"Body and Soul" by Ella Fitzgerald

Riff Rundown

Difficulty: Intermediate

This is a challenging riff played in the style of jazz. The key here is to make sure that you sound each note, but not for too long. Jazz music has a style of striking just the necessary notes, almost creating a very sparse sound, while making up for it with very rich chords and driving bass lines. In this case, there is no bass line for the introduction into this classic song, but feel free to play with it a little to make one all for yourself.

Intro Composition

For the first measure, you will want to use your 1st finger on the fourth fret on the "D" string, while using your 3rd and 4th fingers on the "G" string and the "B" strings. The riff in between should be played most easily with your 1st and 3rd fingers, so that you can play a modified D chord formation on the sixth and seventh frets on the "D,G, and B" strings.

In the second measure, you will be able to easily barre your 4th finger on the sixth frets on the top three strings, while using your 1st finger for the fourth fret. Sound the sixth fret note on the "high E" string and then use your 1st finger to play the fourth fret on the "D" string. Use your 2nd and 3rd fingers for the fifth frets on the "G" string and the "B" string.

In the third measure, you will be switching everything around a little. Here you will be using your 1st finger to play the third frets on the "D" string and the "G" string, while using your 2nd finger to play the fourth fret on the "B" string. Feel free to switch your fingers around more comfortably for you, but just keep in mind that the little riff on the fourth and sixth frets on the "high E" string can stump you if your aren't prepared for the change. After the little riff, you will use your 1st finger to play the fourth fret on the "D" string, your 2nd finger to play the fifth fret on the "B" string, and your 3rd and 4th fingers to play the sixth frets on the "G" string and the "high E" string. End the measure with your 1st finger on the "high E" string.

In the last measure, you will use your 2nd and 3rd fingers to play the tenth frets, while you will use your 1st finger to play the ninth fret. To play the eleventh fret, use your 4th finger. ALMOST DONE! Play the ninth fret with your 1st finger, and then move to the fifth fret and barre it with your 1st finger, while using your 2nd finger to play the sixth fret on the "G" string. Last, use your 4th finger to play the eighth fret on the "high E" string. End with your 1st finger on the sixth fret on the "high E" string.

Riff Resources

Complete Transcription To "Body and Soul" (PDF)

Complete Transcription To "Body and Soul" (Power Tab)

>>>>>Back To Lessons Page