how to play "La Grange" by ZZ Top - guitar lesson rhythm

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An electric guitar lesson on how to play the classic "La Grange" by ZZ top from their 1973 album, "Tres Hombres."
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Thanks for watching. Cheers

[@myworstenemy680]

There's no better music than blues influenced rock and roll imo. Especially when it is played with a little shuffle, speed and finesse. It's good time, great feeling music. Great lesson.

[@williamnjenniferbell1573]

You are by far the best "teacher" on the internet. The attention to detail that you insist on is part of what makes you great!

[@MrKaden1217]

He's good but 2 words Marty Music

[@PretzelBoi726]

@@MrKaden1217 Marty's for beginners for the most part. I'd rather Andy, but I would like it if he started teaching some more modern songs

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

@@PretzelBoi726 who's andy

[@PretzelBoi726]

@@unacuentadeyoutube13 the teacher in the shut up and play videos

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

@@PretzelBoi726 oh yeah. I learned my first melody, shape of my heart by Sting, thank to him

[@sladynamo]

Outstanding teaching man. It's such a basic riff and it's the nuances is what makes it so classic and tasty. You nailed it teaching all the finesse. Also loved that you play ALL the parts straight thru outa the gate with NO talking. Perfect.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

sladynamo Hey bud, thanks for the nice comment man. It's true about the nuances. They make ALL the difference!

[@MrGuitars8]

This is THE BEST I have seen for this song by far .

[@craiger2399]

Awesome lesson! I always felt Hot For Teacher was taken from Le Grange, and that Eddie's pinch harmonic use was very much influenced by Billy. I'm so happy to see someone else making some connection between that song and Le Grange too.

[@kiddmetric]

I’ve been playing this wrong since Junior high school. I’m 61 years young now and now I know how to do it correctly. Thank you so much for sharing you talents with us mere mortals. The Hot For Teacher resemblance doesn’t surprise me. Great Job!!

[@Guitarzan8]

Your teaching style works really well for me. The “trick” in Cheap Sunglasses changed my approach 180! Thank you.

[@DzoniMakaroni]

You know, when I first started watching your tutorials I hated you, because you weren't "beginner friendly", even though after just 4 months of playing I knew the Hotel California intro all because of you. Now, about a year and a half into playing you're my favourite guitar teacher! You take a supposedly simple guitar riff like this one and then show that everyone plays it wrong, just amazing.

[@RollingStoneZzzzz]

Andy Great Lesson! Your Gibson Guitar is SMOKIN!👍😎

[@rbauer1632]

Your tone and playing are exceptional. Sure would like to see you give a lesson on the solo. One of the best solos of blues rock ever! I've never even seen Billy Gibbons attempt the original version live. He bails at the best part. He's getting older and maybe it takes a young man's energy and dexterity. But it is one of the all time classics!

[@adamshame2BMissed]

How does anyone "not like" this? I stumbled onto this channel after months of watching dozens of other guitar channels, but he breaks it down much better than anyone i have seen. The hot for teacher tie is awesome, great technique and tone. Keep posting and thanks for the lessons, nice job!

[@badbadger9860]

This guy does amazing tutorials! Can't write enough great comments to equal the talent shown. Really great to listen to!

[@jz580500]

Thank You For explaining how to get the sounds to change with the knobs . couldn't find anyone that explained this part. Thanks again.

[@ramsesespinosa5057]

Best and most accurate firr lessons of youtube, thanks a lot!

[@hotrod9389]

Great lesson, I see many lessons about la grange, already good, but this is the best and completest tutorial... Give me five and moreover give us more lessons. Best regards from Munich/germany

[@joepalooka2145]

Great lesson! Your have nailed the sound. Damn, it ain't easy to play right and keep the whole thing going! I never tried it before and thought I'd give it a go. Learning the guitar is only half the battle however, because if you want a real challenge then try singing it at the same time like Billy Gibbons.

[@craig.encinitas]

Did you keep at it? I started on this yesterday. Slow going. 😆

[@rictube11]

Does instruction get any better...? I haven't seen it. Thanks for all your hard work putting these videos together

[@josephojea]

I honestly haven't played my guitar in years, since I was a kid. But watching this guys videos gives me hope again, and makes it not seem so overwhelming. You have got yourself another subscriber, Sir! Can't wait to see more

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

joseph ojea Hey Joesph, thanks for the nice comment bro, for sure get back into guitar man! Thanks for watching bro.

[@richardstones6445]

Thank you for this lesson, even though it is "Ten Years After" you posted it 🙂. Looking at your LP, I noticed the way the maple top shows beneath the binding inside the cutaway and it makes me feel better. I recently bought an R9, and it has the same situation, and I thought it was a defect. Apparently it is a feature.

[@theprofessorfate6184]

Fantastic lesson. Spot on in every respect. A rarity on youtube. Thanks.

[@davidwilson1387]

Great been wondering exactly how to get that la grange feel. Your tutorial hits the mark!

[@Horst574]

" Plenty more to come!" I hope so! I like your lessons and you make it really well. Sometimes you show lessons , we just try to play it well. Black magic woman, crossroads, all right now....for example . Thank you!!!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Hey Horst, thanks a lot man. I'm glad you're digging the lessons, that's great!

[@Daren67]

Sweet LP mate! Those inlays really stand out nice on what looks like an ebony fret board. Cool track, well done & thank for sharing

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks Daren.

[@Guitariste82]

Very good lesson...........like everytime on your channel............. I love all the details that you explain each time that for me make the difference...when you try to play a song in the same spirit

[@scottpetrie8707]

You my friend melt faces, I rolled through as many videos as I could and you sir are awesome. I appreciate the time you put into these.

[@at89able]

You are awesome teacher. Thank you for your patience

[@Seahawk38]

This is only the 2nd video of yours I've seen. You are really good at teaching and getting the "exact" recorded sound. I am a stickler for that. I will be looking for more of your stuff, you are by far the best video tutor I have seen. Thank you!!

[@rayross997]

Great lesson, and awesome playing, you really have the sound and feel of the tune. Thanks for sharing this.

[@bobbarcus8310]

you are the best teacher on you tube thank you soooo much

[@Irek_Poland]

Thank you from Poland !!

[@MikoNumeroUno]

I am a guitar player, classical music and fingerpicking style. But hey, this almost makes me wanna play electric. Great uoload ! And very clear as for the instructions.Big thumb up !

[@johnedwardsmarroquin3452]

Great settings,speed,nailed to the spec.

[@jasondarrough9716]

Blown away how you just rip into the intro solo for Hot for Teacher like it's nothing during a lesson on La Grange. Excellent playing!

[@ocmonman1]

So cool to see Van Halen lick at the end. I couldn’t help but smile. So fun.

[@geraldhinson]

Just discovered your channel. Stellar job on this. You are a great teacher. I agree with you that the rhythm carries the song, but I'd love to see a lesson from you on the lead as well anyway. There are lots of attempts, but most lack the feeling / phrasing that you seem to be able to capture. Regardless, thanks for a killer lesson.

[@KingGrio]

Just discovered your channel. Your playing is super clean man. Your picking hand moves in a distinctive way I've seen from other great players, especially on the mid string changing runs. When I see that I know your right hand technique is tight.

[@watermelonman3110]

Another brilliant lesson!! (as are they all). The Best anywhere on this magic box, bar-none!! Thank you sir!!

[@grahamedwards2646]

Nicely done. Yet another tune that I've played for years where I've learned something new from you.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks Graham, glad the vids are helping.

[@precisionbrown6829]

I have a few Les Paul standards and customs and just got a Blues Deluxe. Great combo I have all wine colored Les Paul’s I just really dig the color

[@stratman457]

your tone is smashing baby! Yeah! lol....Great TONE

[@boydthiel5868]

I'm a new fan. Your instruction level is spot on, easy to follow, and detail friendly. I've wanted to learn this song from my favorite KZbin dudes, but they left me hanging with the basic level or were meant for the very advanced

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

***** Hey Boyd, thanks for the nice comment bro. It's hard sometimes to figure out how basic or complex the lessons should be but I'm glad this one helped. Thanks for watching.

[@violetdeluxe]

love your work man it's funny that 50 people dislike a guy who knows how to decompose a song and teach it the right way!

[@talmadgemccamment6775]

Love your lessons ...I have a guitar exactly like yours..what pick ups do you have?

[@zenatty1]

you are an A+ teacher...and an excellent player...great tone as well- I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos- keep them coming

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks a lot Mark. Plenty more to come!

[@royraken7746]

I never tried to play a ZZTop song but u have initiated me to do so. keep it coming.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks a lot for watching Roy.

[@skinnykarlos710]

Great lesson. Thanks, Andy. You're dead right about the similarities between Hot for Teacher and la Grange and I agree that the rhythm guitar is the root of this song. I will say that in the same feel (for me) the first bend up in the solo and lick do get etched in the memory though it's not too hard to fool around on the C minor pentatonic and get something good for a solo even if it's not note for note. Thanks again for your time and effort.

[@franka631]

Great lesson! The outro solo would be great to learn! Can't find it anywhere and one of my favorites. Thank you

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Frank Amato Thanks Frank!

[@wesleypollard3058]

Wonderful detail! Could you please explain how you are getting your tone, its freakin awesome!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

The only guy that does it spot on. So many hack lessons for this song on here.

[@michael0074]

y'know, man, I've been looking at a lot of lesson, lately, and I just gotta tell ya, you are REALLY a good teacher. you don't just PLAY the notes...or go over an important passage 3 times. ...or then slow it Way down..you do all v that, plus explain r exactly HOW to make it sound MORE like the original!...Damn, I wish you lived close enough for me to take personal lessons...your writing sounds British, but not your voice.. where do you hail from? - Mike

[@unbox_impact3505]

This Sounds realy same like the original. Very good lesson. He give his heart when he playing.

[@jeanetteraschle3089]

you are an Supi teacher...and an excellent player...great tone as well- I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos- keep them coming excellent thanks

[@transformer889]

Thank you, you are the best, specially the great way you explain every detail, any chance of covering the solo ?

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

transformer889 Thanks bud, yeah probably not going to get into the solo as IMHO it's more of a jam kind of a thing right? Thanks for watching bud.

[@briangeorge5783]

That guitar sounds just awesome... I was looking into those DA Humbuckers, but was afraid they would be too hot for this type of music. Just great sound. Good Job!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

brian george Hey Brian, I would highly recommend the Aldrich PUPS. You can get pretty well any sound out of them. Thanks for watching! cheers

[@xzoltz]

stunning lesson !

[@cskaplan]

Thanks for the Hot for Teacher, it's a twofer lesson. The intro is great

[@louski331]

great teaching very profesional thanks la grange!!! can you see if you can disect the evh brown sound

[@bobdonovan4400]

I really like your guitar playing!

[@jeffro.]

Ok, "Shut Up & Play" (lol), I love it. This is the FIRST video I've seen where someone has it correct! You've absolutely got that hybrid picking correct there in the intro & after the solo. I'm only at 4:53 right now, but I just had to comment. And, you're right, the lick does change, ya know why? Cuz it's Billy // Gibbons, that's why! He wrote the song, he can play it any way he wants. And it sounds great! (I've heard so many versions of that lick, where ppl make a video, "Here's how to play it..." and it's just something that they have the skill to play at that moment, without even stretching themselves.... No, that's NOT how to learn a song and play it like the person recording it.) Oh, BTW, I can't wait to see how you do the "seamless" changing of the sound. Is it seamless like your editing (lol)? (Cuz I noticed the cut; ppl think nobody notices, but I do!) Anyway, (deep, gravelly voice) back to the video.... 13:11 You nailed it. I was hoping you'd do that, gotta say, I like the way you time the switch flick with the beat of the lick. Ya did it! Perfect. I was hoping you'd do the solos, like the one with the C minor pentatonic, but that's cool. Can't finish the video right now, I gotta catch a zoom webinar...but I promise I'll watch the end. Great job! Love the name of the channel. 👍 👌

[@zztop6875]

Hey you, my friend from the iconic

[@green323turbo]

Lots of good tips in the lesson. Great sound , What pickups are you using ?

[@stashmark7105]

Its fun just to watch his teaching method , I couldnt care less for learning more than 2 songs and leave the rest to real music lessons.

[@steveinmidtown]

I know your list is a mile long but "Arrested While Driving Blind" from Tejas has a KILLER riff.

[@928CS]

Nicely done... The Van Halen lick was awesome too!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

928CS Thanks bud.

[@PhilFeedback]

Great lesson video, thanks for posting this video!

[@dicemup007]

Your neck pickup is awesome!! Your LP sounds like a les Paul but has a little snappiness of a Fender...sounds a lot like Billy's pearly gates guitar. Stock pickups or SD pearly gates?

[@Irek_Poland]

Dziękuję bardzo. Zajebista lekcja !!. Greetings from Poland !!!

[@coleyounger3701]

so glad I found you....fantastic lessons,awesome player,killer tone😎

[@rickmiles5507]

Excellent, thank you very much. Any chance of another Billy Gibbons classic lesson, Waitin for the bus???? please.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Rick Miles Hey Rick, that's a good tune. I've had a couple of requests for it. I can't promise anything but maybe down the road I'll have a look at it. Thanks for watching bud.

[@fabiopunk1661]

I love it - excellent tone!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

For more information on this lesson, go here: www.shutupandplay.ca/la-grange--rhythm.html

[@jayfay4086]

La grange

[@hkguitar1984]

What I've found really nails the tone for this song is my use of a Germanium Fuzz Pedal. Turned down on the neck pickup the fuzz transforms the tone into the clear/clean sound found in the intro. Slapping the Les Paul's pickup selector switch to the bridge pickup with it's volume turned up results in almost identical tone from the studio version of this song. Just wanted to pass this on as I really love the tone Mr. Gibbons has on this song and I didn't expect the fuzz to bring it in so closely. Great videos and content, thank you

[@paulgross2778]

Buddy your an awsome teacher

[@allusernamestaken01]

This is awesome! I was always intimidated by finger picking. Maybe it's just the right song for beginners. Thanks dude!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Steven B2 Thanks Steven.

[@CaseyFraysier]

Man I Do not play.. I like to screw around.. but the blues riff has always been one I wanted to learn. I watched another video and I could just TELL the dude wasn't playing it right... I came to your Video... and boom.. THIS is the right sound...

[@6StringEraser]

I like your guitar tones in your videos. They do a lot of justice to the songs your teaching. Can you incorporate how you achieved the tones in your videos. I think it would go a long way to mastering the song.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Luke Cloutier Thanks Luke, well I list all my gear in the description box of the videos. I make adjustments as need for every song I do. cheers

[@cracker7923]

great lesson, helped me alot! thank you, kind guitar player from the internet :)

[@moviemagg]

Man you are a great guitar player! Thanks for all of your guitar video's.

[@denismguitar1552]

Do you still play out in a band anywhere? I’d love to come to a show with you in a band. Very fine player!

[@usncpo4866]

Great Video lesson... I'd still like to learn the lead parts though... There's a few videos on KZbin of the main solo but I've yet to find a video of the main solo and the outro solo...

[@danharrison5878]

Very helpful...thanks for the excellent lesson.

[@yohaishelef3247]

crystal clear! great lesson and performance!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks Yohai!

[@Crispy2012A]

..can you do a bro a favor and do one on Jesus Just Left Chicago?...lot's of confusion between standard tuning and open tuning...what did Billy use in the studio?

[@Hurtcules]

Very nice instructional video.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Hurtcules Thankyou!

[@CelticGod]

Great tone what guitar is that ? And whats with the little switch between the volume knobs. What year is it - looks old. How did you get the stereo-like left / right sound - Is it a pedal feeding two separate amps ?

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Hey Celtic. Thanks for the comment bud. It's a 1975 Les Paul Deluxe. The switch is the phase switch for the pickups. I just overdubbed the heavy guitar and panned them left/right to try to duplicate the record.

[@CelticGod]

Thanks for that, Did that switch come as standard in '75 or was it on there when you got it ?

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

No, I had it installed. If you have humbuckers it's definitely worth while to put a coil switch in. Splitting the coils gives you a whole other dimension of sound possibilities. Right now I have Suhr Aldrich pickups.

[@CelticGod]

Cheers !

[@rafaelvelasco2734]

Excelente, gracias profesor

[@Crispy2012A]

Great video bro...nice work...simple explanation....great sound too...thanks a ton for uploading this video...very much appreciated. :)

[@KP11520]

Thank you KINDLY! Does BG do the same thing with switching pickups or a foot switch from the clean to the OD channel in the amp, back and forth? No requests.. YET! LOL I have to go through what you posted first! Thanks again!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

KP11520 Prety sure he uses the switch. Most old school players use the volume knob on the guitar and the pickup switch to change tones and not so much pedals. cheers

[@Serbius127]

Great lesson! What is your background? It looks like you're well trained and certainly practiced. Van Halen's "Bottoms Up", to me, seems like it is inspired from this song. Why do you think you don't have as much interest from people wanting Van Halen stuff? Time has gone by and the younger crowd may not be as familiar with him. Had they been to see him live in the early 80's I suspect it would be different. But his stuff is so complex, and proprietary..

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Serbius127 Thanks, Eddie Van Halen is in a class all by himself. He's extremely hard to emulate, and since I'm more of a Les Paul guy, 90% of his stuff isn't doable without a whammy, but to be honest, even if I had a whammy, I can't play like him! Other than a few songs that I've done tutorials for and maybe a couple more that I might do, I stay away from his stuff because it's so unique and like you said proprietary, same as Hendrix. I won't go near that for the same reason. Also Jeff Beck, these 3 are in a different universe entirely! thanks for watching.

[@KRISJINGLE4]

.... great job man, but im curious, if Billy is the only guitar player in the trio band , how is he doing both the lead and rym? cant imagine a looper doing all the barrs?

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Hey kris, playing live is a completely different animal to what bands do in the studio. It's always a compromise.

[@TheMortgageRep]

I am extremely glad that i found your videos. They are fantastic. You are definitely the best teacher I have seen Any chance of getting the solo for ZZ Top's "waitin for the bus?" Also, what Amp are you using to get such great tones? Richard

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Richard Morales Thanks a lot Richard! I'm actually contemplating a new ZZ Top lesson and Waiting for the Bus is in the mix! cheers

[@jenningwalkirie1602]

Great tutorial

[@beertje376]

this man is so good

[@wardnick4268]

Good job, nice sounds. Much appreciated.

[@scallopneck]

Not sure if it's been asked before but are you playing a Class 5 custom shop with different pickups?

[@eightbars1]

I love every video you make. That clip of Hot For Teacher was amazing! Do you have a video for that? I'll look, but if not, how about one?

[@ronnieo6867]

Good job as always sir.

[@RollingBilbao]

Awesome Lesson friend, Big thumbs up¡¡¡¡. Greetings from Spain: Javier

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

***** Thanks a lot bro. cheers

[@AriKolbeinsson]

I'm a rubbish guitar player, but your videos are helping me have more fun (and be a little less rubbish)

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Ari Kolbeinsson Glad it's helping Ari. cheers

[@jcbcorner8464]

Thanks !! Very nice tutorial