Fool For Your Stockings – ZZ Top

“Fool For Your Stockings” by ZZ Top is a slow-burning blues masterpiece that captures everything great about expressive, soulful guitar playing. At Licklibrary, we've broken down this timeless track with a note-for-note guitar lesson, allowing players to fully explore the subtle nuances and masterful phrasing of Billy Gibbons. This lesson is perfect for guitarists who want to refine their touch, tone, and feel, while learning the techniques that define classic blues-rock soloing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitarist

Appearing on ZZ Top’s 1979 album Degüello, “Fool For Your Stockings” is a standout blues track, rich in atmosphere and groove. The song leans heavily into the band’s Texas blues roots while also showing a more laid-back, expressive side of their songwriting.

The guitar work is delivered by Billy Gibbons, a true icon in the guitar world. Gibbons is known for his ability to say more with one note than others say with ten. His use of tone, phrasing, and touch is legendary. He’s also famous for coaxing jaw-dropping tones from his guitar with minimal gear, often relying more on his hands than his amp or pedals. Learning a song like this is an opportunity to study the techniques and philosophy of one of rock’s most tasteful and influential guitarists.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Our lesson focuses on the wide range of expressive blues guitar techniques used in “Fool For Your Stockings.” Each technique is demonstrated slowly and in context, with close-up camera angles and clear explanations to help you master every detail.

String Bending

Billy Gibbons’ approach to bending is both vocal and precise. This song features several types of bends, including pre-bends, unison bends, and bluesy micro-bends, all used to shape notes with incredible feel. Learning to bend like this improves your pitch accuracy and helps you develop a more vocal, emotional lead style.

Vibrato

Vibrato is essential in blues guitar, and Gibbons’ vibrato is wide, confident, and full of character. This lesson shows you how to apply different types of vibrato to sustain notes with power and emotion, helping you make each note stand out with individuality and flair.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

To make phrases flow seamlessly, the song makes great use of hammer-ons and pull-offs. These legato techniques help you maintain fluidity in your solos and make your lines sound smoother and more connected.

Slides

Slides are used to transition between notes in a soulful way, adding dynamics and vocal-like inflection to your playing. The song includes tasteful ascending and descending slides that are perfect for developing better control and accuracy.

Double Stops

Adding harmonic depth to the solos, double stops give the licks a gritty, bluesy edge. Our lesson breaks down how to execute these two-note combinations and shows how they fit within the context of the 12-bar structure.

Rakes

This technique is subtle but powerful. By muting strings with the left hand while sweeping the pick across them, you create a percussive sound that adds punch and character to the notes that follow.

Pinched Harmonics

Used sparingly but effectively, pinched harmonics help certain notes leap out of the mix. You'll learn the right-hand positioning and touch required to make them squeal with precision and clarity.

Palm Muting

While often associated with heavier styles, palm muting is used here to control note sustain and emphasise groove. It’s especially effective in adding contrast to otherwise open and ringing lines.

Chord Progressions

Understanding the song’s chord structure helps place the lead guitar parts in context. This lesson breaks down the chord progression so you can follow along with the changes and see how the licks relate to each section of the song.

Why Learn This Song?

“Fool For Your Stockings” is a prime example of how blues guitar can be subtle, dynamic, and full of emotion. It’s not about shredding—it’s about feel, tone, and space. By learning this track, you’re not just copying licks; you’re absorbing the essence of expressive blues guitar.

Through this lesson, you'll:

• Improve your control over bends and vibrato
• Gain a deeper understanding of phrasing and dynamics
• Learn how to add emotion and nuance to solos
• Build a solid foundation for blues improvisation
• Study the guitar style of one of the genre’s most respected players

Whether you're a blues enthusiast or a rock guitarist looking to improve your expressiveness, this lesson is a must-watch.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Double Stops
• Pinched Harmonics
• Rakes
• Palm Muting
• Chord Progressions
• Pre-bends
• Bluesy Bends
• Unison Bends

Ready to capture the tone, touch, and phrasing of Billy Gibbons? Start learning “Fool For Your Stockings” today and elevate your blues guitar game with Licklibrary.