Elvis Presley Guitar Songs from the 1950s
The 1950s gave birth to rock and roll — and few artists shaped that sound more than Elvis Presley. Blending country, blues, R&B and rockabilly, Elvis helped create a style that changed popular music and influenced generations of performers who followed.
In this collection of 1950s Elvis Presley guitar lessons, you'll learn how to play 20 classic songs from his early career, from landmark Sun Records recordings such as That's All Right and Mystery Train to hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook Up and Teddy Bear.
These acoustic arrangements cover everything from beginner-friendly rhythm songs to rockabilly shuffles, walking bass lines, riffs and lead breaks. Whether you're just getting started or want to add more of that classic 1950s Elvis sound to your playing, you'll find lessons here for several skill levels.
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Note: Every arrangement has been personally created, recorded and taught by Kirby
using teaching methods refined through decades of acoustic guitar instruction.
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Elvis Guitar Songs From The Movies
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Elvis Gospel & Inspirational Songs
Elvis Country And Blues Songs
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New to Elvis 50s Songs?
If you're new to playing 1950s Elvis songs on acoustic guitar, start with Anyway You Want Me, Such A Night, Teddy Bear or Treat Me Nice. These lessons focus mainly on chords and steady rhythm patterns without requiring a full lead break. Once you're comfortable with those, songs such as Paralyzed, Mystery Train and I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone introduce more of the walking bass, shuffle rhythms, hammer-ons and riffs that help create that classic early Elvis and rockabilly sound.
Start with the rhythm:
Begin with Anyway You Want Me, Such A Night, Teddy Bear and Treat Me Nice. These are good choices for developing steady rhythm, chord changes, muted strumming and the bouncy feel heard throughout many of Elvis's 1950s recordings.
Add the rockabilly movement:
Move into Paralyzed, Mystery Train, I'm Left You're Right She's Gone and Don’t Be Cruel. Here you'll begin adding walking bass, hammer-ons, bass runs and riffs while keeping the rhythm moving underneath.
Build your picking skills:
Next try A Big Hunk O' Love, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Money Honey and Good Rockin' Tonight. These arrangements introduce more involved picking breaks, lead sections and faster transitions between rhythm and fills.
Take on the bigger challenges:
Finish with songs such as Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel and That's All Right. These require stronger control of lead work, walking bass, fretboard movement and rhythm while bringing several of the techniques you've developed together in a complete acoustic arrangement.
Elvis Presley Guitar Lessons Included On This Page
All Shook Up Guitar Lesson
Anyway You Want Me Guitar Lesson
Blue Moon Of Kentucky Guitar Lesson
Blue Suede Shoes Guitar Lesson
Don't Be Cruel Guitar Lesson
Good Rockin Tonight Guitar Lesson
Heartbreak Hotel Guitar Lesson
I Dont Care If The Sun Don't Shine Guitar Lesson
I Forgot To Remember To Forget Guitar Lesson
I Want You I Need You I Love You Guitar Lesson
I'm Left You're Right She's Gone Guitar Lesson
Money Honey Guitar Lesson
Mystery Train Guitar Lesson
Paralyzed Guitar Lesson
So Glad You're Mine Guitar Lesson
Such A Night Guitar Lesson
Teddy Bear Guitar Lesson
That's All Right Guitar Lesson
Treat Me Nice Guitar Lesson
🎁 Free Demo Preview
Scroll down to check out a completely free demo on Elvis Presley's I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine”.A Big Hunk Of Love - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
A Big Hunk o' Love was written by Aaron Schroeder and Sid Wyche and recorded by Elvis Presley in June 1958 during one of his final recording sessions before beginning his U.S. Army service. The song was held for release until June 1959, while Elvis was stationed in Germany, helping RCA maintain his presence on the charts during his military absence.
Released as a single backed with My Wish Came True, the song became another major hit for Elvis, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. Its hard-driving rock and roll rhythm, prominent piano and powerful vocal performance gave the recording a tougher, more energetic sound than many of the ballads RCA was also releasing during this period.
The original recording featured pianist Floyd Cramer along with musicians from Elvis' Nashville recording sessions. Elvis later brought A Big Hunk o' Love back into his concert repertoire during the 1970s, giving the song a second life on stage more than a decade after its original release.
As one of Elvis' final major rock and roll hits of the 1950s, A Big Hunk o' Love provides a fitting snapshot of the harder-edged sound he had developed by the end of the decade.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play A Big Hunk o' Love in A using the chords A, D, D7, E and E7 in standard tuning. Elvis is up in C, so you can add a capo on the 3rd fret if you want to play along in the original key. I keep it in A because the original vocal range is too high for me.
The rhythm is a steady down up down up pattern with accented down-stroke chops that help create the song's stop-and-start feel. There's also an underlying bass riff blended into the rhythm, along with some bass playing during the stop sections. The arrangement includes two picking breaks, both of which I demonstrate in the lesson.
I'd rate this one intermediate because you're combining rhythm, bass work and lead playing. Learn the chords and groove first, add the bass parts next, then tackle the two picking sections before bringing everything together with the vocal.
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All Shook Up - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
All Shook Up was written primarily by Otis Blackwell, with Elvis Presley receiving a co-writing credit, and was recorded in January 1957. Released as a single that March, it became one of the biggest hits of Elvis' early career.
The song spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart and also crossed over successfully to the country and R&B charts. Billboard later ranked it as the top song of 1957.
With its distinctive rhythm, playful lyrics and relaxed vocal delivery, All Shook Up captured a lighter side of Elvis' early rock and roll sound. Originally released as a standalone single, it was later included on the 1958 compilation Elvis' Golden Records, alongside many of the hits that established Elvis as a major star.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play All Shook Up in the key of E using a capo on the 2nd fret and Drop D tuning, with the chord shapes D, G, A and A7. Elvis' original recording is considerably higher vocally, so I've lowered the song to make it much more comfortable to sing.
The Drop D tuning lets you capture the walking bass line throughout the song while maintaining a steady down up down up rhythm pattern that creates that familiar bouncy rock and roll groove. There is no lead work in this arrangement. You'll also encounter several stop-and-start sections where I use some quick shuffle strumming to imitate the effect of a drum roll.
I'd rate this beginner to intermediate, mainly because you're combining bass and rhythm at the same time. Learn the four chord shapes and steady rhythm first, then add the walking bass and finally the accents and stops. Once those pieces come together, you have a lively one-guitar arrangement that captures the feel of the original.
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Anyway You Want Me - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Anyway You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) became a hit in its own right where it was released as the B-side of Love Me Tender in September 1956 and reaching No. 20 on the Billboard pop chart during Elvis Presley's remarkable breakthrough year.
Elvis had recorded the ballad on April 10, 1956, at RCA's Nashville studios. Written by Aaron Schroeder and Cliff Owens, the song presented a much softer side of the young singer than the energetic rock and roll records driving his rapid rise to fame.
Built around Elvis' smooth, emotional vocal delivery, Anyway You Want Me showed that ballads were already an important part of his repertoire. Its success as a B-side also reflected the enormous demand for Elvis records during 1956.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Anyway You Want Me has a relaxed ballad feel and I play it in standard tuning using the chords C, Am, F, G, C7, Cdim, G7 and D7. I use a steady down down down up down down rhythm pattern throughout the song, keeping the accompaniment relaxed and supportive of the vocal.
There are just a few bass runs added in places to give the arrangement some movement, but there is no lead work in this number. The slower pace also gives you plenty of room to concentrate on clean chord changes without having to deal with several different rhythm patterns.
I'd rate this one beginner-friendly. Learn the handful of chords first, get comfortable with the single rhythm pattern, then add the few bass runs and simply work your way through the song at a relaxed pace.
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Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Blue Moon of Kentucky took on an entirely different character when Elvis Presley recorded the Bill Monroe bluegrass classic at Sun Studio in 1954. Monroe's original was a bluegrass waltz, but Elvis, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black transformed it into a faster, driving performance blending country with rhythm and blues influences.
Released as the B-side of That's All Right, the song formed part of the historic two-sided Sun single that launched Elvis' recording career. The performance became an early example of the musical boundaries Elvis was beginning to cross with his distinctive new sound.
Blue Moon of Kentucky was later included on Elvis' self-titled RCA debut album in 1956, bringing this early Sun recording to a much larger national audience.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play Blue Moon of Kentucky with a lively rockabilly/country feel using the chords A, D or D7 and E, with A7 and E7 added where they fit. I also play the A chord up at the 5th fret in places, which lets you work the B string into the rhythm and helps create that early rockabilly sound.
For rhythm I'm using a fast root down up down up down up shuffle pattern, along with a few hammer-ons and B-string accents. A steady right hand is important here to keep that bouncy, driving rhythm moving. I've also included two separate lead sections. One is wrapped around the chords and works almost like a rhythm break, while the other uses more individual-note picking. You can simplify the arrangement by playing just one of them if you prefer.
I'd rate this beginner to intermediate. Learn the chords and alternative shapes first, get the shuffle rhythm and accents comfortable, then add either one or both of the lead breaks.
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Blue Suede Shoes - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Blue Suede Shoes brought Carl Perkins' rockabilly classic to an even wider audience when Elvis Presley recorded his version in January 1956. Perkins had written and recorded the song for Sun Records only weeks earlier, scoring a major hit with his original version.
Elvis recorded Blue Suede Shoes during the sessions for his first RCA album and performed it frequently during his early television appearances. His version was released as a single and reached No. 20 on the U.S. pop chart, while climbing to No. 2 on the country chart.
Opening Elvis' self-titled debut album in March 1956, the energetic performance helped showcase the country, blues and rock and roll mixture that was driving his rapid rise to national fame.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I teach Blue Suede Shoes in the same key as Elvis, which is A, using Drop D tuning and the chord shapes G, C, C7, D and D7. The Drop D setup helps me capture some of the boogie-woogie bass movement that gives the song its early rock and roll sound.
For rhythm I use a steady down up down up pattern, with accented chords in places and a walking bass line once we reach the D chord. Those elements help create the driving rockabilly groove, along with the stops and starts found throughout the song. I've also included two instrumental breaks — one is a lead break with individual-note picking, while the second is a walking-bass picking break.
I'd rate this one intermediate because of the lead work and walking bass. Learn the chord shapes and rhythm first, then work on playing the walking bass smoothly with the rhythm from beginning to end. Once that's comfortable, tackle the lead break and the separate walking-bass break.
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Don't Be Cruel - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Don't Be Cruel became one of Elvis Presley's biggest hits after he recorded it in New York City on July 2, 1956. Written by Otis Blackwell, the song was released later that month backed with Hound Dog, creating one of the most successful two-sided singles of the rock and roll era.
The recording blended rock and roll with R&B and country influences, driven by a relaxed rhythm and Elvis' distinctive vocal phrasing. Don't Be Cruel reached No. 1 on the pop, country and R&B charts, while Hound Dog also became a chart-topping hit.
The enormous success of both sides helped make 1956 Elvis' breakthrough year and established Don't Be Cruel as one of the recordings most closely associated with his early career.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play Don't Be Cruel in Drop D tuning using the chords D, G, Em, A, A7 and a bluesy D7 shape. The lower D lets me incorporate walking bass into the rhythm, which helps give this one that familiar bouncy early rock and roll feel.
For rhythm I use a steady down down up down up down up pattern while blending walking bass notes throughout the song. There are also a few additional bass runs, but no lead work in this arrangement. You'll encounter a stop near the end of the song as well.
I'd rate this beginner to early intermediate. Start by getting comfortable with the chords in Drop D tuning, then learn the rhythm pattern by itself. Once that's steady, come back and gradually work the walking bass into each chord along with the occasional bass run. The bass movement is really what carries the groove in this arrangement.
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Good Rockin' Tonight - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Good Rockin Tonight became Elvis Presley's second Sun Records single when he recorded the song in Memphis in September 1954. Written and first recorded by Roy Brown in 1947, it also became a major R&B hit for Wynonie Harris the following year.
Elvis, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black gave the song their own energetic treatment, blending its rhythm and blues foundation with the country and rockabilly sound developing during their early Sun sessions.
Released with I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine on the B-side, Elvis' recording did not become a national chart hit, but it helped build his growing reputation throughout the South. Good Rockin' Tonight was later included on the 1959 album A Date with Elvis while Elvis was serving in the U.S. Army.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play Good Rockin' Tonight in E using the chords E, A, A7 and B7 in standard tuning. Vocally this is a high song for me, so I sing some of the higher sections down low rather than changing the key, which lets me keep the original chord structure intact.
For part of the song I use a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern to capture that driving rockabilly feel. The rhythm changes slightly in other sections to a steady down up down up pattern, with some walking bass blended into the arrangement. There is also lead work to learn, along with a quick picking pattern in the outro.
I'd rate this one intermediate because you're combining two rhythm approaches with walking bass, lead playing and the fast outro. Learn the basic chords first, get comfortable with both rhythm patterns, then add the walking bass before tackling the lead section and outro picking.
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Heartbreak Hotel - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Heartbreak Hotel became Elvis Presley's first major national breakthrough after its release in January 1956. Written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, with Elvis also receiving a songwriting credit, the song was reportedly inspired by a newspaper story about a lonely man's death.
Recorded during Elvis' first RCA sessions in Nashville, the song had a haunting blues-influenced sound that stood apart from many of his earlier Sun recordings. Elvis' dramatic vocal, Scotty Moore's guitar and the recording's distinctive echo helped give it an immediately recognizable atmosphere.
Heartbreak Hotel reached No. 1 on the pop and country charts and became a major R&B hit as well. Its enormous success helped transform Elvis from a rising regional performer into a national rock and roll star.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
The original key for Heartbreak Hotel is E, but I play my version in D to make it easier to sing. If you want to return to the original key, simply add a capo on the 2nd fret. I give this arrangement a bluesier feel using Drop D tuning with the chords D, G, A and D7.
You can play the rhythm using all down-strokes, but rather than duplicating the sparse bass-and-piano feel of the original recording, my arrangement keeps the guitar moving from the beginning. I blend hammer-ons, bass runs and walking bass with the rhythm to create a fuller, swaggering groove for a solo performance. There's also a picking break wrapped around the rhythm that includes some slides.
I'd rate this version intermediate because of the walking bass and lead work. Learn the Drop D chord shapes and down-stroke rhythm first, then introduce the moving bass line. Work on the slides and picking break separately before bringing everything together, finishing on that bluesy D7 chord shape.
Like this song? I also teach a different arrangement of Heartbreak Hotel by Lynyrd Skynyrd, which gives the song a very different Southern rock treatment. You can find that version on my Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar lessons page.
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I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine appeared as the B-side of Elvis Presley's second Sun Records single, Good Rockin' Tonight, in 1954. Written by Mack David, the song had previously been recorded by Dean Martin in 1950 after being featured in the film Cinderella.
Elvis recorded his version at Sun Studio in Memphis, transforming the lighthearted pop song into a lively performance that fit naturally with the developing rockabilly sound of his early sessions with Scotty Moore and Bill Black.
Although I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine was not a national chart hit for Elvis, it became part of his important Sun Records catalogue. The recording was later included on the 1959 compilation album A Date with Elvis while Elvis was serving in the U.S. Army.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine in standard tuning using just three chords: G, A7 and D7. For rhythm I use a steady root down up down up down up pattern that keeps the early rockabilly groove moving throughout the song.
Scotty Moore plays two lead breaks on the original recording that are essentially the same. In my arrangement I add some variety by teaching my own lead break as well as Scotty Moore's break, so you can use both or choose whichever one you prefer. There's also a high finish played well up the fretboard to close out the song.
I'd rate this one intermediate because of the lead work. Learn the three chords first, then get comfortable with the single rhythm pattern. From there, learn either one or both lead breaks before working on the high-fretboard ending and bringing the complete arrangement together.
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I Forgot To Remember To Forget - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
I Forgot to Remember to Forget came out as a single in 1955 when he was with Sun Records. It was on the same record as "Mystery Train," but on the other side. At first, it wasn't on any of Elvis's albums.
But after Elvis moved to RCA Victor in 1956, the song started showing up on collection albums. You can find it on "Elvis' Golden Records" from 1958, which has many of his hit songs. Over the years, lots of Elvis collection albums have come out.
These albums have different songs on them, so you might find "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" on some but not others.I Forgot to Remember to Forget came out as a single in 1955 when he was with Sun Records. It was on the same record as "Mystery Train," but on the other side. At first, it wasn't on any of Elvis's albums.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I play I Forgot to Remember to Forget in the original key of E using Drop D tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret. This lets me use the chord shapes D, A, D7 and G while the Drop D tuning makes it easier to capture the walking bass line throughout the song.
For rhythm I use a steady down up down up pattern while blending the walking bass into the chord progression. There's also a lead break consisting of a series of sliding riffs that follow the melody line, adding another layer to the solo acoustic arrangement.
I'd rate this one intermediate because of the walking bass and sliding-riff lead break. Learn the few chord shapes in Drop D first and get comfortable with the relaxed rhythm. Then gradually work in the walking bass runs before learning the sliding riffs and bringing all of the parts together.
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I Want You I Need You I Love You - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You followed the enormous success of Heartbreak Hotel when RCA Victor released the single in May 1956. Written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff, the romantic ballad showed the softer side of Elvis Presley just as his rock and roll career was exploding nationally.
Recorded in Nashville in April 1956, the song featured Elvis' smooth, emotional vocal delivery backed by Scotty Moore, Bill Black and members of his RCA studio band. It became another major success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard's country chart and No. 3 on the pop chart.
The strong follow-up performance confirmed that Heartbreak Hotel had been no fluke and helped establish Elvis as one of the dominant new recording stars of 1956.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You is played in standard tuning using the chords C, Dm7, G7, G#, G, Am, C7, F, Fm, D7, Cmaj7 and Gm. I use two separate rhythm patterns in this arrangement. The first is a down up down up down down pattern that repeats, while the second uses a down down down up down pattern. Both help maintain the relaxed ballad feel of the song.
There's no lead work or bass runs required in this version, with just a short ending riff to finish the arrangement.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate, mainly because of the number of chords and having two rhythm patterns to work with. Learn the chord shapes and transitions first, then practice each rhythm separately. Once you can move comfortably between the two patterns, you'll have everything you need to play this laid-back Elvis ballad from beginning to end.
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I'm Left You're Right She's Gone - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone was written by Stan Kesler and Bill Taylor and recorded by Elvis Presley at Sun Records in Memphis in early 1955. Released on Sun 217 in April 1955 with Baby Let's Play House on the opposite side, the record became another important step in Elvis's growing success and reached the Top 10 on Billboard's country best-sellers chart.
The recording featured Elvis on acoustic guitar, Scotty Moore on electric guitar, Bill Black on bass and Jimmie Lott on drums. Its combination of country, blues and a lively rockabilly rhythm captures the developing Sun Records sound that helped distinguish Elvis's earliest recordings.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone is played in standard tuning using just three chords: E, A and B7. You can play a straightforward rhythm version using a root down up root up down up pattern, which gives you the basic groove of the song.
In my arrangement, I take that foundation a little further by adding hammer-ons within the chords to help capture the early rockabilly feel. There are also several sliding riffs along with a lead break, giving the solo acoustic arrangement more of the movement and energy found in the original style.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate because of the additional lead work. Start by learning the three chords and getting the rhythm flowing smoothly. Next, add the hammer-ons and sliding riffs to the rhythm, and finally learn the lead break and blend everything together for the complete arrangement.
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Money Honey - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Money Honey began as a major rhythm-and-blues hit for Clyde McPhatter and the newly formed Drifters in 1953. Penned by Jesse Stone, their recording topped the R&B chart and became one of the early songs to bridge the developing sounds of R&B and rock and roll.
Elvis brought the song into his own repertoire and recorded it on January 10, 1956, during his first RCA session in Nashville. His version appeared on the landmark Elvis Presley debut album that March, backed by musicians including Scotty Moore, Chet Atkins, Bill Black, D.J. Fontana and Floyd Cramer.
Later that year, RCA also issued Money Honey as a single backed with One-Sided Love Affair.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Money Honey is played in standard tuning using just three chords: E, A and B7. The verses have a stop-and-start approach, where you'll strike the E chord with a single down stroke, sing the vocal phrase and then come back with another chord accent. Getting that timing between the guitar and vocal right is an important part of capturing the feel of the song.
Once you reach the chorus, the arrangement opens up into a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern with a few bass runs blended into the chord changes. I also add several riffs throughout the song along with a lead break that's built more around connected riffs than individual-note picking.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate because of the additional lead work. Start with the three chords and practice the stop-and-start timing with the vocal. Next, work on the rhythm pattern and bass runs, then add the smaller riffs before tackling the lead-break section.
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Mystery Train - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Mystery Train came to Elvis through Sun Records, where Junior Parker had first recorded the song in 1953. Credited to Parker and Sun founder Sam Phillips, Elvis recorded his version in July 1955 with Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass. The track was paired with I Forgot to Remember to Forget for what became Elvis's final Sun single before his move to RCA.
The record became an important part of Elvis's growing country success, with the pairing appearing prominently on Billboard's country charts.
Its driving rhythm, Scotty Moore's distinctive guitar work and the blend of country and blues helped make Mystery Train one of the defining recordings of Elvis's Sun Records period.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Mystery Train uses just four chords: E, A, A7 and B7. The secret to capturing that locomotive train feel is in the way I play the E chord, combining a hammer-on within the chord with a quick move to A as demonstrated in the lesson. There's also a built-in riff around the A chord that helps keep that rockabilly groove moving.
For rhythm I use a root down up down up down up pattern throughout the song, along with a bass run as you move into the B7 chord. The instrumental break uses the same basic chord idea you've already learned, but it's played higher up the fretboard near the 12th fret with more emphasis on the rhythm hand chopping up the groove.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate, mainly because of the train-style E chord technique and the higher-fret break. Start with the four chords and practice the E chord hammer-on sequence until the locomotive feel becomes natural. Add the rhythm pattern and bass run next, then finish by learning the higher-fret break while maintaining that steady train-like groove.
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Paralyzed - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Paralyzed was recorded by Elvis Presley on September 2, 1956, during sessions at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. Written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley, the song became part of his second RCA album, Elvis, released in October 1956.
Although Paralyzed was not released as a regular U.S. single, it received considerable attention and became another example of the energetic rock-and-roll sound Elvis was developing during his breakthrough year. The recording featured Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, D.J. Fontana on drums and backing vocals from the Jordanaires.
The song also became particularly popular in the UK, where it appeared on the charts despite not being issued there as a conventional single at the time.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Paralyzed is best played in Drop D tuning so you can incorporate the walking bass throughout the song, which helps create that bouncy early rockabilly feel. The chords you'll need are D, A, G, E, A/Db, Bm and D7.
For rhythm I use a steady down up down up down up shuffle pattern, keeping the right hand light and relaxed as the bass movement is blended into the chords. There's no lead work required in this arrangement, and the song finishes on a bluesy variation of the D chord.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate, mainly because of the walking bass that runs throughout the arrangement. Start by learning the chords in Drop D tuning, then get comfortable with the steady shuffle rhythm. Once that's flowing naturally, go back and work the walking bass runs into the different chord shapes. Bring those elements together and you'll have that recognizable rockabilly groove carrying the song from beginning to end.
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So Glad You're Mine - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
So Glad You're Mine brought Elvis Presley back to the music of bluesman Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, whose songs had already played an important role in Elvis's early career with That's All Right.
Elvis recorded the track on January 30, 1956, during an RCA session in New York, backed by Scotty Moore, Bill Black, D.J. Fontana and pianist Shorty Long.
The recording was held back until Elvis's second album, Elvis, arrived later that year. In fact, So Glad You're Mine was the only track on that album carried over from the earlier New York sessions rather than the September recording sessions that produced most of the LP.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
So Glad You're Mine was originally recorded in the key of E, but I find that key a little high vocally and it doesn't work as well for the walking bass in my acoustic arrangement. Instead, I play it in Drop D tuning using D, D7, G, A and an A7. If you want to return to the original key, simply place a capo on the 2nd fret.
The verses use a down-stroke chop that follows the vocal phrasing. Once you reach the chorus, the rhythm opens into a steady down up down up shuffle, with walking bass blended into the chord changes. There's also some lead work in this arrangement.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate. Start by learning the five chords in Drop D tuning, then work on the down-stroke verse and shuffle rhythm. Add the walking bass once the rhythm is comfortable, and finally learn the lead section to complete the arrangement.
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Such A Night - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Such a Night had already been an R&B favorite before Elvis put his stamp on it. Written by Lincoln Chase, the song was recorded by the Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter in 1953 and became a major hit the following year.
Elvis recorded his version at RCA Studio B in Nashville in April 1960, shortly after returning from military service. With Scotty Moore and Hank Garland on guitar,
Floyd Cramer on piano and Boots Randolph on saxophone, the track became part of the acclaimed Elvis Is Back! album. Four years later, RCA released Such a Night as a single, giving the album track another life in 1964.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Such A Night is played in standard tuning using just four chords: D, A, D7 and G. There's no lead work in this arrangement, and the rhythm uses a steady down up down up pattern pretty much all the way through the song. I blend in a few open bass notes with the rhythm to help create that early rock-and-roll swing feel.
Most of the song moves back and forth between D and A, so the key is keeping that steady rhythm flowing with the right hand. Near the end, D7 and G come into the progression before the song finishes with a short picking riff.
I'd rate this one beginner-friendly. Learn the four chords first, then get comfortable with the steady rhythm pattern. Add the open bass notes once the rhythm is flowing, learn the short ending riff, and you'll have everything you need to play the complete arrangement.
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Teddy Bear - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Teddy Bear became one of Elvis Presley's biggest hits of 1957 after being recorded for his second motion picture, Loving You. Written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe, the song was recorded during the Hollywood sessions for the film, with Scotty Moore and Tiny Timbrell on guitar, Bill Black on bass and D.J. Fontana on drums.
Released as a single in June 1957 with Loving You on the flip side, Teddy Bear spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart and also topped the R&B and country charts. The song was featured prominently in the movie and soon appeared on the successful Loving You soundtrack album.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Teddy Bear is played in the key of C using the chords G, Gb, F, C, C7 and D. I use Drop D tuning simply to give the D chord a fuller sound, but it's completely optional. The song, including the bass run from D into G, can easily be played in standard tuning.
For rhythm I use a down up stop up down up stop up pattern with a quick shuffle feel, which gives the song its light, bouncy pop groove. There's also some walking bass, including a bass run moving from D into G. The song opens with a short sliding-chord intro, but there's no lead work required.
I'd rate this one beginner-friendly. Learn the chords first, with or without Drop D, then get comfortable with the steady rhythm pattern. Add the occasional bass run and the short sliding-chord intro, and you'll have the complete arrangement.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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That's All Right - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
That's All Right became the recording that launched Elvis Presley's professional career in the summer of 1954. The song originated with bluesman Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, who recorded it in 1946, but Elvis transformed it by blending blues with the country influences he had grown up hearing.
Elvis recorded the song at Sun Studio in Memphis on July 5, 1954, backed by Scotty Moore on electric guitar and Bill Black on bass. What began almost spontaneously during a break in the session caught producer Sam Phillips' attention and quickly found its way onto Memphis radio.
Released on July 19 with Blue Moon of Kentucky on the B-side, it became Elvis's first commercial single and the beginning of his rise to stardom.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
That's All Right is played in standard tuning using the chords A, A7, D7 and E. You can use a root down up down up down up rhythm pattern, or play a root down up bass up down up pattern for a little more movement. Both work well at the song's mid-tempo pace, and I teach the second pattern in this lesson.
During the verses I add a quick Scotty Moore-style riff between the vocal lines. I play the A chord from the 5th-fret position so my hand is already closer to where that higher-fret riff is played. The picking break is the most challenging part of the arrangement because you'll play the riff and then move quickly down the fretboard to add a bass run before returning to the picking sequence. That movement happens several times during the break.
I'd rate this one beginner to intermediate. Start with the four chords and choose one of the two rhythm patterns. Once the rhythm is comfortable, add the quick riff between the vocal lines. Finally, work on the picking break separately, concentrating on the fast fretboard movement needed to connect the riff and bass run smoothly.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Treat Me Nice - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Treat Me Nice came from the same Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller songwriting partnership that produced several songs for Elvis's 1957 film Jailhouse Rock. Elvis recorded versions for the movie during the spring, then returned to Radio Recorders in Hollywood on September 5 to cut the version used for the record.
Released on September 24, 1957 as the B-side of Jailhouse Rock, the song featured Scotty Moore and Elvis on guitar, Bill Black on bass, D.J. Fontana on drums and backing vocals from the Jordanaires and Millie Kirkham.
Elvis reportedly believed Treat Me Nice had hit potential, although Jailhouse Rock became the dominant side of the hugely successful single.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
Treat Me Nice is played in standard tuning using the chords G, C, C7, F, D7, G7, Adim and C7#. There's no lead work required in this arrangement. For rhythm I use a down up mute up down up mute up pattern throughout the song, which gives it that light, bouncy early rock-and-roll feel.
There's one descending bass run to work into the arrangement, and near the end of the song the C7# shape slides down into a bluesy C chord shape for the finish.
I'd rate this one beginner-friendly. Start by learning the chords, then get comfortable with the repeating rhythm and muted strokes. Add the descending bass run and the sliding chord ending, and you'll have everything you need to add this classic Elvis number to your set list.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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1950s Elvis Guitar Lessons FAQ
Are these 1950s Elvis songs suitable for beginner guitar players?
Yes. Several lessons on this page are beginner-friendly, including Anyway You Want Me, Such A Night, Teddy Bear and Treat Me Nice. Other arrangements move into beginner-to-intermediate territory by adding walking bass, riffs, hammer-ons or lead breaks. This allows you to start with straightforward rhythm songs and gradually work toward the more involved rockabilly arrangements.
What guitar techniques will I learn from these Elvis songs?
These lessons cover much more than basic chords and strumming. Across the collection you'll work with shuffle rhythms, walking bass lines, bass runs, muted strumming, hammer-ons, sliding riffs, chord accents and picking breaks. Several songs also teach you how to move between rhythm and short lead passages while keeping an acoustic arrangement flowing.
Do I need to know lead guitar to play these Elvis songs?
No. Songs such as Such A Night, Teddy Bear and Treat Me Nice can be played without a lead section. Other lessons, including That's All Right, Good Rockin' Tonight and Blue Suede Shoes, include picking or lead work for players who want a more complete arrangement. You can also learn the chords and rhythm first and return to the lead sections later.
Why do some of these lessons use Drop D tuning?
Drop D gives the acoustic guitar a deeper bass note and can make walking bass lines and certain chord arrangements easier or fuller sounding. I use it where it benefits my acoustic arrangement, but it isn't always essential. For example, Teddy Bear can be played perfectly well in standard tuning even though I use Drop D to give the D chord a fuller sound.
What makes 1950s Elvis rhythm guitar different from ordinary strumming?
Much of the early Elvis sound comes from the groove rather than complicated chords. You'll encounter rockabilly shuffles, walking bass, stop-and-start rhythms, muted strokes and short riffs between vocal lines. The goal is often to keep the rhythm light and moving while using bass notes and accents to create the bounce associated with early rock and roll.
Which Elvis song should I learn first?
For a straightforward starting point, try Such A Night, Teddy Bear, Treat Me Nice or Anyway You Want Me. Once those rhythm patterns feel comfortable, move into songs such as Mystery Train or Paralyzed for walking bass and rockabilly technique. From there, arrangements such as That's All Right provide a good next step into riffs, bass runs and more involved picking.
Each of these Elvis songs captures a different side of his early career — from Sun Records rockabilly and driving rock and roll to country influences and slower ballads. Along the way, you'll work with more than just chords and basic strumming, developing techniques such as walking bass lines, shuffle rhythms, hammer-ons, sliding riffs and lead breaks that help bring these acoustic arrangements to life.
Work through the songs that suit your current playing level, then return to the more challenging arrangements as your skills develop. And when you're ready to explore beyond the 1950s, continue with the other Elvis Presley guitar lesson collections covering his movie songs, love songs, country and roots material, gospel and inspirational songs, easy Elvis favorites and recordings from the 1970s.
If you enjoy Elvis Presley's timeless rock 'n' roll style, you may also enjoy guitar lessons from fellow 1950s pioneers including The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly. You can also return to our 50s Guitar Songs directory to explore even more classic artists and songs.
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Kirby Swinemar is an acoustic guitar instructor, performer and song arranger who has taught online for 21 years and created more than 4,000 original acoustic guitar lessons. He specialises in song-based acoustic guitar instruction, rhythm guitar techniques, and creating full-sounding solo arrangements that help beginner and intermediate players move beyond basic strumming.
Explore his work at Kirby's Guitar Lessons and on social media on his social media YouTube Channel and his Facebook Page. Learn more about Kirby on his About Me page.
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