Learn to Play "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield on the guitar. This classic tune is a fantastic way to improve your power chord techniques and rhythm skills. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player, this lesson has something for everyone.

Jessie's Girl is a song that offers a variety of ways to play it. After watching numerous live performances, it's clear that Rick Springfield, a talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist, likes to mix things up. He often alternates between power chords and open chords in his performances. This mixing of chords adds a level of sophistication to the song, showcasing the complexity of its arrangement.

This song is a great opportunity for you to learn how to listen and adapt. We'll take a look at the basic components to play the song, but it's up to you to listen to the original recording and put those pieces together.

Riff Number One

The first riff of the song is a great place to start. You can play power chords using either your first and fourth fingers or your first and third fingers. If you're used to playing power chords with three fingers, that's also an option.

The progression starts with a D power chord, moves to an A, shifts up to a B, drops down to a G, returns to A, and finally, goes back to D. This sequence is repeated twice to complete the riff.

The Chorus and the Bridge

The chorus of Jessie's Girl features some lovely guitar work. It sounds like an open A chord is played, followed by a D with an A bass. The progression for the chorus is A, then D, D, D, followed by an A power chord to a B power chord.

The bridge is interesting as it's driven by the keyboard in the original recording. However, there's a way we can mimic this on the guitar. This section is a bit tricky, but it's a great exercise for those wanting to challenge themselves by combining power chords with other techniques.

Wrapping Up

After the bridge, the song returns to the chorus before moving into an exciting guitar solo. This solo is a great piece to work on if you want to improve your transcribing skills.

Jessie's Girl is a great way to improve your power chord techniques and rhythm skills. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player, there's something in this lesson for everyone. So, pick up your guitar, tune in to the video, and let's get started!

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