Learn To Play ZZ Top Volume 2
Song Lessons in this Course
Song-by-Song Guitar Lessons Taught by Danny Gill
This guitar lesson course includes complete, song-by-song breakdowns of the following ZZ Top classics:
Waitin' For The Bus – A driving, shuffle-based blues-rock anthem built around the A minor pentatonic scale. You'll learn Gibbons' signature double-stops, slides, and aggressive rhythmic attack that give this track its raw, energetic feel. This song is a masterclass in creating groove and momentum with minimal notes.
Jesus Just Left Chicago – A classic twelve-bar blues in the key of G, showcasing Gibbons' versatile approach to lead guitar. The solo combines melodic phrasing with rhythmic ideas, utilizing legato technique, string bending, and expressive vibrato. This lesson will teach you how to blend blues tradition with rock attitude.
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers – An excellent showcase of Gibbons' bluesy hard rock style, featuring alternate picking, slides, and power chords. This track demonstrates how to create a hard-hitting, driving sound with tight rhythmic precision and aggressive tone.
Legs – A synth-driven rock hit with a memorable arpeggiated guitar progression. Gibbons' precise picking technique and use of finger slides and syncopated rhythms add texture and character to this track. You'll learn how to blend rock and dance elements while maintaining a tight, groove-oriented feel.
Cheap Sunglasses – A masterclass in creating memorable, catchy rock riffs. Based around a blues scale in G, this song features some of Gibbons' most iconic licks, including alternate picking, double-stops, and bluesy bends that encapsulate his signature Texas blues-rock style
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
Our Learn to Play ZZ Top Volume 2 guitar course is essential for any guitarist who wants to understand the foundations of Texas blues and master the art of the boogie rock riff. This course is perfect for intermediate players looking to expand their repertoire and develop a deeper understanding of blues-rock guitar.
Perfect for Guitarists Who:
- Are fans of the raw, powerful sound of ZZ Top and classic blues-rock guitar
- Want to master the art of the perfect, catchy guitar riff and memorable solo
- Are looking to improve their rhythm playing and develop a tight, infectious groove
- Admire the tone, showmanship, and blues-infused style of Billy Gibbons
- Believe that tone is in the fingers and that attitude is everything in rock and roll
- Want to learn from a master instructor with decades of teaching experience
What will I achieve from completing this course?
Learning to play ZZ Top is a fundamental education in the art of the blues-rock riff. This online guitar course will supercharge your rhythm playing, sharpen your lead technique, and instil in you the power of groove, tone, and attitude. By the end of this course, you will have five classic ZZ Top tracks in your arsenal and the ability to play with the soulful, hard-hitting authority of a true Texas blues guitarist.
You will develop a deep understanding of how Billy Gibbons creates his iconic sound—from his choice of scales and phrasing to his use of dynamics and space. You'll learn how to craft solos that are both technically impressive and musically memorable, and you'll gain the confidence to perform some of the most iconic and catchy riffs ever written.
Technical Skills You'll Develop:
This comprehensive guitar lesson course will help you master the following techniques and concepts:
- Mastery of the A minor and G blues pentatonic scales in a hard rock context
- The ability to play with an infectious, driving boogie rhythm and shuffle feel
- Execution of Billy Gibbons' signature pinch harmonics and bluesy bends
- Proficiency in alternate picking and legato techniques for smooth, articulate lead lines
- Expressive use of string bending, vibrato, and double-stops
- Application of arpeggiated progressions and syncopated rhythms
- The ability to craft solos that are both melodic and full of Texas grit
- Enhanced rhythmic precision, including palm muting and power chords
- A deep understanding of how to create a powerful, minimalist blues-rock sound
- The confidence to perform some of the most iconic and catchy riffs in rock history
WE CAN HELP...
1-ON-1 COACHING
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** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with
ZZ Top
nor does
ZZ Top
perform or appear on this course.*
Learn to Play ZZ Top Volume 2
If you're passionate about the boogie blues-rock of ZZ Top, then our second volume of "Learn to Play ZZ Top" is tailor-made for you. This comprehensive guitar lesson from Danny Gill, dives deep into the mechanics of five emblematic ZZ Top tunes: "Waitin' For the Bus", "Jesus Just Left Chicago", "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers", "Legs", and "Cheap Sunglasses".
Master the iconic guitar work of Billy Gibbons, the bearded maestro, known for his killer tone, cool style, and infectious rhythm chops. Let's dissect the songs, analyze the guitar solos, discuss the scales used, and study the overall contribution of Gibbons to these tracks.
Waitin' For the Bus
In this infectious blues-boogie track, Gibbons uses the A minor pentatonic scale to great effect. His rhythm guitar riffs drive the song, and the solo utilizes a classic mix of blues licks, bends, and slides. Gibbons' frequent use of double-stops adds a raw, energetic quality to the track.
Jesus Just Left Chicago
This classic blues track is a fantastic example of Gibbons' versatile approach. The song is played in the key of G, and the lead guitar part is largely based on the G blues scale. Gibbons' solo is a fantastic combination of both melodic and rhythmic ideas. He expertly utilizes legato technique, string bending, and vibrato to add expressiveness to his phrasing.
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
An excellent showcase of Gibbons' unique bluesy hard rock style, "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" offers an exploration into alternate picking and slides. Gibbons frequently uses power chords throughout the song, giving it that hard-hitting sound ZZ Top is known for.
Legs
"Legs" provides a great example of how Gibbons mixes rock and dance elements. The main riff is an arpeggiated progression, highlighting Gibbons' precise picking technique. The solo section showcases some of his signature techniques, like finger slides and syncopated rhythms, which add texture and character to the track.
Cheap Sunglasses
"Cheap Sunglasses" is a masterclass in creating memorable rock riffs. Based around a blues scale in G, the riffs in this song are as catchy as they come. Gibbons' solo is a wonderful blend of alternate picking, double-stops, and bluesy bends that encapsulate his signature style.
Billy Gibbons - A Sound Legend
Billy Gibbons' guitar work is the soul of ZZ Top. His blend of Texas blues, hard rock, and rhythm and blues have cemented his place as one of the guitar greats. Gibbons is known for his ability to play both lead and rhythm simultaneously, as well as his use of pinch harmonics, a technique he uses to produce high, ringing tones. He's also noted for his use of chord progressions, harmonics, palm muting, and legato techniques, amongst others.
The songs in this volume showcase his incredible versatility. From the driving, hard-rock style of "Waitin' For the Bus" and "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers", to the classic blues of "Jesus Just Left Chicago", and the modern rock sound of "Legs" and "Cheap Sunglasses". Each song offers something different and allows you to explore various aspects of Gibbons' signature style.
Guitar techniques used throughout these lessons include:
- Vibrato
- Alternate Picking
- Legato
- Double-stops
- Power Chords
- Palm Muting
- Arpeggios
- Slides
- String Bending
- Syncopated Rhythms
- Bluesy Bends
From dissecting Billy Gibbons' masterful use of scales, to getting into the nitty-gritty of his unique technique, this course is a treasure trove of insights for any guitar enthusiast. So, ready to delve deep into the rock 'n roll world of ZZ Top with "Learn to Play ZZ Top Volume 2"? Grab your guitar, crank up your amplifier, and let's get started!
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...