Brian Setzer on rockabilly picking using barre chords

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Check out this classic video lesson with free tab, as the Stray Cats star shows you how to get the rockabilly sound

(Image credit: Gie Knaeps / Getty)

Brian Setzer is a legend in the rockabilly world. His playing has inspired many budding guitarists throughout his illustrious career. He's most famous for his work in the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

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(Image credit: KOIVISTO/REX/Shutterstock)

9 essential rockabilly guitar chords

In this video lesson Brian shows you how to get a classic rockabilly sound by using barre chords. He also embellishes the chords with extra notes.

This can be quite tricky, so if you find yourself struggling, you might like to start off with one of Brian's other lesson on rockabilly picking using open chords.

Barre chords with fingerpicking 

This sequence shows how Brian uses barre chords combined with fingerpicking to get his patented rockabilly sound.

(Image credit: Future)

At bar 8 (the 5/4 bar), Brian was about to talk and momentarily lost concentration! We've tabbed what he actually played, but to keep it as a 4/4 bar simply leave out the beat in the brackets. 

(Image credit: Future)
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