see the influence and I will point it out in the guitar part I explain. 

The chord progression also uses only the I, IV, and V. Just like what we see in countless blues songs. 

So grab your six-string and let's dive in!

Who wrote Bad Moon Rising?

"Bad Moon Rising" was written by John Fogerty, the lead singer, and primary songwriter of the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). The song was released in 1969 as part of CCR's third studio album, titled Green River.

"Green River" was recorded at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California, and it's worth noting that CCR was known for its efficient and relatively quick recording process. 

The album was well-received by both critics and fans, and it played a significant role in establishing CCR as one of the most prominent rock bands of their era.

As for credits and accolades, "Bad Moon Rising" has been widely recognized as one of CCR's greatest hits and one of the standout tracks on the "Green River" album. 

While it didn't receive specific awards like Grammys or chart-topping positions, it has earned its place in the history of classic rock songs. Over the years, it has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films, TV shows, and commercials, solidifying its status as a timeless rock classic.

Even blues legend Bo Diddley covered it…

What key is Bad Moon Rising played in? 

“Bad Moon Rising” is in the key of D major. The chords used in the song are D, G, and A. In the key of D major, the chords D, G, and A are all closely related and often used together countless times in millions of songs. 

Here's how they relate musically: 

• D Major (D): The D major chord is the tonic or the I chord in the key of D major. It serves as the home base or starting point for the key. It consists of the notes D, F#, and A. This chord has a stable and resolved sound, making it the foundation for many songs in the key of D major.
• G Major (G): The G major chord is the IV (fourth) chord in the key of D major. It consists of the notes G, B, and D. The IV chord often provides a sense of movement away from the tonic (D) but still retains a feeling of stability. It's a common choice for chord progressions that create tension and resolution within the key.
• A Major (A): The A major chord is the V (fifth) chord in the key of D major. It consists of the notes A, C#, and E. The V chord has a strong sense of tension and is often used to lead back to the tonic chord (D). The resolution from the V (A) to the I (D) chord is a fundamental and satisfying musical progression in D major.

D major (D), G major (G), and A major (A) are the three most essential chords in the key of D major. They are also the three most important chords in a 12 bar blues in the key of D.

Is Bad Moon Rising hard to play on guitar?

“Bad Moon Rising” is not too hard to play. In fact, it’s a great song for beginners to try as it only uses 3 chords. Anyone who can develop some simple chord movements and combine that together with an easy strumming pattern can play this song. 

However, to play the bar chord part, and add in all the subtleties of the bluesy shuffle patterns and make it clean is harder.

So wherever you are start there. And then build up the other layers over time. (Kinda like making a cake. Do it in layers.) 

Bad Moon Rising Guitar Lesson Easy Chords

Alright now as I said, to play "Bad Moon Rising," you'll need to master three basic chords: D, A, and G. Let’s take a look at how these shapes can be played on the neck. Here are chord diagrams to get started with:

D chord: Place your fingers like this:

A chord: Position your fingers as follows:

G chord: Form the G chord using these finger placements:

How do you strum a bad moon rising?

Once the chord shapes are starting to feel comfortable. Next, you will want to add in more rhythm to the progression.

On the recording, you’ll hear two main strumming patterns.  

Let’s break them down and learn the groove…

Beat 1 begins with 2 eighth note downstrums like this:

Beat 2 plays an upstrum and then a down strum like this:

So altogether the first pattern goes like this:

If I counted out the rhythm in sixteenth notes (which is the underlying groove to the song) and showed strumming directions that would look like this:

D   D       UD

1 e + a 2 e + a 

So that’s the first pattern and the strumming directions go: down, down, up, down.

Now, the second variation is used when the chords change quicker in the song during the verse and it’s also used during the Chorus. 

For example in the verse when the chords change quickly from A to G (like in bar 1). Here we will just play the first half of the previous strumming pattern.

So to review pattern 1 is:

D   D       UD

1 e + a 2 e + a 

Pattern 2 plays the first part of this pattern twice like this:

D   D    D   D

3 e + a 4 e + a 

So altogether this pattern would go: 

D   D       UD    D   D    D   D

1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a 

Now the last thing I want to mention about the feel and strumming is that in this song the 16th notes are played with a swing feel vs. a straight feel. 

Playing swing 16th notes (often called "swung" 16th notes) and straight 16th notes involves a difference in the feel and groove. They are two distinct rhythmic approaches commonly used in music. Let's break down each of them:

Straight 16th Notes:

Straight 16th notes follow a consistent and even timing, where each 16th note is given equal duration. In sheet music, they are typically notated with regular 16th note beams or flags, and they are counted as "1 e and a, 2 e and a, 3 e and a, 4 e and a," with each syllable representing one 16th note.

To play straight 16th notes on an instrument or with your voice, you should ensure that each note is of equal length and is evenly spaced. Imagine a metronome ticking at a steady tempo, and your 16th notes should align precisely with each metronome click.

Swing 16th Notes:

Swing 16th notes, also known as "swing feel" or "shuffle feel," introduce a sense of syncopation and swing into the rhythm. In swing 16th notes, the first 16th note of each pair (1 e, 2 e, 3 e, 4 e) is longer than the second (and a). This gives the rhythm a distinctive "swing" or "swung" feel. The exact ratio of the first note's duration to the second note can vary, but it's commonly close to a 2:1 ratio, with the first note being approximately twice as long as the second.

To play swing 16th notes, you should emphasize the first note of each pair by giving it a slightly longer duration and a stronger accent. The second note is played quicker and with a lighter touch, creating a sense of swing or groove. Swing 16th notes are often notated as straight 8th notes with a triplet feel, and they are counted as "1 and a, 2 and a, 3 and a, 4 and a," with the "and" representing the longer, emphasized note.

Bad Moon Rising Guitar Solo Lesson

Conclusion:

To wrap it up, "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival stands as a testament to the power of simplicity in music. John Fogerty's genius lies in crafting unforgettable songs with just a few chords, offering a fun and rewarding experience for guitar players of all levels.

This iconic track not only embodies a lively, bluesy spirit but also introduces us to the timeless art of swing feel. The chords D, G, and A, used in countless classic blues progressions, form the backbone of the song, making it a great starting point for budding guitarists. 

As we've explored, "Bad Moon Rising" is not just a song; it's a musical journey that takes us back to the roots of rock and blues. So keep practicing and for more CCR style guitar lessons check out “Green River” or “Suzie Q” next!