Guitar Lesson - Beast of Burden - Main Riff and Variations

Here's an easy one - also one of my faves - the riff from Beast of Burden from the Stones. Keith always had a way of making simple chords work in a unique way. He's a master at loose rhythm playing and finding truly memorable and fluid backup. This is definitely one of his best.
I wanted to show you the main sequence, but also some of the things you can do to move around the guitar neck and thicken up your sound if you don't have another guitar in the band.

[@iAMbrahm1]

Hi Mark, great tutorial, good pace for beginners (like my self) and one of the best video tutorials I have used on you-tube, much appreciated! The break down on parts are perfect!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Brahm!

[@holdingsand]

"it just gets ya" for sure, makes me feel hopeful! amazing song and guitar work on it. thx for the lesson

[@MarkZabel]

+Bolly Boi Ha! I guess you can take the boy out of Detroit, but you can't take Detroit out of the boy. Thanks for the comment. Glad you liked the video!

[@haplessprototypes7609]

Damn, that guitar sounds like a million. Excellent video..

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks man! Yeah, I love this guitar - a Reverend Pete Anderson signature. The neck pickup is amazing on it.

[@CaribbeanIce]

Holy crap first time I'm seeing your channel - instant subscribe. Thank you Sir for the help I've loved this song for 35 years (vinyl is probably still in Mom's basement somewhere) but I never thought I'd be able to PLAY it ! :)

[@MarkZabel]

CaribbeanIce Awesome. Glad I could help! What else would you like?

[@FreeeAgent]

Wow great video... love how you show different ways to play it so you can make it sound fuller if you're playing by yourself...being able to switch it up gives the song so much more character..even if you're playing by yourself...

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Grant! I appreciate the listen and the comment too!

[@dylanlynch1324]

Your a great teacher, and definitely the best on this song so far! Looking forward to more lessons sir.👍

[@MarkZabel]

Dylan Lynch Thanks! Keep watching!!

[@Pauler23]

Thanks Mark, great tutorial and such sweet sounds, got me motivated to really nail this.

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome! Glad I could help a bit.

[@pageluvva]

Truly great lesson. Much appreciated Mark.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you liked it!

[@voodoolab814]

Great video! Loved the part about chord variation. Helped me alot in my songwriting. Also love your tone man, great sounding guitar.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Eric, glad I could help! Yes, the tone on this one is fantastic I think. It's a Pete Anderson Signature from Reverend Guitars. Love it! Thanks again for listening and for the kind comment!

[@georgewebb2338]

Definitely one of the best tutorials I've watched

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks George! Please let me know what else you would like to see!

[@1Keef]

Thanks Mark, excellent tutorial. Looking forward to more Stones lessons in the future.

[@MarkZabel]

You bet. Thanks!

[@evanmoyer1562]

Excellent review! I'm learning this song and this is a great resource to learn from! :)

[@MarkZabel]

+Evan Moyer Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@gregrussell4189]

Thanks Mark! Very nice to see the variations to fill out the chords. Thumbs up and subscribed.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Greg! I appreciate the sub.

[@budandbean1]

Wow, sounds great Mark! Thanks for the tutorial, love it. I wish I had a hollow body guitar, yours sure sounds good.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Buddy! I'm a huge fan of Reverend Guitars (partly because they're from Detroit's east side, just like me). They're different, but really comfortable and not gaudy either. I *love* the Orange Pete Anderson here. Really versatile. The bridge pickup could be a little better, but I'm not complaining! Thanks for listening!

[@jonathanngaira1072]

Awesome tone on your guitar. Love it.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! I love this guitar and the tone I get out of it too. Thanks for watching!

[@TheAnkhorus]

Thanks brother, great lesson! Beautiful guitar and tone as well!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Paul!!

[@TheMaueri]

Great lesson, the variations sound fantastic. Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for the kind comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Bjean118]

Awesome lesson. not too long, but detailed enough. Thanks man!

[@MarkZabel]

You bet. Glad you liked it!! Let me know what else you'd like to hear too.

[@romantic340]

Every time i see one those guitars reminds me of Brian Setzer love that sound, video very helpful thanks for providing it.

[@MarkZabel]

Hey thanks! Yes, it plays Brian Setzer sounds well ... it's just a great guitar all around. Thanks for listening!

[@manueldigiandomenico6879]

Mark, verry cool lesson, thanx a lot !! you`re great !

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Manuel!!

[@johnnystorm2500]

Great lesson Mark, love to hear more Stones stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Johnny. Will do!

[@lianbenton9174]

i realize it's kinda off topic but does anyone know of a good site to stream newly released series online ?

[@zaidjaxton125]

@Lian Benton Flixportal xD

[@lianbenton9174]

@Zaid Jaxton thanks, I signed up and it seems like a nice service =) I appreciate it!!

[@zaidjaxton125]

@Lian Benton you are welcome :)

[@dottmcse]

Lots of help for a Stone's lover!! Thanks

[@MarkZabel]

+dottmcse You bet!

[@anyhoot47]

Excellent timing. The band I play with is in need of a bass player so our other guitar player is playing bass. I was looking for a way to thicken up the guitar on this song and your verriations helped a lot.

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome! So glad I could help.

[@evandiptard8561]

That's the best tone I've ever heard

[@MarkZabel]

Yeah, I love the neck pickup on the Pete Anderson signature model!

[@SullenMorbius]

Awesome lesson

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! 😃

[@RaisonBaby]

Best lesson for this tune. Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you. I appreciate the listen and the compliment!

[@hollandlover123]

Ur a Natural when it comes to teaching -u get it across

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Sandra! You really made my day!

[@possum393]

Love your guitar. I met Pete Anderson about 15 years ago after a Dwight Yoakam concert. Super cool guy. Talked to me for at least 30 mins.

[@MarkZabel]

That's great. He's a great player. Doesn't get enough credit. You know, I grew up just a couple of miles from him, but I've never met him. Circumstance I guess. Glad to hear he's a nice guy. Thanks for watching!

[@captainshivers]

Love that sound and love you man. That was the biz. Good on ya!

[@MarkZabel]

Nothin' but love today brother! That's a good day. Thanks for listening!!

[@p4easy7]

great job! love that reverend hollowbody!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! I love that guitar too. I tend to circulate guitars quite a bit, but this one is a keeper!

[@jammerstud99]

very cool. good variation.

[@RedMercuryBluesBand]

Nice Guitar and great tone!

[@MarkZabel]

+Steve Lawson It's a Reverend Pete Anderson Signature ... the first version (with dog-eared P-90s). The neck pickup is especially great. I love the guitar!

[@CJLauziere]

Lots of good tips.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cheviatintrijayanti1303]

Love this cover

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@TastySandwich100]

Fantastic lesson! Nice one!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@jayfink8560]

Just found your video, great job bro!

[@MarkZabel]

Jay Fink Thanks!

[@gatamtb8101]

Awesome video thanks so much!!!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Gata MTB Thanks!!!

[@NeptuneBay]

Easy explaination Mark thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

+James Manley Thanks for listening!!

[@markhoffman2237]

It was originally called Beast of Bourbon. It was about Keef's fave libation, of course.

[@Colms2005]

Thanks very much Mark for a very enjoyable lesson. Its a great song and you explained it very well. May I ask you what amp are you using with the Reverend guitar.

[@MarkZabel]

Hi. Thanks for the nice comment. I'm fairly sure I'm using a really simple rig on this one. Best guess is: ZT Lunchbox Jr. Amp and my Zoom G3 Multi-effects unit with Fender Twin model on ... touch of reverb.

[@jakebehr3500]

what a pleasant man

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Jake!

[@TheRiskybizz]

The Stones, best R&R band then and now, lets hear more of Mick and company

[@MarkZabel]

Love the Stones ... we'll do more!

[@SophisticatedBob]

My friend you're great. Where do you live? Got a website for teaching?

[@fingersmagoo]

Thanks man, great Reverend guitar. I play a buckshot.

[@midnightraiin4035]

Wonderful!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you like it!

[@boxen76]

Sounds great!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@randomonio]

Beautiful guitar man!

[@MarkZabel]

+Mitchell Toulouse It is really nice! Reverend PA-1.

[@randomonio]

+Mark Zabel How long have you had it for now?

[@MarkZabel]

Maybe 4 years ... got it from a guy who got it through Wildwood and just didn't dig it. So he unloaded it less than a month later ... and I snapped it up. Love the Reverend take on a Gretsch. I've got flatwounds on it right now and it's working just fine for jazz too!

[@randomonio]

+Mark Zabel Oh yeah? That's lucky. The guitar sounds amazing.

[@andystephenson5407]

+Mark Zabel ohhh it's a reverend ,yeah they are sweet guitars

[@chasemathison5122]

I would love to know what type of guitar you use? It sounds great!

[@MarkZabel]

Chase Mathison Hi Chase. This is a Reverend PA. I love it too. Reverend makes great guitars. They used to be relatively inexpensive. They're still quite a but less than Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, and other more famous brands, but they've come up a bit in price. All very solid guitars though. Thanks for watching!

[@johnleclerc8806]

Good demonstration of hammering onto the chords ala Hendrix

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@trickstervas1020]

Thanks man!

[@MarkZabel]

+Vasilioskates You're welcome. Thanks for listening!

[@ethanskae4816]

Great guitar player

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@cajunqueen5125]

just great; luv it

[@MarkZabel]

And thanks again!! :)

[@79943]

Nice lesson. In the world of lead and solo guitar players there is a huge list of greats and which one is "best" will be debated forever. However, when it comes to pure rhythm guitar, and driving a song from that position, IMO Keith stands alone. This tune you aptly demonstrate is just one example of that.

[@MarkZabel]

Hard to disagree with you on that. Although I think that two (probably more) of the great lead players were also amazing rhythm players ... Jimi and Jimmy. Keith is highly underrated because he really doesn't play lead. But man, his knack for creating a memorable, driving, hit-you-in-the gut guitar riff is incredible!

[@richardhaight5035]

Nice, thanks

[@MarkZabel]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@leapsplashafrog]

Great thanks

[@MarkZabel]

Sure thing. Thanks for watching!

[@shredsixsixsix9218]

that's a really nice guitar

[@MarkZabel]

+Shred Sixsixsix Yeah, a Reverend Pete Anderson signature. They still make them, but the pickups have changed. The neck pickup on this is amazing ... fun to play too! Thanks for watching!

[@iancostello3923]

Subscribed, love the way you break it down in a conversational way.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Ian! I appreciate the subscription and the kind comment too!

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

You are the only one who twigged the full chord B at beginning. The triad/hammer on is OK but its not right!

[@MarkZabel]

Okay. Thanks.

[@kenq7948]

I like the Hendrix ideas

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Ken!

[@LoveBandit1000]

Would it be easier to do it in Keith's 5 string tuning?

[@scottgregery6145]

the barrs give it a phat sound.

[@klausdopner7127]

Best!🎸👍

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@tommyp110]

Could you teach Toy Cardwells old song Cant you see? cant find it on youtube

[@MarkZabel]

Sure. Which part(s) are you looking for? Main riff? Solo at around 2:10?

[@tommyp110]

Wow you answered lol. ask a lot of players on youtube with no response.I have been playing since 12 yrs old. never reading music. went to drums played in bands for years lost touch with guitars. I know all my major chords and a few Pentatonics but just can't link them. od right? lol but the lead on that song please also think it would help a lot of people because Toy really works out the notes up that scale on the neck. Thank you. great work by the way. Your a fine guitar player

[@freebee8221]

Keith richards is a genius.

[@MarkZabel]

No doubt about that!!

[@javyandrade9567]

yes! my kinda video

[@MarkZabel]

+Javy Andrade Thanks! Any others you'd like to see/hear?

[@javyandrade9567]

How about some guns n roses? If not, then I'm comfortable with Van Halen, Megadeth, or maybe Pink Floyd.

[@MarkZabel]

VH and G&R sure. Megadeth really isn't my cup of tea, so I'll pass on them. Specific song requests? I've done a number of VH songs, so check 'em out!

[@johnyguitar13]

Good Job...but with a few less distorsion ...maybe better. 👍🏼

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks

[@stevepalmer1847]

``Thanks so much- now show us Start Me Up!

[@MarkZabel]

It's a deal. Thanks for watching! (BTW, is that a king snake in your avatar or is it a sea snake? Either way, pretty cool!)

[@epiphany501]

Bro. this is the worst, best lesson of all time. speed it up get it on. dont be so nervous.

[@Methilde]

Forget the guitar part on "am i hard enough, rough enough" ...

[@MarkZabel]

Why? It's a fun part.

[@Methilde]

@@MarkZabel Quite easy but well placed

[@mikescheibinger5191]

Try capo on 4. All will be revealed.

[@roberteberhart1139]

I like your new videos better

[@MarkZabel]

Okay.

[@juana1483]

Tabs???

[@MarkZabel]

No tabs on this one. You don't need tabs. Better without them. You can do it!!

[@egg117]

A guitarra está desafinada! kkkk

[@egg117]

Out of tune....

[@MarkZabel]

Jag tror inte det.

[@egg117]

Well, maybe I'm wrong. At 3:24 min and 3:30 min it seemed to be out of tune. But you play very well and I always see your posts ... Everything good for you. Good luck!

[@MarkZabel]

Ricardo Monteiro Seems okay to me. Maybe my ears are getting old! :) When I see desifinado I only think of the beautiful Gilberto song. I heard a local band play Jobim's "Wave" tonight, but I enjoy Desifinado more. Thanks for your comments. Most appreciated.