Starting with Elvis' raunchy vocal, Hound Dog begins with a relentless rock 'n' roll rhythm that persists through the entire song. Built on a I-IV -V chord progression, much of the musical movement and melody comes from the walking bass line with the guitar taking a more rhythmic role during the verses. Short bursts of blues guitar help to add colour to the verses but never to the distraction of the vocals. This is a key point to note - where vocals take precedence, the guitar should be used in a complimentary manner.

The drum fill that ends each chorus and verse adds a wonderful sense of drama, providing a springboard for the following verse/chorus. It also helps to separate the different parts of the song.

The first solo uses a mixture of the major/minor pentatonic scale as well as the blues scale. You can hear that the guitarist is really hitting the strings hard trying to add as much dynamic impact during the solo as possible. The phrasing is well timed with short bursts of lead guitar followed by longer sequences. Varying phrasing helps to create balance, direction and substance. The solo also ends with a suitable closing phrase, which leads on well to the next verse.

Again, Elvis maintains the intensity during the next verse, before another explosive guitar solo played in much the same manner as the first.

By the final two choruses, you can hear the vocals straining to the limit and the band are really going for it. The song has built to a peak and ends with the same dramatic drum roll used throughout the rest of the song. The guitar ends with a nice sixth chord later used by the Beatles at the end of Help.

What can we learn?

• Starting with the vocals is an option not often used. Try it.
• Use I-IV-V chord progression for that Rock' n roll sound.
• Walking bass line adds movement.
• Guitar plays without distracting from the vocals.
• Drum fill to end each section helps show separation between parts and adds a sense of drama.
• Mixing scales is OK and adds variation to solos.
• Taking time to consider phrasing will make solos flow more and add direction to the playing.
• Singing and player harder, louder, and with more enthusiasm will make your songs sound more energetic, dynamic, and human.
• Using a colourful chord at the end of a song can add a touch of class .