Tutorial #3 - Rockabilly Boogie Guitar - Carl Perkins Style - Part 1 - Jez Quayle

In this video I teach the boogie guitar technique Carl Perkins used to accompany himself when singing his rockabilly classics 'Blues Suede Shoes', 'Boppin the Blues', 'Gone Gone Gone', etc. Carl not only used this technique when playing his own compositions, but also when covering other rock 'n' roll songs. This technique sounds great on both acoustic and electric guitar.
Here's a contents list (with times) so you can jump to topics if you wish to:
- Demonstration: 'Boppin' the Blues' in A - 00:05
- Boogie Riff#1 played along with an A chord - 01:15
- Boogie Riff#1 played along with an E chord - 03:30
- Carl Perkins Boogie Riff#1 played along with an A chord - 03:45
- Carl Perkins Boogie Riff#1 played along with an E chord - 04:34
- Palm Damping - 04:46
- Boogie Riff#2 played along with a D chord - 05:03
- Boogie Riff#3 played along with a D chord - 05:57
- Carl Perkins Boogie Riff#2 played along with a D chord - 06:37
- Carl Perkins Boogie Riffs#2 & #3 played along with a D chord - 07:10
- Putting all the riffs together in a 12- bar blues - 07:19
- Walk- up Lick (when changing from the A to the D chord) - 07:54
- Carl Perkins Boogie Riff#4 played along with an A chord - 08:50
- Demonstration: 'Blue Suede Shoes' in A 10:34
Although I suggest the use of 'palm damping' when playing in this style (as Carl Perkins did), these boogie riffs also sound great if you let the strings ring.
If you'd like to learn more of this guitar technique, here's a link to my Tutorial #7 - Rockabilly Boogie Guitar - Carl Perkins Style - Part 2: • Tutorial #7 - Rockabil...
I've recently published a chord songbook called '50 from the Fifties' ...containing 50 classic rock 'n' roll songs from the 1950s. All of the songs can be played with just 4, easy open chords! It's ideal for both beginners and experienced guitarists who want to use the techniques I teach in my tutorials on some great rockin' tunes. It contains classic hits by the likes of Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and many more. If you'd like to buy a copy then search for 'Jez Quayle Rock and Roll Songbook' on the Amazon or Lulu.com websites.
Here's some tab for the Carl Perkins style lick I play at the end of my 'Boppin' the Blues' demo at the beginning of the video:
e------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------2-----|
b-----------7/8---------8--7---------6------|--5-----------------------------------2-----| / = slide
g-----------8/9---------9--8---------7------|--5h6----6--5----6---------------2-----| h = hammer-on
d------------------------------------------------|------------7--5----7---------------2-----|
a------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------0-----|
e------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
/ / / / / / / /

[@sergeykhmelnitsky5307]

Thank you, you're my rockabilly teacher! Cheers from St. Petersburg, Russia!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Sergey! That's good to know. привет from England!

[@lucasolari3756]

GREAT LESSON, no books around can explain so well how to play Perkins' stuff!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Luca!

[@jeffreese4194]

You nailed the sound from that era

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jeff!

[@OscarGomez-oo7im]

Another master class from the good times... Thank you !!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Oscar!

[@bonecruncher2641]

Friday nite guitar out and a few beers and I’m gona learn this…. Thanks for lesson

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Sounds like a fun evening! 😁

[@hunteryoungblood649]

I appreciate these new tutorials, makes my life easier.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Glad you like them! :D

[@colinlyne8688]

Another nice tutorial, thank you.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Colin!

[@starbound6287]

great teacher,,thxxxx

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@allandavenport5235]

Really enjoy your videos, Jez, and just received your Rock and Roll Songbook as a Christmas gift. Just had my 80th birthday few weeks ago, and still enjoy playing these wonderful 50s songs.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Allan. Thanks very much! It’s nice to know that you were given a copy of the songbook for Christmas. I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from it. A belated happy 80th! ...Paul McCartney's still rocking' at 80 too! :D

[@shanegautier5296]

Good Teacher 😀

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Shane!

[@scanlonpat3433]

Wonderful!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@mikedonovan7776]

You are smooth my man ..

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks!

[@joeyride58]

I'm just diggin' these lessons Man !!!
Plz keep 'em comin'
👊😁👍

[@stacysdad5071]

Super... Thanks very much.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Stacey’s dad!

[@pavelzouhar1]

moc děkuji,moc hezká a nazorná výuka!!!zdravi Pavel z Czech Republic

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Díky Pavel! Jsem rád, že vám to přišlo užitečné. :)

[@mjt106]

Excellent 👌

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@rprevolution1]

Jez your one of the best teachers I found on you tube . Love your rockabilly lessons especially the lessons on Carl Perkins . Could you please someday do a tutorial on Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins . I look for a tutorial for a long time and haven’t found anything. Thank you Jim Sheets

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jim! And thanks for the request. I've considered making a 'Blues Suede Shoes' tutorial but thought I'd just end up repeating material that I've covered in this and other tutorials I've made. I'm wondering: if I were to make that tutorial, what would you like it to contain? I've been avoiding making 'lead guitar' tutorials (although I have made one on the intro and solos in Roll Over Beethoven).

[@Italystonesfan]

Great lesson !! Thanks

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@hiranwimalasekara3858]

Wow great lesson thanks. I'm from srilanka

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Hiran! It's great hear from Sri Lanka.

[@johnhawkins9826]

Thanks Jez - Love Carl's recordings - Great tutorials

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John!

[@johnstrutt6998]

i like it jez simple learning well done

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John!

[@thewarmantrio]

Just found this page. My daughters and i are a 50ish band in Tennessee in America. It's been fun going through your videos. Thanks for making them

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Glad you're enjoying my videos. I'll check yours out. Best wishes from England!

[@hebertalain9700]

merci monsieur

[@billlake6421]

Great tutorial. Well explained and very versatile. I perform for folks at retirement communities and your videos really add to the quality of the shows. Thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Bill! Do you mean that you've learned songs or guitar techniques from my videos? I either way, that's great to know! I often perform for similar audiences myself. Rock 'n' roll always goes down really well. 😊

[@jonrobinson1026]

Marvellous. Taught me a lot quickly. Seeing connections now.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jon! I'm glad you found this useful.

[@enricotrenti7983]

SUPER SUPER

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Enrico!

[@pascalgrolier1254]

Thanx for your help

[@joellecmoi]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HELPING. It's an amazing lesson, easy to understand, I am so happy.A real gift for me.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Joelle! I'm really pleased you found it useful. Have fun rockin'!

[@Omarjaber97]

Thx 4 all ur videos i really like rock n roll

[@JohannReiter-vn2wc]

Super!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Johann!

[@johngraydon506]

Very good i’ ll be looking at your lessons here.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John!

[@felixelipe4741]

Encore merci Jez ! Super tutoriel !!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Merci beaucoup Felix!

[@Kukowatauva]

These videos serve me too much sir, thank you for uploading these types of tutorials, greetings from Mexico uwu

[@RocknRollSongbook]

You're welcome Honey Maple! I'm very happy to share. Greetings from England - Jez 😄

[@mrjfeb539]

Thank you so much for a great lesson

[@ML-dh6ly]

Fantastic Jez thanks so much

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks ML! My pleasure. :D

[@markrobinson2849]

Thank you so much. I've been looking for an acoustic rockabilly player for ages. Great lessons.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Mark! Glad you like these videos.

[@mikenmelissagowen7773]

One of my Favorite Riffs

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Mine too!

[@edw1993]

Dude...you are awesome! Thank you for the great lessons!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thank you very much Ed! I'm glad you found it useful.

[@daniellapierre9798]

Great tutorial, very well explained, thank you, !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Daniel!

[@davetofield9982]

It’s opened a new door for me thankyou

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's great to know!

[@jonbatt9944]

Absolutely superb. Thank you.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jon!

[@leandronievas2637]

Un maestro de verdad!!! Genio!!! Muchas gracias! Thank you
Desde Argentina!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

¡Muchas gracias! Me alegro de que lo haya encontrado útil. Saludos desde Inglaterra.

[@johnnybx3254]

Great fun
👍

[@arturdecarvalhofagundes7539]

In Brazilian, congratulations, your
lesson easy and simple!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Artur!

[@sundowner62james69]

Jee , what a great lesson! Many thanks.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@funguy4utube]

Excellent sound and lesson and your voice is perfect for Rockabilly

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@christianloquet9160]

Jez maitrise vraiment le tempo ( rock and roll) c'est un
Plaisir d'ecoute merci

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Christian!

[@ScratchBuffalo]

This video was so helpful learning how to boogie!!! Thanks so much!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'm glad you found it useful. :)

[@neelamghai7535]

Beautiful lesson

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Neelam!

[@jorgeday5609]

Que buen profesor y que hermosos temas y entonadito para cantar,. Felicitaciones y un abrazo desde Chile

[@RocknRollSongbook]

¡Muchas gracias Jorge! Me alegro que te gusten mis videos. Saludos desde Inglaterra.

[@javiersanchezribas7985]

I am playing rock and roll!!!! . You make it seem easy and I know it is not. Muchas gracias amigo

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's great! Thanks very much Javier. 😁

[@katwoodytham8314]

perfect

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Kat!

[@MrJasdog107]

You have got some great lessons on your site and a great teaching style .

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much James!

[@npe56]

Just great - Thank You!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@bluehorizon9435]

I've just discovered this site, and subscribed. You are a great player and a great teacher - I love rock n roll and you've made it look easy! Many thanks!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I'm glad you found this useful and I made it look easy. Keep on rockin'!

[@richardrichard5409]

Just found this channel and it's rockin', thanks 😎

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Richard!

[@andyclack4578]

Very nice Job Jez, thank you.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Andy!

[@hankthompson2003]

Excellent!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Hank!

[@lyphan2667]

Cảm ơn bạn đã chỉ dẫn you are number one ☝️

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Cảm ơn rất nhiều! Thanks very much!

[@LukeMcHale]

Jez cool tutorial on Carl Perkins style playing!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Luke! :D

[@Edward-lf7ms]

Beautiful Guitar!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Edward!

[@MrElectricwave]

Awesome!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Pedro!

[@samuelwtuiolemotu2826]

I'm sooooo, glad to have found you!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Samuel!

[@Whatdisaypt1and2]

Yeah seriously you are our Rockabilly guru! Thank you

[@welfguscibadidasi8335]

YOU ARE THE MASTER

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe ...thanks!

[@MrJosehermoza]

you are great , thanks a million for sharing ,

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jose! Glad you like it.

[@marvinwhite7570]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Marvin!

[@timliston8009]

Awesome!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Tim!

[@jimrodriguez6398]

Great lesson I like rockabilly

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jim!

[@ytmuzeek]

Great subscribed

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@bloodonthestrings]

Good I order your book. Greatings from France !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Merci beaucoup Laurent! Greetings from England.

[@bloodonthestrings]

@@RocknRollSongbook Good. Take care of you.
Do you have fingerstyle rock and roll tutorials in your videos?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

No. Not yet. Maybe in the future.

[@peterjason731]

Fab..Good playin..Easy to understand..Subscribed👍All the best for 2021

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Peter! All the best to you too.

[@tonyv.dasilva5597]

Great job 🎼🎸🎤💯🤗

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Tony!

[@jimrodriguez8933]

great great lesson

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jim!

[@reupaxac5155]

¡¡¡¡¡Fantástico muchas gracias!!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Muchas gracias Reu!

[@adilsonpereira1968]

Sensacional. Sou do Brasil e amo o som dos anos 50,/60. Já estou escrito no seu canal. Parabéns pelo seu talento 👏👏👏

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Muito obrigado Adilson! Estou feliz que você goste dos meus vídeos. Saudações da Inglaterra!

[@alanhoweth9859]

Thanks for the video. Learned something new I can practice on. Has sagittal band surgery on my left hand ( I am right handed) so this is a great physical therapy set to use.you were most helpful.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'm glad you're finding my video useful -- rockabilly therapy! I hope your hand gets better soon - Jez

[@boninm252]

I sure wish you lived near Tampa Florida I would love to get together with you and jam. You were great.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Mark! That would be great. I could do with some winter sunshine too.

[@rarerockk]

Very interesting stuff. Thanks!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

😊

[@user-um7eq8sp4i]

ВЕЛИКОЛЕПНО!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Большое спасибо Александр!

[@sticksplektrumlivemusikfur4948]

Oh ja - lass uns gemeinsam rocken - Genieß das Leben 👌🌈🎸😎

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Glad you like it.

[@nadircresio]

Você é ótimo, obrigado!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Muito obrigado!

[@Baci302]

Love it. You got the feel. The J45 sounds nice. Subscribed!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! And thanks for subscribing.

[@pauloakahane8622]

Sou do Brasil e estou aprendendo muito!! 🇧🇷👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

É ótimo saber Paulo!

[@Stunde_0]

Good Voice .

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@valentinaivanova5800]

Super teacher! But lt's difficultly for me to catch one. Thank's

[@pabloiannone9621]

que buen rockkkkk!!! mas tutoriales please!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Pablo!

[@joemartinez1892]

And thus Carl lives on, thank you...

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Joe!

[@Martin-ob9me]

Very good you have teach me a much for my guitar play take me to new step

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Martin! That's really good to know.

[@tritongaldor2002]

cool!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@aadityaonkeys]

I've never seen any lesson with this much perfection level❤️Simply loved it...please keep sharing lessons with us :)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, thanks very much for those positive words! I'm glad you like my videos.

[@user-ht1wb9yg3v]

молодец браво

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@davidforsyth2903]

Thanks again. Very helpful. I also used a Watkins tape delay. Great sound but what a bother I had with it. Digital it is now. Regards . Dave

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Yes, the Copicats were a bit of a bother. They still make them apparently.

[@harrykuheim6107]

Everybody...Including the Beatles, started out playing these Riffs...It's Guitar 101...fun

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's right!

[@mnbluesboy]

Jez, I just subscribed to you b/c I really want to learn all this bluesy Rockabilly guitar stuff after giving it up years ago.Now I have time and so much appreciate your time and effort here. I'm going to be studying hard and want to thank you for your help. It's wonderful!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'm glad you're finding my videos useful. Thanks for subscribing. Happy pickin'!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

This would also sound great on a Overdriven Strat into a Marshall .

[@garyholden6371]

GREAT lesson, I love that sound of the 50's . Is that Gibson J-45 your guitar of choice? I enjoy the way you present the lessons THANK YOU from Houston, Texas

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Gary! I use different guitars for different types of playing I suppose. I mostly use my J45 for gigging (and for these videos) I play solo gigs and gigs with a band using this guitar. It's nice and loud and full for playing unamplified in pubs and at completely acoustic performances. When sitting around at home I usually play my Taylor GS Mini (smaller and a little quieter). Best wishes from Yorkshire, England - Jez

[@kaycarley]

Just been watching this tutorial again which is very well explained 😊. (Great job Jez.) I was wondering if you happen to have a pdf of these riffs as that would be super helpful 🎶

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Kay! Yes, I should probably make a pdf for these. I'll add it to the to do list.

[@fabriceconsalvi3092]

perfect think you :)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Fabrice!

[@kaycarley]

You've made me want to learn to play the guitar now!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Yes, do it! With your newly found uke skills you shouldn't have too much trouble picking up the guitar. It's great to be able to switch between the two instruments. :D

[@kaycarley]

Oh!!! You are such a bad influence!!! I’m kicking myself now as back when I was about 10 or 11 I actually had an acoustic guitar but each time I tried to play it I would end up blistering my fingers really badly so I got rid of it :(

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'll bet your fingers are a bit tougher now ...after all that uke playing?

[@kaycarley]

Welll they’ve definitely got calluses! Not too sure how they would cope with steel strings! I may have to keep an eye out for a second hand guitar and find out! :)

[@davidforsyth2903]

Great tutorials. Got me back to listening to the originals. Question if you don’t mind. How to you get your authentic sound. The voice echo and guitar slapback.Love it. Many thanks. Dave

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much David. Glad you like the sound. The video editing software I use to make these has the facility to add echo to the sound I record on my video camera. I adjusted the different echo parameters to sound as close to the sound from old Sun and Chess records as I could get it. I use the one stereo mic, so it's the same effect on both the vocals and guitar.