Riff RundownDifficulty: Easy Composer - Billy Gibbons Where to find this song - Eliminator track #2 Release Date - January 1983 The Band: Billy Gibbons -guitar Formed in Houston, TX in 1969, Gibbons was formerly with the band "The Sidewalks" and Hill & Beard were from "The American Blues Band". They got together, and the following year they released their debut album, appropriately titled "First Album". ZZ Top released "Rio Grande Mud", in 1972, which produced the hit "Francene". They went on tour and opened for The Rolling Stones, which greatly increased their fan base.The following year, they released their first top 10 album, "Tres Hombres." It featured the hit "La Grange" and was their first album to be certified platinum. In 1976, they released "Tejas" and embarked on the infamous World-Wide Tejas tour that included live cattle, rattlesnakes and cactus on stage! After the tour, the guys took some time off then finished the seventies with "Deguello" which included covers of Sam and Dave's "I Thank You" and Elmore James' "Dust My Broom". ZZ Top's bestselling album, "Eliminator," was released in 1983. The album contained the hit singles, "Gimme All Your Lovin", "Sharp Dressed Man", "TV Dinners" and "Legs". Main RiffThis riff is compromised of two guitar parts. Here's what they sound like together:
Both guitars will be "palm muted" (P.M.) throughout the riff. A palm mute is when you allow your pick hand to rest on the strings not being played. Guitar 2 will be performing a "pull-off." (See instructions on the second part below). Guitar 2 will also not come in on the first measure of the song, which is why there are no notations at the beginning of the measure. Guitar 1
Guitar 2
How To Play ItGuitar 1
To begin this riff, place your 1st finger on the "A" string on the seventh fret, and your 3rd finger on the "D" string on the ninth fret. Finish off by using your 4th finger on the "G" string on the ninth fret. Play that seven times and the first guitar part is done. Guitar 2
Begin this part by barring the "A" string, the "D" string, and the "G" string on the seventh fret with your 1st finger. Now, before you actually play anything, notice that it calls for you to play the ninth frets on the "D" string and the "G" string. Do this by placing your 3rd finger on the ninth fret of the "D" string and your 4th finger on the ninth fret of the "G" string. Now, this is when you start playing. By allowing your 1st finger to be barred, that will help you along the way and keep your finger movement to a minimum. The "pull-off" is coming next. A pull-off is when you go from a higher note to a lower note, only striking the first set of notes. Strike this power chord formation once and pull off with your 3rd and 4th fingers. Next you will simply play the barred seventh frets once, and then put your 3rd and 4th fingers back where they were. Now that you have done that, simply perform the same step from the beginning and you are finished with the second guitar part's riff! Riff ResourcesComplete Transcription To "Got Me Under Pressure" (PDF) Complete Transcription To "Got Me Under Pressure" (Power Tab) |
