Looking to unlock that funky, bluesy guitar riff that Eric Clapton played on "Lay Down Sally"? 

If so, this "Lay Down Sally" guitar lesson will be your step-by-step guide to the chords, rhythm, and even soloing over this fun song!

If you're a guitarist of any level, this song is a great one to add to your repertoire. If you’re a beginner I would suggest starting with just working on the three fundamental chords and changing between them in time.

Getting that down first helps you build a strong foundation for the tune. Then, for more experienced guitarists, this song is a chance to explore Clapton's iconic bluesy rhythms and add some new licks to your arsenal. 

So, grab your guitar, and let's get ready to learn how to play "Lay Down Sally"!

Lay Down Sally Chords

Like so many great songs there are only 3 chords you need to know to play this one. A, D, and E. 

For A play it like this:

For the D play it like this:

For the E play it like this:

These chords can...

Whether you are gearing up for a jam with friends or want to play some blues guitar at home this ultimate guide to "The Thrill Is Gone" guitar lesson is your one-stop shop for playing minor blues in the style of B.B. King.

King was born in 1925 in Leflore County on a cotton plantation close to the city of Itta Bena, Mississippi. He was the son of sharecroppers and grew up surrounded by music from a very young age. He sang in a gospel choir and the local minister gave him his first guitar lesson after he got his first guitar at age 12. In this article, I’ll break down key elements to King’s guitar approach and show you step-by-step strategies so you can get playing in this style today. 

Who wrote The Thrill Is Gone?

King actually was not the original writer of "The Thrill Is Gone." The original writers were Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell. 

King took this slow minor blues and put his own twist on it, releasing his version in December of 1969. One of the most...

Are you looking to improve your rock and blues guitar skills?

If so, this step-by-step “Suzie Q” guitar lesson is your ticket! 

In this post, I’ll share with you the history of the song, the chords, the iconic riff, and everything else you need to know to get playing in the style today!

Who Originally Sang Suzie Q?

The original version of "Suzie Q" was sung by American rock singer-songwriter Dale Hawkins. Hawkins was often credited as the architect of swamp rock boogie. He wrote the tune during a booming rockabilly era with fellow bandmate Robert Chaisson, and they recorded it in 1957. Hawkins's version featured the brilliant guitar work of James Burton, who worked with many famous artists such as Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson among others.

What key is Suzie Q in?

“Suzie Q” is in the key of E and features a blues riff and chord progression. The original version by Hawkins and the later version recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) are...

Whether you're looking for a new blues tune to jam along with at home or a classic song to get you ready for a blues jam, this "Green Onions" guitar lesson is your one-stop-shop for learning the chords, grooves, and solos today.

"Green Onions" was first released on Stax Records in October 1962 as the title track on the debut album Green Onions by Booker T. & the M.G.'s. The original members of the band were Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), Steve Cropper (guitar), Lewie Steinberg (bass), and Al Jackson Jr. (drums).

This song is a classic display of the "Memphis Soul" sound, and it has become a staple in many blues guitarists' repertoire and is also very commonly called at jam sessions.

In this "Green Onions" guitar lesson, I'll share with you some key points to being able to play in this bluesy style.

How I Failed At A Blues Jam!

Before we dive into the lesson though, I want to share with you a bit about my first experience jamming “Green Onions” at a blues jam some...

If you're looking to add some classic rock and roll to your repertoire, then look no further than this "Great Balls of Fire" guitar lesson. This iconic song by Jerry Lee Lewis is known for its fast-paced piano riff, but it can also be played on the guitar, and it’s a lot of fun. In this lesson, we'll break down the chords, signature bass lines, and rhythm patterns, step-by-step so you can start playing this song today! 

What did Jerry Lee Lewis mean by Great Balls of Fire?

Before we can jump into the guitar lesson let’s answer the one question that I’m sure you’re all wondering, “What did Jerry Lee Lewis mean by Great Balls of Fire?” The song is essentially about the earthquake feeling that love can put a person in. Lewis captured the energy of those emotions and channeled it into this hit song. 

“Great Balls Of Fire” was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee at Sun Studio on October 8, 1957.

The track features Lewis on piano...

Let’s dive into one of the most iconic guitar performances of all time: Jimi Hendrix's version of 'All Along the Watchtower.' In this guitar lesson, I'll walk you through step-by-step some of the key elements in Hendrix's guitar style, with the hope that you can discover how to incorporate some of Hendrix's magic into your own guitar playing.

Who wrote All Along The Watchtower?

This legendary song was originally written by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and was transformed into a masterpiece by Hendrix's innovative guitar playing and unique interpretation. It was first released on Dylan’s eighth studio album, John Wesley Harding, in 1967. A year later, Hendrix released his version on the album Electric Ladyland in 1968. 

All Along The Watchtower Chords

You only need to know 3 chords to play 'All Along The Watchtower,' C#m, B, and A.

For C#m play this:

B play this: 

And finally, for A play this:

The entire song is played with one looping chord...

If you're a guitarist looking to level up your Chicago blues guitar skills, going through this “Hoochie Coochie Man” guitar lesson is the perfect place to start. This post will take you through the basics of the style and share chords, riffs, and scales for learning how to jam along to this blues classic.

Who originally wrote Hoochie Coochie Man?

The original writer of “Hoochie Coochie Man” was the American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and record producer Willie Dixon. While Dixon was primarily known as an upright bass player, he was also a competent guitarist and is regarded as one of the most prolific blues songwriters of his time. 

In this post, I’ll be sharing with you tips about various versions. However, it's worth noting that the first recorded version of "Hoochie Coochie Man" was by Muddy Waters in 1954. Waters’ version is a prime example of how the blues started to transition from more acoustic Delta-based styles...

If you're a guitarist looking to add some bluesy flavor to your playing, this "Catfish Blues" guitar lesson is a great starting point. This guide covers the basics of the style, from essential chords and fingerpicking techniques to tips for adding your own personal touch. With these skills, you'll be able to jam with friends and have a lot of fun playing the blues."

Understanding the Roots of Catfish Blues 

To master the "Catfish Blues" style on guitar, it's important to understand its roots. This blues style originated in the Mississippi Delta region in the early 20th century and was heavily influenced by African American folk music and the blues. The style features fingerpicking, slide guitar, and distinctive chord progressions that set it apart from other blues styles.

Who originally wrote Catfish Blues?

Robert Petway, an American blues singer and guitarist born in 1903, is credited as the original composer of "Catfish Blues". His influential style heavily influenced later...

If you're a guitarist looking to add some classic blues to your setlist, look no further than this "I'd Rather Go Blind" guitar lesson. This guide will walk you through chords, strumming patterns, and arpeggio-picking techniques you'll need to play in this soulful blues style.

I’d Rather Go Blind Chords

To play "I'd Rather Go Blind" on guitar, start by learning the chords and progression. This classic blues tune uses a simple chord progression of A to Bm, which loops continuously throughout the song. In this section, we'll go over the chord shapes you'll need to play this tune.

For A major play this:

And for Bm you can play this in the 2nd position like this:

Now a lot of the time players think of this Bm chord shape as being a bar chord. However, notice that you can just play it on the middle 4 strings, and this would require no baring at all. When you do this you want to mute off the low 6th and high 1st strings. 

If that chord is too hard you could also substitute...

If you’re looking to improve your 12-string blues guitar playing, look no further than this ‘Life By The Drop’ guitar lesson. In this post, I’ll share with you how to play the version of the song as recorded by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan’s recording was done on a 12-string acoustic guitar, and it is chock full of incredible blues guitar techniques, chords, scales, and concepts you can steal and add to your own guitar playing. 

Who wrote Life By The Drop?

The original writer of “Life By The Drop” was Doyle Bramhall. Bramhall was a neighborhood friend of Vaughan’s in West Dallas, Texas. Brahmhall was a drummer and singer, but he never achieved the same success as Vaughan. However, later he did record an album with the Vaughan Brothers called Family Style. and he had two successful solo albums.

What tuning is Life By The Drop?

 While a lot of guitar players may feel this song is in an alternate tuning, it is actually in...