Chordplay - I Love 1950s Chords

Here's the next episode of Chordplay with I Love 1950s Chords.
I've created a number of lessons using the decade format found in this lesson, and so far we've covered the 1960s, 1970s, two 1980s episodes, and one for the 1990s as well, but this time we're taking a look at some interesting/inspiring chord-based ideas found hiding in rock music from the "golden era" - the 1950s.
The 1950s was an exciting time in music, as it was the birth of rock and roll, and the popularity of the electric guitar exploded, as a wave of record sales and radios worldwide catered around this new form of music that originated during the decade.
Thie lesson features a number of classic songs from this era, including familiar songs such as 'No Particular Place To Go' and 'School Day' by Chuck Berry, 'Sleepwalk' by Santo & Johnny, 'Bo Diddley' by none other than Bo Diddley himself, 'Willie And The Hand Jive' by Johnny Otis, and many more!
There's something beneficial and important to gain from pulling back and looking at an overview covering an entire decade of music. When you do so, you'll notice some of the habits, trends, and creative ideas floating around during the early days of rock music. The 1950s will not only reveal interesting chords and progressions being used, but also the pioneering blueprint of countless things you'll find being used in the rock and pop music written today.
Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

[@Pudge4400]

"Sleep Walk" - Santo & Johnny

[@jon.wilson]

If anybody hasn't seen the movie "Let the Good Times Roll" yet, I highly recommend it. It's about concerts in 1973 starring a lot of the bands in this video, 50s and 60s rock 'n roll and doo-wop guys and girls that put on an amazing show. Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Bill Haley, Little Richard, The Five Satins, etc.

[@DrTWG]

If you watch ' Christine ' you will probably go off 'doo-wop' .

[@tomasschuman6576]

Santo & Johnny - Sleepwalk One of the staples in early surf movies

[@tommcgahon7464]

Sleepwalk! Love it

[@stephenlandry9343]

Yes Chuck berry was the king of rock and roll! Rock around the clock solo is incredibly cool.

[@deke61sg]

Love it..lol. That was fun. Where it all started. Nice.

[@albertmunoz6952]

MORE 50's please!! Specifically Bill Haley, Buddy, and Richie!!

[@jimholmes341]

Hail hail Rock and Roll.....super cool stuff!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

With an introduction like that, how can one not love 50's chords? And yea, Chuck Berry is the King of rock and roll, for sure.

[@ZPX945]

Really COOL!

[@SuperNick090]

50s Guitar Tunes are Awesome !!! And Chuck Berry is king of Rock & Roll....You can hear his Guitar riffs in tunes from the Stones to Van Halen.👍

[@rtolas1]

Great idea for an episode

[@plaidman67]

My wife and I have been telling everyone for years that Chuck Berry is the KING of Rock and Roll! Right on!

[@michaelmattson3515]

I remember lyrics that went something like… rock n roll n my baby down at the old railroad shack…. That was supposed to be the first reference to the term Rock n Roll. Love the 50s guitar playing. A whole different set of skills.

[@markbaird2657]

How about a lesson on Cliff Gallup? He was the king of 50s rock guitar in my opinion! Anything from Gene Vincent or Jonny Burnett Trio!

[@michaelmattson3515]

First song I learned was Rumble. The history of that song is epic.

[@alanharper6673]

I just wanted to say thank you for producing all of this A+ content. People like you have taught me so much in my 3.5 years of playing guitar in such small time.

[@nicelynoise6457]

...sleepwalk is one of mY favorite tunes...ever.,..says junk jazzer at 2:35 a.m....we never sleep here at the Hideaway 💤...ty for the little harmonic melody line lick.🎸🎶🖤

[@bobboitt3126]

Sanyo and Johnny...sweeeeet.

[@michaeleaster1815]

Great lesson! First: RIP Don Everly, who passed away Aug 21, 2021. Also: I agree 100% on Chuck Berry and believe he should be on the Mount Rushmore of rock guitar. I was lucky enough to see Chuck Berry perform at his restaurant/venue, Blueberry Hill in St. Louis, in 1999. He was still a great showman. (Weird fact: on-stage, playing keys was Johnnie Johnson, despite the fact that Berry and Johnson were in a major legal battle over songwriting credits).

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

R.I.P. Don Everly. Really sad news I hadn't heard yet. Thank you for letting people know.

[@jayartz8562]

I got to see the Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bo Diddley at the same gig.

[@saltydog4787]

Have to agree that Chuck was the King. Not too many songs that told stories & rocked like Chuck's did.

[@johnhoward2687]

Another very cool lesson. I agree with you on Chuck Berry. He is the king. I like to play 50’s music. A lot of ringing chords. Good for working on the left hand. Switching chords. Thanks Dave.

[@tomdutra977]

Once again great lesson Dave. I am so fortunate to have been born In 1959. For many reasons.... They say learn something new everyday. Thank you very much young man.

[@300gjw]

Great stuff Dave!

[@adozensparrows]

Your show is one of the best kept secrets on KZbin 🤫

[@auorda2295]

Yes!!!! Chuck Berry is the king of rock n roll. You sir have my heart.

[@greg77hot]

Rock an' Roll !!!!

[@Buddy969]

Great job David!

[@frankiedonofrio5438]

Awesome!!!!

[@johnwrench4speed]

I think you should listen to Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" from 1947!

[@michaelkatz1539]

Dave, this has to be one of my favorite videos of yours. I hope you do another ‘50s one featuring the likes of Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Scotty Moore, James Burton and Duane Eddy. So glad you mentioned Danny Cedrone, who used that solo in Rock Around The Clock first in Rock The Joint. And how Link Wray isn’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is beyond me. “Rumble,” was one of the first songs I learned on guitar. There’s an urban legend that to get the right distortion for the song, Link Wray punched holes in the cone of his amp with a pencil! Great stuff again Dave!

[@bghammock]

Pulp Fiction made me HAVE to learn "Rumble" and I'm thankful!! It helped pentatonic scales "click" for me later on with that Em walkdown.

[@stratman9449]

i was born in the early 50s and heard all that on the radio....but even as a child, a lot of that music seemed kind of old fashioned and melancholic....it was actually a great relieve when some more "serious" rock and blues appeared in the mid and later 60s.....but interesting and good video lesson....thanks David....:-)

[@track1219]

Same here! I never got into doo wop, but the 60s, WOW!

[@KristinkaAranova]

Doo wop era was the best

[@DrTWG]

I vi IV v (1 6 4 5) , I V vi IV , (1 5 6 4) , I IV V (combos) - most of pop history . Jazz pays it's dues to major/minor 2 5 1 and 'rhythm changes' . Loved learning the 'switch' today & I hadn't thought about aug chords as symmetrical before - 2 major third intervals of course (4 frets) . I've seen a lot of guitar channels - this is right up there with the best .

[@alanwann9318]

From a 60 yr hands on playing,you are a good guitarist with a good touch.thanks

[@scottkidwell3601]

Fantastic! My mom turned me on to blues and 50s music when I was in junior high... so much good stuff! Appreciate the lesson 🙏

[@barryhaynes103]

What a very kewl episode !!! … Joe Satriani plays an excellent cover of sleepwalk … you’re one helluva player 😎

[@ronmorey3475]

Thank you Dave!I love this lesson! You never cease to amaze me when it comes to the tones you get out of those Fender noiseless pickups. You, more than anyone, have sold me on those. Of course, I will need hands like yours as well.

[@size778]

La Bamba movie lol!

[@buddylobos5277]

Thanks!! Great choice for a lesson. Really incredible how I was just going over some of these songs. I have a small gig in 3 weeks. These songs are fun. Their close proximity to the Jazz Age lent them a different flavor. Jimmie Page loved Link Wray. Again Thank You.

[@eersrus]

New to your channel and love it. I call myself a 50 year beginner but I’m inspired by your 50s progressions.

[@jasonmagyar1643]

Another amazing video David!!! This is some great stuff to mess with and expand the palate.

[@williamrosa8662]

Big fan here in Montreal (french canadian dude) but here to tell you got that something else no other channel have for my opinion. The passion, big background of rock and guitar riff and you fgk play it and teach it in the best way. Hope everything is good in your life so you can keep up with this cool stuff. Hope u the best! Keep riffing

[@davidsmith-jj4iq]

Theres a film of an Aussie band ,playing songs with this progression,with loads of well known songs ,from all types of music . Very interesting.

[@voronOsphere]

"Sleepwalk." Beautiful, David!!! love 1950s music and 50s electric guitar, David!!!! Great Lesson!!!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@donaldmccoy49]

Excellent episode sir!!! Zappa was a beast on this kinda stuff....lead stuff is limitless over these progressions...

[@kutsbothways]

My brother, 3 years older than me, and his friend listened to this music; they were a rebellious lot. Always loved "Sleepwalk" ,then, I heard Carlton cover it and I was hooked. Been on the guitar journey ever since. Thanks for all you do Dave.

[@cupidsweddingchapel]

I can't think of a more comprehensive guitar lesson channel anywhere. Thank you!

[@rocker8692]

Link Wray is kind of the starter for punk rock in a way.Thanks for the lesson,alot of guitar knowledge you are sharing.

[@Ions11]

I sometimes wonder if some of David's humor is intentional or unintentional. The intro to the Bo Diddly portion made me LOL. Anyway - Thanks for another awesome lesson!

[@TheRiverRiseII]

Great lesson, DB! I still think Cliff Gallup deserves his own episode :)

[@tapehiss88]

Awesome song choices David (and love the guitar tones)! Thanks for teaching the minor fourth; it’s so cool sounding!

[@sweetpain67]

Supercool

[@tommcnally3646]

Chuck Berry, PERIOD

[@looking4crossroads135]

So much good stuff in here. Thanks, David.

[@adamnoble8235]

Mate you’re something else thanks for the inspiration

[@jimilove7773]

50' CHORDS ROCK!

[@dougfa3515]

Great lesson... been meaning to get back to this one and I'm glad I did.

[@burresseffects]

You know you’re of a certain age if hearing “Rumble” reminds you of Randy Quaid in Independence Day.

[@douglaschristine8387]

Great idea's for the lessons you come up with. I haven't heard sleepwalk in years, now I have to go play it, lol. Thanks.

[@TreatzTMA]

Just great👍🎸

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Have always loved that Sleepwalk tune, it sounds lush and other worldly, very nice!

[@ThrashRoC]

Great Lesson , as Always

[@tomdutra977]

The story goes that Rumble was the first example of " distortion " on a recording.... And that he got that sound by cutting the speaker on his amp.

[@anthonyrampino8148]

Basically school days and no particular place to go are the same song just with different lyrics and arrangements

[@bawilms]

Took me back ...

[@CliffKant]

Love your work! There is so much research and depth in each lesson. This lessons should be at least an hour long.

[@Brunodowney1]

fantastic , very informative as usual.. keep em coming .

[@MT-or7lv]

That was great Dave! I love all the continent you produce. I was hoping you'd get to some of these old 50's awesomeness. I always look forward to your next installment.

[@ElliotComposer]

Awesome!

[@MedfordHills]

Great lessons

[@jonathanengwall2777]

You answer my questions, thank you

[@backtoshallabal6662]

Don Everly was also an underrated Rhythm guitarist!

[@richacello339]

Now that. you've whetted our appetite, will there be a rockabilly Carl Perkins lesson with a little Buddy Holly thrown in? Thanks, David!

[@victorsilvas9603]

Helps to have that throbbing tremolo on Rumble.

[@soundhealer6043]

Good stuff, man.

[@janjahnke6432]

Please do more 50s licks and chords :-) BTW nice punchy sound!

[@loosearrow5150]

Totally agree!! I've always said that Chuck was the King of R&R!! People would look at me dumbfounded!! I have heard Elvis was the first one to RAP and record it though. Elvis impersonator told me that little bit of info!! Don't do cRAP!!.

[@jimmuller]

I really like your channel. You give a taste of all the great guitar players. Just enough that people will search them out if they're interested. Have you ever worked with Andy Aledort at GP etc? You have a similar vibe to Andy's laid back way of teaching. You guys are both top notch.

[@gthrockstar]

They should call it the Chuck Berry Hall of Fame

[@barrydonovan88]

Hi Dave. How about a lesson on Scott Mishoe? ? The guy is a phenomenon. Great content, best wishes.

[@belotface]

Im a total hard rocker, But no matter what style good guitar playing is good guitar playing. How about Surf Style! Thanks and great job!

[@thomasz4981]

Why did I just yell out, "Not my Ritchie"?

[@directassault1662]

Check out the song “Those Magic Changes” from original Grease score…especially the lyrics. Played guitar for the pit of Grease in high school and found that song pretty funny…at least as a guitar player.

[@jspic4907]

Cool! Please do Stryper!

[@dp110]

King Berry !!! you get no argument from on that one

[@michaelmarshall55]

i tried to imagine david playing sleepwalk with a pick or the intro to schooldays with his fingers but i got all queasy. Chord talk is all very tease-y but the real bump and grind comes with the articulations on the notes….

[@jerrywilson4371]

I think I heard somewhere that Link Wray was a big influence on Jimmy Page. That alone elevates him to me.

[@tonygarcia179]

Hey buddy I'm sure plenty of people have posted positive comments on your channel which are totally warranted and so now I want to chime and add to them and say there are a lot of Guitar KZbin channels all good all useful and helpful. And yours is like the rest of them good, useful and helpful BUT where your's differs is in the other added quality where you give insight on the artist and their music, but it's just more than that if feels so cool so comfortable so easy the way you do it I liken it to when to good friends have the same interests in music and both have guitars and they go over each other's house and jam. I hope that makes sense. Anyway that's the difference and feeling I get watching your channel. Thanks ! Keep up the good work. P.S. I also wanted to know if you're into those obscure bands that would be considered the contemporaries of Sabbath, Zeppelin etc but for some reason or another never reached their full potential bands like Stray Dog, Cactus, Atomic Rooster, Highway Robbery, Stepson, Fanny Adams, White Witch, Power of Zeus, Yesterday's Children and German bands like Blackwater Park, Jeronimo, Silberbart etc etc. Would love to hear your take on them groups.

[@superflysoulbrother]

no doubt Dave is our cyber bro

[@tonygarcia179]

@@superflysoulbrother Cyber Bro it is !

[@dp110]

"me' insert into previous comment where needed

[@BrentJJ]

The 1950's are the reason why Joe Satriani creates great music.

[@gonspeak]

Joe Satriani did a great, spot on cover of "Sleepwalk" on one of his albums. It's been a few years ago, but def worth checking out what he did with it. He didn't "shred it up", just a very faithful rendition. One of the only "cover tunes" he has ever done.

[@mikeking453]

Rock around the clock guitar solo is actually kind of tough to play

[@claretroup1894]

Love dreamy doo wop and 50s 😍😍😍 I am good a sing 🎤 it but not play on my acoustic guitar 🎸

[@hazor777]

Joe Satriani does an amazing version of 'Sleepwalk' , using the trem and amazing delay/reverb tone ...highly recommend checking it out if you haven't

[@harperhellems3648]

Don Everly passed away day before this lesson. August 21, 2021.

[@nicklebac6753]

Awesome video! when’s chords of blue murder coming out or John Sykes licks from blue murder?🤞🏽 blue murder album way better than 87 the guitar is absolutely mind blowing

[@sciexp]

Thanks for sharing this... Do you know Pee Wee Crayton's Do unto others... It's from the 40s...

[@paras706]

Can I use this as a loop?

[@PelvisCashley]

Junior Barnard was doing rock guitar in some Bob Wills stuff before Bill Haley and the Comets....AND....ELVIS is still the KING!