Suzie Q Guitar Lesson (CCR) - MOST ACCURATE LESSON ONLINE

Are you looking to improve your rock and blues guitar skills?

If so, this step-by-step “Suzie Q” guitar lesson is your ticket!

In this post, I’ll share with you the history of the song, the chords, the iconic riff, and everything else you need to know to get playing in the style today!

Who Originally Sang Suzie Q?
The original version of "Suzie Q" was sung by American rock singer-songwriter Dale Hawkins. Hawkins was often credited as the architect of swamp rock boogie. He wrote the tune during a booming rockabilly era with fellow bandmate Robert Chaisson, and they recorded it in 1957. Hawkins's version featured the brilliant guitar work of James Burton, who worked with many famous artists such as Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson among others.

What key is Suzie Q in?
“Suzie Q” is in the key of E and features a blues riff and chord progression. The original version by Hawkins and the later version recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) are both in the key of E and follow the same progression. The CCR version is a little bit grittier and swampier. The guitar tones have more bite to them, as well as a raspier vocal style from John Fogerty.

Susie Q Chords
One of the first steps you’ll want to do to play the song is to learn the chords. There are only four you need to know, E7, A, C, and B.

Next, you’ll want to plug those chord shapes into the chord progression. The entire song is just one looping 8-bar progression. I would consider this an 8-bar blues.

E7 (4 bars)

A (1 bar)

C, B (1 bar)

E7 (2 bars)

To get familiar with the progression, I would recommend strumming just quarter notes, which means four strums per bar on each chord. Count out loud as you go 1, 2, 3, 4. Tip: take note of the use of two chords in bar 6 when you change from C to B. This is essentially the turnaround progression of this 8-bar blues.

How To Play The Signature Susie Q Riff On Guitar?
Once you have mastered basic chord progression and strumming patterns, it's time to take things up a notch and add in some riffs. The main riff to “Suzie Q” is all based on the E minor pentatonic scale in the open position.

This scale pattern is great for coming up with cool riffs for a number of reasons.

-You can use all the open strings of your guitar
-You conveniently play common open-position chords and mix in riffs without having to jump across the fretboard
-You can add in low pedal tone bass notes to sound like multiple guitar players

[jeremydahm]

This is a doozy.... So badass. Love learning these finger picking techniques. Fun stuff.

[philipselman]

Oh yea there man like the way you teach 👍

[jeffreypaulross]

Originally done by Dale Hawkins in 1957 with a 15 year old James Burton on guitar.

[reupaxac]

Hi Jon Mac, muchas gracias por éste presente musical ✌️

[keith]

Yep, James Burton came up with the riff in a studio session for Dale Hawkins in the late '50's but was never credited for it, Hawkins wrote the lyrics.

[RELATIONALsdbs]

Thank you for your efforts. I've gotta work at it, there aren't any shortcuts ! 😮😊

[RailheadEd]

I'm 69. Been three years without practice because of health issues. Got together with a friend yesterday. Realized how much I miss playing. Not a finger stylist. Gonna figure out how to play it with a pick. That bass line will be tough!

[Keef]

Fantastic lesson Jon. Played exactly like Fogerty. Thanks for posting. Any chance to do a second video on John’s swampy guitar Cheers👍👍

[jameswestmoreland]

Marketed as a rustic blues southern band maybe Louisiana guys, but really just a bunch of guys from California

[frankwielers]

Thanks Jon, great video again! Works perfectly well for me. FUN!! More from John Fogerty, please

[jimcastillo]

great work, anytime you might show some solo on this piece? thanks

[oyajiblues]

James Burton was 15 when he recorded that with Dale Hawkins. Smokestack Lightning was first recorded in late 50s. The Hawkins record came out in 1958. I am sure this "riff" was highly influenced by Howlin. It was who common for white musicians under Chess to separate white players and use anything they wanted from black artists. His first single was a Willie Dixon tune and Roy Buchanan played guitar.

[RobertHubert-ex]

bon cours manque la traduction française

[jordanmulvihill]

My rhythm is so bad rn. I focused only on lead for so long I forgot the importance of rhythm, make a video & help me out!

[perkins]

I seen John Fogerty do it you do it better than he does keeping that top string going Ain't No Easy Task I've tried myself doubt I'll ever be able to do that one

[j-rod]

Ownership is a grey area in old blues music especially delta, It’s something I actually love about it, they pay homage to each other

[delphinazizumbo]

you play it like this you'll find that it has no KICK
because this guy is ON BEAT, and a square back in it
be COOL, daddy-o
...give it some kick, kids

[atxplankspanker]

Wow, that's quite the headline though not true. I see other people already mentioned James Burton. He wrote that lick when he was 16 going on 17. The beginnings of chicken picking. Back then when he was played for Ricky Nelson we used to buy the albums but we guitar players back then called them James Burton albums.

[fabienbourdier]

oh my god man ... these kind of riff like smokestack lightnin bring out the absolute worst of me i just can't manage to keep the bass going while playing the melody, i can do travis picking just right, pretty fast at that, but this is too hard for me nothing made it click for me, no offense to your lesson or teaching style man, i love your videos

[marcosreal]

Wouldn’t call this an easy lesson as the picking is complex! What do I need? A guitar that doesn’t buzz, ha. Spending too much time on humid beaches.