How to Play the Intro to Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry Rock 'n' Roll Guitar Tutorial

CORRECTION: The last note in the intro tablature (in Part 5 of the video, starting at 08:14) should be a Bb (8th fret, 4th string) and NOT an A (7th fret, 4th string)
In this tutorial I teach how to play the intro to 'Johnny B. Goode', as played by Chuck Berry on his 1958 recording. The video includes full and accurate guitar 'tabs', fast and slow demonstrations, and tips on how to approach the various guitar licks used. I explain the difference between playing the intro on acoustic vs. electric guitar.
You can view or download a tablature sheet I've prepared to accompany this video from my songbook blog here: jezquaylesongbookhome.files.w...
If you like this video, you might also like my 'How To Play Roll Over Beethoven' lead guitar tutorial:
• How To Play 'Roll Over...
...and my 'Chuck Berry Rock 'n' Roll Riff' tutorial:
• Tutorial #2 - Chuck Be...

[@peterchecksfield9958]

You play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Just like Johnny eh? 😊 Thanks very much Peter!

[@argopunk]

Thanks. I was struggling with the couple of notes before the scrape down of the three top strings near the end. A couple of other KZbin teachers did it in ways that didn't sound correct to me, yours does.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I’m pleased you found my video useful. 👍

[@EvolvingFully]

Thank you. I love this. Very helpful!! Well done!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I’m glad you found this helpful.

[@kygirl791]

Thank you for showing that and having the taps and I’m ordering your 50s book also

[@bazperkins]

Great stuff Jez from down under you make easy for a nearly 69 year old like me mate.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Barry! Keep on rockin' down under!

[@BuzzyWhitlowIndy]

You are absolutely fantastic. Thank you for all you do to help others

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, thanks very much Tom! I'm glad you find my videos helpful.

[@MicDread]

Wonderful, im a 40 year player, yet this song has been the hardest. Your instructions are good. I’ll try it. Yes it makes since, on acoustic, but still many years , getting that sound on electric, difficult.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Roger! Glad you found this useful.

[@gabrielerenna9251]

Hey Jez, thank you for these amazing lessons. I started with your rock'n'roll tutorial for ukulele during the first lock down and to my amazement, I was able to play it somewhat decently after a while (never played stringed instruments before). I figured I'd give it a try with guitar and even if the learning curve seems to be way steeper, I'm slowling improving over the months and having a lot of fun. So yeah thanks again mate.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks for the message Gabriele. It's good to know you've found my videos useful and that you're making such good progress. Whereabouts in the world are you? - Jez

[@nickharris1331]

Great lesson Jez, thanks for sharing 😊

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Nick!

[@joshuajohnson2216]

My band Zimi'J did this song once. What a blast eh? Thanks Jez. This tutorial helps.

[@astroboy4711]

Thanks again Jez still the best and clearest lessons. Keep’em rockin!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Mike! That’s nice of you to say ~ Jez

[@JaniceLalla]

Hello I am enjoying the 50 songs book I received it a week ago

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That’s good to hear Janice! Keep on rockin’! - Jez

[@gescheitine]

Thank you very much. It’s been 9 years that I tried to learn that and thanks to you, it’s finally done !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's great! I'm glad you found my video useful.

[@Elvis-dw7ux]

Excellent, cheers from Canada...

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Greetings from England 👍

[@toddbell1214]

Great tutorial Jez. Hope you are doing well. Loving my 50s Rock n Roll book !!!!! Thanks Todd

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Todd! I’m very well, thanks. I hope all’s well with you. Pleased to hear you’re having fun with the songbook - Jez

[@jaimemantilla5365]

🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤cada tutorial es una belleza total todo tan bien explicado gracias maestro !!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@RocknRollSongbook]

¡Muchas gracias Jaime! Me alegra que encuentres útiles mis vídeos.

[@lyphan2667]

Lâu lắm mới nghe lại tiếng đàn của anh. Thật hay. Tôi cũng thích tiếng đàn của church berry lắm

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Cảm ơn rất nhiều!

[@LukeMcHale]

Jez - those are some fast fingers man! Great tutorial on how to play the tricky johnny b goode intro!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe …thanks very much Luke!

[@igor_nokiaman]

Спасибо за урок 👍👍👍 Хорошее упражнение! Замечательная композиция 👏👏👏

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Большое спасибо Игорь!

[@rockroll456]

Absolutely brilliant bud 🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much mate!

[@LostMountainRestoration]

Great job, thanks!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

Hey, Jez! Good to see you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Inma!

[@jonheart5415]

Thanks!!!!

[@didierfournier9083]

Merci pour le moment Bravo

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Merci beaucoup Didier!

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

Hi, Jez, glad I caught THIS, that has always been a tough lick. I never pass up a lesson on c.berry .

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Francis. I'm pleased you found my video useful. Keep on rockin'!

[@mansukka_]

thank you

[@duffieuxalain2262]

Super !!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@pierreconte3729]

Super !🎶🎶🎵🎸

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Pierre!

[@stelaria13]

Guess you guys aren’t ready for that-….but your kids are gonna love it

[@RocknRollSongbook]

A great film!

[@PRINCEOFCOUNTRY663]

Thank you SO MUCH for PART 3! All i could find before now was electric lessons. On the toilet though! :)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

The acoustics in a tiled bathroom are great though! Good reverb. 😆

[@PRINCEOFCOUNTRY663]

@@RocknRollSongbook 🤣

[@Old-school_review]

what an awesome tutorial, thank you! I am not sure if this has been pointed out, but I think the very last note in the tab should be A# on the D string, not A. P.S. The new book from Amazon Canada has arrived! It looks fantastic. Thanks again!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Yes, you’re right about that last note being wrong. Thanks for letting me know. You’re the first to point that out. I’ll correct that in the downloadable tab sheet and add a note to the video. 👍

[@jebstuart6824]

....very good.....thanks man!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jeb!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

CORRECTION: The last note in the intro tablature (in Part 5 of the video, starting at 08:14) should be a Bb (8th fret, 4th string) and NOT an A (7th fret, 4th string)

[@carlnielsen3477]

Oh, so that is what he is doing. I've been quite puzzled about that intro.

[@gordenscottfan3107]

excellent, hope you do some more "note playing" lessons in the future....

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I have some more lead guitar lessons planned. Can I ask a dumb question about your KZbin name: is it a reference to Gordon Scott the 1950s Tarzan actor??

[@gordenscottfan3107]

@@RocknRollSongbook No, notice this was Gorden not a Gordon...I did like Scott as Tarzan..Gorden Scott was a friend back in my service days that talked me into buying my first guitar..was going to give me some lessons, first one was "Folsom Prison Blues", then I got shipped out and spent 50 years now playing on the top 3 strings, you can not count how many time I have played with friends and heard "could you stop playing that Luther Perkins crap......

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@gordenscottfan3107 Thanks for filling me in. I did notice the different spelling, but I wondered if that was just an 'oversight' (the web seems to be full of 'em). It's great that you pay tribute to your old friend like that. I love Luther Perkins' guitar playing btw! 😊

[@svetlansavov42]

Merci pour vos leçons ! Pouvez-vous faire un book pour Ritchie Valence,svp?

[@brianhetherington8478]

What brand guitar are you playing, it sounds great.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I’m playing a Gibson L00 Studio.

[@pigeon5700]

I love this, what skills should I build before tackling this on acoustic I am a beginner?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much. It’s easier to play this kind of stuff on electric guitar, although I’ve always played it on acoustic as well as electric. I’d recommend finding tutorials or a teacher who can get you started playing blues lead guitar. Get familiar with the pentatonic blues scale, as well playing licks using ‘hammer ons’, ‘pull offs’ and ‘slides’. I hope that helps a little - Jez

[@pigeon5700]

Thank you!

[@Doowopsid]

Great job! If you don’t mind what Gibson model is that and what strings do you have on it? Kudos for playing this riff on an acoustic. It is my goal to do the same but it will take me months of practice to get even close to your level. Thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I'm playing an L-00 Studio. I have .012 gauge strings (Martin) on it.

[@Doowopsid]

@@RocknRollSongbook Thanks for getting back to me. Great guitar and you bring out the best of it!

[@tommy.vercetti2003]

1:18

[@ironlock74]

Can you do Mississippi queen?

[@user-bp6sv6or1p]

Is it possible to teach it in a key of A major like you song book?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

If you'd like to this in the key of A, then just play everything I show in this tutorial one fret lower. 😄

[@PRINCEOFCOUNTRY663]

What is the difference between this and Run Rudolph Run?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

There are definitely similarities, but it would take me too long to list the differences here.

[@gregorramsundar]

Wait did he just said a funeral

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Eh?

[@alessandropino8479]

Genius

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, thanks!