The Speed Builder Process With A Chuck Berry Style Lick (Group 1)
The Speed Builder Process...
This video is a mash-up of the process for the first example in Group 1 of Classic Rock Speed Builders so that you can see the process (and learn a cool lick!)
The first part is the breakdown where we'll count it all out and go through it note for note, then is the "Level 1" playalong where you'll play it at 3 different speeds - do your best to keep up with all of them even though some may be too fast.
BE SURE that before you start with the clicktrack that you can play the whole lick without the click and while counting out loud. This is the most important part and without it you are tying one hand behind your back!
After that, you'll see the "Level 2" speeds (again, 3 speeds, 120-150bpm) and the "Level 3" speeds.
Play until you get to a point where you can't make at least 80-90% of the notes, but keep doing it each day and after a few days you should see some improvements.
Downloads
Chuck Berry Style Lick Lesson (MP4)This video in MP4 format
12 Comments
Graham Hutcheson
July 27, 2018Great stuff as always Griff.The counting certainly helps to build up speed.
I need to order the course.
All the best.
Graham
PAUL
July 27, 2018NICE!! JONNY BE GOOD IS PLAYED IN “”A””! I WAS IN A 50’S COVER BAND BACK IN THE 70’S AND I CAN’T COUNT HOW MANY TIME I PLAYED THIS SONG. THE SOLOS WAS VERY EASY. IT WAS ABOUT 110 BPM. HARD PART WAS SINGING THE GO GO JOHNNY GO AND PLAYING THE SLIDE UP TO THE 5TH FRET. ON STRINGS 1 AND 2
LIKE TO LEARN SOME SOLOS GRIFF!. THANKS GRIFF! . STAY COOL OUT THERE IN CORONA! NICE AT THE BEACH HERE IN REDONDO..
Robert Henderson
July 27, 2018Interesting! I can play it up to speed (correctly) without really thinking about it. When I slow it down though and try to count it is when I hit a wall. I’ve always taken what you’ve taught us about counting to heart. I always practice it a little bit as part of my routine. Something about this syncopation though. Guess I know what I need to work on… Thanks Griff!
Rock on!
Rob
john
July 27, 2018Great lesson Grif
think I know what needs to happen lol practice, practice, practice. thanks for posting this lesson was much needed I think this will help me a lot
keep em coming Grif !!
John
Donnie M.
July 28, 2018Hi, Griff,
I need some more advanced licks.
I’m not a one-note wonder type.
Thanks,
Donnie M.
Mark
July 28, 2018On the bend, my middle finger tends to slide under the D string, and then pluck it when I release the bend.
John
November 3, 2022That’s the same problem I’ve been having and I’m not sure how to fix it.
Perry russell
November 6, 2022Now break down the other sections of that classic Johnny B Goode rift
Rob
December 13, 2023Question. My tendency with this is to swing the count with a tiny space between the ‘and of the 4th beat of the first measure and the ‘one’ of the first beat of the second measure (repeated throughout the lick). Is this a no-no or is it ok to help internalize the groove. (My feet do this automatically so its really hard to align with the click track)?
Jim
December 14, 2023Griff,
This process and format is similar to your Blues Speed Building Blocks course which I have and which has improved my speed and accuracy significantly over time. Great course. Other than utilizing different licks ( Rock style), isn’t this course about the same?
Also, you caution that Level 4 in the Blues Speed Building Blocks should not even be attempted at first because of its difficulty. I have Level 3 down pretty well, but it takes everything I have and it’s not perfect. Time to give Level 4 a try?
Thanks
Jim
Lindsay
March 5, 2026thanks for this lesson Griff, I will spend some time working on it. I played a gig with our old band recently, the songlist included 2 Chuck berry songs: Johnny B Goode, and Roll over Beethoven. the only way i could learn the Intros was to memorise them…ie count how many bends for the 4 chord etc and try to come it at the right time for bars 10-12 etc. watching the videos I was out of time and stuffed up both Intros. I need something like this ie your lesson to fix the problem. I found it hard because Chuck plays on the beat in some bars then off the beat in other bars.
samaritano
March 7, 2026thank you griff ive learned a lot from you i gig regularly and use you example’s all the time