Hound Dog
by Elvis Presley
Album: Single
Released: 1956
Genre: Rock & Roll / Blues
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
BeginnerBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding A major:
A major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Mixolydian / Blues tonality with dominant 7th chord flavor throughout 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 A major
A major pentatonic
Notes: A - B - C# - E - F#
Application: Melodic framework for the vocal line and guitar fills
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
Classic 12-bar blues progression using the three primary chords of the key. The foundation of rock and roll guitar.
Theory Insight:
The I-IV-V progression is the foundation of rock, blues, and countless other genres. The I chord (tonic) establishes home, IV (subdominant) creates movement, and V (dominant) builds tension that resolves back to I.
Chord Shapes Used:
A
D
E
Harmonic Functions:
- A (I):Tonic chord providing the home base and dominant feel of the song
- D (IV):Subdominant chord creating movement away from tonic in bars 5-6
- E (V):Dominant chord creating tension and resolution back to the tonic
Key Techniques
12-Bar Blues Rhythm
BeginnerThe fundamental 12-bar blues shuffle rhythm pattern that underpins all of rock and roll, played with a driving downstroke feel at a fast tempo
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
A - A - A - A - D - D - A - A - E - D - A - E
Tips:
- • Start at half tempo (88 BPM) and work up gradually
- • Focus on strong downstrokes with a percussive attack
- • Keep your strumming hand loose to maintain the fast tempo without fatigue
- • Count the 12 bars carefully until the form becomes second nature
Shuffle Strumming
BeginnerA swung eighth-note strumming pattern that gives the song its driving rock and roll groove, emphasizing beats 2 and 4 for the classic backbeat
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
Shuffle rhythm applied to all chord changes
Tips:
- • Listen to the original recording to internalize the shuffle feel
- • Tap your foot on beats 1 and 3 while accenting strums on 2 and 4
- • Keep your wrist relaxed - tension will slow you down at this tempo
- • The groove matters more than perfect chord voicings
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of A major. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro
0:00-0:08Chord Voicing Exercise
Brief guitar and band intro establishing the fast shuffle groove in A
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Band kicks in together with a driving shuffle rhythm
- • Establish the tempo immediately - this song is fast at 176 BPM
- • Strong downstrokes on the A chord set the energy level
Verse (12-Bar Blues)
0:08-0:50Chord Voicing Exercise
The main verse follows a standard 12-bar blues form with the iconic 'You ainthe signature lyric
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Standard 12-bar blues form repeated for each verse
- • Maintain steady shuffle rhythm throughout all 12 bars
- • The chord changes follow the words naturally
Guitar Solo
0:50-1:12Chord Voicing Exercise
Scotty Moore's guitar solo over the 12-bar blues form, using blues scale licks and double stops
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • For beginners, continue strumming the 12-bar blues rhythm during the solo section
- • The solo follows the same 12-bar chord structure
- • Advanced players can learn Scotty Moore's blues-influenced solo licks
Final Verse / Outro
1:12-2:15Chord Voicing Exercise
Repeated verses building energy to the final ending with a classic rock and roll stop-time finish
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Final verses repeat the same 12-bar form with increasing intensity
- • The ending resolves firmly on the A chord (tonic)
- • Band stops together on the final hit
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Pickup Type:
Neck pickup or P-90 style for warm, round tone
Alternatives:
- • Any acoustic guitar with steel strings
- • Epiphone Casino
- • Fender Telecaster
- • Any guitar with a warm, clean tone
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 3-4 (light breakup at high volume)
Treble: 5-6 (balanced brightness)
Middle: 5 (even midrange)
Bass: 5-6 (warm low end)
Presence: 5 (natural presence)
Alternatives:
- • Fender Twin Reverb
- • Any clean tube amp
- • Vox AC15
- • Acoustic amp for unplugged version
Effects
Distortion:
None - clean to mild tube breakup
Reverb:
Light spring reverb for vintage ambiance
Other:
No effects pedals needed. The raw, clean guitar tone is essential to the sound.
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks with daily practice
- • Learn open A, D, and E chord shapes individually
- • Practice switching between A and D, then D and E, then A and E
- • Memorize the 12-bar blues form: 4 bars A, 2 bars D, 2 bars A, 1 bar E, 1 bar D, 2 bars A
- • Strum quarter notes at a slow tempo through the entire form
Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks for confident performance
- • Learn the shuffle strumming pattern with swung eighth notes
- • Practice the shuffle feel on each chord individually
- • Play through the full 12-bar form with shuffle rhythm at 120 BPM
- • Gradually increase tempo toward 176 BPM over several practice sessions
Time Estimate: 3-5 weeks for polished full performance
- • Play the complete song at 176 BPM with tight, driving shuffle rhythm
- • Add dynamics and vocal accompaniment while strumming
- • Learn basic blues scale licks in A for the solo section
- • Experiment with dominant 7th chord voicings (A7, D7, E7) for authentic blues color
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Losing count of the 12 bars - the form is the foundation, count carefully
- • Playing straight eighth notes instead of shuffle feel - listen to the swing
- • Tensing up the strumming hand at fast tempo - stay relaxed
- • Missing the chord change to D at bar 5 - anticipate the change
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with A, D, E chord changes for 3 minutes
- • Practice the shuffle strum on muted strings for 2 minutes to build the groove
- • Play through one 12-bar cycle slowly, counting each bar out loud
- • Gradually increase tempo by 10 BPM increments each pass
- • Run through the complete song structure at target tempo
Focus Areas
- • 12-bar blues form memorization
- • Shuffle rhythm feel and consistency
- • Quick chord transitions at fast tempo
- • Maintaining steady tempo throughout
Metronome Work
- • Start at 100 BPM with the shuffle pattern on a single chord
- • Increase by 10 BPM increments as comfort builds
- • Practice at 140 BPM with full chord changes before pushing to 176 BPM
- • Set the metronome to click on beats 2 and 4 for authentic backbeat feel