Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix Experience | Guitar Lesson

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Learn how to play Hey Joe, as performed by Jimi Hendrix released as a single in late 1966 in the UK and included in the Jimi Hendrix Experience album.

The lesson covers the great intro riff, his approach to verse chords, and of course the great solo in the song. The tone he gets is of course awesome and powerful and surprisingly clean.

My signal chain in this video was my '85 Strat into a Boss GE-7 EQ (pulled mids down slightly), split into stereo signal out to a '64 Super Reverb (4x10 jensens) and a 2012 Marshall 1987x (4x12 celestion 25w). Not that I can perfectly replicate Jimi's sound at all, but I like the mix of the 10s and 12s between those 2 amps.

00:00 Demo - Guitar Solo
00:39 Introduction - what to expect
02:27 Getting your tone
03:21 Lesson - Intro riff
07:57 Lesson - Verse Chords
15:43 Lesson - Guitar Solo
19:50 Lesson - End of solo - chromatic climb
21:54 Final Thoughts

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[ShiftingDrifter]

Great Video! As an OCD level student of the Hendrix sound - so much so I even purchased the Fender Jimi Hendrix "lefty-righty" MIM Strat (and yes, part of the secret to Jimi's sound was playing lefty), I found (and as you point out), Hendrix actually played surprisingly clean, but cranked it up loud enough to get that essential controlled sustain that was the hallmark of his style. This naturally pushes the power tubes slightly into saturation introducing distortion.

I believe Hendrix captured this effect inspired by early 50s rockabilly guitarists like Carl Perkins, Link Wray and Dick Dale - all who played clean slight distortion. Also, from my research I think late 60s rockers didn't scoop out the mids so much (as became characteristic of early 70s lead distortion - depending on whether the band had an exclusive rhythm guitarist or was a power trio). My 2 cents...

[davidevans]

"Hey Joe" was a song Chas Chandler, Jimi's manager, wanted Jimi to record as a single. Jimi was not particularly interested in "hit singles" but Chas knew it was necessary to Jimi's career. So it's a much more "normal" tune as far as the arrangement and lack of the "weird" effects Jimi was known for. I have this on the highest authority (other than Jimi himself).

[MrRonnmaui]

The bass line really makes this song so special! Thanks for your insight and simplicity.

[richardburrows]

Every new post is a banger. Thanks buddy. I love the live versions of Hey Joe where he drops in the "I Feel Fine" lick on the last E of the chord sequence.

[jrenaud]

This was probably the first song I learned the structure of when I was trying to progress out of being a beginner (Marty's lesson). My playing of this has evolved as I've gotten better at guitar and I love seeing different Hey Joe lessons. Thanks for showing a lot of the loose fills. Did not know a few of those so this will continue to evolve for me thanks to you! I've definitely found that the more loose I am when playing this, the better it sounds. Thanks!

[azbluesdog]

You’re right. We do tend to get way too busy on this song. My solution has been to sing the lyrics as I play. I don’t try to copy Jimi’s vocal phrasing at all, but it really helps me hear the song for what it is… a song (not just endless riffing).

[paulkramer]

You've heard Roy Buchanan's version of "Hey Joe"? I got to hear him play that live with that band (Billy Price lead vocal), around 1974 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The concert took place in a gymnasium. It went from subtle to super loud. He made that Fender Broadcaster scream. Of course, the audience were partaking of the "jazz cabbage", in great quantities.

[Willd-kiix]

I live in Savannah Georgia downstairs below our bass player Mitch Mitchell's daughter lived. One day when I was over there and leaving I ran into an older gentleman standing outside and asked if I could help him. It was Mitch Mitchell he said he was waiting on his daughter to come home. I said well she'll probably gone for another hour because we knew her and I was going to McDonald's to get some food and I asked him if you needed something and he came with me we sat at McDonald's and ate a couple of burgers and had a long talk very intelligent man much more than you would think. It's a great memory

[carlbarton]

I've been playing guitar since the 70's and this song since the 80's and always continue to learn more nuances. Thanks for posting your take on the Hendrix version. If you listen to Billy Roberts acoustic recording (I think from about 1962) you will hear the intro is almost identical and the chromatic walk up after the solo is too. I'm guessing from your comment at about 20 minutes in "I don't know if he wrote it...." that you aren't aware that the Hendrix version is a cover. Your version is great too. Thanks again.

[lcraigsimmons]

Great lesson. Really liked the part where you showed ways to move between chords. Would really enjoy if you could walk us through a simpler improvised solo for Hey Joe. Thanks again for a great lesson.

[l.a.covers]

Just hope the Psychotic Hendrix estate doesnt copyright strike this.

[paulkramer]

The original Billy Roberts version is great too. Nice combination with the Fender and Marshall. 👍 It's always been one of my favorite combinations. A Fender Twin and Marshall Super Lead head sitting atop a Marshall 4x12. cabinet. It's a lot to lug around but worth it. No PA necessary Mr. Soundman.

[albertarguelles]

Nice Lesson Thanks You definitely got Jimi's vibe...

[paulkramer]

That "walk up" at the ending is on the original Billy Roberts version.

[paulkramer]

Back in the early 1980s, I got to hear a band from Texas called "The Dicks" at a mid sized venue in Philadelphia. Their set consisted of all original material, except they closed with Hendrix "Purple Haze". I'd never heard it done so perfectly. Four piece band, guitar, bass, drums, vocal. The guitarist used a 100 watt Marshall Super Lead stack, and the band just laid into that song. Ears were ringing afterwards, but MAN! Full tilt! The only things miked were the drums and vocals. Everything else was right off the stage. Old school.

[markdesod]

My Favorite Guitar Player to cover!! Nice Job, Doug!!!

[jamesherron]

Good lesson I could never figure out the Solo there is not to many songs that can match it one of the greatest ever

[boostsalesmatt]

the best hey joe tut on YT!!! ( left handed, ex. guitar player approved 😎)

[kendipietro]

Awesome lesson! Everything was very well explained from the opening to the finish. I'm relatively new here but I just subscribed.

[shaykavanagh]

Thanks, it’s the clearest lesson I have ever seen on Hendricks. Super easy to follow. 😊