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Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll - Guitar Tab

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Key A major
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

Led Zeppelin IV (Deluxe Edition) album cover
Led Zeppelin IV (Deluxe Edition)
1971 3:41
Capo Advisor 0 A major · Original key

About Rock and Roll


"Rock and Roll" is a track by Led Zeppelin, featured on their fourth studio album released in 1971. Built on a driving, uptempo riff and rooted in classic rock and roll energy, the song showcases Jimmy Page's raw, no-frills electric guitar work. It is an excellent study piece for guitarists looking to develop rhythm feel, power chord technique, and an understanding of how blues-rock riffing translates into hard rock.

  • The main guitar riff is built around an A major-based rock and roll pattern, making it very approachable for intermediate electric guitarists.
  • Guest pianist Ian Stewart, an original Rolling Stones co-founder, performs on the track alongside the band.
  • The song appeared as the second track on Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth studio album, released in 1971.

How to Play Rock and Roll

The song moves through: Intro, Verse 1, Verse 2, Solo, Verse 3, Outro.

Key: A major · Tempo: 170 BPM · Difficulty: Medium

The main challenge in "Rock and Roll" is maintaining the relentless momentum of the A-based rhythm riff at 170 bpm in E Standard; the tempo is faster than it feels on a first listen, and many guitarists underestimate it until they try to lock in with Bonham's kick drum. Learn the intro riff first, since it establishes the core moveable shape that drives the verses and outro. The solo is moderately demanding, with Page using bluesy bends and a loose, slightly ragged phrasing that is harder to replicate cleanly than it looks. Avoid over-tightening your picking hand trying to sound precise; the groove lives in a slightly swinging, relaxed attack on the downstrokes.

Loop the hardest passage and creep the speed up from around 70 percent until it holds at 170 BPM.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Jimmy Page's 1958 Telecaster (gifted by Jeff Beck) delivered the bright, spanky single-coil attack that defined Led Zeppelin I's raw, bluesy edge. Its snappy treble cut through the mix on early tracks before Page switched to the warmer Les Paul for the band's heavier sound.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Page's 1959 Les Paul Standard with PAF humbuckers became the sonic backbone of Led Zeppelin from 1969 onward, its warm mahogany body and dynamic unpotted pickups creating the sustain-rich, touch-sensitive tone heard on 'Whole Lotta Love' and 'Black Dog.'

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While Page primarily used the Les Paul Standard, a Custom's thicker body and tonal characteristics would complement his dynamic playing style, offering similar warmth with potentially enhanced bottom-end punch for Zeppelin's heavier arrangements.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi was Page's primary amplifier from Led Zeppelin II onward, cranked past 7 for natural power-tube saturation and natural breakup that responded dynamically to his pick attack and volume knob control.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

Page deployed the Vox AC30 in the studio for cleaner, chiming tones and layering textures that added dimension to Led Zeppelin's arrangements, offering a vintage British tone that complemented the Marshall's aggression.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Page's Vox Cry Baby wah became iconic on 'Dazed and Confused,' its expressive sweep adding vocal-like character to his lead work throughout Led Zeppelin's catalog, integral to the band's psychedelic and blues-rock textures.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)