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Rockabilly Rhythm and Lead Guitar Lesson (in the key of A) – EP226

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson you’ll learn several classic Rockabilly style techniques including embellishing around an A6 chord. You’ll also learn an easy way to play chord changes by picking notes out of chords instead of thinking of scales.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  1. Raymond P says

    October 13, 2017 at 2:20 pm

    Great lesson Brian,

    Enjoyed the new lesson ideas on using the 6th and 7th

    Thanks
    Ray

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    • nomini says

      October 18, 2017 at 8:10 am

      whoop whoop — that’s what I’m talking about. Thanks much Brian.

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  2. San Luis Rey says

    October 13, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Looks like a great lesson Brian. Like the hybrid picking you have going on in this.
    Good to see the 335 again!

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    • Fred L says

      October 17, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      good lesson i kike it fred

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  3. gquellet says

    October 13, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Welcome back 335, sounding GREAT!!

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  4. JohnStrat says

    October 13, 2017 at 5:46 pm

    Hi Brian yes i like this I had been thinking that a good rythm lesson was needde to get us working up the dexterity well this looks to be right on the nail and a great sound all in one.
    Thanks its hitting the favorites.
    regards JohnStrat

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  5. AA says

    October 13, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Nice!

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  6. Rip says

    October 13, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    This looks like fun and I see some cool licks…. I think that you made a good choice this week Brian. Rip

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  7. sunburst says

    October 13, 2017 at 7:43 pm

    when I retgurn home, going to enjoy this lesson , great fun Brian, keep em flowing!

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  8. Michael Allen says

    October 13, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    Looks like a whole lotta fun! Can’t wait to learn this one. Thanks Brian

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  9. Robert J says

    October 14, 2017 at 12:08 am

    Hooray! its’ like you’re reading my mind with the micro lesson on Carl Perkins and now this one. I’ve been playing a lot of 50’s style rock and roll with my band, Daddy Rabbit(it’s our genre) and this stuff fits the bill perfectly. AND I just picked up this excellent 2 CD set “Sam Phillips:The man who invented rock and roll” on YepRoc records. dovetails right in with this. Thanks, Man!

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  10. Allan says

    October 14, 2017 at 3:03 am

    Nice one Brian I’m going to rock this town with this one cheers mate.

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  11. angwave says

    October 14, 2017 at 6:08 am

    Awesome Brian!!!! Would love to see some more Brian Setzer style lessons….. cause when you explain it….. I really grasp it and actually think….. wow now I get it!!!! Your the BEST @ what you DO!!!! Thank YOU!!!!

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  12. strattastic says

    October 14, 2017 at 7:33 am

    Magical Brian.

    Another for the favourite list.

    Thanks

    George

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    • Terry M says

      November 19, 2017 at 9:45 pm

      This simple and extremely hypnotic riff to took me almost a month to figure out how to unlock it and make it sound right , realizing that all you need to do was emphasize the second A note to unlock the boogie woogie rhythm sound. Once I did this , it was like a magic trick!

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  13. Bob B says

    October 16, 2017 at 8:16 am

    I’m loving this one! Just found that this piece dovetails nicely with EP024. I’ve been having fun alternating between this lesson and EP024. It’s all great Rockabilly and both lessons are in the key of A.

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    • JMTster says

      October 30, 2017 at 4:34 pm

      Thanks for the tip, Bob!

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  14. Fred L says

    October 17, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    good lesson Fred&BettyLovins

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  15. Fred L says

    October 17, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    good lesson likeit

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  16. Rip says

    October 17, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    As I state earlier, I always enjoy learning new Rockabilly licks/riffs. Any chance of a future lesson with Rock in either Open G or maybe Open E? Thanks, Rip

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  17. [email protected] says

    October 17, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    I like it and would like to see more. Great job as usual thanks.

    Floyd

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  18. paul B says

    October 18, 2017 at 8:35 am

    Great, I was able to add on the backing track with my own licks.
    Paul

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  19. Robert B says

    October 18, 2017 at 10:16 am

    I love love love rockabilly. You can have the blues. I want the rockabilly. Thanks Brian.

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  20. furynut69 says

    October 19, 2017 at 9:18 am

    Great lesson Brian!!!! Very well done.

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  21. Ted D Boy says

    October 19, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    I loved this lesson, I have been playing around with this stuff for years and I really enjoyed your take on it. Keep up the good work, I can’t get enough of it.

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  22. sunburst says

    October 23, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    Brian you are simply awesome and inspiring! I am listening to your intro first time as I type,, I’m going to start this tonight! Enjoy all your lessons and watch and listen my friend! May you get a million more premium subs my man! Great stuff!

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  23. sunburst says

    October 23, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    So for fast reference after trying with the soundslice first and without acknowledging the 7th chord positioning,, I quickly found it on the slow version video..although I do watch most of every video ,, like the intro..my mind catch the 7ths after following the slow (last play through video) what a terrific lesson and so fun indeed!

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  24. sunburst says

    October 24, 2017 at 10:23 am

    today i figured best to backup and watch the second video which is the best thing i could have done! ty once again for terrific tutorials !

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  25. sunburst says

    October 24, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    yes video see the 6ths! my bad! i can’t edit comments lol

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  26. richie b says

    October 24, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    u2 uses that 6th

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  27. sunburst says

    October 24, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    All I know is the fast jam track is too fast for me! If that is Brian playing it fast along with the jamtrack ,, that amazes me even more! slow tempo tonight for me! lol

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  28. JMTster says

    October 27, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    To echo Brian’s comment, if you’re checking this site out you really should consider Premium membership. It’s the best value you’ll find anywhere in the world of guitar instruction. Whether you’re just learning or been playing for years you’ll never regret the small amount of money spent. Been a member for a few years and can’t see ever dropping it. And no, I’m not getting anything for posting this. Have fun and keep pickin’!

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    • wrightclick says

      December 6, 2017 at 2:57 am

      Stalked the site for 5 months then had to bite the bullet as i couldn’t resist no longer worth every penny and good value too . Now about to start my 3rd year

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  29. Michael D says

    December 10, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    Great lesson! More rockabilly, pretty please!

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  30. OldGuy says

    January 15, 2018 at 10:15 am

    Brian, I enjoyed the lesson I wish you would include a medium speed to practice to help reach the normal speed the lesson is played in when you play it. Thank! Allen J

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  31. Huub L says

    April 2, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    Hi Brain, thank you .

    happy to found this lesson ,the first part , fun to……. play it on the bass as well .

    huub

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  32. Ian C says

    May 14, 2018 at 1:39 am

    G’day Mate, just found you. I’ve just joined a rockabilly dance club. down here in Australia,the problem is that the local Muso’s here in Townsville don’t know the difference between rock and rockabilly. So I’ve decided to learn to play it out of neccessity. I’m a Dobro Player and had to learn a bit about guitar to learn a bit about music & apply to my Dobro. So I’ve spent years learning scales on guitar, but couldn’t master the sound in simple way. I’ve just cottoned on to the way you do it very simply around the half chords on guitar. I’ve been doing that on Dobro in a open tuning Lap Steel style for years without realizing it. Been trying to use the full chord on guitar which is difficult. Thank you!! Ian C.

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  33. Leonard C says

    February 2, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    Good Lesson !! New to this website, but was around when Sun Records was doing great with Rockabilly in the mid and late 1950’s. Will have to go thru all of your Rockabilly lessons to see what I missed. Thank You !! Len C

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  34. Leonard C says

    February 2, 2021 at 5:08 pm

    Hi Ian, (If you’re still with this website). What Rockabilly songs do you play on Dobro? I haven’t touched my dobro for 4+ years; time to start back. You can find some good dobro songs on gregboothdobro.com Orange Blossom Special and Folsom Prison Blues are a couple of the Dobro songs I got from him.
    Just Joined activemelody.com and attempting to refresh/relearn Rockabilly licks on my Gretsch guitar.

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  35. Laura M says

    May 27, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    Going to start slow….Wished I was up to speed. Was hoping I would be more advanced in the 3 and 1/2 years of playing. Thanks Brian, great lesson.

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