Folsom Prison Blues
by Johnny Cash
Album: With His Hot and Blue Guitar!
Released: 1955
Genre: Country
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding E major:
E major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Ionian (Major) with Mixolydian inflections mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Pro Tip: These keys utilize open strings on guitar, making them ideal for powerful, ringing chords. The open strings add natural sustain and harmonic richness.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E major
E major scale
Notes: E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E
Application: Primary harmonic foundation and vocal melody
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
Classic country I-IV-V7 progression forming a 12-bar blues-influenced structure
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
E
A
B7
Harmonic Functions:
- E (I):Strong tonic center establishing the key and home chord
- A (IV):Subdominant providing harmonic movement and contrast midway through each verse
- B7 (V7):Dominant seventh chord creating strong pull back to E with the D# leading tone
Key Techniques
Boom-Chicka-Boom Train Rhythm
BeginnerThe signature Johnny Cash the iconic vocal hook that mimics the sound of a locomotive, with bass notes on beats 1 and 3 and muted strums on beats 2 and 4
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E - A - E - B7 - E (Boom-Chicka-Boom Pattern)
Tips:
- • The train rhythm should feel mechanical and relentless like a locomotive
- • Keep palm contact light for muted strums - just enough to deaden the strings
- • The bass notes must be strong and clearly defined against the muted strums
- • Practice with a metronome to develop the steady driving pulse
- • Luther Perkins played this with just the bass strings and one or two treble strings
Travis Picking Bass Lines
IntermediateAlternating thumb bass pattern inspired by Merle Travis, providing a walking bass line underneath the boom-chicka rhythm
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E - A - E - B7 - E with walking bass connections
Tips:
- • Start by mastering the simple alternating bass before adding walking notes
- • Keep the thumb moving steadily regardless of what the fingers are doing
- • The walking bass should seamlessly connect one chord to the next
- • This technique requires patience - work on thumb independence daily
Country Lead Fills
IntermediateSimple pentatonic-based fills between vocal phrases using bends and slides characteristic of early country guitar
Progression:
Over E - A - E - B7 - E progression
Tips:
- • Less is more - Luther Perkins was famous for his sparse, effective fills
- • Keep fills rhythmically aligned with the boom-chicka pattern
- • Use the open E and B strings as pedal tones during fills
- • Practice fills separately before integrating with the rhythm
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E major. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro
0:00-0:12Chord Voicing Exercise
The song opens immediately with the driving train rhythm on E major, establishing the locomotive groove
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Establishes the iconic train rhythm immediately
- • Luther Perkins' electric guitar sets the groove
- • Bass and drums lock into the boom-chicka pattern
Verse 1
0:12-0:46Chord Voicing Exercise
First verse with the 12-bar structure, E for four bars, A for two bars, back to E, then B7-A-E turnaround
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Follows a modified 12-bar blues structure
- • Maintain the train rhythm through all chord changes
- • The A chord provides subdominant lift in the middle
Verse 2
0:46-1:20Chord Voicing Exercise
Second verse continuing the 12-bar pattern with the same chord structure
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Same 12-bar structure as verse 1
- • Lead guitar fills become slightly more embellished
- • The vocal melody intensifies with the prison narrative
Guitar Solo
1:20-1:55Major Pentatonic Scale Exercise
Instrumental break featuring Luther Perkins' sparse, iconic lead guitar work over the 12-bar structure
Major Pentatonic Scale Exercise
- • Luther Perkins' signature sparse lead style
- • Uses E major pentatonic for melodic content
- • Simple but effective single-note lines
Final Verse & Outro
1:55-2:51Chord Voicing Exercise
Final verse building to the conclusion with a definitive E major ending
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Most intense vocal delivery of the song
- • the signature verse with powerful narrative
- • Final B7-E turnaround resolves the song definitively
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Pickup Type:
Bridge single-coil for twangy, percussive country tone
Alternatives:
- • Fender Esquire
- • Gretsch Duo Jet
- • Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster
- • Any solid-body electric with single-coil pickups
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 3-4 (clean with slight edge)
Treble: 7-8 (bright and twangy)
Middle: 5 (balanced mids)
Bass: 4 (controlled low end for tight bass notes)
Presence: 6 (clear articulation)
Alternatives:
Effects
Distortion:
None - clean tone essential
Reverb:
Light spring reverb
Other:
Slapback delay (80-130ms, single repeat) for authentic Sun Records/Tennessee Three tone
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks with regular practice
- • Learn open E, A, and B7 chord shapes
- • Practice the boom-chicka strum pattern on E chord alone
- • Add chord changes: E to A and E to B7
- • Play through the entire 12-bar verse structure at slow tempo (75 BPM)
Time Estimate: 3-5 weeks for performance quality
- • Master root-fifth alternating bass for E, A, and B7
- • Learn walking bass lines connecting chord changes
- • Add simple pentatonic fills in the spaces between phrases
- • Practice at performance tempo (112 BPM) with consistent groove
Time Estimate: 6-8 weeks for complete solo arrangement
- • Integrate walking bass with boom-chicka rhythm simultaneously
- • Develop Luther Perkins-style lead guitar fills
- • Master the complete 12-bar structure with all embellishments
- • Perform the song as a solo guitar piece with bass, rhythm, and lead combined
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Losing the steady train rhythm when changing chords
- • Making the muted strums too loud relative to the bass notes
- • Rushing the tempo - the train rhythm must be steady and relentless
- • Overthinking the B7 chord change - keep it smooth and simple
- • Adding too many fills - Luther Perkins' genius was his restraint
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with boom-chicka pattern on open E for 5 minutes
- • Practice E-A-E changes with boom-chicka at 80 BPM
- • Add B7 turnaround: B7-A-E pattern at slow tempo
- • Work through the full 12-bar form at gradually increasing tempos
- • Practice lead fills separately, then integrate at slow tempo
Focus Areas
- • Rock-steady train rhythm consistency
- • Clean chord transitions within the boom-chicka pattern
- • Alternating bass note accuracy on each chord
- • Muted strum technique for percussive 'chicka' sound
- • Overall groove and locomotive-like momentum
Metronome Work
- • Start boom-chicka pattern at 75 BPM on E chord
- • Add chord changes at 85 BPM through the 12-bar form
- • Build tempo to 100 BPM with clean transitions
- • Reach performance tempo of 112 BPM with consistent timing