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Roly Poly Guitar Lesson

Home > Guitar Lessons > Genres > Country > Country Guitar > Roly Poly
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DJ Phillips

Roly Poly

In lesson 3, DJ teaches a short song called "Roly Poly." If you ever find yourself jamming in a country circuit, you'll need this one in your repertoire.

Taught by DJ Phillips in Country Guitar seriesLength: 5:22Difficulty: 1.5 of 5
Chapter 1: (05:22) Roly Poly One of the most popular songs in Western Swing genre is "Roly Poly" by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. This classic tune is a standard among country guitar players. DJ uses this song to demonstrate how the Western Swing rhythm is used in a practical, musical context.

Chord Progression (A Section)

Note: Fretboard diagrams with left hand fingerings to all chords discussed in this lesson can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

"Roly Poly" is played in the key of G major. The progression begins with the I6 chord, G6. Next, the I7 chord, G7, is played. As expected, this dominant I chord resolves to the IV chord in the next measure. The IV chord is played as a C6 voicing with the root note on the fifth string. Then, the IV chord returns to the tonic G6 chord.

The next section of the progression features a II7 - V7 turnaround in the key of G. Respectively, these chords are A7 and G7. Then, the first section repeats. Finally, the progression closes with a I6 - vi7 - II7 - V7 turnback. In G major, these chords are G6, Em7, A7, and D7.

Watch as DJ demonstrates the whole A section at 01:04. Then, learn and memorize it by ear or by following along with the tablature / notation provided under the "Supplemental Content" tab. Practice the progression along with a metronome. Once you feel ready, return to the lesson video and play along with DJ at 01:33. This will ensure that you are not losing your place within the form.

Chord Progression (B Section)

A G7 chord is used in the final measure of the A section to smoothly transition into the B section. G7 functions as a dominant chord to the C6 chord that begins the B section. The progression returns to tonic after the IV chord. Then, a II7-V7 turnaround closes out the section.

Practice this section by itself along with a metronome. Then, play it along with DJ at 03:00.

Next, work on the entire progression as a whole. "Roly Poly" follows an AABA format. Repeat the A section twice. Then, the B section is played once. The form closes with a final return to the A section.

Preview of Next Lesson

DJ introduces some basic concepts in the classic country style. He explains and demonstrates the tic tac rhythm. He applies this rhythm to the classic Hank Williams tune "Hey Good Lookin'."
  • Roly Poly (1)
  • Roly Poly (2)
  • Roly Poly (3)
  •  
  • G6
  • G7
  • C6
  • A7
  • D7
  • Em7
  • F#6
  •  



Supplemental Learning Material

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Member Comments about this Lesson

Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.


istetzistetz replied on February 26th, 2012

can you please tone the distortion down please? cant hear a THING

tomhitttomhitt replied on January 17th, 2012

LOVE this lesson! Not up to speed yet, but I "sher do like me them voicings"! ~TH~

cellboostcellboost replied on October 27th, 2009

like that rhythm

sourcoresourcore replied on July 1st, 2009

ah haaa

marsekaymarsekay replied on January 22nd, 2009

The bass seems a little distorted, can we tone that down a bit in future? cheers.

mkorsmomkorsmo replied on January 22nd, 2009

That makes perfect sense. Thanks. I saw that B in there so I thought I would grab it. Cool lesson, it's a catchy tune.

dj.phillipsdj.phillips replied on January 22nd, 2009

mkorsmo- to be clear, you could play it the way you suggested as well. Like: 32243x You'd just be barring the B and E. But in this example I'm just muting the 5th string. The B note is covered on the 3rd string, so it doesn't change the sonority of the chord.

dj.phillipsdj.phillips replied on January 21st, 2009

From lowest string to highest, the G6 looks like this: 3x243x There's no barre. Hope that helps!

mkorsmomkorsmo replied on January 21st, 2009

On the G6 do you barre the B and E on the 5th and 4th strings?

Country Guitar

Found in our Beginner Lesson Sets

Having roots in Folk, Celtic, and Gospel music, Country and Country Western evolved rapidly in the 1920's. This genre of music has spawned two of the top selling solo artists of all time. Elvis Presley, and Garth Brooks.



Lesson 1

Introduction to Country

This short lesson will introduce you to the country style of playing and provide some necessary background information on how the genre got started.

Length: 2:04 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Lesson 2

Western Swing

DJ gets to the roots of the country music genre with a lesson on Western Swing.

Length: 5:50 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Lesson 3

Roly Poly

In lesson 3, DJ teaches a short song called "Roly Poly." If you ever find yourself jamming in a country circuit, you'll need this one in your repertoire.

Length: 5:22 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Lesson 4

Classic Country

DJ discusses the classic country style. He explains the rhythmic and structural differences between this style and western swing.

Length: 6:30 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Lesson 5

Chicken Pickin' and Modern Country

With lesson 5, DJ starts to discuss elements of the modern country style. This includes the technique known as "Chicken Pickin'."

Length: 12:59 Difficulty: 2.5 FREE
Lesson 6

Hybrid Picking

In this lesson, DJ discusses some of the finer points of the hybrid picking technique.

Length: 15:05 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 7

Electric Country, Western Swing

In this lesson, DJ begins to talk more in depth about modern electric country guitar. He starts with the western swing style.

Length: 11:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 8

Eldon Shamblin, Western Swing

Lesson 8 continues to cover the western swing style of electric country. Eldon Shamblin and his musical efforts are discussed further.

Length: 13:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 9

Twin Guitar Boogie's Twin Lead

This lesson covers the twin lead section of the song "Twin Guitar Boogie."

Length: 17:59 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 10

Twin Lead Solo: Part 2

DJ breaks down the second part of the twin lead solo from "Twin Guitar Boogie."

Length: 14:57 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 11

Twin Guitar Boogie's Guitar Solo

Finalizing his teaching on the Twin Guitar Boogie with emphasis on Eldon Shamblin, DJ brings you this lesson on the guitar solo.

Length: 21:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 12

Twin Guitar Boogie Techniques

Lesson 12 covers all the techniques involved in the previous lessons on the Twin Guitar Boogie.

Length: 7:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 13

Solo Building

DJ takes the techniques he discussed in lesson 12 and helps you create a solo over a standard country rhythm.

Length: 17:33 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 14

Fingerpicking

Lesson 14 delves into the realm of fingerpicking.

Length: 17:44 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 15

Solo and Improvisation

In lesson 15 DJ demonstrates the techniques used by Merle Travis to build a solo, and improvisation technique.

Length: 12:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 16

Guitar Boogie Pt. 1

Lesson 16 starts a 3 part series on Arthur Smith's "Guitar Boogie."

Length: 47:42 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 17

Guitar Boogie Pt. 2

In lesson 17, DJ completes his note for note demonstration of "Guitar Boogie."

Length: 30:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 18

Guitar Boogie Concepts

In this lesson, DJ takes a look at some of the country guitar concepts used in the song "Guitar Boogie."

Length: 16:13 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 19

Whistle Stop

In this lesson, DJ teaches the song "Whistle Stop" by legendary guitarist Jimmy Bryant.

Length: 19:41 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 20

Yodeling Guitar

DJ demonstrates the song "Yodeling Guitar" by Jimmy Bryant.

Length: 32:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 21

Joy Ride

DJ teaches the song "Joy Ride" as performed by Jimmy Bryant.

Length: 30:37 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 22

Jimmy Bryant Concepts

Now that DJ has covered "Whistle Stop" and "Joy Ride," he'll be looking at some of the concepts used to play these songs.

Length: 23:05 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 23

Got a Lot of Rhythm

This lesson covers the tune Got a Lot of Rhythm which features the playing of Hank Garland.

Length: 10:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 24

I Need Your Love Tonight

In lesson 24, DJ takes a look at an Elvis Presley song "I Need Your Love Tonight."

Length: 19:55 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 25

Sugarfoot Rag

In lesson 25, DJ continues his in depth look at Hank Garland's playing with a demonstration of Sugarfoot Rag.

Length: 32:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 26

Walkin' the Floor

DJ takes a look at "Walkin' the Floor" by classic country guitarist Leon Rhodes.

Length: 29:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 27

Honey Fingers Pt. 1

DJ Phillips teaches the progression, structure and melody of the song "Honey Fingers."

Length: 35:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 28

Honey Fingers Pt. 2

In lesson 28, DJ demonstrates the entire guitar solo for the song "Honey Fingers."

Length: 27:13 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lesson 29

Applying Concepts and Skill Building

Looking back on the lessons on Leon Rhodes' playing, DJ offers up a lesson on applying the new concepts.

Length: 11:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Lesson 30

Luther Perkins

DJ discusses the tic-tac techniques used by Johnny Cash guitarist Luther Perkins.

Length: 18:53 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lesson 31

Tic-Tac Rhythms Applied

Looking at guitarist Luther Perkins, DJ helps you to apply the tic-tac rhythms in your playing.

Length: 7:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

About DJ Phillips View Full Biography Like many guitar players who began playing around the same time, DJ began plunking out Nirvana and Soundgarden tunes when he first picked up the guitar in the mid-nineties. While these grunge-y roots certainly have their merit, it wasn't until DJ's eldest sister took him to a Led Zeppelin laser light show that the full potential of the guitar began to come into focus.

With Jimmy Page's Les Paul pyrotechnics as his inspiration, DJ began fervently practicing for hours on end in the suburban jungle of Southwestern Ohio. This newfound passion (combined with his complete lack of athletic prowess and physical coordination thus completely ruling out all sports) led him to form rock bands in junior high and high school. He grew to love the performance aspect of music and soon decided on it as a career path.

College led him to Nashville, Tennessee where he began to pursue a degree in Commercial Music at Belmont University. He also started another band and got his first professional theater gig the following summer. Since that summer, DJ has spent nearly every waking hour finding ways to play music and avoiding a real contribution to society in any other way.

He moved to Minneapolis after college, rocking out between theater gigs with his current rock band Brother Big Bad. He has now convinced the band to move to Nashville where music flows like water.

DJ is elated to be a part of JamPlay and is thankful for everyone's warm welcome and says "Now, let's ROCK, people."

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