How To Play 'Summertime Blues' - 1950s Rock 'n' Roll Guitar Tutorial - Jez Quayle

In this tutorial I teach how to play Eddie Cochran's classic rock 'n' roll song, ‘Summertime Blues’, in the original key of E (written by Eddie Cochran & Jerry Capehart).
A song sheet containing the lyrics and chords can be viewed or downloaded from my songbook blog here:
jezquaylesongb...
If you'd like to buy a copy of my chord songbook '50 from the Fifties', which contains 50 classic rock 'n' roll and rockabilly songs that can be played with just 4 easy open chords, then search for 'Jez Quayle' and 'Rock and Roll' on Amazon. Unfortunately, I can't provide a single Amazon link that will work all around the world.
If Amazon says 'out of stock', or you'd prefer not to use Amazon, you can also purchase the songbook from Lulu.com in paperback or as an eBook (pdf format). Here's the Lulu.com link: www.lulu.com/s...

[@brulextrulex]

Great book :'Jez Quayle' and 'Rock and Roll' ....Pure gold for little money !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Pero! Glad you like it.

[@sassandsavvy007]

Thank you so much for these videos. They give me a lot of joy, hearing my favourite songs, singing along and thinking back 50 years when I was a teenager trying to play these songs myself. Actually, I had wished for a guitar but my dad got me a zither when I was 8 years old. My first question was "how do I hang this around my neck?" Here in southern Bavaria, it is a traditional instrument that goes with all the old folksongs. Dad did like the rock song Tutti Frutti but other than that he wasn't all that keen on having a wee rockabilly rebel in the house. Soooo, for 6 years I had weekly zither lessons - then I secretly sold the zither to buy a Bonanza bike 🫣 Yes, shame on me, it was a very stupid thing to do and I often regretted it. Guess it was just my rebellious attitude towards everything and everyone in my puberty years. Little did I know that one can play rock 'n roll on a zither and it actually sounds cool. I still wanted a guitar - preferably a LOUD electric one but there was no way to come home with that. For my 16th birthday my parents gave me an acoustic guitar and I was in heaven. Smeared my fingertips with deer balm again to ease the blisters and pains from practicing accords. Dad wasn't ready to spend more money on lessons since I had pulled that stunt with my zither , meaning I was on my own with this. No internet back then but little booklets with lyrics and accord to them. That was my way of learning. Wish I'd had had someone like you to show me how to do it right.
Long read - all these memories coming back watching your awesome videos. I'm in a sickbed, have been for more than 2 years now but the whole bed is rocking when I hear you playing. A friend promised to bring her guitar next time she comes see me... You bet, I'll sit here in bed trying my best to play along with your videos. Gonna need some more balm for my fingers 😀.
Thank you again, you make an old girl smile a lot. Best wishes, happy New Year from the alpine region of Bavaria 🙋🏻‍♀Lisa

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Lisa. I was interested to read the story of how you started playing music, and I’d like to hear what rock and roll zither sounds like! 😃 I like playing rock and roll on the ukulele as well as the guitar. I played ukulele before I played guitar. I was given one as a Christmas present when I was about 11 years old. I’m sorry to learn that you’ve been unwell for so long. It’s nice to know that you’re enjoying my videos. I’ve visited Bavaria. I stayed in Oberstdorf for a few weeks on a school exchange trip back in the winter of 1981. Great memories! Happy New Year! - Jez

[@sassandsavvy007]

@@RocknRollSongbook Hi Jez, what a nice surprise to wake up and find your reply. Thank you for taking your time to write back. I'll look up your ukulele videos - first time I saw and heard a ukulele was either Marilyn Monroe playing it in Some Like It Hot or it was an Elvis movie that was shot in Hawaii. You have me curious, now. Everyone in our family was and is playing an instrument, some more than one. It's always been great fun at family gatherings when my granddad pulled his harmonica out of his pocket and the singing and playing began - no rock 'n roll though 😀Guitars, different flutes, a pocket harmonica, an accordion, a trumpet, a horn, a zither, a Hackbrett (dulcimer?), a piano and grandma Maria beat the spoons and the tambourine - I know, we are a crazy lot, the tradition lives on with my sister's kids and grandkids.
Oberstdorf is located in a very lovely region, especially in winter. All kind of fun to be had there. 1981... long ago and yet still so present in my memory - started studying slavic languages that year.
As to the zither rock - I have no idea how many others did this but the first was a guy named Manfred Zicks who was and still is known as Zither Manä. I found out when I happened to find his first record in the rockabilly department of a big music shop in Munich back in the 70s/80s. I was shocked - yet another reason why it was so stupid to sell my zither. It came from an old man in our village who had learned to play this instrument when he was a little boy in late 1890s/early1900s). The wood was double palisander (rosewood) -beautiful sound - with ebony inlays on the edges. Actually, zither is a good instrument to play rock 'n roll because you ca play bass, accords and melody all at the same time. You can find Zither Manä here on CZcams. His singing is a bit funny (Bavarian lyrics) but the music is so cool. I'd love to watch you watching his videos, I take it you'd be smiling, tapping and nodding along with the music... 😀
Best wishes, Lisa 🙋🏻‍♀

[@jeffreese4194]

Perfect! Had you been in that era you'd have been one of the top rockabilly performers 🎸

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I just need to find a time machine! Of course, if I'd lived in the 1950s I wouldn't have had the advantage of learning from the innovative musicians that recorded these songs first.

[@jeffreese4194]

@@RocknRollSongbook I guess you're correct. They had to be first so you could do what you do. None of us would be playing on any level if it weren't for these innovative rockers

[@thejarv.8360]

Not a song that I would even think of playing but now I’ve watched your video, I’m obsessed. Great work 👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much !

[@dennisszejman6390]

Very good lesson. Your method of improvising where Eddie doesn't play really works great for this tune. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Dennis!

[@kaycarley]

Great job 'Teach'. I'm so pleased you decided to cover this one as a tutorial - it is one of my favourite Eddie Cochran songs.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Kay! I'm glad you like it. It's a great song, innit?

[@eddieconnor8864]

Great lesson jez, 👍 I am 77 learning to play guitar 🎸. I have arthritis in my hand and struggle with barre cords. But thanks to your lesson and book 📖 I can now play 50 songs.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Eddie! I always tell older people that it's never too late to start learning the guitar. I'm really pleased you're finding the songbook and my lessons helpful. Keep on rockin'! - Jez

[@ngzcaz]

I gotta tell you, for a single guitar, that was excellent... That was a great version of a great tune. 👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@wadedeeds1738]

Got my 50s song book. LOVE IT!!! Easy to read letters are dark and plenty big. Easy to see!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's great! Thanks Wade. Glad you like it!

[@michaeldrake3052]

Ok, I’ve got the book open. Let’s go.🎸

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe... 😊

[@stewartking9653]

Great tune. I’ll have to get my guitar and play along with you. Thanks for sharing.

[@lmmaster]

Thank you from a VERY old rocker keeping Rock 'n' Roll alive

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Rock ‘n’ roll keeps you young! I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos - Jez 😃👍

[@Music-xd2qg]

Excellent tutorial, very clear.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@ShowOffMan1997]

Спасибо Вам большое! Сначала научился играть "Rave on" а сегодня эту песню!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Мне очень приятно, что вы находите мои видео полезными - Jez

[@user-qo5yr2qf5s]

That was awesome. Thank you Jez!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@DouglasOwens-xo6fh]

How on earth have I not come across your videos before. This is only the second one I have viewed and you are a brilliant instructor. I am definitely going to subscribe. What a gem.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Douglas! Glad to have you onboard. 👍

[@ronwhitehouse23]

Another great video Jez I just love it when you mention what the bass player is doing and how he adds to the performance. Really valuable musical knowledge. Thanks.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Ron! Glad you like it.

[@briankierans2926]

Excellent! Brilliant as usual. Thanks Jez.👏👏👏

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Brian!

[@JohnNesbit1957]

Hello Jez, great to see you in a new video again. Always love to learn your insights to great tunes, and I also have one these little Taylor guitars as well. All the best to you both over there. Be well and stay safe.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hello John! They're great guitars, aren't they? Remarkably loud and full-sounding for their size, and very 'comfortable' to play too. I hope all's well with you, Jez

[@pubpopsongs6625]

Luv this song - and even though I can already play it, I've still learned a couple of "new" tricks and tips - thanks a bunch and keep on rockin'! Cheers! 😁

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks good to know! Thanks. 😊

[@pubpopsongs6625]

@@RocknRollSongbook Definitely looking forward to you next song! 😁

[@gordonchristie6024]

Thanks again Jez, I’m slowly but surely getting the hang of this🤙

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's good to know. 😊

[@johnfreeman210]

Wow that was brilliant! Absolutely tremendous lesson. Loved the Taylor GS Mini's tone. I thought it had some slap back delay on at first but you don't look plugged in? Bravo 👏

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John! I added a little echo in places when I edited the video together. 😊

[@mrgildons]

Great lesson and the return of the roaring lady Taylor!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Oliver! It's amuses me the way you talk about my GS Mini. 😊

[@LawrieFWhite]

Killer lesson Jez, Taylor should be paying you cause you make that GS mini sound so cool ✔️

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Lawrie! A few people have told that they've bought GS Minis after seeing me playing mine on CZcams. I should maybe try and get Taylor to sponsor me! 🤣😂

[@przemyslaw1235]

Great playing🙂because of you i bought gs mini🙂🙂🙂🙂amazing guitar.I always buy and sell acoustic because never like the neck,but this guitar is great and sound bigger then it looks🙂.You are great Sir🙂

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! It's good to know that I inspired you to get a guitar you like so much. I love mine too! Yes, they're remarkably loud and full-sounding for small guitars, aren't they? And very 'comfortable' to play too - Jez 😊

[@przemyslaw1235]

@@RocknRollSongbook yes they are 🙂and amazing to play,pure fun and happines🙂thank You.

[@geraldmuldoon2358]

Great job Jez into this now🎸👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Gerald!

[@bristolblue3884]

Love your style of teaching Jez, great tutorial 👏👏👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! That's nice of you to say - Jez

[@josephr.lejeune4539]

Really wonderful!!! Eddie would be pleased I’m sure! Thank you for a great tutorial!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Joseph! Glad you like it.

[@kennypelton8407]

Great lesson! Explained perfectly, thank you.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Kenny!

[@donindri]

Very clear and helpful. Great songbook, cool that money goes to save the kids too. Thanks for posting

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@DNR3402]

Good going Jez. I bought your book and hope you sell a million of them. You’re a great teacher and deserve praise for your efforts and talents as a teacher.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Awww Dennis ...thanks very much mate!

[@johnesillegems529]

Hey Jez, I have a serious question for you. Would you consider to make a book 60 From The Sixtie's. I'm sure you Can, and that it's gonna be a succes like you're 50's book. But also a lot of Good songs where made in that decade.

[@louislequay1871]

My name is Le Quay Louis , you Quayle , it's fun ! I leave in France. I like your lesson !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I like that!👍😄 I'm glad you like the lesson.

[@stephenthomas6475]

Great lesson Jez , love the book I ordered , rock and roll will never die😊

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Stephen!

[@gordenscottfan3107]

Any time you add a few simple things to just plain chord strumming it is well appreciated.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Glad you like it.

[@igor_nokiaman]

Спасибо, Вам, за труды! Очень интересное видео 👏👏👏🤩

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Большое спасибо Игорь!

[@LukeMcHale]

Jez - another excellent tutorial my friend, and polished video/graphics! I didn't know you had published a music book - that's great!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Luke! Yes, I published the songbook myself late last year. It's taken me by surprise how well it's selling.

[@klaushardt4174]

Hello Sir, I have your book and I see your videos, thank you very much for the lessons😃

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That’s good to know. I hope you’re enjoying using the songbook. 👍🎸

[@johnblows9834]

Great lesson just brought the book

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John! And thanks for the songbook purchase.

[@Abdou3406]

Thanks for the lesson , i'm still waiting for i got a woman Elvis cover 1977 :)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Ah yes. I'll get around to that one eventually. I included a little of it though in the 5 song medley I recorded a few weeks ago: czcams.com/video/dnBeQWbArc0/video.html

[@Abdou3406]

@@RocknRollSongbook very good job but i was talking about i got a woman not mean mowan blues and i hope you'll do it if possible

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@Abdou3406 Ah yes! I got the two songs muddled up. You mean the Ray Charles song. I honestly don't think I could do that one justice. I can't really song soul/gospel style.

[@Abdou3406]

@@RocknRollSongbook i prefered elvis version if you could

[@johnnygreenway3579]

Wow, great lesson and playing

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Johnny!

[@rockitMiC]

Excellent!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@barrycrellin1742]

Love it Jez. I’m off to buy the book! Never stop rockin’

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Barry! I won't. 😎

[@PoorPaddy]

Very cool. Thank you.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@orlandosoto6080]

Sir you’ve done it again👍🏼

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Orlando!

[@michaelorfanides1413]

Gez you are a real gem...!

[@michaelorfanides1413]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you sir...

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Michael!

[@indianatone218]

Great jezz.thanks for showing us.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Indiana!

[@Old-school_review]

What a great tutorial, thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@jeffvanspaendonk1836]

Great ! Thanks, JH

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Jeff!

[@horsthermannmies7751]

Please more lessons from your Songbook 50 from the fifties . I have bye the book and i want to learn more from this Songbook thanks

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I think that's a good idea! 😊

[@SamueleCorona75]

Great lesson Jez!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Samuele!

[@bustov75]

Great Lesson Jez!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@enricosantifaller1884]

Well done. Thank you very much.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Enrico!

[@timomarra3315]

Really good lesson, Jez !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Tim!

[@philippeachard8530]

Excellent, explications très claires !!👍👍👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Merci beaucoup Philippe!

[@joshuajohnson2216]

Useful. This is simple 👍
My favourite part is.....My boss say "No dice son, you gotta work late".
I have a bass guitar.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Yes! Eddie wrote some great lyrics for this one.

[@joshuajohnson2216]

@@RocknRollSongbook I agree. Well since I got a bass, nevermind I try a guitar then👍.

[@Doowopsid]

Fantastic, thank you so much!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks!

[@cybersod]

Love it 😍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Wayne!

[@mirceaprodanduke2007]

Bravo! Thank You Sir!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Thank you thank you !!!

[@gregoire7062]

Really good I was hopin you’d do this song ! Will you do somethin else someday too ?
Love your vids
Greg

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Greg! And thanks for the request. I am planning to get around to 'Somethin' Else' one day.

[@jbudgie]

Excellent.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John!

[@martinzikovsky7112]

Good one JEZ!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Martin!

[@reboxetinmesilat]

Great job! 👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@massimilianopretini6872]

Bravissimo . Dall'Italia .

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Grazie mille!

[@kenwentworth2297]

Tanks for your efforts and your songbook . I just ordered it . I wonder if you have a CD for learning ? Thanks again . Ken Wentworth Bangor, Maine

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Ken. Thanks very much for the book purchase. No, sorry, I don't have a CD. Keep watching my channel though, as I have more tutorials planned which you may find helpful. In the meantime, browse around my older videos and you'll find many more tutorials, as well as demonstrations of different styles of playing.

[@kenwentworth2297]

@@RocknRollSongbook Thanks for your help Sez.

[@teresaverderafernandez2593]

OLE!!!
😄

[@rockroll456]

Another belter bud

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much mate! Keep on rockin'

[@jalandkanal]

You are the best - perfect tutorial, thank you!! What kind of effect you use for singing?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I'm pleased you found this useful. I just added a little echo (delay), as was often done on recordings back in the fifties.

[@raykopp9522]

Greetings Jez.. 50 from fifties is on the way Amazon just ordered.:) . I am so stoked !! Here in N.Y . it was easy to get. I have the chords down .So hoping I can put it all together. As they say in merry old England " Lets give it a go .shall we "!! If something goes awry.... I will let you know . Then you can advise me on how to fix it .. Thanks once again on my guitar journey. {yes I am between intermediate to advance, so you know where I am at with this.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Ray. Thanks for the songbook purchase. I’m pleased to hear you’re enjoying getting into playing rock ‘n’ roll, and very glad that I’ve helped a little. Keep on rockin’ in NY!

[@nurlesen816]

Thank You. Vielen Dank

[@ElIngLopez]

Nor water is clearer.... Thanks!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Awww ...thanks!

[@humbertodasilva674]

Muito bom o vídeo...

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Muito obrigado Humberto!

[@orlandosoto6080]

Please do a tutorial on sleep walk my fav tune thanks.

[@rodneykitchen3869]

I got the book Jez ! What guitar is that ? Thanks Mate !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks for the book purchase Rodney! I'm playing a Taylor GS Mini-e (koa version)

[@jopajazzjopajazz2188]

👍

[@juke699]

Enjoy the videos Jez... You wouldn't happen to know the 2nd chord on the intro of "Green Grass" by Gary Lewis: C ? Dm7 G

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! It sounds like a C#dim to me: xx2323

[@didierfournier9083]

Super encore une fois.
Que possèdes tu comme guitare ?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Merci beaucoup Didier! Je joue sur une Taylor GS MIni-e (koa)

[@davidwadinski5380]

❤🎉

[@sv-alekksis]

Отлично!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Спасибо!

[@luizo.l.s.8106]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿😀😀😀

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@gregoire7062]

Hello, I am not able to figure out what strumming pattern to use for cut across shorty by Eddie Cochran… could you help me ?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Grégoire. When I play 'Cut Across Shorty' I use the pattern that I call Strumming Pattern #3 in my Tutorial #5 video. It's a pattern that I use a lot when playing up-beat country and rockabilly songs. Here's a link to that video: czcams.com/video/nbVEQ7gzQkU/video.html

[@georgejefferies4912]

When I first picked up a guitar a friend down the road gave me A D & G and gave me the starters of how to play.
Only you by Yassoo
How do you do it ?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

That's not a song I've ever played. A great many songs can be played with just a handful of easy chords.

[@baldircifuentes5699]

👏👏👏👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@marknicholl438]

Just wondering what the model number and size of the Taylor Guitar you are playing is?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'm playing a GS Mini-e (koa)

[@jalandkanal]

And what kind of effect do you use for singing? It sounds like in the 60th!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I added a little echo (delay), as was often done on recordings back in the fifties.

[@jalandkanal]

@@RocknRollSongbook Thank you for your fast answer. I guess you did the delay on your mix and not while singing .

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@jalandkanal Yes, I added the delay when editing the video together.

[@jalandkanal]

It sound great!

[@garrymitcham7693]

I always have trouble going into a B7.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Try thinking about a B7 like this: your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers are in the same relative positions as when you play a D7 (you simply move that triangle shape across a couple strings), then you just need to drop your pinky into place. Try making the chord shape in two stages like that. Slow your playing right down when you're using the B7, and only gradually build up speed. I hope that helps - Jez

[@sawek2993]

Trzy akordy, a jak to brzmi.

[@usatrooper5045]

Great lesson thank you 👍🤪🇺🇲

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@user-fm8vn9ku3h]

Thank you very much for this Lesson😂

[@RocknRollSongbook]

👍