This is an excellent song for beginners to learn - the format is simple, but you need to develop speed and timing to get through the position changes without breaking the flow. The lead guitar part, which will be in the next ActionTab is brilliant for beginners wishing to get some solo techniques down. It sounds great, and is not too hard. First, let's look at the main rhythm guitar here...
The bass line is prominent in this song, so we've kept it fairly low in the mix for you. Also, the guitar is quite low at the start, but as the song progresses it gets louder. Use only a mild distortion and keep your sound fairly clean.
The first riff in the song uses a simple little Dm7 chord up at the 10th fret. However, don't strum it. Pick the low D twice and then hammer from G to A on the next string, then straight to the C (10th fret) on the adjacent string.
As long as you fret the notes in advance and keep the pressure on the Dm7 notes, the riff will be fairly easy once you get the picking right. It repeats regularly with no variation until we get to the rock n' roll riff. But be aware that later in the song (here and here), this intro riff is played slightly differently. Instead of picking just the C note, you should actually strum both the A and C notes together.
The rock n' roll riff here is very common in 60s and 70s music. Start with the D5 (powerchord), strum twice, and then simply add your little finger 2 frets up on the A string. Strum twice and return to D5, repeat regularly.
Just a word about this riff, it can be an uncomfortable stretch getting that little finger right. We recommend sticking at it. However, for those with smaller fingers, it's not a problem - just use your 2nd finger on the A string instead of your 3rd finger. This will allow you more reach for your little finger. You should be alright up on the higher frets, but when the riff moves down to the 5th fret you may find that's when the stretches need to be worked at.
As mentioned, the rock n' roll riff simply repeats down at the 5th fret...strum twice on A5, and stretch to apply your little finger 2 frets higher on the A string again. Strum twice. Repeat. Use your 2nd finger instead of the 3rd if you need to for those stretches!
Just notice that at the end of this particular riff, strum the A5+little finger once only, then the A5,
then finish on the G5.
Once you can play these 2 riffs, you'll have the basis for the rest of the song! The rest is simply variations around these main riffs (occasionally adding little slides, hammers etc - if those are a pain for you, just carry on with the add / remove little finger riff instead until you feel like getting the little variations down too).
The only other main riff in the song format is the chorus, which couldn't be simpler...Just play through these powerchords:
B5 - Strum 6 times
A5 - Strum 2 times
G5 - Strum 4 times
G5 - Strum 1 times and then mute.
Just work on those finger stretches and keeping the rhythm tight. Practice the riffs individually, and nice and slowly, until you can do them one by one. Then work on adding them together and lastly, building speed.
Once done, you'll be ready for the solo - which is simple, but mighty fine! It's a great solo to begin learning lead techniques with.
