Mark Z, Mark L here. I liked the slow demo of the lick beginning at 2:53+. In this short section, I surely hear the tone of Gibbons like in the song I Need You Tonight. Going to finish watching your clip now, if I can stop watching ZZ Top Videos long enough. HAHA
@@MarkZabel Thanks for the nice replies. I would also like to tell you that you are an excellent teacher. Very good way of showing things and playing is spot on too. I have seen ZZ Top live, Gibbons makes it look easy, but he definitely has tricks one must master to get it right.
I can fudge this in my own way and I was happy with it until I clicked on this-Your way sounds right on. Thanks again-work can't end early enough today brother.
Hey, buddy!! These licks/riff by Mr. Gibbons were absolute necessary rites of passage for me growing up as a rock guitarist wannabe!! I can recall on the fingers of nearly both hands when playing La Grange whilst trying out a new guitar/amp/effect pedal in a music store meant a sudden universal requirement for all able-bodied rockers to take up instruments and join in!! Great fun and an age and time I wish could have rambled on forever!! Thanks as always for the great instruction, motivation and fond memories!! Jim C.
@@MarkZabelI agree. I think that solo from "I Was Made For Loving You' by KISS ( my favourite solo) is very similar and also short but effectiv. 'Not too much' learned from BB King.
Hey Mark just caught the lesson, that pull off is one of those riffs engrained in our brains. Great lesson , you showed the riff justice too, very well played! 👏 You always make your lessons with reachable goals at every level. Fantastic Thanks ⚡ 🎸⚡🖤Kris IL 🦋
Classic Rock Lessons: th-cam.com/video/7Ef_4jqGuEQ/w-d-xo.html Mark Z’s Guitar School: mark-z-guitar-school.teachable.com/courses Please help support my lessons by donating here: paypal.me/MZabel335 Get TABs here: tinyurl.com/ybpzjuwm
Great lesson Mark as always when that song shifts keys your heart and soul goes right to the finger tips if you know what I mean and the sliding into the double stop in the upper register of the scale wow and I seen zz last summer a few days after dusty passed at the local fairgrounds good times
I saw Billy play at the Troubadour this last December with Joe Bonamassa. It was his birthday party. I’m not sure if he’s playing with their drummer though.
Great video! BFG starts a lot of his solos with a screaming high note vs. a building up from the lower notes like a lot of folks tend to do…it’s kinda his thing! ✌🏻🎶🎸
A tasty lick indeed. Thank you for the lesson. I first heard ZZ Top when Tush was playing on the radio. I went out an bought their latest album, Fandango, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Billy Gibbons is guitarist’s guitarist. Most of my favorite players cite Billy as one of their main influences.
Billy G is my favorite player because he inspired me to play. He has the chops and most feel. Great video ,awesome tone and awesome playing . Well done After watching I subscribed 🎸
It is a great axe ... But it was never for sale. You must be thinking of a different guitar. Glad you enjoy it, 'cause I sure enjoy playing it! Got it for $599 BTW. In 2012.
@@MarkZabel I don't care for the fire bird sound,,,,although I really luv the shape of them,,,but they are solid bodies,,,,so I now see the difference when these same pickups are used with a semi hollow body!!!!! Hmmm, something new to learn e everyday. !!!! I luv it. !!!! TY Mark!!! You are great. !!!! And very knowledgeable,,,,😎✌✝💕🌴
This lick baffled me when I first tried to learn it. I was just playing a straight pentatonic sequence but it never sounded quite right. It was the same with Back in Black. When I finally cracked the code both came together. Wish I had this vid back then. Great stuff Mark. Cheers!
Thanks Johnny! Yes, same here. It's easy to ignore and just keep playing the pattern. And when it's fast it doesn't matter that much ... but when it's just a little bit slower it really matters - opens up lots of possibilities for tweaking the minor 3rd, and making that double-play move back to the root on the D string. Billy's play is very fundamental for blues-rock. Not complex, just great!
That two step bend with vibrato at the end took me over a month! I learned most of lead 1 and lead 2; working on that while learning the rest. Once you get it you'll never be the same; lol! Rock on! 🤘 Only thing comparable for me is some of the stuff on the Freebird leads that I still haven't really mastered. Imagine hearing them for the first time again! I use slow down players (VLC) and kinda marvel/wonder at the "magic" that's taking place. Then you hear something like EVH and everything gets "reset" kinda...
I love you MZ!!! Please, please, please tell us what gauge strings you use on the Axes you are using on your bids??? I’ve been using Ernie Balls 8 thru 42 Hyper Slinky’s!!! Thank you!!! Clayburn
LOL! Thanks. I use 10s on my 24.75" scale guitars (Gibsons) and 9s on my 25.5" guitars (Fender scale guitars). It would be ideal to use 8s or even 7s on my Gibson-scale guitars for Billy Gibbons, but man ... you've got to have a really light touch!
@@MarkZabel You’re most welcome. Your Goldtop sounds classic. It’s the guitar sound in my head from the 70s. I think that playing a great Les Paul is a special experience. I like playing my PRS, but playing my Les Paul is special. Maybe it’s because I was a teenager in the 70s. I love the sound of a good Les Paul. Cheers mate. Max 😁👍🇦🇺
If you can play this lick at a good speed, you should try the Comfortably Numb solo, only there are some differences (and those runs are a little longer), but if you can do this then you can do them. There's 4 (if you choose to do the optional one at the end) in that song and it's great practice, especially for those rolls.
Appreciate the effort. A careful review will show The Rev NEVER voiced the 3rd (c#) in the A chord. A further review will show you are playing too many strokes and notes.
You're talking about the lick right ... not the riff. I'm not trying to teach the riff - just breaking up the video a bit. It's recorded at about 125% speed so I get to the point (the lick) more quickly. I should have just played it pick and fingers, slowly, as I do normally. Sorry for the confusion.
By "it" what do you mean? This is a lesson about the lick, not the riff, right? Tell me what's wrong with what I'm doing with the lick. I'd like to know.
When the reverend modulated from A to C to pull of that lead it is incredible.
Agree. Simple and totally effective. That's the best way!
As a guitarist, Deguello is one of favourite albums. Gibbons playing on it is sublime.
By far zztops best sounding album. Alot of covers but they make them sound so good. I still listen to Deguello on a regular basis
Mark Z, Mark L here. I liked the slow demo of the lick beginning at 2:53+. In this short section, I surely hear the tone of Gibbons like in the song I Need You Tonight. Going to finish watching your clip now, if I can stop watching ZZ Top Videos long enough. HAHA
Ha!
@@MarkZabel Thanks for the nice replies. I would also like to tell you that you are an excellent teacher. Very good way of showing things and playing is spot on too. I have seen ZZ Top live, Gibbons makes it look easy, but he definitely has tricks one must master to get it right.
I can fudge this in my own way and I was happy with it until I clicked on this-Your way sounds right on. Thanks again-work can't end early enough today brother.
Glad I could help! Enjoy!
Hey, buddy!! These licks/riff by Mr. Gibbons were absolute necessary rites of passage for me growing up as a rock guitarist wannabe!! I can recall on the fingers of nearly both hands when playing La Grange whilst trying out a new guitar/amp/effect pedal in a music store meant a sudden universal requirement for all able-bodied rockers to take up instruments and join in!! Great fun and an age and time I wish could have rambled on forever!! Thanks as always for the great instruction, motivation and fond memories!! Jim C.
Thanks Jim! So many memories of trying to play ZZ Top with buddies.
@@MarkZabel No Stairway, though! Denied! :>) Jim C.
Reverend Willie G is the source from which cool flows out to the rest of the world. Without him the world will surely overheat
Its true, that little solo is awesome
No doubt about it. Simple and with flair.
@@MarkZabelI agree. I think that solo from "I Was Made For Loving You' by KISS ( my favourite solo) is very similar and also short but effectiv.
'Not too much' learned
from BB King.
Astonished me as well, puts it all together. Useful in all keys
One of the very first Boogie tunes I leaned. Thanks for the lead instruction. Excellent! Checking out the link next.
Awesome, thank you!
Hey Mark just caught the lesson, that pull off is one of those riffs engrained in our brains. Great lesson , you showed the riff justice too, very well played! 👏 You always make your lessons with reachable goals at every level. Fantastic Thanks ⚡ 🎸⚡🖤Kris IL 🦋
Thanks Kris!!
Mark , please keep making your FANTASTIC VIDEOS AND INSTRUCTIONAL STYLE . ❤☮️
Thank you, I will
Once again ..well done Mark. Lookin forward to the next lesson. Thanks
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Classic Rock Lessons: th-cam.com/video/7Ef_4jqGuEQ/w-d-xo.html
Mark Z’s Guitar School: mark-z-guitar-school.teachable.com/courses
Please help support my lessons by donating here: paypal.me/MZabel335
Get TABs here: tinyurl.com/ybpzjuwm
great one! Beer drinkers is my personal fave
That's a great one. So many.
Absolutely fantastic Mark!
Glad you enjoyed it
These short and to the point lessons are great Mark thanks
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Billy just has the chops….that’s why he was Hendrix’s favorite player
Yeah!
Zappa thought Billy was great also
Great Teaching Mark, I love ZZ Top by the way.
Thanks ... and me too!
Killer Bro.. Still gives chills while she screams curses and prays. With bite!
Thanks!!
You are definitely making me a better player. Tyty
That's so great to hear! So glad you're enjoying the path!
Awesome !!! Keep it up my Friend Cheers from Germany
Thanks, will do!
Great lesson Mark as always when that song shifts keys your heart and soul goes right to the finger tips if you know what I mean and the sliding into the double stop in the upper register of the scale wow and I seen zz last summer a few days after dusty passed at the local fairgrounds good times
Thanks Richard. I feel the same. Are they still playing even after Dusty? I didn't know that, but I'm glad to hear it.
I saw Billy play at the Troubadour this last December with Joe Bonamassa. It was his birthday party. I’m not sure if he’s playing with their drummer though.
Love ZZ, please keep up the great work.
Thanks, will do!
Great video! BFG starts a lot of his solos with a screaming high note vs. a building up from the lower notes like a lot of folks tend to do…it’s kinda his thing! ✌🏻🎶🎸
Thanks! Definitely his thing, and very effective!
This tune is why I admire BFG so much. His tip of the hat to John Lee Hooker, genius!
Another great lesson
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
College room mate turned me on to Fandango back in the day. Billy Gibbons is my favorite guitar player.
Nothing wrong with that picture!
Great tip about using pull-offs to make it sound nice and smooth.Its something that
should be emphasized more when discussing technique. Thanks Mark.
Thanks! You're absolutely right about that. Somehow in the 80s it became all about picking - or much more so.
A tasty lick indeed. Thank you for the lesson.
I first heard ZZ Top when Tush was playing on the radio. I went out an bought their latest album, Fandango, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Billy Gibbons is guitarist’s guitarist. Most of my favorite players cite Billy as one of their main influences.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching and for sharing that memory too!
Love your deluxe Mark
Thanks! Me too!
Billy G is my favorite player because he inspired me to play. He has the chops and most feel. Great video ,awesome tone and awesome playing . Well done
After watching I subscribed 🎸
Thanks Timothy!!
I am happy to see you still have your gold top Mark. ! I remember it was for sale at one time,,,,Glad you still have it ! It's a great axe,,,,😎👍💕
It is a great axe ... But it was never for sale. You must be thinking of a different guitar. Glad you enjoy it, 'cause I sure enjoy playing it!
Got it for $599 BTW. In 2012.
@@MarkZabel I luv the P90 pick ups, they really sound nice. TY Mark. 😎✌✝💕
@@michaelmendillo7513 my pleasure. They're mini humbuckers - the blade types like on Firebirds. I dig them too!
@@MarkZabel I don't care for the fire bird sound,,,,although I really luv the shape of them,,,but they are solid bodies,,,,so I now see the difference when these same pickups are used with a semi hollow body!!!!! Hmmm, something new to learn e everyday. !!!! I luv it. !!!! TY Mark!!! You are great. !!!! And very knowledgeable,,,,😎✌✝💕🌴
GREAT STUFF Mark.....COOL INDEED ...gotta Love Billy G. Baby !!! GET YA BLUES ON YA'LL !!!!
Thanks a ton John!
Great content as always.
Thanks Gary!
Just got paid is my fav ZZ lick
Great one!
This lick baffled me when I first tried to learn it. I was just playing a straight pentatonic sequence but it never sounded quite right. It was the same with Back in Black. When I finally cracked the code both came together. Wish I had this vid back then. Great stuff Mark. Cheers!
Thanks Johnny! Yes, same here. It's easy to ignore and just keep playing the pattern. And when it's fast it doesn't matter that much ... but when it's just a little bit slower it really matters - opens up lots of possibilities for tweaking the minor 3rd, and making that double-play move back to the root on the D string. Billy's play is very fundamental for blues-rock. Not complex, just great!
Great lesson ! Thanks!
You bet. Thanks for watching!
I got a think for Billy's pinch harmonics. They are killer!
Absolutely!
That two step bend with vibrato at the end took me over a month! I learned most of lead 1 and lead 2; working on that while learning the rest. Once you get it you'll never be the same; lol! Rock on! 🤘
Only thing comparable for me is some of the stuff on the Freebird leads that I still haven't really mastered. Imagine hearing them for the first time again! I use slow down players (VLC) and kinda marvel/wonder at the "magic" that's taking place. Then you hear something like EVH and everything gets "reset" kinda...
Yep!
Another good one! You are making a guitar player out me (started on BASS)
Thanks!
I love playing this too....the key change has always baffled me .like how does that work?
Yeah! It's just a straight ahead change. Nothing fancy but it smacks you in the face - classic ZZ Top.
great guitar tone, dude
Thanks Lee!
U have great taste in Riffs my friend...
Thank you kindly!
Great lesson🎉
Thanks!
Love your work fine sir.
Thank you! Cheers!
Opening lick on LaGrange it total John Lee Hooker vibe.
How you doing Mark, I like the small Black star amp your using. Leslie West sure loved them. What wattage is that one. Sure sounds good.
I like it too. It's 15W.
I love you MZ!!! Please, please, please tell us what gauge strings you use on the Axes you are using on your bids??? I’ve been using Ernie Balls 8 thru 42 Hyper Slinky’s!!! Thank you!!! Clayburn
LOL! Thanks. I use 10s on my 24.75" scale guitars (Gibsons) and 9s on my 25.5" guitars (Fender scale guitars). It would be ideal to use 8s or even 7s on my Gibson-scale guitars for Billy Gibbons, but man ... you've got to have a really light touch!
Your Les Paul Deluxe has a unique tone. It’s a different tone from my LP Standard. It’s very cool. 😁👍
Hey, thanks!
@@MarkZabel You’re most welcome. Your Goldtop sounds classic. It’s the guitar sound in my head from the 70s. I think that playing a great Les Paul is a special experience. I like playing my PRS, but playing my Les Paul is special. Maybe it’s because I was a teenager in the 70s. I love the sound of a good Les Paul. Cheers mate. Max 😁👍🇦🇺
If you can play this lick at a good speed, you should try the Comfortably Numb solo, only there are some differences (and those runs are a little longer), but if you can do this then you can do them. There's 4 (if you choose to do the optional one at the end) in that song and it's great practice, especially for those rolls.
Awesome
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.
Dat’s a Tasty lick, best played on a Les Paul of course!
Won’t sound quite the same on any other guitar
yep!
Classic
No doubt!
Wow! Great lesson. Instant subscriber here! Please tell me, is that a Les Paul with Firebird pickups?
Thanks! They sold it as "new mini humbuckers", but it's really what you described ... which is why I got it. Probably my favorite guitar!
@@MarkZabel that guitar is amazing! I love it!
Billy G is the GREATEST blues guitarist alive!!
I like ZZ Top, can you point me to a Billy Gibbons solo, something that is between 5 or 10 minutes long? Thanks.
A little shorter than 5 minutes, but you'll probably like it! th-cam.com/video/12BbI-kmrpI/w-d-xo.html
Hey mark do you think you could do a tutorial on ZZ Top’s I got the six
Thanks Terry! I'll put that one on the list of songs to consider. Definitely want to do some of their "Eliminator" era stuff.
nice tone on that goldie, is it an early deluxe?
Thanks! It's actually a 2012 Tribute model.
Is that a Gibson Tribute your playing ?
Yes indeed. 2012. Love it.
Is that a L.P. Deluxe?
2012 1970s Tribute. Clearly modeled after the Deluxe. Nice guitar.
I really love me a good G string 😏👍
Lol!
Nice job . But Gibbons secrete weapon - 7 gauge guitar strings . See if you can contribute to that physical playing difference .
Cheers 03/12/2022
Thanks!
That intro? La Grange isolated guitar tells a different story.
Lesson is about the lick. Intro is played as filler to break the scene up - quickly to get to the lesson.
Appreciate the effort. A careful review will show The Rev NEVER voiced the 3rd (c#) in the A chord. A further review will show you are playing too many strokes and notes.
You're talking about the lick right ... not the riff. I'm not trying to teach the riff - just breaking up the video a bit. It's recorded at about 125% speed so I get to the point (the lick) more quickly. I should have just played it pick and fingers, slowly, as I do normally. Sorry for the confusion.
Sorry not my tempo
that is fast
Take one bit at a time. Play slowly. The nice thing is that each little bit is an idea you can use in your own solos!
You're playing it way too fast bro you take the groove out of it slow the tempo down
ok
Sorry Mark, but you're really playing it very wrong, you should go back and listen again. No offence intended, but that's quite far out
By "it" what do you mean? This is a lesson about the lick, not the riff, right? Tell me what's wrong with what I'm doing with the lick. I'd like to know.