Billy Gibbon's secret lazy power chords will change your life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 เม.ย. 2021
- Billy Gibbons is a master of economical playing. This lesson looks at the sneaky, simple, lazy way he plays chords.
You can by ZZ Top's "Tres Hombres" album here:
amzn.to/3vElUgW
You can by ZZ Top's "Eliminator" album here:
amzn.to/3xJcbZy
#zztop #billygibbons #powerchords #easyguitarlesson #classicrock - เพลง
Just found this channel. Expected to just watch for a minute, see the same stuff and move on. .. This is great content. This is the sort of information that makes lights go off in peoples heads. This is what makes a person not give up and put the axe down.
Thanks so much for watching! Please come back!
It’s like a DUH moment. Once you see it, DUH. Until you do see it though it hasn’t sunk in yet & then when it does, you’re better than you were yesterday
This is exactly why so many struggle trying to figure out their songs....Our mind defaults to full chords instead of simple double stops. I remember being baffled at how he reached those embellishments while playing the "chord".....answer is: He isn't playing the full chord...yet it is conveyed. Brilliant video. Thanks
I have found that double-stop (1st and 5th) chord tones sound better, no matter what song I'm playing. Preserve the bigger chords for long sustaining chord sections that are a part of some songs.
Gotta admit the bass is already backing up the low end, so this really is rather genius as it compliments the bass while the bass is complimenting the guitar
You hit the nail on the head.
Nah two notes can make a chord see the way Freddy King , Rory Gallagher play about with 6ths.
@@factorylad5071 : Hi - Chords need more than two notes.
Three-note chords are triads.
4-note chords are often 7th chords.
5-note chords, even if not all notes are played, are often altered and/or extended chords; “altered” if you see b5 or #5, or b9 or #9), and “extended” if they have anything over 7 like 9/11/13. (Also investigate chords built on 4ths.)
That’s chords.
Two-notes, whether it be thirds/sixths/fourths, are double-stops and not true chords.
For clarity’s sake, and so I can learn too, please correct me if I’m wrong.
Sharp Dressed Man, best simple riff of all time. Genius.
And it's just "Francine" from 1972!
Thanks for this. Gibbons ' plays simple chords efficiently and never wasted a note. He's a great rhythm and lead player, knows his blues. Brilliant, sneaky player...
Billy Gibbons is efficient, as he gets maximum benefit from minimum effort on his guitar.
A good player, who goes for the end result and not impressing others with unnecessary moves.
You nailed it! Thanks for watching!
So right !!! - He plays so effortlessly !!!
It’s smart. It sounds just as good and it’s easier to play. ZZ Top has been one of my favorites since their hey day in the 80’s.
Er 60's you might add.
Well not heyday...
70s yes heyday years 4 sho.
Just say...
I heard it on the X.
And don't forget my Blue Jeans...
See that’s what I’m trying to be. I don’t wanna be a hero, I just want people to think it sounds good 🤣
Long time listener of Billy Gibbon and picked up on his "lazy" method many years ago and incorporated it into my style so people think I'm lazy, too. Lots of playing with little movement. I just consider it part of the K.I.S.S method. Great video for people trying to play without using lots of complicated chords. Thanks!
Just out of curiosity did you mean kids in satans service or keep it simple stupid? lol
@@sullyhet Definitely keeping it simple. :D
So you dont listen to kiss then?
I got yelled at from some guy because I played 'lazy' barre chords with thumb rather than lay my index across six strings. It's just easier.
Billy is the definition of making it easier. He was inspired by BB King, to use lighter guage strings as well. Billy said that him and BB were going to switch guitars at a show they were at. Billy said BB thought his strings were too heavy. Billy said he asked BB, "Isn't it those heavier strings that give you that sound?" Billy said BB replied with... "I just have one question for you. Why are working so hard? Get some lighter guage strings". So Billy initially went to 7's because BB was on 8's. He said BB said "that's ok"😎. Anyway to make a long story short, I think BB King was Billy's inspiration to play lazy chords, and lighter strings, but still get the sound you are looking for. Basically work smarter not harder.
Great video, I saw ZZ Top live here in the UK and was only feet away from Billy and your comments on his delicate touch is absolutely on the nail. The man is a genius as well as being one of the coolest men to of walked the planet.
I haven’t seen anyone teach the efficient moves and double stops like this before. Great lesson - you’ve got a new subscriber now!
I agree, just taught me a lot. That's two subs
@@douglaschristine8387 3
Yup. I agree 100%.
4!
5
Great Lesson,Billy Gibbon's awesome Guitar Player and he got awesome feeling in playing.
Billy Gibbons is the master of smooth. Each generation has their definition or image of what smooth is. Billy is without a doubt my generations definition of smooth. I love his guitar playing. I believe LaGrange was my first ZZ Top song I learned on the guitar. It is also one of my favorites. Its not hard to play, it just sounds cool.
I'm a HUGE fan of Al Dimeola. I love the earliest Malmsteen albums. I have a massive list of shredders and metal guitarists I love. However when someone asks me who I wish I could genuinely play like, Gibbons and Gilmore are the two names that always pop out of my mouth.
@@kimpurcell8851 I agree 100%. They are by far a great choice!
I find it hard to play
La Grange with all its subtleties and nuance, exactly as Billy played, is definitely not and easy song to play???
The hybrid picking alone crosses out about 80% of players.
I'm just getting back into playing guitar after a few year break. I absolutely love this video and what you are teaching. I was sort of figuring out some of this on my own just the other night and then found your video and it takes what I was realizing to a whole other level and gives me confidence to keep experimenting and trusting my ear. Thanks for the lesson!
Great lesson. I've been using some of these chord fingerings for years but never made the connection to Billy's playing. You've opened up a new way to look at ZZ Top's music.
This is awesome info as Billy Gibbons is where my brain goes when I'm jamming, this gives me a whole new perspective. Many thanks!!!!
Billy Gibbon’s is a musical genius and one super cool musician - he oozes coolness 😯✌️✌️✌️🙂
He has it all down pat, 😎✌
SOOO ECONOMICAL! Man I had been looking far and wide for exactly this! You are a great teacher I can't thank you enough for this :-)
Thanks so much for this, I love Billy Gibbons and love learning his little tricks and techniques
I've done this for years. Never paid any attention to ZZ Top till Dusty passed away. Interesting to learn that Billy played that way.
Thank you for this great lesson. Billy plays with taste and economy. I've seen him live twice. Once in a very small venue. I was front row. 10ft from the stage. ZZ Top make it look so easy.
My daughter is also a big fan . She took me to this show for a bday present. One of the highlights of my life. Thank you Sunny. !!!
Thanks so much for watching! Billy is a master and one of my all time favorites!
Billy’s my all time favorite! I would call him super efficient. I been working too hard trying to play his songs! Love your lesson!
In a recent interview with Billy Gibbons, he talked about string gauges. He said that in his younger years he always thought strings should be as heavy as you can stand. Heavier is better. Billy said that he went to see B.B. King and backstage he played Lucille for a bit. He was amazed that the strings were lighter than light. He told BB that he always thought you needed heavy strings to get a good bluesy tone. BB said, "you're working too hard". Ever since then, Billy started using very light strings.
Legend says 7.5 E string but recently his tech said 9's
Bass with light strings. It's like having the day off, so easy.
Interessting. In the end its all about treatment an feeling. Tricks aloud.
@@paulcowart3174 I heard him say 7's , he promotes them,small company makes them, can't remember the brand name.....
And ever since then his playing really deteriorated imo. In the early 70s he played HARD and FAST had much better tone (the best, purest, Les Paul tone imo)
th-cam.com/video/ENu0vlLgcIg/w-d-xo.html
This aint light strings. This is Billy Gibbons raw...
Great topic! This is something I talk about with my students loads, it's an integral part of my playing that I picked up mainly from Billy Gibbons and Ritchie Blackmore
Amazing Lesson, Sir...
You're connecting the right dots...
Thanks for your insight!
In Blues we Trust!
I found your content today. This video is great, I learned something useful that nearly immediately changed how I’m playing some riffs. Inspiring and fun, thank you for the insight. I appreciate what you are doing here.
Bless you! I always felt like a lazy jerk when I would cheat my barre chords by using that same F chord you did. Having been a bassist I would just be like well I’ll let the bassist get the root note on the low e I’m ignoring. I can do barre chords but now that I know Billy Gibbons doesn’t barre his F chord, I won’t feel so guilty. Thank you for the lesson on just playing two string power chords. It was something I found when I started learning AC/DC songs and the two notes instead of three just sounds better with distortion anyways.
Great lesson. Billy G is my favorite guitarist,he is the player that inspired me to play.😎🤟
Thank you for tying these concepts together thru the Billy Gibbons example.
I believe you have changed my life.
Subbed!
Excellent lesson. Really great tips. Thanks for sharing.
Right On! And if you are lucky enough to get old and still love playing your guitars, your arthritis will "inspire" you to seek these out and even create some of your own "lazy" positions.
I’m a pretty good keyboard player, trying to find a little time to learn a bit of electric guitar, and I have known this approach for changing chords with economy in movement for quite a while on keyboard.
However, even though I can do these things on keyboard, your video shows enough examples to save me a good amount of time, trying to do it myself on guitar. It also shows good examples for me to be better with finding more chord changes like these. I’m glad I decided to watch this video, subscribed! Thanks!
Billy is one of my heroes, thank you so much for this lesson
Great, great lesson! Thanks!!!
Saw ZZ live in Vegas recently and was blown away at how little Billy's left hand was moving - I was mesmerized. Now I understand at least partly how he does it. Such amazing tone and such a fantastic touch. Great lesson!
Thanks for watching!
@Andrew Korvin not quite the reason for Clapton's nickname
Interesting lesson. Glad I found this
so good!! Gibbons is just amazing, lead and rhythm are gorgeous, to the point, all about tone..
A real goldmine worth of tips and tricks here - thank you sir!
You hooked me at the Gimme All Your Lovin' chord shapes!
Thanks for watching! Please look past my bad singing and sloppy playing!
I had always wondered about Billy's technique and it's been staring us in the face all this time. He's playing "diads" -- two note power chords, Thanks for breaking this down. I'm now a subscriber.
Thanks so much for watching and subbing J!
I can't believe how much this changes everything for me. THANK YOU. And thank myself for searching how to play power chords better! This works so well when the bass is playing the root note along with the guitar playing that inverted power chord. It free's up the fundamental note so the bass can sing!
Thanks for watching!
Hi, thank you so much for this lesson, mega helpful
Excellent lesson. This is a game changer for me. Thank you for your time and effort in making this great eye opening lesson!!! ❤️
Thanks for watching!
Excellent Lesson. Excellent Insight. I have been doing some of this for years - but not really thinking it through as a complete technique. BFG is one of my favorite guitar players ever. I am definitely going to study this lesson a number of times - and work it out. Thank you for a great video lesson. You Rock! Joe from Florida. I have subscribed.
I have been playing these double stop chords since 1975. About the same time I first saw ZZ Top live and noticed Billy was doing the same thing.
I did that for ease of playing and with distortion, six strings make a load of unwanted noise. So, double stops for tight chords.
Everybody does this. Billy is the Master!
Super cool video and really informative. Really puts things into perspective. Thanks so much for posting this.
Super valuable lesson. I have watched at least three or four times and it’s making sense but you definitely nailed Billy Gibbons. How The Rev is a lazy player like that and that’s an interesting observation and think right on target. Thanks.
Wonderful stuff thanks for that. I'm a very bad guitarist, but bizarrely discovered a lot of "two note chunks" by accident over the years while looking for lazy ways to get my tired old fingers to work better :)
Check out jazz comping, you can infer any chord using 2 or 3 notes and in any 3 frets.
That is a great lesson! Thank you.
"Keep it simple" suddenly gives good meaning in blues rock. Btw ZZ Top is the only band, where I never ever miss the traditional solo. Just like Status Quo back in the day. Great share. Thank you
Love the content. Had to chuckle at the lazy or economic playing. He definitely isn’t in a rush on the fretboard. One of the most recognizable guitar sounds from his economic playing though.
Wow! What a eye opener!
I like the way you teach. Learning made easy. Bite size knowledge for all week. Thanks.
I have been doing this for years. Learning songs from Britny Fox, Autograph, Cinderella, RATT and other bands will get you used to this style quickly. Brian May does a lot of 2 finger chords that nobody else does as well.
This is absolute gold! The ideas you've given me here are going to keep me happy for at least six months! Sincere thanks!
Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for the awesome lesson! Keep rocking, man!
Excellent lesson!!!!
This is so helpful! I'm 62 and fell out of guitar about 6 years ago, then recently decided to start playing again. In those six years my hands have changed in strength as well as dexterity. Combine that with a broken left wrist that wasn't reset very well and you now have a fairly proficient guitar player that can't play nearly as well as he used to be able to.
It's virtually impossible for me to form a full F barre chord on the first fret. Learning the double stop method you have shown is going to be a real game changer to get some of my playing ability back.
Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
I started playing when I was about 13 when I started playing guitar. I played in bands in Jr High, High school and a while after that. So I grew up with the best music in the world and learned mostly by ear. Went back to school, married, kids, got a job, had a career and stopped playing. Was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 right when Covid started, great luck right, so I decided to start playing again. Hadn’t played since early 80. It’s like starting over, but I’ve managed to get back my rhythm playing ok. My trouble is with lead. These hands simply refuse to go where my brain tells them and slow…damn, I can’t believe they’re the same hands…I guess getting older has and being absent from playing daily as I did back then has taken a real toll. Plus the fact I don’t have anyone to jam with. That’s what I miss most. Playing with others, and what I would give to play on stage in front of a live audience once more…! That was the best natural high in the world. Of course nowadays just about every kid on the block has a Strat or LP….Oh well….! Rick on…✌️
Basically cause he has the killer bass notes filling everything up and solid drums behind that as well
just found this; amazing concepts and good lesson, thanks
Thanks for the excellent lesson.
Serious genius. Another thing aswell he's outlining a chord using the two most important other notes which actually makes space for the bass player to play roots.
Also he can use a crunchy sound without things getting too muffled.
The bass player...in this case...Dusty....plays rhythm and carries the songs. It makes it easier for Billy.
I lost the use of my ring and pinky finger, after playing for 30 years. I grabbed a book of Django Reinhardt, wow I thought maybe I should start with Billy first. Yes I can play everything I did before and more. It’s a good practice to only use 2 fingers, and it dosent matter what 2 you use.
Grab a slide!
Thanks Harry. I’ve been using a slide for years but, my 2 fingers love the feel of strings below them.
"That's what she said." :D
Leslie West said he only used 2 fingers...
Awesome! Django's legit!!!
Eye-opening lesson. Thanks a lot!
Great lesson. Love zz top and Billys playing
I love ZZ Top and their older records are killer....but, Eliminator is my favorite because Billy's guitar playing on that album is so tasty.
Earnie ball 8’s pure nickel are my go to at the moment. I also play in a similar style to the reverend, just did it naturally, before I even heard of zz top. Efficiency!
Great video! Very cool! THANK YOU!
Brilliant lesson👍🎸
Killer video. Keith Richards, Malcolm Young more examples of easy rock. Good stuff that lotta guitar teachers turn nose up at...
I picked up a guitar for the 1st time after watching Billy Gibbons play live. He made it look so easy. I was like, shoot, I can do that.
🤣
Yah, me too!
The easier it looks the harder it is and the more we think that we can do it too! I fell for it too.
Very interesting observation about Billy’s chordal techniques. You are one smart guy.
You are totally correct!!! This has changed my life and REALLY changed my fundamentals in being effective and efficient.
Thanks for watching Landon!
Great lesson! A very cool way of looking at those inversions. Inspired by ZZ Top.
One of the best little tricks I’ve learned all year. But what do I know...I’ve only been playing 50 years. Thanks a lot man.
Thanks so much for watching!
You and me both Greg. Just goes to show you're never too old or too advanced to learn something new. Thanks Guitar Rock for posting this lesson. I play a total of 14 ZZ Top songs in my live shows, and most of them I worked out by ear, listening to the midi-files that I use for backing tracks. Some of them are pretty ordinary but I don't have the technical skill to modify them, so I adjust my playing accordingly. The last time I saw ZZ Top live was in 2013 when they toured Australia. I pushed my way right to the front and tried not to blink too much in case I missed something. They were playing live three-piece with no backing tracks to thicken their stage sound, and they sounded magnificent. The three-piece format sounded thick and fat. I drove home happy as Larry after the show when I watched them do Legs, Sharp Dressed Man, and Gimme All Your Loving, exactly the way my three-piece band plays them.
He is awesome
Really great video. Love Billy Gibbons playing. Nicely broken down. Some shapes in there I had never considered before 😮
I played 25 years self taught the explanation of this is perfect for guitarist who just want to get on with playing and not thinking about your fretting hand 👍it's similar to how I learned different tricks over the years, also playing along to your favourite song and learning by ear will help hugely when you come to jam in a band 😉👍
I like this guy, he really spells everything out!
Thank you for watching!
This is a common technique in 80's rock and metal. Zak Wylde uses it a lot also.
Great video! Extremely well explained and helpful!
Very interesting way to look at that. Thanks
great to see someone pointing this out, it always sounded like he was playing 'clusters' but could never quite get the sound. for years i was always playing more notes, as in proper chords (i.e. too much) - of course the reason he keeps it simple is it makes it easier to do the ZZ Top guitar 'swagger'! hahaha. that 'jesus left chicago' G/Csus sounding thing sounds like AC/DC's 'Ride On' too - nice and simple but effective
Thanks for watching!
Billy is also the main singer and not having to look at your hands is a big help.
Awesome video and thank you for sharing your tips 👍💚
Excellent video. Thank you1
Those chords. I like that stuff 😎👍
Update: I gotta say. This video snd information changed my life. I'm finding my way around the fretboard a little better and I'm already finding G and C chords in a few places. Pretty common chord progression, it seems. Same thing with Aerosmith's Chip away at the stone. Freaking awesome. I'm a better guitar player for this. Thank you.
It’s called. You have a bass player, take advantage of it.
Thank you! And if you are lucky enough, like SRV. You have a great keyboard player. !!! Oh yeah!!!! 😎✌
Wrong.
Dusty....He's underrated IMO. Very cool bass player! Huge sound, great groove!.!!
WOW! I have never watched a video I learned so much from! Definitely gonna try this! And you have a new subscriber!
You’re right. It changed my life! 🤙🤙
Actually that's Hendrix's school of playing. No wonder. He was his occasional teacher since Billy was 16. Billy's band opened shows for Hendrix 4-5 times, and they often got together when they were close by.
Billie was actually Jimi’s favorite guitar player. Thees a video of him being asked and he answers. He toured with Jimi and is one of the classiest guys in rock.
I've never seen it, have a link?
They did meet and were friendly but Jimi never said who his favorite guitarists was in any interview. And if he did it wouldn't have been a younger white dude it would have likely been an older black bluesmaster. But like I said he never identified his "favorite" guitarist in any interview video or written. Now as far as songwriters go he absolutely loved Bob Dylan whom he did speak of a time or two.
Great lesson! Thanks- a lot of great tips!
This is a great lesson. Thanks. I’m trying to teach my nephew this way of unlocking the fretboard. Find the notes then know the chord and scale patterns then have a shit ton of fun rocking out any way you choose. Really good. Thanks!
I have changed my way of playing due to arthritis. Lighter strings, lower string height. Should of done this year's ago. Billy makes things easy for him to concentrate on audience visual, and vocals imo.
Try some green kratom (about 1/2 teaspoon to start) and massage and stretch your fingers on both hands in warm water. Within about 40 minutes you will swear you knocked 20 years off of your hands. Works for me.
@@kenolson3064 Never heard of it. Would love to try it.
The more i look at a lot of old school rock they all played like this or some form of this. Acdc for example played a lot of 1 or 2 finger chords. Always wondered where it came from though
Let's not forget the intro and riff of paranoid either. However Billie is definitely the master.
Excellent lesson. Billy G is my favorite guitarist and this just simplifies things so much. Really appreciated 👍🎸🎸🎸
Thanks for watching!
NICE !!! I love Billy Gibbons !!!
Love that guitar. The Music man silhouette headstock seems like a great piece of design.
Billy does so little, Eddie does so much- yet they both create sufficient amount of ruckus to my ears.
Well said! Thanks for watching!
What a great job in getting across a very simple yet Ultra important message.
Awesome just what I have been looking for!
I think you did just change my life.
Lol! Thanks for !