How to Play Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker on Guitar

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Abridged Script

Here’s a blues classic that I have received requests to learn from 16 different people so I have decided to take a closer look at how John Lee Hooker played this song on the occasions where he played it entirely unaccompanied.

Researching several different recordings, the first thing that I noticed was that when he did play it solo he simply stuck to the one chord – E7. What is interesting to me is that any time he had other musicians accompany him on the song, they failed to keep the sequence this pure and couldn’t help play basslines, chords, riffs or licks that at least implied the odd change up to the A7 chord.

So, the first thing to say about this song is that It is not about chords or even really about fancy licks – it is all about rhythm and feel. Let’s look at the intro.

The first lick starts with a slide from 2-4 on the G string. Then the D note at fret three on the B string then back down the same slide with a hint of a pull-off to the open string at the end of it, then E at fret 2 on the D string, open D and back to the E. In keeping with the call and response them e of early blues, we answer this lick with a bass line that goes. Open E up to G at fret 3 on the same string, open A and back to the open E.

Of course, you can do all this with a plectrum, but, John Lee Hooker very much used thumb and fingers to play guitar so I would encourage you to experiment with this if you want to get close to the sound and feel of his style.

The next lick starts on the E at fret 2 on the D string via the open G string to A at fret 2 on the G string, back to G and then E D E again on fret two of the D string. Follow each of these licks with the same bass lick. The next lick is a slight variation on the first lick – so, instead of the slide we use a bend at fret three on the B string then off to open B before concluding with the E D E same as the first lick.

This is followed again by the same bass line lick and then the fourth line is a repeat of the second line. So that whole intro in slow time and at something like full tempo.
Once the vocals start we have the same basic lick repeated no less than 16 times, once in response to each vocal line.

(sings) Boom boom , boom boom! I’m gonna shoot you right down.. Right off of your feet.. Take you home with me..

This starts with the D at fret three on the B string then open B then before bending the A at fret two on the G string up and hit the top string or top and second string like this..
Then it’s back to working the A at fret 2 on the G string which we bend up, release and pull-off all in one very smooth motion.

Unless you have large hands like old John Lee had, then this is extremely hard to play exactly like he did. My advice is to find a way to play something like it, in a way that suits your fingers and then listen carefully to the original recordings and gradually work at emulating that amazing freestyle feel that he had.

We’ll continue exploring this song in the next lesson in this series. Meanwhile, I’ll leave you to practice this with the health warning that, if you are not used to using your fingers, give them time to recover between each practice session or you will soon get some pretty mean blisters!

[michaelmojo]

Best 9 minutes I've spent on Youtube. So clean, not a wasted note in that very very simple bit. Thank you.

[skaybaltimore]

Thanks. I never would have even attempted to play this tune but you made it so clear and accessible. I really appreciate it!

[tonyechtzeit]

Dude, it was so great, I have to leave a comment and I write NO comments !!! "so clean" directly to my last two remaining guitar synapses! I think they also forced me to write that to you. God bless you, Bing and Bong

[AnthonyMonaghan]

Lovely. Very true to John's sound. He could do incredible things with a chord and seemingly only a few notes. A very sly and deceptive sounding guitar player. What I love about John Lee is that he never played the same song twice. We was always improvising around his basic theme. His sense of rhythm was incredible and you really hear it when he plays unaccompanied. Thanks sir.

[rickeyshaw]

You make it look so easy, and it becomes easier,
Smooth and relaxed kinda vibe, thanks so much for your lessons

[gabriel.hodges]

2nd day on guitar and with an 9 minute video I can play this perfectly! Thanks

[raypitcher]

THIS WAS BY FAR THE VERY BEST INSTRUCTION FOR THIS SONG, EXCELLENT TUITION, EXACT AND TO THE POINT, THANKS TO YOU I CAN NOW PLAY IT CORRECTLY BAR FOR BAR. YOU ARE A GENIUS SIR.

[alanfisher]

I love this guy he's such a good teacher i.know most of what he demonstrates but still to listen to this guy he makes it sound so refreshing

[kprice]

So cool! Really the best description. Rhythm and Feel. Like has been said before " Not a wasted note" Thank-you

[robertcaffrey]

Thanks for the brilliant simple lesson. As far as I am aware the Funk Brothers were the backing session musicans on the hit recording of J L Hookers Boom Boom, it's a great classic song but it sounds all over the place and hard to pin down to the bare bones.

[Johnylancaster]

Im new here but then I noticed he doesn't upload anymore? May God bless him for his blues knowledge and wisdom. And good health

[basilclay]

Can't stop playing this now.
Cheers, great lesson.

[danielcastillo]

I just subscribed just because I'm a big fan of John Lee Hooker, great teaching vid

[BrljoMrljo]

God I do love yt algorithym sometimes. This is by far my favourite blues song and I love your tutorial! Thank you on your effort.

[jeffsnedden]

Thank you for this! Love this song, keep those old blues lessons coming!

[markieeziebear]

Thank you for this great lesson sir, i'm grateful for your patience..

[gallorable]

thank you so much for this vid. I just got into Guitar and want to play the blues so bad your an excellent teacher took your time and i was able to play along still have ways to go thank you for a good start

[avialexandru]

That was really good! So smooth! Maximum points for the end part. "I got blisters on my fingers!"

[gunnar_langemark]

I may just have found the opening I need to be inspired to learn the blues guitar.
Thanks for posting this instructional video.
Let's see in about a year (just put it in my calendar, so I may come back here by then).

[JoshHopkinsYT]

Thank you sir for taking the time to make the video. I can finally play along with the song :)