Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)

Subject: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Cool Beans
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 05:57 PM

"Wheels," played by the Stringalongs, was a pop hit around 1960. What key is it played in. I've tried several and none of them sounds quite right. Is it in an open tuning?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Bernard
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:13 PM

Written by the legendary Bert Weedon, and his version was the hit. It used to be very popular for male 'adonis' competitions...!

As I recall, it was in C (though I could be wrong...!), and the chords are the simple three-chord-trick. To my knowledge Bert never bothered with open tunings - as he only played plectrum-style melodic stuff, open tunings would not have been much of an advantage.

If you can't quite match the key, it's probably just because the playback speed of the recording isn't quite accurate.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Bernard
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:16 PM

Here's his website...

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:17 PM

I used to play it (rhythm guitar) in a trio we had as young teenagers. If no one posts the chords, I will manana.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:18 PM

We play it in G I think...been a while...

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:20 PM

BTW, it has only two chords to it, CB. The tonic and the seventh. That is, if yer in the key of E, the other chord is B7.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:23 PM

If yer in G, the other chord is D7.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Peace
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 07:26 PM

G / / / / / / / / /
D7 / / / / / / / / /
G / / / / / / / / /
D7 / / / / / G

Bridge or refrain or chorus or break

D7 / / / / G / / D7 / / G / / D7 / / G / /D7 / / G

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Louie Roy
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 08:33 PM

I play it on my guitar in the key of G,but it could be played in any key that you want to use.My wife and I really enjoyed dancing this tune in a dance step they called the Tuxedo

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 08:54 PM

Aaarrrggghhh!!! Now I have a Wheels ear worm...which I can replace with Red Wing, which I can replace with Snow Deer, which I can replace with.....aarrrrggghhhh!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Cool Beans
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 10:38 AM

Thanks, all! Gotta go practice.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: M.Ted
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 01:30 PM

The original recording begins in F-and is clearly played using the F barre chord in first position and the first position C7 chord--then it moves to G,sliding both chord positions up two frets. Bernard is exactly right about the playback speed problem--it used to be that audiophiles went to great pains to get the turntable speed exactly right--nowdays, when a lot of vinyl is home converted to digital, great pains may be taken to clean up noise and such with fancy software, but the vinyl is played willy nilly--

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: GUEST,FD
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 10:08 PM

The original "wheels" by the string a longs, was recorded in clovis New Mexico at Norman Petty studios by the rock group from Plainview Texas, the lead guitar used a Magnatone amplifier with his fender guitar, there were two lead guitars in the recording one on lead and the other back up riff, or the shuffle sound. It was recorded in the keys of F and G, I play it there but like to play it in G and A also, as it is easier for me there. I have the original tabs for the instrumental,and sheet music, hard to find, hope this puts to rest all the questions and will help you. If you need the tabs let me know. F

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 06:17 PM

Can I please have the tab?
[e-mail]

Many thanks!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Musicboy
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 06:44 PM

Sorcha, you have a serious problem. As you point out the only cure for an ear worm is to replace it with another. To stay sane you need a big reserve of replacements to keep replacing as soon as one reaches critical point. Welcome to my world. I no longer remember which tune started it. Currently it's Mad Moll of the Cheshire Hunt.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 06:50 PM

Musicboy, that is an old post from Sorcha. She passed away a few years back.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 19 Dec 15 - 07:22 PM

Tab for 'Wheels' as done by Chet Atkins.

http://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/chet-atkins-wheels-tab-s28138t0

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 20 Dec 15 - 08:06 AM

The tab?? surely the chords are obvious, they always were to me from 2 weeks playing guitar in 1962!!!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: 'Wheels' (guitar instrumental)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 20 Dec 15 - 11:43 AM

Tabs are about more than just chords.