How to Play 'Twenty Flight Rock' - 1950s Rock 'n' Roll/Rockabilly Guitar Tutorial - Jez Quayle

In this tutorial I teach how to play Eddie Cochran's classic rock 'n' roll/rockabilly song, 'Twenty Flight Rock', in the key of A (written by Ned Fairchild and Eddie Cochran).
The version of the song I play and teach here is based on Eddie Cochran's 1956 recording.
A song sheet containing the lyrics and chords can be viewed or downloaded from my songbook blog here: jezquaylesongb...
In this tutorial I refer to some of the guitar techniques I teach in my Tutorial #1, which can be viewed here: • Tutorial #1 - Acoustic...
A video of my complete, acoustic guitar version of this song (recorded in 2016) can be viewed here: • Twenty Flight Rock - E...
A video of me playing this song live with my band 'The Fast Rattlers' (in 2018) can be viewed here: • Twenty Flight Rock - E...

[@rainermusik3867]

The most important song in music history (otherwise Lennon and McCartney might never have played together) - and very well explained to boot. I am thrilled!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@Evil Rev It's one of my absolute favourite rock 'n' roll songs. I introduce it at gigs in the same way.

[@thebeatlesandqueen8817]

Rip Eddie and Lennon

[@radomirratkovic9014]

Still they never played Eddie's music...They have done nearly everyone except him

[@lesdunn736]

2021. Yes yes.

[@mrgildons]

I did not know that Eddie had recorded two versions of this song. Great lesson, I wish I were still young to learn how to play the guitar so well

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Oliver! 🙂 I'd don't believe that you're too old to learn to play like this.

[@jsamc]

Like how the echo comes in when you start singing LOL great tutorial !!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe. Thanks very much! 👍

[@Tinto4]

your videos make me want to barricade myself in a room and practice till I can play even half as well. please don't stop making these!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe ....yes do it! I have some more videos planned. Just need to find the time to make them.

[@Espadan]

This tutorial made my grandparents proud :) couldn't done it without you

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Aww thanks very much! 👍

[@astroboy4711]

Again the best rockabilly guitar lessons on line! Keep' em coming Champion!!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, really? Thank you very much Mike! I have more planned. 😃

[@vulcain3334]

Great guitar player, great singer, great teacher, what else to say ? The most effective tutorials ever seen on youtube.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, thanks very much! You'll make my head swell.

[@ishimreyes2911]

I still love old song than now.. old song is power.

[@MrMudwump]

I wish I could like this twice. I just recently bought the signature Eddie Cochrane and with your help I will try and do that song justice. Thanks for everything.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much David!

[@lapipadelmono]

Omggg that voice and playing skills, at first I thought it was only guitar playing

[@davidmacleod9313]

0:50 What a great song! Lol Makes you feel good!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

👍

[@channamation]

I always wanted to play this song. I have watched tutorials, some better than others. This is spot on and fun! Thank you :)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@renepascal6121]

Thank you for your guitar lessons. You show it on an easy way. You give me back the joy of playing guitar. Thanks a lot.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! That's great to hear!

[@karlbishop9670]

You are the king of youtube rock and roll tutorials!! Awesome knowledge and explanations.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Karl!

[@felixelipe4741]

Merci Jez !! Et longue vie au Rock .... !!

[@Tambo_Jay]

i love this❤ I'll be able 5o learn this because of ur tutorial , thanks man

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@seattleday9690]

Yep Twenty Flight Rock. Cool song and Very important song. McCartney played it to John. John said your in. Of course Paul mentioned about George. George played Ronchy then George is in. That was the beginning of The Beatles.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's right!

[@bbaird67]

This song and lesson is sooo good...thanks a million!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Bob! Glad you like it.

[@paulopaulo1113]

Merci beaucoup cher Monsieur pour m' avoir éclairé sur ces choruses que je cherche depuis longtemps. j' adore. Paulo.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Merci beaucoup Paulo! Je suis ravi que vous ayez trouvé cela utile. Meilleurs voeux d'Angleterre!

[@sundowner62james69]

Nice lesson! Thank you Jez.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@javiersanchezribas7985]

Great song of a great rock and roller taught by a great teacher. Why I didn´t meet you thirty years ago¿

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Javier! 😄

[@anthonyslattery8808]

Fantastic , you have really inspired me to learn rock'n'roll guitar with your easy to follow lessons.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Anthony! That's really good to hear.

[@ronwhitehouse23]

What a great video simple and to the point, and clear graphics and instructions on how to play the song. Excellent.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Ron! I'm glad you found this video useful. It's very nice to get such positive feedback 😊 - Jez

[@bloodonthestrings]

Le solo en accords est un super exemple pour moi qui ne connais pas grand chose en solo. Voilà encore de quoi travailler et améliorer mon jeu. Merci !!!!!!!

[@dennissult6191]

Phrasing is great on the solo.He was ahead most artists...

[@jonbatt9944]

Another superb lesson. Thank you very much.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jon!

[@garyholden6371]

WOW, What a great lesson, You have a great voice Thank You. It's my favorite Eddie Cochran song.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Gary! It's my favourite Eddie Cochran song too.

[@scottconnelly4262]

Thank you! You just brought some excitement in me to pick up and play!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Scott! That’s good to know.

[@maurostrummer9986]

Thanks ! You are the best! I know that we love the original rock n roll music.. Eddieeeee cochraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannn!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Eddieeeeee! :D

[@d.e.brightmandartmaster3931]

Love it. Now to hit my Strat.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Yeah, get that Strat out.

[@kaycarley]

Thanks so much for filming these tutorials Jez. I am really looking forward to giving them a go. I love how you’ve put them together as well - very professional :)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Kay! This stuff's great to play, and not too difficult if you build it all up in stages. I'm glad you think my video creations look professional. They're fun to make. 😃

[@mikemcgonegal1616]

Nice presentation! Thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Mike!

[@joaneshasebrouck7420]

I love .Good job mate. You are the best teacher.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Joanes!

[@revanfitra6008]

Beautiful!!! Thanks sir!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@johnwarner3809]

Only just discovered your channel Jez,you certainly play the rock and roll brill , I will certainly be tuning in regular to try and better myself but cant ever see me singing and playing it as good as you, great stuff Jez👍.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John! I'm glad you like these videos. Keep on rockin'!

[@psychedelicmonkey357]

I watch a lot of your videos, love the rock and roll thank you for the lessons their great 👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Danny! That's great to know. I'm pleased you like these guitar lessons. I'm having fun making them. 😊

[@keithconner9036]

Great tutorial, great song, great cover. Thank you. You have a fantastic voice

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Keith! Glad you liked it.

[@mavi202]

Your voice really fits that song🤨🤨. Great job

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! That’s nice of you to say.

[@lilprynt6819]

My fav. Eddie song

[@davegreen3861]

REALLY enjoyable, Jez. Thanks very much for putting the time into making these videos - they’re obviously appreciated by a lot of people. They’ve got me back on the six string - but I’m really looking forward to some tutorials on the uke!! PS greetings from a Covid-free IOM (for over 3 months now). Stay safe, and all good wishes.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Dave! Glad you're enjoying the videos. I don't have any uke tutorials planned at the moment, but we'll see. Glad to hear the IOM is Covid-free. It seems that most people in our area are acting like the lockdown is over, so I'm not surprised there have been spikes in West Yorkshire. We're happily keeping ourselves to ourselves though.

[@sallypearson5890]

At last some one I can understand thankyou great tutorial

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Sally. I'm glad you found it useful.

[@mlough21]

Brilliant tutorial many thanks for sharing.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@SylentEcho]

This is the song Paul played for John, after which John said he could be a Beatle.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's correct. Paul also played 'Be-Bop-a-Lula' to John at the Woolton Church Fete. He says that he played neither of them very well, as he had to play them on a right-handed guitar.

[@Usksider]

Always loved this song and always played it in A, it just sounds better to me.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I agree!

[@bonecruncher2641]

Thankyou for a great lesson

[@briankierans2926]

Brilliant Jez! Thanks for another great lesson. I really like the way you improvise for the solo on this and other songs. I wonder if you could do a lesson on how to use different chord inversions to do this.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Brian! 😃 I appreciate your positive comment about my rhythm solos. I think you're the first person to say anything about them actually! I have been wondering about making a tutorial like you've requested, but wasn't sure if folks would be that interested. I'll give it some thought. 😃

[@briankierans2926]

@@RocknRollSongbook Fantastic! Thanks Jez.

[@joymachinejoymachine3951]

@@RocknRollSongbook love the way you play Jez.. yes please to a tutorial of your solos!! Really really want to learn some solos as a solo player and want to fill the songs a little bit don’t know how. Any help is massively appreciated! 😊

[@jean-francoisrullier2995]

Thank you. Good lesson, good groove and voice.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Jean-François!

[@bluestough]

That´s the ONE, Jez!!! Brilliant.. cool ending

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Boyd! I'm glad you like it. 😃 I play an A6 at the end of the song, but I think Eddie actually played a different chord ...maybe an A7.

[@bluestough]

@@RocknRollSongbook You played it just perfect, Jez! THX
Song opened Macca the door to Beatles, lol, John was IMpressed..

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! When I perform this one at gigs I often tell that story about Paul playing this song to John at the Woolton Church Fete in Liverpool. I don't live too far from Liverpool, and I also know one of the Quarrymen (Rod Davis). Paul also played 'Be-Bop-a-Lula' to John.
What a lot of people don't realise is that Paul borrowed a right-handed guitar to play the songs, although he's left-handed. He played the guitar upside-down rather than in the right-handed way, and so he didn't actually play the songs very well on that occasion -- not like you see in Beatles biopics. John was more impressed that Paul knew all the lyrics to the songs than by his guitar playing. Although Paul was already a much better guitarist than John.

[@bluestough]

@@RocknRollSongbook A Kingdom for a visit in Liverpool, Jez;)
I was in Hamburg St Pauli around 17th of August and visited the Beatles sites, did some footage too, lookahere
czcams.com/video/5hsTt6PcaR0/video.html

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's great! I've never been to Hamburg, but I'd love to visit some day. Whereabouts in the world do you live?
Like you, I like to travel with an instrument (either guitar or ukulele). Here's me playing a rock 'n' roll song on my ukulele at Sun Studio in Memphis a few years ago -- standing on the spot where Elvis stood to record 'That's Alright'. It looks a bit silly, I know, but it was quite a thrill:
czcams.com/video/HVeJyvMZp34/video.html

[@niguel4438]

Excellent thanks

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@felixelipe4741]

Merci beaucoup !!!

[@bradnelson2637]

Thanks for posting this!

[@guyseaborn5392]

Jez thanks for teaching these, fantastic!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Guy! I'm glad you found it useful.

[@JackK867]

Your stuff is good here and you got great tone and great precise cadence. Nice.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jack!

[@kippeake]

Thank you

[@churchmouses4532]

great tutorial, really good voice - excellent. Thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Glad you like it! 😃

[@bradnelson2637]

Awesome!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Brad!

[@ronleemans2042]

Whaaaa impressed and love it!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Ron!

[@tonymurray2873]

REALLY GREAT EXPLANATION, am slowly getting the hang of it. love the chord solo. wheres the lesson on that ?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Tony! I'll probably make a tutorial on that solo some day. In the meantime, you may find my tutorial on how to play 'Great Balls of Fire' useful -- where I explain a fairly similar rhythm solo.

[@danielosullivan5939]

Wonderful lessons tank you very much.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Daniel!

[@allergyboys1817]

cool Rock'n'Roll guitar playing.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Allergy Boys! 😃

[@luizo.l.s.8106]

Very good !!! I liked !!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Luiz!

[@stephenlees4601]

Superb, I’m looking forward to learning this

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Stephen. Have fun!

[@writerwill]

Another great, tutorial… Thanks

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@LukeMcHale]

Jez - I dig your tutorials man, cool video on Twenty Flight Rock!

[@LukeMcHale]

It's funny I started a video, but put it down for a few weeks, hoping to get back into the swing of things this weekend - and it is also a song tutorial, and then I see you have been releasing tutorials as well - great minds think alike! 😁🎵

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Luke! I'm having a lot fun making these ...and Shotcut is proving to be invaluable! 😃

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Yes, great minds think alike! 😃 I've been getting requests for tutorial videos for a few years on my rock 'n' roll channel, but always resisted until recently. It seemed too much like hard work! But I've always enjoyed teaching guitar and uke, and during this lockdown I've been teaching via Zoom instead of face-to-face. Been teaching folks around the world, including one of your countrymen -- a university professor in Seattle to whom I'm teaching punk ukulele ...it gets a little bizarre at times!
"Okay, sing and strum along with me: "Anarchy for the UK! It's comin' some time, a maybe ..."
Talking to a camera like that reminded me that making these videos may be a fun project. I look forward to seeing your tutorial video! All the best, Jez

[@LukeMcHale]

Jez that's really cool that you also give guitar and uke lessons! Well...punk uke...that is a surprise!

[@MrRobertnganchiu]

I hope you'll teach me again on some other day..

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'll be here.

[@rmch_]

Excellent tutorial Jez, cheers for that!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Richard!

[@2011littlejohn1]

One of the first song Paul McCartney learnt to play. :)

[@user-du2bu6if2w]

amazing

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@jeffvanspaendonk1836]

Wonderful !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Jeff!

[@joedez454]

Great video!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Joe!

[@John-ob7dh]

That was great.I always did the rhythm to summer time blues till i checked out u tube.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks John!

[@bluehazeboy]

Absolutely top job

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much bluehazeboy!

[@saipawiroredjo7402]

You are a top man

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Sai!

[@GHarper]

THANK YOU

[@RocknRollSongbook]

👍

[@calvertgray4347]

Love it

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@marypetrie930]

You sing pretty good too!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Mary!

[@sbseiple]

Wonderful! Thanks!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Steve!

[@chrisnaples2838]

Thanx ,I'd been wondering about A or G. I like both a little more of a challenge in G. I do it as an instrumental, kind of an opening, then do the A w/vocal later in the set

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'd be interested to hear how it sounds as an instrumental. 👍

[@georgebaigent8078]

Nice job!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@guyguyneness479]

Very cool ..!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@vladimirmedina1095]

A great tutorial!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Vladimir!

[@rockroll456]

Another awesome one bud 🎸🎸🎸🎸👍👍👍👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much mate! 😃

[@andreasfasterding2309]

Dieser Song brachte dass beste Songschreiberteam zusammen

[@RocknRollSongbook]

👍

[@dancartoni]

Great voice

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@bencovington1121]

Love it!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Ben!

[@lyphan2667]

Hay lắm anh ơi. I love it

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Cảm ơn rất nhiều!

[@COVER71]

Круто. Доступно. Красавчеггг!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Алекс! 🙂

[@t-bone3657]

Just bought your book today. Your instruction is superb! What model Gibson is that ?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Tony! I’m playing a Gibson J45 standard.

[@gliddyglopgloopy]

Good enough to secure you a position with The Quarrymen.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Ron! If only I had a time machine.

[@gliddyglopgloopy]

I could find some uses for such a machine, too.

[@malcolmmssc4842]

thanks very much, i love this guy i can understand with he thanks (sorry of my english is very bad but is not my First lenguaje, i spreak spanish)greeting form chile,La, new suscriber

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Malcolm! I'm glad you like my video. Thanks for subscribing. I wish I could speak Spanish as well as you speak English! Best wishes from England - Jez :D

[@malcolmmssc4842]

@@RocknRollSongbook you have my full support, your videos are fun and easy to understand, you also explain well,muchas gracias por tus videos!!! (thanks very much for you videos!!!!)
ya quiero ver tu próximo tutorial (I already want to see your next video)

[@lilprynt6819]

A, E, D are very popular in 50s rock

[@Tambo_Jay]

please teach us the solo , please. like how you do it

[@ifkncantbelieveit]

Just bought the original 45 of this record USA record, it cost me well ok 90 dollars but it plays near mint and I smile knowing that it is the original pressing, it probably wasn't a big hit here in USA , cause the record s go for alot, but you know it is worth what some fool will pay for it , meaning me, ha

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, that's a lot of money for a single ...a nice bit memorabilia though!

[@hhjjxxxx7470]

Thanks for lesson. Rockabilly rules

[@RocknRollSongbook]

You're welcome. Keep on rockin'!

[@brianmwareing6974]

Did it justice ⚖️

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Brian!

[@chocomepengu6295]

You think Paul will let me audition if I play him this song

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Of course!

[@randallpinkfloyd]

This song is the reason why we had the biggest band in the world (The Beatles)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's right!

[@jeffspooner5519]

Can you do a class on your version of the solo

[@MegaJanza]

Fantastic, thank you 🙏
So how do you do that solo?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! It's just a lot of messing around.