Run Rudolph Run is the 1958 Christmas song written by Chuck Berry. In this Run Rudolph Run piano tutorial you will learn the chords, the rock and roll accompaniment and even an improvised blues solo. This one is super easy to play and a crowd favorite!
Lyrics and Chords printable for Run Rudolph Run
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Run Rudolph Run is a Christmas song that was written and recorded by rock and roll legend Chuck Berry. Since he used the moniker “Rudolph” he was actually required to credit the song to Johnny Marks and M. Brodie, since they created the original character.
Run Rudolph Run is a standard 12 bar blues form, which we will play in the Boogie Woogie Style. I offer two different versions of accompaniment, and you are welcome to explore any other blues accompaniment styles. We’ll even get to a groovy blues solo!
In this Run Rudolph Run tutorial we are going to break it down into four steps.
Step #1: The Blues Progression
Step #2: Accompaniment Strategy 1
Step #3: Accompaniment Strategy 2
Step #4: Play the improvised solo
Lyrics and Chords to Run Rudolph Run
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Step #1: The Blues Progression
The Blues is a 12 bar progression that consists of the 1, 4 and 5 chords being played in a fixed order.
Want to learn to play the blues? Check out THIS TUTORIAL.
The 12 bars are as follows:
Step #2: Run Rudolph Run Accompaniment Strategy 1
This song will use the Boogie Woogie accompaniment strategy, which this time we will be playing as notated below. The LH plays the 1/5 to 1/6, which the RH plays the I-IV cadence on each chord.
Want to dive deeper into Boogie Woogie? Check out THIS TUTORIAL.
Step #3: Run Rudolph Run Accompaniment Strategy 2
In this next strategy we are going to add more details, which give it an even heavier blues feeling. You can combine the accompaniment strategies to come up wit something that sounds good to you!
Step #4: Improvised Blues Solo for Run Rudolph Run
To improvise on the blues, we are going to use the Blues Scale! Notice how it is constructed below. You will play the C Blues Scale for every chord in the C Blues!
Once you have learned the scale, you should practice playing it up and down while the LH plays the Boogie Woogie figure. Once you have mastered this then you can start improvising!
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Run Rudolph Run Piano Tutorial