Learn to play "Johnny B Goode" by Chuck Berry: A Classic Blues Guitar Riff

Learn it today and have loads of on your guitar!

In this lesson, you'll learn how to play Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry on the electric guitar. This song has quite a fast tempo, so feel free to slow it down when you're learning it on the guitar!

We'll focus on the intro of this song, and I'll show you the verse and chorus rhythms. This way, you'll be able to play it if you ever want to jam!

🚨 There's a couple of funky techniques in there, and with the fast tempo - so this Chuck Berry tune is best suited for Grade 5+ guitar players.

Listen and hear where the embellishments fit in the rhythm! It'll be a good ear training practice and a practical way to build your internal blues groove.

If you want to have a go with the solo, it's fully tabbed out in my vintage guitar book. Check it out if you dig this song!

How To Play Johnny B Goode On Guitar

To play this iconic Chuck Berry tune, you'll need to be familiar with the 12 bar shuffle riff and 12 bar blues progression. There are a couple of barre chords in there, so make sure you've got those under your belt too! And -there's also some tasty stringing bending and muting in there. Altogether, it'll give you that danceable bluesy sound.

You have a B Flat, E flat, and F chord in there. At some point in the song, your chord change will be from B flat to E flat. To get from a B flat to an E flat - you have to move all the way up to the 11th fret of your guitar. You can also move it a string down - it'll be a lot easier to do. If you're not worried about playing the authentic way, try it out this way first!

Adding That Chuck Berry Groove

If you want to play Johnny B Goode like the original recording, you'll have to pump your hand. When you leave your fingers pressed down, it might sound like the notes are ringing for too long.

You'll want to relax your finger and then press down. This will take practice, especially if you're doing it at a fast tempo. It'll be great practice to get your groove on! String bending happens again in between the vocals. This is pretty uncommon, so it's a fun technique to try out!

💡 A great way to learn how to play Johnny B. Goode on the guitar is by playing along with the record. That way, you'll make sure you have the right groove on - and you'll be able to eventually catchup to that speedy tempo.

Want chords, tabs, and lyrics to follow along with my song tutorials? Check out JustinGuitar Tabs!