The original "Be Bop A Lula" is a classic rock and roll song popularized by Gene Vincent and later covered by The Everly Brothers. It has a catchy, upbeat rhythm and relies on simple chord progressions, making it approachable for beginner guitarists.
This version uses the chords A, A7, D, and E. All are open chords, which are ideal for beginners.
Practice switching smoothly between A and A7, as these changes happen frequently and quickly.
The basic progression is I-IV-V (A, D, E) in the key of A, a hallmark of early rock and roll.
A straightforward rock and roll strumming pattern works well:
Try down-down-up-up-down-up (D-D-U-U-D-U) for each measure.
Focus on keeping a steady rhythm, and accent the backbeat by strumming a bit harder on the second and fourth beats.
If that's tricky, start with simple downstrokes and gradually add upstrokes as you get comfortable.
- Practice chord changes slowly, especially between A, A7, and D.
- Keep your strumming hand relaxed for a smooth rhythm.
- Play along with a recording to develop timing and feel.
- Use a capo on the second fret if you want a higher pitch, as sometimes performed.
Enjoy playing this energetic, timeless tune!