How to Play "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors on Guitar

In this post, I want to share with you how to play in the style of “Roadhouse Blues” as recorded by the Doors on guitar. This song is a unique blend of fingerstyle guitar, blues, and rock n roll. You’ll discover how to play the main riff, blues patterns, rock rhythms, and even some soloing using the blues scale. So get tuned up and let’s dive in!

Who wrote Roadhouse Blues:

"Roadhouse Blues" was written by all the members of the American rock band The Doors: Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and John Densmore. It was featured on their 1970 album Morrison Hotel. It was one of the band's most popular and enduring tracks, known for its energetic blues-rock sound and captivating lyrics.

The origin of "Roadhouse Blues" can be traced back to the band's early days of performing live in small clubs and venues. The Doors often played in intimate settings where they experimented with various musical styles, including the blues. The song's title and lyrics reflect the gritty, down-to-earth atmosphere of roadhouse bars, known for their lively, late-night music and energetic crowds.

The band's guitarist, Robby Krieger, took on the task of crafting the memorable guitar parts for the song. His blues-infused riffs and solos contribute to the track's distinct character and showcase his exceptional playing style. 

When The Doors recorded "Roadhouse Blues" for their Morrison Hotel album, the band aimed to capture the raw and spontaneous energy of their live performances. And they nailed it! 

Roadhouse Blues Chords

“Roadhouse Blues” is in the key of E major. The chord progression borrows from a 12-bar blues but isn’t exactly 12 bars long. There are 4 main chords used in this song. Those chords are E7, A7, B, and C. Here is how I would play each of these shapes.

E7 is played like a standard open position E chord however here we’ll add the pinky finger to the 3rd fret on the 2nd string like this:

Krieger also likes to use this version up at the 6th position as well.

A7 can be played in the open position as well like this:

B is played as a bar chord with a root on the 6th string and in the 7th position like this:

From there just take the B chord up one fret to the 8th fret and you have the C chord like this:

The B and the C chords are the same “grip” on the guitar but on different frets.

The Main Riff:

The backbone of "Roadhouse Blues" is its catchy main riff. It's played in an open position and starts with eighth notes on the low E string like this:

It’s essential to make these eighth notes slightly staccato. This staccato sound is created with an alternating fingerstyle pattern. I use my thumb and index finger to do this. Immediately after I strike the open string with my fingerpicking hand thumb, the next finger comes into contact with the string and mutes it.

Once you get the low E string droning then on beat 4 add a double hammer-on walking up the notes on the 4th string like this:

You can also do the same hammer-on walk-up on the 5th string like this:

Krieger improvises with patterns like these throughout the song.

The main riff is based on the E7 chord shape we learned above. This is a great example of how a riff can be used in place of a chord. And because this song is in the key of E, we can call E7 the I chord. The next chord change moves to the A7 or IV chord in the key. Here Krieger does a blues rhythm pattern that also based on the A7 chord shape above. Here is an example of this blues rhythm style:

Going to the IV chord in the song provides a nice release from the first part of the tune which is all based around the I chord. I would call this first part a vamp or a one-chord blues. This style and progression are common to players like John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Howlin’ Wolf to name a few. Check out “Boogie Chillen Blues” for another example of a one-chord blues. 

After the IV chord, the next change goes to a B bar chord at the 7th fret. This chord is played in a triplet rhythm. It’s moved up a half step to C and then back down like this:

The Solo

"Roadhouse Blues" features a blistering guitar solo from Krieger. The one-chord blues is the backing and this allows for an open space for creative expression. You can start by learning the opening licks and scales used by Krieger.

The solo is played primarily based on the E minor blues scale. Familiarize yourself with the scale pattern in the 12th position:

Explore the notes within this scale and experiment with bending, sliding, and vibrato techniques to inject your own style into the solo.

Robby Krieger’s Guitar 

Krieger primarily plays a Gibson SG guitar. The Gibson SG is a solid-body electric guitar that has a distinct double-cutaway design. It’s known for its sleek and lightweight body. This Gibson model has been favored by many notable guitarists like:

• Angus Young
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe
• Derek Trucks
• Frank Zappa
• Eric Clapton
• Buck Dharma
• Tony Iommi

The Gibson SG has been used across genres due to its versatility and rich, resonant tone.

Krieger's choice of the SG suits his playing style and contributed to the unique sound of The Doors. The guitar's big and biting tone, combined with Krieger's skillful use of effects and his bluesy and psychedelic playing, helped shape the band's signature sound.

It's worth mentioning that while Krieger primarily played the Gibson SG, however, he also experimented with other guitars throughout his career, including Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters. However, the Gibson SG remains the most closely associated instrument with his time in The Doors and his iconic guitar playing.

Conclusion:

"Roadhouse Blues" is a timeless blues-rock anthem. Take your time with each section and when you are ready start putting them together and play along with the song. Don’t worry about trying to copy everything note-for-note just get the bluesy progressions, riffs, and overall vibe going then from there you can make it your own. Happy playing and for more blues lessons check out this blog on the 101 best blues songs to learn on guitar next!