Hendrix - Hey Joe for INTERMEDIATE - Intro, licks and SOLO!
In this video
"Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix is intermediate to advanced level and one of the most common blues jam played when guitarists get together. Using a Mexican Fender Stratocaster through Boss Katana crunch setting with Schaffer replica boost, demonstrating open chords to soloing using the CAGED system.
The opening riff slides from fret three to five on the thinnest string, slides back, then plays strings two and three sliding with the middle finger to fret two. This leads into the first real Hendrix moment: seventh fret on strings 2-3-4 (like a D chord shape) hitting ninth fret with the third finger in a bouncy triplet rhythm before the chord progression begins.
Open chord embellishments are essential - learn to add licks between basic C-G-D-A-E chords. On C major, remove the middle finger and add it on second fret of string three, or lift it off entirely. G chord allows similar embellishments with the first finger. D major uses slides from second fret to fourth. This Hendrix/Frusciante approach melds chords, licks between chords, and lead into one cocktail.
The ending riff uses 7-5 (the "Whole Lotta Love" pattern) or the more Hendrix version going 2-4 like the intro in reverse, with open strings ringing out alongside. When playing string three, hit string two as well; when playing string two, hit string one too.
CAGED system approach elevates this to advanced level. The Hendrix C chord uses the G CAGED shape, allowing you to hit licks with the first finger while staying in C major pentatonic position. Once you recognize this as a C chord 12 frets up from open position, you can do all your pentatonic licks in the same spot - that's the key to the CAGED system connecting everything.
The Hendrix chord technique plays root-five chords without barring (which uses all four fingers), keeping the pinky free for licks. This is the Hendrix/Frusciante way of playing any root-five chord with embellishment space.
The bass riff ending signals the jam is finishing: starting on C note (0-1-2-3), moving up two frets, then again. Pattern is 3-0-1-2-3, then 2-3-4-5 twice, moving up two frets and finishing on E. The bass line tells you the chords: C-G-D-A-E progression, making it a great finger-stretching exercise.
The solo features a unison bend from 15th to 17th fret (whole step with the E note). After learning the main lick to get your head in the Hendrix space, improvise your own thing - this is meant to be a loose jam. These moments get immortalized on recordings, but live, guitarists like Hendrix, Clapton, Mayer, and Frusciante improvise solos based on themes. Learn to do the same yourself.