Boom Boom Guitar Lesson John Lee Hooker (Part 1)

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Ready to level up your blues guitar skills?
Look no further than the classic sounds of John Lee Hooker and his tune "Boom Boom".
In this "Boom Boom" guitar lesson, I'll share with you the key elements of Hooker's bluesy style and break down the chords, signature riffs, grooves, and even how to get started soloing in this classic blues style today.
"Boom Boom" has been covered by countless artists over the years, and its iconic riff and groovy rhythm make it a must-know for any aspiring blues guitar player. So grab your guitar, and let's get ready to jam some blues!
Who Wrote Boom Boom?
“Boom Boom” was written by American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Lee Hooker. It was first recorded in 1961, and even though it’s considered a blues standard music critic Charles Shaar Murray called it "the greatest pop song he ever wrote".
The song has a bluesy groove to it but it actually doesn’t follow a typical 12-bar blues chord progression like many traditional blues songs. “Boom Boom” is closer to a one-chord blues like “Boogie Chillen,” or “Smokestack Lightnin”.
Boom Boom Chords
Even though “Boom Boom” does not follow a typical 12-bar blues, it still uses the most common 3 chords of a typical blues progression the I, IV, and V. Since “Boom Boom” is in the key of E, the chords you’ll need to know are E, A, and B.
These chords are often referred to in the blues as the I, IV, and V chords.
E = I chord
A = IV chord
B = V chord
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[@jonmaclennan]

►►Discover the 5 MUST-KNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE → www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboardguide

[@luckydog-287]

" Key of E" - 00:39.... Thank you!

[@sheldonshaw6112]

Jon Maclennan. I just finished your BOOM BOOM lesson Man I was so depressed and hopeless feeling and now I'm a crapton better thank you sir

[@johnw4659]

Thank you for this great lesson. Ever since I saw that scene in the Blues Brothers movie I've thought this would be a really cool song to learn how to play.

[@sean68mtown]

The Blues Brothers brought me here…

[@Kurtis-Schubert]

Thank you! Essential jam to know. These blues lessons are great.

[@oldrrocr]

Nice!

[@loosearrow5150]

Thanks Jon!! Excellent lesson! You have a awesome way of teaching and a great personality!! I saved this one in my 'guitar lessons' playlist!!

[@ntdetdo8080]

Is this song in a hall step down tuning?

[@b.b.stratman8410]

The original (1961) sounds like it was in F. It may have been sped up in studio or maybe he used a capo on the first fret and played it like it was in E. I don't think he would have actually played it in F. The version on the 1992 Boom Boom album, which I think is the version JonMac is teaching here, sounds like standard tuning in E to me. But John Lee Hooker rarely played a song the same way twice. I've heard versions of Boom Boom where he seems to play the whole song as a one chord vamp.

[@joer5000]

Need tabs for this to slow it down for a newbie. I can’t catch all the notes your saying

[@b.b.stratman8410]

Hi. Great lesson. John Lee recorded a lot of versions of this. Anybody know which version Jon's lesson s based on? Thanks, Jon.

[@b.b.stratman8410]

Figured it out. I think this version is from the 1992 Boom Boom album. The intro is shorter than the intro of original recording from 1961. On the original recording John Lee plays through the whole progression for the intro rather than just the I and IV chords but the licks are very similar. Interesting, in the original when he sings the verses he plays the lick instead of what the band plays in answer to his licks during the intro. And the solo section is this really crazy chording that I have never been able to figure out exactly. I have played this song in bar gigs for a long time, but I think next time I am going to try ti play the solo more or less like Jon teaches in this lesson. Jon MacLennan is truly a phenomenal teacher. Thank you, Jon.

[@pietrofantinato5854]

As always, top notch lessons with you Jon...But, you may not want to do this, since you always play clean, but have you ever thought of covering songs that have sections where you need pedals? Simple stuff with basic pedals. In my opinion , it would help a lot of your players discover the new sounds. On the other hand, you do such a great job without, maybe taking the trouble is simply not worth it. Just a wild suggestion ! Thanks for everything Jon. My regards to your entire guitar community.

[@luckydog-287]

As always, awesome, important lessons! Thank you!

[@cyrilmoussoki3193]

Thank you for sharing

[@berniefoley3260]

My favourite is these blues lessons you teach us. Just fun to try and learn. Bernie

[@gabrielarrigone3933]

Gracias Che, saludos desde Buenos Aires, Argentina !!!

[@MLFranklin]

This is so cool!

[@meldeer6253]

Well Jon thats a better story than mine i had a bass guitar i use to walk around town as a kid and try to learn with friends till the town bully took my guitar...thats so cool you got to live this dream of a life and shair with us i have fallowed you for quite sometime and you have quite a track record of accomplishments realy like your styl

[@annemariekaczorowski1863]

Hey look at that hair when you did Boom Boom for guitar control. What year was that?

[@viktorburt9764]

Man what a nice story man and you're playing is good,,, incredible

[@piotrkarbowiak1894]

Super lekcje

[@martinvejlelarsen9818]

Great story thanks Jon

[@andrewarcher2773]

great lesson