Good Rockin’ Tonight – Elvis Presley

Experience the raw energy and early rock ‘n’ roll fire of "Good Rockin’ Tonight" by Elvis Presley with our detailed note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. This track, originally written and recorded by Roy Brown, was famously covered by Elvis in 1954 and helped shape the sound of rockabilly and early rock music. Our comprehensive guitar tutorial captures the distinctive playing style and essential guitar techniques that give this song its unmistakable character. Lee Hodgson breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

"Good Rockin’ Tonight" is a cornerstone of rock and roll history. This upbeat, rhythm-driven track is a brilliant study in early rockabilly guitar techniques. With a driving groove, swinging rhythm, and tasteful lead licks, this lesson is perfect for guitarists who want to master vintage rock vocabulary and inject some classic flair into their playing.

Whether you're a fan of classic rock, rockabilly, or simply looking to build solid foundational skills, this lesson is packed with musical and technical value.

Featured Guitar Techniques

Slides

Slides add fluidity and expression to licks and phrases. In "Good Rockin’ Tonight," slides help connect chord tones and licks in a seamless way, mimicking the vocal style of Elvis himself. Learning this technique improves your fretboard navigation and expressive phrasing.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

These classic articulation techniques are used throughout the track to add speed and smoothness. By mastering hammer-ons and pull-offs, players can develop better left-hand strength and coordination, crucial for executing clean, quick runs in rock and blues styles.

Double Stops

Used prominently in the lead parts, double stops help create rich, harmonised lines that cut through the mix. They’re a must-know for replicating vintage blues and rock licks. Learning double stops enhances your ability to play harmonised melodies and fills.

String Bending

This essential blues and rock technique gives notes a vocal-like quality. In this lesson, bends are used to add emotion and tension to phrases. Developing solid string bending technique improves intonation and expressive control in lead guitar playing.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used in the rhythm sections to create a tight, percussive groove. It allows you to control dynamics and add a rhythmic punch to your playing. It’s a vital technique for any rock guitarist.

Chord Progressions

"Good Rockin’ Tonight" follows a classic 12-bar blues progression, making it a great lesson in understanding basic song structure. Recognizing and mastering chord progressions helps guitarists improve their improvisation and songwriting skills.

Power Chords

Though rooted in blues, the energy of the track is reinforced with aggressive, punchy power chords. Power chords are fundamental in rock music, offering a strong, simple way to drive a song’s rhythm.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning “Good Rockin’ Tonight” provides more than just the ability to play a classic—it builds a foundation in the rhythmic and lead guitar styles that defined early rock and roll. These techniques are transferable to many genres, from blues and rock to punk and country.

Through this lesson, you'll gain:

• Improved rhythm and timing
• Stronger left and right-hand coordination
• Increased fretboard fluency
• An authentic rockabilly playing style
• Historical context for rock guitar development

The Guitarist Behind the Track

The original guitar work on Elvis Presley's version of "Good Rockin’ Tonight" was played by Scotty Moore, one of the most influential guitarists in the birth of rock and roll. Moore’s innovative style combined country picking with blues phrasing, laying the groundwork for the rock guitar language. His tasteful use of space, rhythm, and melody made him a pioneer, and his contributions on this track are a masterclass in minimalism and groove.

Scotty Moore influenced generations of guitarists including George Harrison, Keith Richards, and Jimmy Page. His ability to make a song swing with just a few well-placed notes showcases the power of thoughtful, melodic playing—an essential lesson for every aspiring guitarist.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Double Stops
• String Bending
• Palm Muting
• Chord Progressions
• Power Chords

Take a step back to the birth of rock and roll and bring vintage style into your playing. With our in-depth lesson on “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” you’ll not only learn a piece of history—you’ll build timeless guitar skills that resonate through decades of music. Ready to rock? Dive in now at LickLibrary.com!