How to play Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis - Early Piano Rock
Jerry Lee Lewis is a great piano player to learn from because he has so much energy. In this piano lesson we’re going to cover his song, “Great Balls of Fire.” Its a fast song that we can use the basslines we have been working on in. In the video lesson, I’ve broken down the basic but fast pattern (at :28) that gets used on the C F and G chords in this song.
VIDEO NOTES:
As the annotations in the video say: watch my pinky in the left hand for clues about what chord i’m playing. In this song as in most songs, the root of the chord gets played on beat one of the pattern.
In the beginning of the song (:18 through :28) notice I’m playing octaves in both hands. (Octaves are the same note, but 8 notes apart). In fast rock and roll, we are focused more on playing really fast and loud rhythms, so we give up big lush chords in exchange for a few reasons. One of the main reasons is that it would be cumbersome and inaccurate.
Ending:
Don’t worry about trying to copy the ending I played in this video. We will talk about endings in future blog posts. I got a little too excited during my solo and didn’t really plan ahead for the right ending. So I quickly tagged on a much better ending lick. On the plus side, you get to see two different possible endings to the song!
If you would like to learn more standard endings for the Blues, Rock, Jazz etc. Please post a request as a comment!
Authentic Bass Lines:
The bass lines we have been talking about in previous blog posts will work for this song, but someone noted that they are not completely authentic and Jerry Lee Lewis would use more of a boogie woogie pattern.
I would say that the focus is really on what your singing and right hand is doing, so your left hand doesn’t get enough attention for it to really matter what specific notes it plays. As long as the left hand rhythm is steady, the exact bass line doesn’t matter a whole lot.
Hi Chris. It’s me, Jake. i just wanted to say that I practice the piano about an hour a day, and that i like your idea of teaching people the piano so quickly. I’ll be here.
(^_^)
Jake
Dear Chris,
I just learned how to play “Great Balls of Fire,” and I love it. Before I met you, I had to teach myself by using slow tutorials on youtube. Thank you for being such a great mentor. My mom’s really proud of me. Thanks again.
(^_*)
Jake
You know how you offered to show us some really sweet endings/turnarounds for the blues? If at all possible, I would like to take you up on that offer and request some.
You kick ass by the way.
Chris,
Break a leg at the Space Needle !!
I may be a little late with that…. with
time zones and the moderating of my
blog comments…
that Space Needle looks top drawer,
I know you knocked them out with your
awesome piano and great vocal skills…….
where can you go after you have played the Space Needle ?
I don’t think you can get any higher…
Stay Tuned
John Mac
Hey Chris,
Thanks so much for introducing me to the Jerry Lee music, love it. Trying
Great balls of fire now, rather difficult but I will manage. Was wondering if
you got the time to put that other song whole lot of shaking also on your site.
Would be great.
Cheers Tijn, Amsterdam
hey chris,
its jeremy i agree with tijn please do whole lot of shaking goin on well so far for that song my base line is really authentic u inspired me.
ur friend,
jeremy,ohio
Dear Chris,
This tutorial rules! I still am trying to get the solo. Do you think that you can make a tutorial on that? Thanks
-J.T.
Hey John,
Just make sure you use a lot of GLISSANDOS.
Im not sure which solo you’re referring to… send me some links.
Thanks,
Chris Marx
I was reffering to the one you played. I now see that it’s just licks and chords from other blogs. Also, I have a little problem with glissandos. I have one of those pianos that is hard to press down on and it hurts and sounds really messy. Any tips?
Thanks
-J.T.
Hello John
looked at many piano websites. and yours give the perfect way of learning.
keep it going.
How about “LET IT BE” or other beatles songs.
cheers. Alan
ll the best and keep on learning.
Gary
Hi,
Not being funny but the bass line is paramount to the rythm of boogie and the secret is to successfully marry up the right hand improvisations with a rock steady left hand.
All the best wishes and keep on learning.
Gary R
Hi Chris,
Thanks for all the lessons! I’m really learning a lot from your videos. I do have a request, though. When you demonstrate licks - I’m currently working on your version of “Great Balls of Fire” - would it be possible for you to show which beats the notes fall on? I know this sounds lame, but my right-left hand independence is not that great, and when the left hand is doing a relatively complicated boogie-woogie pattern, I have a difficult time synchronizing the right hand lick with the left hand pattern. I especially like your C7 “rolliing chord” lick in the solo, but I’m having trouble duplicating it on my own without knowing how to count it out. It would really help me a lot! Thanks again for all the great stuff and hope you’re feeling better!
HI Chris
Thank you for teaching piano is so hard to find a good piano teacher where i live and thanx for the chords 101 is being really helpfull.
this is a great song and i want to play this version of yours. look is there any way you can teach me the rest of this song?because is kind of hard looking at your hands cause they move really fast…
i would really apreciatte.:)
thanx for the good job
Thanks a lot Chris, it’s simply fantastic. I’d thought it would be something like that but the video’s given me a lot confidence. Thanks once more,
Levente