Rumble in Brighton - Brian Setzer

Learn to Play "Rumble in Brighton" - A Rockabilly Classic

Brian Setzer’s “Rumble in Brighton” is an electrifying rockabilly anthem packed with energy, blistering guitar licks, and a signature swinging groove. This note-for-note guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com takes you through every aspect of Setzer’s intricate playing, helping you master the techniques that make this track a must-learn for guitarists who love rockabilly, blues, and vintage rock ‘n’ roll.

From aggressive picking to slick hybrid-picking licks and masterful chord progressions, this lesson dives deep into the stylings of Brian Setzer, providing you with the technical tools to enhance your playing and add authentic rockabilly flavour to your repertoire. Stuart Bull breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Brian Setzer and His Influence

Brian Setzer is a guitar icon, known for his virtuosic rockabilly chops and infectious stage presence. As the frontman of the Stray Cats, he revitalised rockabilly in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, blending classic 1950s tones with a modern edge. His influences range from Scotty Moore, Cliff Gallup, and Eddie Cochran, and he has developed a distinctive sound featuring fast alternate picking, hybrid picking, double-stops, and jazzy chord voicings. His ability to seamlessly integrate jazz and swing elements into his playing has made him one of the most respected guitarists in rock and roll history.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Hybrid Picking

Setzer is a master of hybrid picking, a technique that blends pick and finger-style playing. This method allows for greater control over dynamics and articulation, making his lines sound fluid and expressive. Hybrid picking is essential for capturing the snappy attack and rhythmic feel found in "Rumble in Brighton."

Alternate Picking

Fast rockabilly licks often rely on alternate picking, ensuring speed and precision. Mastering this technique allows you to execute Setzer’s rapid-fire phrases with clarity, helping to improve your overall speed and picking accuracy.

Double-Stops

Rockabilly is famous for its double-stop licks, and Setzer uses them extensively in "Rumble in Brighton." These two-note combinations add a thicker, fuller sound to lead lines, mimicking the sound of two guitarists playing at once. Learning double-stops helps add power to your solos and provides a vintage feel to your phrasing.

Slap-back Delay & Syncopated Rhythms

Setzer's tone is characterised by a slap-back delay, giving his playing a rhythmic bounce. Combined with syncopated rhythms, this creates the swinging, danceable feel that makes rockabilly so exciting. Understanding syncopation improves timing and groove, making your playing feel more dynamic.

Chord Progressions and Arpeggiated Chords

Setzer's chord choices blend rock, blues, and jazz influences. This lesson covers classic rockabilly chord progressions and arpeggiated chords, helping you understand how Setzer crafts his infectious rhythm guitar parts. Mastering these techniques enhances your ability to write and play in the rockabilly style.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

"Rumble in Brighton" features expressive string bends, adding vocal-like quality to Setzer’s solos. Learning to execute controlled bends and bluesy phrasing improves your lead guitar expression and adds emotion to your solos.

Palm Muting

To drive the rhythm forward, palm muting is used to create percussive attack and dynamic variation. Practicing palm muting enhances picking control and helps develop a tight, rhythmic feel.

Travis Picking Influence

Many of Setzer’s rhythm patterns incorporate elements of Travis picking, where alternating bass notes support melodic phrases. This technique builds independence between your thumb and fingers, enhancing fingerpicking dexterity and expanding your rhythm-playing versatility.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Hybrid Picking
• Alternate Picking
• Double Stops
• Chord Progressions
• String Bending
• Palm Muting
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Travis Picking
• Bluesy Bends
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

By learning these techniques, you'll unlock the secrets of Brian Setzer’s iconic rockabilly style and elevate your playing to new heights. Get started today with our note-for-note lesson on "Rumble in Brighton" and bring that classic rockabilly sound to your own guitar playing!