Learn to Play "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen on the Guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Louie Louie on the guitar, a rock and roll classic that has seen many different versions over the years. We'll base our lesson loosely on the original Kingsman version, giving you a straightforward and enjoyable way to learn this iconic song.

The Basics: Chords and Rhythm

One of the groovy things about Louie Louie is that it's built around just three chords: A, D, and E minor. This sequence, similar to "Wild Thing," is just A, D, E minor, and then back to D again. The full sequence has two beats on each chord, making it a great choice for beginners or anyone looking to add a classic tune to their repertoire.

The first thing to practice is playing the song with two beats on each chord. It's a rhythm that carries through pretty much the entire song, with a minor exception we'll explore later in this lesson. For now, using all down strums, try playing two on A, two on D, two on E minor, and then back to D.

Adding Some Variation

While the basic strumming pattern is a great place to start, you might want to add some variation to keep the song interesting as you get more comfortable with the chords and rhythm. Most covers of this song, including the original Kingsmen version, use a distinctive rhythm pattern: one and two, three and four. This pattern adds a bit of swing to the song and makes it sound more like the original.

Also, the original version has a muted, staccato sound on the electric piano part. If you want to replicate this on your guitar, you can use the outside part of your palm to gently mute the strings after each strum. This is a slightly more advanced technique, but it adds a great touch to the song and is worth trying out.

Another advanced technique involves a different rhythm that happens in some of the verses. It requires quick chord changes, making it a bit more difficult than the basic rhythm. But if you're up for the challenge, it can add a new dimension to your playing.

Wrapping Up

I hope you've enjoyed this lesson on how to play Louie Louie by The Kingsmen on the guitar. It's a classic song that offers plenty of opportunities to develop your playing skills, and it's really fun to play. Remember to enjoy the process and take it at your own pace. With practice, you'll be rocking out to Louie Louie in no time.

Don't forget to watch the video to see all these techniques in action. And remember, practice makes permanent, so keep strumming and experimenting, and most importantly, enjoy the music!

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