Lesson Plan

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Lesson notes

Hello Mary Lou is a song written by American singer Gene Pitney, first recorded by Johnny Duncan in 1960, and later by Ricky Nelson in 1961.

This lesson covers Nelson’s version, which appears on his 6th album ‘Rick Is 21’.

The arrangement is done in the key of A using the three major chords, and can be played with a few different shapes in order to add some variety. It also has a few chords out of the key, which might turn out a little more challenging.

Other than that we take a look at the strumming which has a swing feel, the alternating bass notes, and an ascending bass line which appears at the beginning of every verse and chorus.