Sweet Home Chicago Freddie King Guitar Lesson + Tutorial

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How to Play “Sweet Home Chicago” as Recorded by Freddie King on Guitar

Who else wants to add a great blues standard perfect for jams to their repertoire?

Today I want to share with you how to play Freddie King’s version of “Sweet Home Chicago.”

This song is so fun to play with friends or call at a blues jam. In this post, I’ll walk you through Freddie King’s version. We’ll cover how to play the chord progression, rhythm patterns, licks, plus we’ll even dive into soloing and a classic King-style blues turnaround. So get tuned up and let’s play!

Who Wrote Sweet Home Chicago?
"Sweet Home Chicago" is a blues standard that has been recorded by a lot of artists over the years. The song is originally credited to Robert Johnson. Johnson was one of the most influential blues musicians of all time from the Mississippi Delta. He first recorded "Sweet Home Chicago" in 1936 during his legendary recording sessions in San Antonio, Texas.

The origins of the song can be traced back to earlier blues compositions. The melody and structure of "Sweet Home Chicago" bear similarities to other blues songs of the time, such as "Kokomo Blues" by Scrapper Blackwell and "Honey Dripper Blues" by Roosevelt Sykes.

These songs, along with many others, contributed to the development of the classic 12-bar blues form, which "Sweet Home Chicago" follows.

The lyrics of "Sweet Home Chicago" express a longing to return to the city of Chicago, which was a major hub for blues musicians during the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the early 20th century.

Over the years, "Sweet Home Chicago" has become an anthem for the city of Chicago and an iconic blues standard. Its timeless appeal and memorable guitar riffs have made it a favorite among blues enthusiasts and musicians alike. Artists such as Freddie King, Eric Clapton, and The Blues Brothers have recorded their own renditions, each adding their unique style and interpretation to this beloved blues classic.

Sweet Home Chicago Chords
To play “Sweet Home Chicago” you’ll need to know 3 chords E7, A7, and B7.

The song is in the key of E. These 3 chords are often referred to as the I, IV, and V chords.

I chord = E7

IV chord = A7

V chord = B7

The chord progression for "Sweet Home Chicago" is as follows:

E7 (1 bar)

A7 (1 bar)

E7 (2 bars)

A7 (2 bars)

E7 (2 bars)

B7 (1 bar)

A7 (1 bar)

E7 (1 bar)

B7 (1 bar)

Tip: note the use of the “quick IV” progression in bar 2.

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👉JAM THE BLUES ANYWHERE ON THE NECK! Discover the 5 easiest and fastest ways to play the blues scale with this FREE PDF GUIDE→ https://www.jonmaclennan.com/bluesscales