Learn to Play "Waitin' For The Bus" by ZZ Top

Get ready to dive into the gritty, groove-laden blues-rock of ZZ Top with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Waitin’ For The Bus”. At Licklibrary.com, we’ve broken down this iconic track to help you master the techniques that define its unmistakable Texas swagger. Whether you're a blues aficionado or a budding rock guitarist, this lesson is packed with essential skills to take your playing to the next level. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Its Guitar Style

"Waitin’ For The Bus" opens ZZ Top’s legendary Tres Hombres album with a powerful groove that epitomises their signature blend of Southern rock and electric blues. The track is driven by rhythmic riffs, tight licks, and tone-soaked phrasing that perfectly capture the raw energy of 1970s American blues rock. In this lesson, you'll learn the ins and outs of the song’s main riffs, fills, and solos—just as they were recorded.

The Guitar Work of Billy Gibbons

At the heart of this track is the legendary Billy Gibbons, known for his thick tone, economical phrasing, and effortless groove. As ZZ Top’s guitarist and frontman, Gibbons' influence stretches across decades and genres. His unique touch and tone have inspired generations of guitarists—from blues players to hard rock icons. His playing on "Waitin’ For The Bus" is a masterclass in less-is-more guitar work, blending raw attitude with technical finesse.

Key Guitar Techniques in the Lesson

This guitar lesson focuses on a variety of techniques that are not only essential for replicating the song, but also valuable for improving overall guitar proficiency. Each of these techniques is demonstrated and explained in detail, helping you incorporate them into your own playing.

String Bending

String bending is used throughout the track to give lead phrases that vocal, expressive quality. In this lesson, you'll learn how to bend notes accurately and musically—crucial for emulating Billy Gibbons' soulful blues style.

Benefits: Enhances your expressive range and helps develop finger strength and pitch control.

Vibrato

Billy Gibbons is renowned for his wide, vocal-like vibrato, and this song provides an excellent study in that technique. You'll explore how to use controlled vibrato to add character and sustain to your notes.

Benefits: Adds richness and emotion to your lead guitar playing.

Double Stops

Double stops add a layer of grit and harmony to blues phrases. In "Waitin' For The Bus," they’re used both rhythmically and melodically to thicken the guitar lines.

Benefits: Helps you play fuller lead lines and supports harmonic understanding.

Slides

Slides are a defining feature of this song's groove, seamlessly connecting notes and phrases. We’ll show you how to incorporate slides for smoother transitions and more vocal-like phrasing.

Benefits: Improves fluidity and gives your solos a more polished, natural sound.

Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends are an essential flavor of Billy Gibbons' playing. These expressive bends, often combined with vibrato and slides, are used to great effect in the solo and lead phrases.

Benefits: Develops dynamic control and deepens your feel for blues phrasing.

Palm Muting

The song’s main riff makes use of palm muting to add punch and clarity. You’ll learn how to apply just the right amount of muting to tighten up your rhythm playing.

Benefits: Enhances your rhythm control and articulation.

Power Chords

A staple in blues rock, power chords drive the rhythm of this track. We’ll teach you how to voice and move them with precision and authority.

Benefits: Builds solid rhythm foundation and chordal strength.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

These legato techniques show up in the solo and fills throughout the lesson. Hammer-ons and pull-offs are taught in depth to keep your phrases smooth and connected.

Benefits: Boosts finger dexterity and phrasing accuracy.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

Here’s a quick-reference list of the key guitar techniques covered in our Waitin’ For The Bus lesson:

• Vibrato
• Slides
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops

With LickLibrary’s in-depth Waitin’ For The Bus lesson, you won’t just learn the song—you’ll learn how to sound like Billy Gibbons. Master these timeless techniques and take your blues-rock playing to the next level.