Top 5 Best Frank Zappa Riffs of All Time! Weekend Wankshop 211 with Uncle Ben

[@edwargo]

Being a Zappa fan actually makes you a better musician by both proximity and osmosis.

[@simonlambeth666]

First time I have watched you nice style!!

[@NolalanD]

also by attitude and sense of humor

[@mikenethery9418]

I beg to differ...nothing remarkable with zappa...unless u like that sort thing (less the melody)

[@lexo30]

Not if you don't practice...

[@ER-me1ii]

Good night Austin Texas ! Wherever you are !

[@Marcells44]

So much charisma. All of Frank's elegant disdain is caught in this sentence. Sometimes I listen to Muffin Man just to hear it.

[@AeolianReflex]

Zappa! He doesn't get the recognition he deserves. His sense of humor overshadowed the true bad ass innovator he was.

[@arnieslab]

AeolianReflex you’re so right. He’s known more for his off the wall lyrics, which are great but his talent as a musician is huge.

[@davedecker1725]

If you set the humor aside, ( St. Alphonzo, father O' blivion, Montana, etc.etc etc etc.etc) Frank has his band KILLING IT!!!

[@nesseq]

AeolianReflex, I don't really agree with you. Zappa gets more and more recognized by classical and jazz musicians. All I can say is thank God for little favors.

[@GorgeousRoddyChrome]

AeolianReflex He gets the recognition, all right. By othe musicians. Always has.

[@dohoeijmans2432]

this is true for the mainstream radio listening public. Not true in the world of music.

[@lala-everyonescrazyaunt]

I love Zappa! Thank you. 👍✨

[@octofish]

Nobody ever talks about "Eat that Question". That whole album is a masterpiece.

[@Bongo_Fury]

What’s New in Baltimore? has a badass riff.

[@ericwedin4154]

Frank Zappa was the only artist with his own category in the record shop when I grew up. Truly unique👍

[@CaptnShred]

I’m the slime! Spotted it on the intro. Also, Muffin man is so simple, yet so badass. I love noodling over a loop of that riff

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Capt'n Shred Dweezil was just here with his Choice Cuts Tour and let a young kid from the audience play drums on Muffin Man. I'm not sure if that was actually planned, but he also had a guest singer from the local School of Rock sing Valley Girl. Probably my least favorite FZ song, but it was very cool to see a young teenager performing even that FZ song. After all, Dweezil has said from the beginning that his main purpose is to bring his dad's music to a generation that would never otherwise hear it.

[@MalikJahrome]

Well you just turned a 15 year old into a Zappa fan.

[@nesseq]

Congratulations. It's a life long love affair. Take it from an old man.

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

That's about how old I was when I first started listening to Frank!! And that was 1973

[@SaintBuster]

Great video. One of my favorites is "Stevie's Spanking".

[@dajoler]

Frank Zappa's one of those players who really transcend music genres -- the guy was so ahead of his time. Thank you so much for taking the time to teach us some tasty riffs for Christmas, Uncle Ben.

[@JDBodine]

TheGuitar Person Frank Zappa pretty much was a genre all his own. Hilarious, a little sarcastic, and didn’t exactly write lyrics like the usual stuff you’d hear. A little bizarre even, some probably thought he was out there on drugs or something, as I understand it he never touched the stuff. But the music, his guitar work were second to none ahead of his time and still none quite like him now.

[@SpaceCattttt]

He was not ahead of his time. If he was, we'd all be listening to his style of music today. But instead, music peaked with Zappa, and then it deteriorated to the point that it died. And today, it's completely gone. There's nothing left but the shit that would've never gotten signed during the golden age.

[@mabusestestament]

@Bad Axe It depends on your definition of drugs 😋 He didn't use what people generally 'count' as drugs, but he was a chain smoker and drank coffee constantly and both nicotine and caffeine, especially by large intake, can be qualified as drugs ☕️

[@SalamaSond]

Contextual factoid for those still experiencing Early Zappa Exposure Whiplash: Nicolas Slonimsky, the preeminent lexicographer of 20th century classical music, once described Frank as "THE pioneer of the next millennia of music."

[@TheDogPa]

In '77 I had 2nd row center tickets in L.A. I was...partaking heavily...and kept screaming "Muffin Man" while standing on my seat, after every song. A little way in he walked over, leaned over, and motioned with his hand down, saying "O.K., we've had our fun, now calm down". When he finally started the song he came over with a big smile and pointed at me.

[@chrisrowe6835]

Some of my favorites: -Almost anything off of One Size Fits All (especially Florentine Pogen) -Watermelon In Easter Hay -TinselTown Rebellion But with Zappa there's no wrong answer Haha

[@sogil8078]

"Black Napkins" from "Zoot Allures" is also a really really cool simple riff... And one of the Best solos ever imho!

[@jakefry6919]

Simple.......lol

[@peturoliver9695]

@@jakefry6919 the riff yeah

[@cookmoore3736]

Sweet Sweet and cool guitar

[@bernardsalvatore1929]

"Jazz is Not Dead, it just smells funny!" ___Frank Zappa

[@nigelprince1758]

More Zappa please

[@frmcf]

#weekendfrankshop

[@BenEller]

Fraser McFadyen genius

[@JetEarlewood]

I love Eat That Question on the big band CD's.

[@lambisi]

one of my faves fer sure, makes me relax

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Sometimes I wished Frank were my real dad Sadly they have both left this earth. My real dad bought me the Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar box set when it came out. That was really cool

[@rintunt]

Haha, was trying to work out Magic Fingers just the other day. Great choices btw. 👍

[@MrRoyobentoni]

I never thought I was allowed to Play a Zappa Riff. That's like trying to Play God

[@Mojoslickbush]

Willie the Pimp riff is pretty nice!

[@koho]

Can't argue with Muffin Man! The theme to Black Napkins would be a great one, along with Watermelon in Easter Hay as sort of "softy" riffs. A weird one that's almost like a classical exercise is What's New in Baltimore. For me though Zappa is less about the riffs than the solo's that follow. Can't capture RZNDL or Yo Mama in a riff too easily ...

[@andrewwilson888]

More Zappa lessons please!

[@bustacap3791]

one of my favorite "riffs" is "the slime" he had some great riffs but IMO when he is riffing its more just pop masturbation. I think Apostrophe is my favorite album (full of riffs).My favorite part of zappa's body of work, are his EPIC chord progressions like "zoot allures" great video.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I was hoping Muffin Man made the cut. There is a live version of this track that is just so cool. Adrian Belew on his Strat and Frank on his SG was just so friggin' tight...and the little licks and fills he throws in just amp up the riff to God level. Frank is the man.

[@GorgeousRoddyChrome]

We agree on #1 ... I saw FZ play live, quite close, 3 time in the early 70's . Including the Bongo Fury tour with Beefheart... Before he had added any other guitarists to his live shows. Phenomenal!

[@TheSpoonwood]

"Black Napkins " would have a good choice .

[@BluesLicks101]

Saw Frank at the old St. Paul Civic Center back in the 80's - he had this phenominal Purple PA system that was maybe the best band sound & overall mix I've heard ever, Frank was super hot that night: That night (between catching womens panties mid solo) he was the planets best lead guitarist. You get bonus points for "Five Five Five".

[@bakeone4406]

Lots of great riffs got sprung upon the earth by FZ. Transylvania Boogie (like a lot of tunes) have great interlocking and supporting phrases (or multi-part) riffs that cement him into the pantheon of musical genius status, (Warren Cuccurullo does a nice version of TB on his Roadkill disc). What's New In Baltimore, (maybe not in a strict sense constructed of riffs) is another personal favorite... Edit...was remiss to not also cite Filthy Habits

[@jmac5937]

St. Etienne from the Jazz From Hell album is such a great instrumental. Also Joe's Garage and Sheik Yerbouti are great rock albums by Zappa. My favorite Frank era.

[@CraigRMerriman]

I met him on the Broadway The Hard Way tour. He signed a guitar and an Apostrophe album for me. Tremendously nice person.

[@antimatter2380]

holy cow that first riff sounds like Money from Floyd.

[@panam4redd]

Same scale (A minor), and both are in weird timings

[@smorrow]

@@panam4redd Bamboozled is 4/4

[@gerard1954]

His best is holiday in Berlin full blown 2n Inca roads 3rd chungas revenge

[@talwilkins]

The riff behind the solo in Packard Goose!

[@nikolajmathiesen3620]

Frank will always be my favorite guitar player, composer and atheist! Please do more Zappa stuff... Thanks a lot!

[@reidwhitton6248]

"God is alive and the church is dead." - Frank Zappa

[@JakobeOG]

Breakdown from yo mama gives me chills

[@VukanLFC]

Not really a big ol' dirty Zappa riff but "Watermelon in easter hay" is too emotional and too good

[@TheCentral.Scrutinizer]

Yes it's my favorite, just hits different

[@Borganov20]

Good song to die to

[@ericskinner7355]

The last time I saw Dweezil, tears rolled down his face when he played it.

[@dougvolinski5824]

Go to Kelly Dean Allen guitar he does a nice video of it

[@Chuck-U-Farlie]

while it's not a big guitar song, i love Broken Hearts are for Assholes. also, dirty love would be a fun lesson.

[@monsterram6617]

Dirty love 👍

[@thepurplelagoon]

Great video! I'd include Watermelon too Personal favourites are Purple Lagoon from Live in New York and listening to Wild Love & Yo Mama. NOTHING beats that

[@godtoHrD]

here it is folks... best vid of 2018

[@DerBroeckel]

True👌🏻

[@eddiedoyle3607]

Thank you so much Ben for showing some frank Zappa riffs , good to know he is not forgotten , I myself have covered muffin man so many times , but franks playing was one of a kind , I only tried to do it justice , thank you dude !

[@EthnHayabusa]

Too many great tunes. Five today could be: Inca Roads Moggio Re-Gyptian Strut Montana St. Alphonzos Pancake Breakfast

[@wolftracks9010]

Frank was a true Artist, rock's closest thing to a true renaissance man. He has been acclaimed as a genius for his versatility. He was a brilliant guitarist, a superb composer, a matchless bandleader, a movie producer, a record company executive, a human rights activist and an incomparable social satirist. He started out in the 60's as the leader of the zany avant-rock pioneers the Mothers. His subsequent solo work encompassed everything from jazz-rock to orchestral pieces, always delivered with Zappa's trademark humor. He succumbed to cancer in 1993, but the mind-boggling prolific workaholic left behind a staggering body of work. Genius is an overused word in pop, but it applies to Zappa in spades. I had the opportunity of speaking to Frank in the cafeteria when he was doing a show in Coral Gables at the University of Miami back in '76 ..... a great pleasure to talk to.

[@donaldmccoy49]

the most AWESOME lesson I have seen to date!!!! LOVE IT!!!

[@Arfshesaid457]

Ben! Just starting to watch this eppy. Thank you SO MUCH for the attention to Frank. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Arfshesaid457]

I get that you get Mr. Z. Massive props.

[@jeffschwartz3335]

I think you're just doing the 5 easiest Zappa licks

[@dohoeijmans2432]

Zappa is considered one of the biggest influences to many musicians. He introduced Steve Vai to us and had some great chops. Great vid Ben! My favorite instrumental is Watermelon in Easter Hay. Great time signature and beautiful melody.

[@landocal001]

Adrian B also. Frank started tons of great artists. Miss seeing him live, But Dweez has done a great job keeping his music alive. His shows feature many Frank vets and some awesome new names.

[@zhou_sei]

as much as i agree with the spirit of the comment... "had some great chops"... that's like saying babe ruth had some great pitches

[@timothymccaskey4362]

Do Hoeijmans: *Watermelon in Easter Hay* is one of my downloads. I also like *Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace.* My favorite though is the guitar solo on *Inca Roads* (off of One Size Fits All). To me it's so visceral yet sublime.

[@dohoeijmans2432]

nepalnt2121 He had!

[@sdgakatbk]

So much to like about Zappa's music! My favorite is probably his Montana solo live in Sweden 1973. Also, it's great to see a lot of his music on youtube, including a lot of concerts. Also, I'm glad to see Five, Five, Five here, which is another favorite.

[@gregtapevideo1464]

So many great Zappa riffs! Cant name just one!

[@gregkelly319]

Appreciate this vid and all your many other lessons ben. Might as well say you're one of my guitar teachers

[@Thetimrobertson]

So glad you did this Ben. It’s a great thing to introduce people to the incredible works of Frank. There really is something for everyone in his catalogue. Every generation needs to have the opportunity to hear his work, truly one of the greatest musicians ever.

[@themarcomoreira]

Inca Roads for me is Top 1!!!! Good video!!!!

[@pilchard2000]

Saw Frank in Australia in the Seventies , big band with folks like Ponty Underwood Duke .............awesome , thanks for the video

[@SpaceCattttt]

Apart from Apostrophe and Over-Nite Sensation, which are arguably as close as Frank got to FM radio rock, I must confess that I've never thought of him as a riff guy. That's not to take anything away from his brilliant riffs, but I think of him as someone with the capacity to play 10 minute guitar solos and keep you transfixed. Nevertheless, kudos for helping to keep his legacy alive. The more Zappa videos, the better. Unless they're shit.

[@JDBodine]

This is great, Frank was an amazing and slightly unusual person. Extremely talented yet odd in a good way. He made fun of everything and everyone.

[@mbgphoto79]

The Mammy Anthem... especially from YCDTOSA Vol 1

[@williamhiles7404]

I love Zappa's guitar playing. In my book, it's always been 1. Page 2. Hendrix 3. Zappa. After that, it don't matter to me. Thanks, your good. Frank was such an innovator. Five Five Five is one of my favorite tunes on Shut Up and Play Your Guitar. LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹

[@scottdorfler2551]

The Zombie Wolf riff is pretty insane. Check it out if you haven't heard it. The Best Band you've never heard in your life has a great live version.

[@exentr]

Lord! It's 1am and I wasn't prepered for such question. I might come up with a few but I can't music teory. Also I don't remember many Zappa riffs right now. Oh, Eat That Question, indeed but I am thinking Chunga's Revenge. Orange County, Pygy Twylyte. OK - and there came Muffin Man, too.

[@knifelyfe6565]

Don't know how you could narrow it to 5 but ok.Zappa even takes the cover of "Whippin Post" and makes it his own."Watermelon in Easter Hay" and "Black Napkins" do it for me. "The Torture Never Stops" is a cheerful little ditty too!

[@craigfazekas3923]

Your 1st example has it's similarities to Money from The Floyd.... Not discrediting FZ in any way, nor would I ever. Arf ! Arf !

[@trevorbarre5616]

'Willie the Pimp'; 'Oh No' and 'Theme from Burnt Weeny Sandwich'. These choices seem very 'heavy', ripe for gurning air-guitarists? Don't tell me 'Muffin Man' is better than any of my three!!

[@jjaredzappa3928]

Willie the pimp, In France, Charlie's Enormous Mouth, zombie woof some of my favorite riffs

[@carlosmayag4239]

My friend you have a New sub. Not many guitar players tackle zappa joints. Excellent work!

[@seanandben]

Frank Zappa was a genius. Any fans of Frank should check out the post on KZbin by "classical nerd" called Great Composers: Frank Zappa.

[@noname1st139]

My favourite Riff Frank Zappa-Son of Orange county,Love the guitar Man! 👍

[@johnwiest131]

Oh man! I hadnt seen this video yet. Love zappa. Inca Roads off "One Size Fits All" is totes! Also, Pajama People. All those solos are crazy. Its like he's playing thru his neck pic up with a wah!

[@bjrgjohannessen5184]

Could not agree more! Heard One size fits all album when I was a teenager and it made an huge impact on me. Been a huge Zappa fan since.

[@JeremyBransford]

How about "Sex" & "Jazz Discharge Party Hats" off Man from Utopia? 🙏😁

[@DUBEE43]

THE MUFFIN MAN IS MY FAVORITE SONG FOR RIFFS!!! SEEN DWEEZLE ABOUT 6 TIMES!!!🎸🥁🎹🎶🎼🎵🎸 IM BLOWN AWAY EVERY TIME I SEE HIM!!!

[@slimbocker73]

Hey Ben! great video! I was at the Zappa plays Zappa concert where they filmed the DVD, it was crazy! We got there and there were signs everywhere say if you don't want to be on camera to leave. It was such an amazing show, Terry Bozzio and Steve vai, my head just about exploded. After it was over Dweezil comes out and says they need to redo several songs because mistakes, ended up being a 3 1/2 hour show. Just went and saw them again on November 26th, even though he band was stripped down a bit it was a great show.

[@cookmoore3736]

Very cool and tasty, indeed :) You gotta trinity goin on as I'm sure you know. Zappa above connected to Steve Vai there and EVH who he motioned to teach Dweezil :)

[@METALMULITIA]

Sexual harassment in the workplace & San Berdino is my favorite Zappa songs !!

[@sweavenger]

I disagree with almost all of your picks except for muffin man. But imo that's the beauty of Zappa fans, they all seem to have different opinions on every subject of Zappa' music. I find it interesting to listen to all the varying viewpoints, and there's always the chance that you might learn something new. Great video nonetheless, I always enjoy Zappa getting more attention in the music world and introducing new people to it :)

[@Bramhallthefifth]

Wow this is a great list. 4 out of 5 of these are super under appreciated (muffin man is the fifth, everyone loves that song) and even if it’s not my top 5 they would probably all be in my top 20 somewhere

[@thnktnk2000]

This muffin man solo kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3vLZ6qkoreVrLM is one of the best solos I've ever seeb/heard. It's everything I like about guitar and rock. Anyway, I have an urge to insist on a lesson of Overkills 'hello from the gutter'

[@h0tsex0r]

The white zone is for loading and unloading The five downvoters get an icepick in the forehead

[@michaelledford4751]

The down votes were all from drummers who heard the insane percussion on 5 5 5 & burned their kits.

[@michaelledford4751]

The down votes were all from drummers who heard the insane percussion on 5 5 5 & burned their kits.

[@MK4vDubbin]

It’s a shame that Frank Zappa is so quickly dismissed by so many because of his eclectic and avant garde style. It certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but that dismissive attitude has prevented a lot of people from realizing what an incredible guitarist he really was.

[@piscator57]

You might not believe this little fella....but i have been a Zappa freak for 50 years this year.....

[@richmills1]

great exlanation of five-five-five, kind of similar to the way Frank explained "Thirteen" live

[@chrisstephenson3695]

Zoot Allures brother! Black Napkins to be specific.

[@ericchin739]

Willie The Pimp is my favorite!! Hot Rats is amazing!!!!

[@slidey1000]

Kudos for sneaking "I'm the slime" in there, somewhat under the radar but present nonetheless.

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

That was fun! And of course Muffin Man is one of the greatest riffs ever - Goodnight Austin, Texas, wherever you are!

[@skatterpro]

My dad was a massive Zappa fan, but always managed to miss out on the shows he did in Sweden. He hates himself for it. Given this, I heard a lot of Frank's music growing up, but it didn't really stick for me. Took me about 10 years of playing guitar and rediscovering his discography for it to click. The dude was an absolute genius, both musically, lyrically and as a social commentator. Absolute madman.

[@zaprowsdower]

You made Frank's painful boiling hell blisters sizzle with delightful agony with your tribute. Being super cool is the best :)

[@mysterybotts]

I had a friend that is very opinionated and said that Frank Zappa is only a good guitarist to guitarists that suck. I was amazed by the sheer lack of awareness in how much of a bullshit comment that was. Funny thing is that he has phrasing that i feel almost has similarities to Zappa which only makes it more confusing.

[@saturninebear]

The riff from Muffin Man always makes me cry. It's just..... Frank.

[@onkel44lekno]

huge frank zappa fan, and also a dweezil fan. there's so many great riffs to choose from but, so where do you even start? none the less i think you chose some great ass riffs. (and on a side note: if i'm not mistaken "five-five-five" is indeed from the 70's albeit being released in ´81.)

[@davidjensen6529]

Before I clicked on the video and just saw the title, my first thought was muffin man

[@Darkaileron]

Any Zappa reference that comes to my mind is too lewd for KZbin so I'll just take the easy way out and say Shut up and play your guitar, boys! Hey Ben. I've been listening to Lamb of God's Resolution a lot lately, and most of that record is really dense. I'd love if you could cover some stuff from on there... songs like Desolation, The Number Six or King Me would be my jam.

[@arnieslab]

Great Googley Moogley! Awesome video. Thank you!

[@tommartin7728]

Zappa could shred like a mo fo. I don't really think of him as a riffer though. His music shifted around a lot for the most part and didn't tend to settle on any specific riffs.

[@boshty]

Willie the Pimp is a crunchy riff

[@dombohbot9330]

Yeah, I thought for sure Willie the Pimp would be in the top 5!

[@hadoukein]

Apostrophe' Zomby Woof Andy Yo Mama Pojama People

[@agent_of_cthulhu]

Glad you gave Muffin Man a shout out at the end. It's not a complex riff but it is heavy as hell and the guitar solos over it are one of the things that inspired me to switch from bass to 6-string guitar. Great video.

[@AtomicMug]

My friends and family asked what I wanted for Christmas this year. And for the second year in a row I told them "All I want is a Ben Eller The King Portrait t-shirt!" And they scour the internet, but none is to be found. So once again, I'll be getting a bunch of crappy $10 Home Depot gift cards. Oh well, maybe next year? Merry Christmas, Ben!

[@BenEller]

AtomicMug I like the way you think, sir

[@DanceOfTheDawn5963]

The melody in uncle meat is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard

[@TheTektronik]

Frank Zappa is way ahead of his time great job Uncle Ben.