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How to Play Great Balls of Fire on Guitar Like a Pro
If you're looking to add some classic rock and roll to your repertoire, then look no further than this "Great Balls of Fire" guitar lesson. This iconic song by Jerry Lee Lewis is known for its fast-paced piano riff, but it can also be played on the guitar, and it’s a lot of fun. In this lesson, we'll break down the chords, signature bass lines, and rhythm patterns, step-by-step so you can start playing this song today!
What did Jerry Lee Lewis mean by Great Balls of Fire?
Before we can jump into the guitar lesson let’s answer the one question that I’m sure you’re all wondering, “What did Jerry Lee Lewis mean by Great Balls of Fire?” The song is essentially about the earthquake feeling that love can put a person in. Lewis captured the energy of those emotions and channeled it into this hit song.
“Great Balls Of Fire” was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee at Sun Studio on October 8, 1957. The track features Lewis on piano and vocals, Larry Linn on drums, and Sidney Stokes on bass.
Great Balls Of Fire Chords
To play “Great Balls Of Fire” you’ll only need to know 3 chords C, F, and G.
Great Balls Of Fire” is in the key of C and uses the I, IV, and V chords of that key.
C = I chord
F = IV chord
G = V chord
There are two different 8-bar chord progressions to know for the song. The first one is the Verse that follows this progression:
C (2 bars)
F (2 bars)
G (1 bar)
F (1 bar)
C (2 bar)
This progression is very similar to a 12-bar blues but it is compressed down to an 8-bar blues. Essentially you have the I chord presented, then you move on to the IV. Then finally you take it all home with the turnaround. The turnaround is the progression of the last 4 bars. So, here we’re going from the G, to the F and then back home to C.
The second section is the Bridge, and that progression goes like this:
F (2 bars)
C (2 bars)
F (2 bars)
G (6 bars)
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