The Hey Joe guitar lesson is essential for anyone wanting to understand Jimi Hendrix’s approach to rhythm guitar. This song showcases Hendrix’s ability to take a simple chord progression and make it sound psychedelic, bluesy, and absolutely mesmerizing.
In this lesson, Marty Schwartz breaks down the chord progression, the iconic intro riff, those signature Hendrix embellishments, and the bass line that ties it all together.
The Intro Riff
Let’s start with the intro—this is what hooks people immediately. It’s based around an E major chord with some melodic embellishments on the higher strings.
Here’s how it works:
Put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. Pick it, then slide up to the 5th fret while letting the high E string ring open. Go back down to the 3rd fret of the B string.
Next, move to the 4th fret of the G string with your middle finger, pick it, and slide down to the 2nd fret. Pull off to the open G string.
Then play the full E major chord, but focus on the D and G strings. Let it ring.
This intro riff sets the tone for the entire song—melodic, expressive, and unmistakably Hendrix.
The Main Chord Progression
Hey Joe follows a descending chord progression that’s become famous in rock history. It’s called a circle of fifths pattern, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
The progression: C major → G major → D major → A major → E major
Each chord gets four beats. Strum pattern: down-down-down-down-up
C major: Standard open C chord shape. Index on 1st fret B string, middle on 2nd fret D string, ring on 3rd fret A string.
G major: Standard open G. You can use three fingers or wrap your thumb around for the low E bass note if you’re comfortable with that.
D major: Index on 2nd fret G string, middle on 2nd fret high E, ring on 3rd fret B string.
A major: Bar your index, middle, and ring fingers across the 2nd fret of D, G, and B strings.
E major: Standard E major—index on 1st fret G string, middle on 2nd fret A string, ring on 2nd fret D string.
This progression repeats throughout the song. It’s hypnotic and gives you plenty of room to add your own flair.
The Hendrix-Style Embellishments
Here’s where it gets fun. Hendrix didn’t just strum chords—he added embellishments that made them come alive.
C major embellishment: Use the C major inversion higher up the neck. Play it at the 8th fret position for a brighter, more open sound.
G major embellishment: From the root note (3rd fret on low E), slide up a whole step. Then play the 5th fret of the D string while muting the A string. This creates that classic Hendrix major chord sound.
D major embellishment: Same idea—slide from the root, hit the higher frets, mute where needed. The pattern stays consistent once you understand it.
E major embellishment: Apply the same technique. Hendrix loved these major chord voicings because they added texture and movement to what could have been static rhythm parts.
These embellishments are optional, but they’re what separate a decent cover from a Hendrix-style performance.
The Lick Between Chords
There’s a cool little lick Hendrix throws in between chord changes, similar to what Led Zeppelin used in “Whole Lotta Love.”
It’s a quick blues lick that connects one chord to the next. You’re essentially playing notes from the pentatonic scale that bridge the gap between the chord changes.
Practice this lick slowly at first. It’s all about timing—you need to fit it in without rushing the chord changes.
The Bass Line
Hendrix doubles the bass line on guitar in some sections of Hey Joe. This adds depth and creates that thick, full sound even when he’s the only guitarist.
The bass line is based on arpeggios for each chord:
C major arpeggio: Start on the root (3rd fret of A string), then play open E, followed by the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd frets of the low E string.
G major arpeggio: Start on the 3rd fret of low E, then walk up: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th frets of the A string.
D major arpeggio: Start on the 5th fret of A string (or open D string), then walk up to the 5th fret.
A major arpeggio: Play the 4th, 5th, and 6th frets of the A string, then finish with an E chord.
This bass line technique is something Hendrix did often—using the guitar to fill multiple roles in the mix.
Strumming and Dynamics
Hey Joe has a laid-back, almost hypnotic groove. Don’t rush it. The tempo is relaxed, and the strumming should reflect that.
Use dynamics throughout. Some chords should be hit harder, others softer. Hendrix was a master of dynamics—he could make a quiet chord change feel just as powerful as a loud one.
The strumming pattern is mostly downstrokes with an occasional upstroke to keep the rhythm flowing. Think smooth, steady, and confident.
Tips for Playing Hey Joe
- Don’t rush the progression. Hey Joe has a slow, deliberate feel. Let the chords breathe.
- Focus on clean chord changes. The descending progression requires smooth transitions. Practice the changes until they’re second nature.
- Add your own flair. Hendrix embellishments are great, but don’t be afraid to experiment. The beauty of Hey Joe is that it gives you space to be creative.
- Work on the bass line separately. The arpeggio-based bass line is its own skill. Practice it isolated from the chords first.
- Use your thumb. If you’re comfortable wrapping your thumb around the neck for bass notes (like Hendrix did), it opens up new voicings.
Why Hey Joe Works
Hey Joe is a masterclass in taking a simple idea and making it captivating. The chord progression is straightforward, but Hendrix’s execution—his embellishments, his dynamics, his tone—turns it into something timeless.
It’s also a great song for intermediate players because it introduces techniques (chord inversions, bass lines, embellishments) without being overwhelmingly difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords are in Hey Joe?
Hey Joe uses C major, G major, D major, A major, and E major in a descending circle of fifths progression. All are open chord shapes in standard tuning.
Is Hey Joe hard to play on guitar?
No, Hey Joe is relatively easy for intermediate players. The chord progression is simple, and while the Hendrix embellishments add complexity, they’re optional. It’s a great song to practice smooth chord changes and rhythm guitar.
What tuning is Hey Joe in?
Hey Joe is played in standard tuning (EADGBE).
Did Jimi Hendrix write Hey Joe?
No, Hey Joe was written by Billy Roberts in the 1960s, but Jimi Hendrix’s version is the most famous. His arrangement and performance made it iconic.
What is the strumming pattern for Hey Joe?
The basic strumming pattern is down-down-down-down-up for each chord. The rhythm is relaxed and laid-back. Focus on steady, even strumming with occasional upstrokes to keep it flowing.
Can beginners play Hey Joe?
Yes! Hey Joe is a great song for beginners to work on chord transitions. Skip the embellishments at first and just focus on the main chord progression. Once you’re comfortable, add the Hendrix touches.
Hey Joe is one of those songs that rewards practice. The more comfortable you get with the progression, the more you can experiment with embellishments, dynamics, and your own interpretation. That’s the Hendrix way.
Rock on!