Rockabilly Lessons Course

 

Rockabilly music is high energy, danceable and so much fun. Playing this style of guitar is just as fun! There are some specific techniques that can be used in order to achieve the Rockabilly guitar sound and vibe. Check out the Rockabilly guitar lessons below to learn the building blocks of the genre. We’ll show you specific Rockabilly rhythms, strumming techniques, Rockabilly chords and Rockabilly riffs and licks plus so much more so you can sound like you’ve been playing the style for decades.

Learning how to play guitar? Still need to get your fingers around some basics? Check out Guitar Fundamentals Course 1 or Rock Guitar Course 1 to round out your skills. With that said, let’s dive straight into learning how to play Rockabilly guitar!

Rockabilly Style Basics

The cornerstone of rockabilly guitar is the rhythm playing. It's a unique blend of country twang and blues shuffle, often played with a steady, bouncing feel that's super catchy. Rockabilly guitar is famous for its infectious, twangy licks and flashy fingerwork. Begin with learning some basic guitar scales like the minor pentatonic scale and the blues scale. Once you add in that signature rockabilly swing by playing a mix of downstrokes and upstrokes, emphasizing the off-beats – that's the groove you're aiming for.

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Jinx Jones
Rockabilly 101

In this tutorial, rockabilly expert Jinx Jones will introduce you to the style and give you some insights into how to approach playing it. Jinx will give you some background on rockabilly, then talk about how to get that tone. He'll then give two lessons on how to find the swing groove, and show you a couple of licks that work in any rockabilly setting. You'll finish off with a play along with the rockin' backing track in a play through performance.

Published: 04/04/2011 Upgrade
Hunter Perrin
Sun Studio Rockabilly

In this set of lessons, Hunter Perrin will teach you the rockabilly stylings of Sun Studio. Hunter will first introduce the style then talk a bit about the gear and tone; then he'll demonstrate an acoustic backbeat rhythm. Following that is a cool electric rhythm approach, then a lead guitar part in the style of Scotty Moore. We'll put it all together in the end for a play along.

Published: 04/10/2013 Upgrade

Essential Rockabilly Songs

Rockabilly guitar, with its electrifying energy and cool retro vibe, is an incredibly fun genre to dive into, especially for those taking beginner guitar lessons. The best way to learn Rockabilly guitar techniques is directly from legends in the genre such as Brian Setzer, Carl Perkins and the king himself, Elvis. Learn from the legendary players and songs that make this style of guitar great. Songs like ‘Blue Suede Shoes,’ ‘That’s All Right’ and even ‘Jump, Jive an’ Wail’ will transport you to another time in music history. Utilizing the Rockabilly guitar techniques you’ve learned through the lessons above will set you on the path to sounding like the real deal in the song lessons below.

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Elvis Presley image
That's All Right Elvis Presley

In this set of song lessons, Lee Wanner will teach you "That's All Right", by Elvis Presley. Lee will clue you into the overall song and the gear and tones, then launch right in with the acoustic intro, followed by the verse and refrain. Then it's time to look at the electric guitar: first the rhythm elements, then the solo, and finally the outro to the song. We'll conclude with a play along, then you'll take over in the jam along.

Published: 12/19/2012 Upgrade
Carl Perkins image
Blue Suede Shoes Carl Perkins

Anders will show you the 2 guitar parts in this song. The song is driven by the electric guitar, but underneath that is a supporting acoustic guitar, which we'll break down as well. There are classic stops on the I-chord and then the groove picks up as they swing their way through the 12-bar form. We have the two fun solos featuring absolutely classic rock 'n' roll vocabulary

Published: 03/24/2021 Upgrade
Commander Cody image
Hot Rod Lincoln Commander Cody

In this song tutorial, Tom Finch will teach you "Hot Rod Lincoln", recorded by Commander Cody. Tom will give you an overview of the song, then talk a bit about gear and tone. Then we'll look at the intro riff that also occurs between the verses throughout the song. There's no choruses here, and Tom will get into the details and nuances that make each verse different. We'll end the race with a full performance play-along.

Published: 09/21/2011 Upgrade
Eddie Cochran image
Twenty Flight Rock Eddie Cochran

Douglas will show you how to play this classic I-IV-V blues progression in a rockabilly style. There are several breaks to emphasize the story of the lyrics and a single guitar part that outlines the moving bass, along with some other chords and a rockin' solo.

Published: 01/19/2015 Upgrade
The Brian Setzer Orchestra image
Jump, Jive an' Wail (Made Easy) The Brian Setzer Orchestra

Mike has arranged this song in a made easy format for acoustic guitar with simplified chords and strumming. If you’re up for a challenge, we’ve also included a bonus lesson to learn how to play the song with an 8th note triplet swing rhythm. This song uses open 7th chords, the 12 bar blues form, dynamics and a steady strumming pattern.

Published: 01/03/2022 Upgrade
Roy Orbison image
You're My Baby Roy Orbison

Mike will show you the 2 clean electric guitars featured in this song. Guitar 1 plays rockabilly style rhythms and licks with a slap echo sound, while Guitar 2 strums the chord progressions throughout. This song uses open, power, and extended chords, a cut time swing groove, and some classic twangy rockabilly approaches.

Published: 02/11/2020 Upgrade
Eddie Cochran image
Skinny Jim Eddie Cochran

Mike will show you the single electric guitar in this song that digs into some steady swinging strums and exciting early rock leads.

Published: 10/09/2019 Upgrade

Here's the secret sauce of rockabilly guitar: the slap-back echo. This effect, which creates a quick, repeating echo, gives rockabilly its distinctive sound. Don't stress if you don't have an echo pedal right away; focus on getting the basics down first, and you can always add the effects later. Above all, have fun with it! Rockabilly guitar isn't necessarily about perfection; it's about expressing yourself, having a blast, and, of course, rocking out.

 

 

FAQ

Is rockabilly guitar hard?

Rockabilly guitar can be pretty straightforward once you get the hang of its rhythm and style. It's more about feeling the groove and having fun than nailing complex techniques.

 

What are the chords for rockabilly?

Rockabilly tunes often stick to classic, easy-to-play guitar chords like A major, D major, E major, and G major. These are your bread and butter in the rockabilly world, letting you jam out with that upbeat, retro vibe.

 

How do you get rockabilly guitar tone?

To nail that rockabilly tone, think twangy and bright. You'll want to crank up the treble on your amp and maybe add a touch of slap-back echo. A hollow-body guitar can really seal the deal but isn't a must.

 

How do you play Psychobilly on guitar?

Psychobilly takes that rockabilly vibe and adds a punk twist. Fast tempos, aggressive strumming, and a dash of horror-themed theatrics. Start with rockabilly basics, then speed things up and play with more attitude.

 

How do you play Hey Bo Diddley on guitar?

"Hey Bo Diddley" is all about that iconic Bo Diddley beat. Start with a shuffling rhythm on the E chord, add some accents, and let the groove lead the way. It's as cool as it sounds, trust me.

 

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