ZZ Top , Jesus just left Chicago Open G tuning guitar lesson

Godin guitar endorser Jay Stevens from www.iwannarock.ca shows you how to play the ZZ Top song , Jesus just left Chicago in open G guitar tuning.
This guitar lesson shows you the correct way to play the guitar part on this classic Billy Gibbons riff and also adds in the signature guitar riff that's normally in standard tuning.

[@clarissamiller4547]

I admire people like Jay, who teach so confidently before a camera without interruption! In no time I can play this riff, and everyone reccognizes at once what I'm playing.

[@kennethfisher7013]

that was awesome, i was playing along with the earplug in and my wife walked by and told me that I sounded good. that doesn't happen every day.

[@marions.120]

kenneth fisher-Wow, she told me the same thing! Ha ha, keep rockin’ brother and have a great day.

[@rtelles1127]

What would it be like to have a woman that plays too?

[@francismcginley3022]

Very good lesson. I heard this song going into work today and remembered playing it many, many years ago around Boston. I totally forgot it was Open G tuning, and really rocked it with your video tonight, as you brought it all home with the tuning and nice breakdown. Thanks for your time and knowledge. I will be cutting loose with this again now (through headphones so the family can sleep, or very loud when I have the house to myself). It is a badass tune and you do it justice. Rock on brother.

[@stanislouse4168]

What a great TEACHER you are! God given man.

[@jethrojames7479]

Hey Mr. I Wanna Rock School of Music Thanks for the fantastic break down......... Peace

[@image30p]

I love the way you play this! Thanks for the amazing lesson!

[@ritterdude]

Thanks for pointing out the open G tuning on that song-I'm a big Gibbons fan and should have known better. I saw ZZ Top last month with Jeff beck and then a week later I saw Billy was with the Kings of Chaos. He played this tune at both shows. As it happened, I was just learning "Can't You Hear Me Knockin", also in open G and one of my Strats was thusly tuned so I picked it up while having my morning coffee. My wife was like, "hey, that's cool!" I do the turn around lick starting on the 12th fret. Maybe not entirely correct, but it's passable and a heck of lot easier. Really a simple tune, but there's so much feel behind it. Thanks again!

[@iwannarockschool]

Dan Ritthaler there's a few songs like this one that most people don't realize is in open G. I played this one for years in standard tuning and it sounded good. When I discovered it was in open G it just sounded right...like I was always missing something but never realized it.

[@rayblack6183]

I was playing it wrong , thanks Jay great lesson and yes that is a stretch ! Now off to the Kieth Richards lessons.

[@jbo3781]

Thx. It's fun watching and practicing after your videos.

[@Kotik_Kompotik.]

Just keep learning how to play open g, these lessons are great

[@patrickweston2826]

Great lesson, thanks, Jay! Just found this and have been struggling with the standard tuning. To my wife: sorry, Dear, I'll be busy with this for the rest of my weekend!

[@evenstargalaxy9586]

You have the coolest Godins. I have an LG and love it.

[@tonyhudd9364]

Great stuff, Jay. Hope you are well.

[@randallsmith7885]

Coolest song ever. THank you for this instructional!

[@Coopdog1911]

Great lesson!

[@WhiteNacho]

This was the first ZZ Top song I ever heard then it segwayed to "Wait in for the Bus" I was hooked!

[@walterkersting1362]

Why have I never tried this before? The easiest songs are often the best! Thanks for the video.

[@rickwieland7920]

Great lesson, thanks for sharing

[@KennethHall-tp4hw]

Great lesson, sounds so cool in open G. Thanks : )

[@danreid6712]

Sugar Jay....YOU ROCK, Buddy !

[@timtravasos2742]

Superb lesson, sir. I've always loved that song and never knew how they did it. Why isn't this ever mentioned in guitar lesson books?

[@newpathway]

Great stuff Jay...

[@aileenallerton5785]

It is obvious that you are right about the studio version being in open G with 2 guitars. Billy loved overdubs in the studio. Good lesson.

[@raystack6250]

Great teacher

[@derekgartshore8845]

Great lesson bud...luv open G..

[@colico14]

Great lesson! Thanks.

[@Glissmann]

great lesson - thank you man !

[@john5fan1]

Excellent!! Thanks!

[@gavinsmith9016]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks. Very clear.

[@iwannarockschool]

Gavin Smith Thanks!

[@avalanche9026]

Great job man

[@paolo4002]

i tried that gargantuan stretch....I've sprained my pinkie !!! Thanks Jay. Thanks a bunch.........

[@iwannarockschool]

Paolo B I've broken that pinkie twice! I don't know if that helps me or hurts me with the stretch!

[@ZPX945]

Great lesson! Can you please do Hot, Blue and Rightous? ZZ Top

[@mikemendillo5584]

I dig your axe,,, Nice,,, :) Open G is awesome! Lots of great, great stuff to play,, TY Brother,,, :)

[@persempreblues]

Formidabile. Ottimo video. Grazie!

[@Prairiedog-iy7zz]

Thanks for the tasty lesson, Jay. You can't get enough of those ZZ Top riffs. I see you've got a Blackstar in the background, which might help explain the great tone on your instrument. I have a little HT-5R which is my go-to amp for home use (the direct out headphone jack keeps the neighbors happy).

[@iwannarockschool]

HT5 is a great amp. I owned one for awhile, then moved up to the HT20. Now I'm using the ID series in this video. Can you believe it's not tube?!!

[@tbobmann229]

Excellent!

[@CFCLAXTON]

Thanks Brother. Freaking amazing.

[@monkeytennis9087]

I learned about open G from trying to figure out an RL Burnside tune. He apparently called it 'Spanish' tuning, by the way. Works great for the blues, which is probably where Billy, Keef etc. picked it up.

[@lynnmarvin3171]

You are right the old blues guys often called open G tuning "Spanish" because it was the tuning for a popular song of the time called Spanish Fandango. They often called open D "Vastapol "because it was the tuning of a popular song called Stevastapol

[@ericmcclellan5391]

Well explained! 😊 thanks, Teach.

[@kathrynkastner6064]

Thanks!! Great Job!!

[@Jimpix57]

Nice. Wish I had seen this 8 years ago.

[@garytaylor2382]

Sounds good J, open G, thats the puzzle.

[@1450rockin]

Excellent

[@jurgenblick5491]

Love this guy

[@BobbyB102]

Great Job Thanks

[@roberthead3930]

Thank you!

[@Teach2TeachMusic]

Great tutorial video

[@frankiedearest]

it worked for me .thanks.

[@randyherbrechtsmeier4796]

I've seen him 3 times. Live he Plays it in Stanard Tuning. Your Right about the LP

[@persempreblues]

Bravo! Grazie 👍

[@newpathway]

HI Jay...Love the videos. Any chance of doing ZZ Top Live - I Need You Tonight. cheers Andy (uk)

[@tonyditeodoro1608]

Jay Stevens rox my world

[@acousticgreg1]

Great lesson! Great guitar! What value of pot did you use for the p -90 and what pot for the HB?

[@soldanovht]

nice, sounds great.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I do it a bit differently, I use Open E Tuning & put a capo on the 3rd Fret

[@megagatvol]

Great!!

[@jeffreyswanson3798]

Thank you Jay I've been telling people for years Billy gibbons uses open g tuning they thought I was full of s***thank you for setting them straight

[@evenstargalaxy9586]

Nice guitar. Love my LG. What is the model?

[@georgiareb55]

could you please do a lesson on sharp dressed man in open G

[@GTRxMan]

I've found that when playing open G songs, it's useful to only tune the A-string down to G. Most rhythm parts don't utilize the high E-string and leaving it in standard tuning allows for lead playing using familiar patterns. As with this song, one can generally get away with not playing the low E-string. It's also very convenient since only the A-string has to be tuned.

[@brianmincher716]

Are you tuning your skinny E string down to D, or are you also leaving it on E?

[@brianmincher716]

I’m assuming you are saying leave the guitar alone except for the A string and then just only play the inside 4 strings. Is that what you are doing?

[@mattnewby123]

Thats how Billy did it live. there was no second guitar. drop a down and let her rip. gibbons is the master of play a little but sounding like a lot.

[@brianmincher716]

@@mattnewby123 badass, thx so much for the insight.

[@mattnewby123]

@@brianmincher716 he used the bottom string, not so much the top. your pinky frets it at 3 for the walkdown part...

[@brianosbment2343]

Very cool lesson! Love this tune. Sounds killer in open G. Looks like your using Black star amps. Explain your settings if u would.

[@jamesbutterson426]

nice guitar.

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Thanks 🤙🤙

[@aliveandwell2078]

Gotta be an easier turn around that doesn’t require that huge stretch. Great lesson!

[@Doubledave05]

Man, I love your version!!!!

[@Reddog7937]

Nice

[@CERVEZAMAMBA]

Fantástico!

[@ElectricalNoises]

Thank you sir!

[@iwannarockschool]

ElectricalNoises thanks for watching!

[@MrBiPauler]

Nice Canadian Godin!

[@keepondoubletruckin8466]

Thanks

[@thesword2380]

Wah wah wah red 🎸. Thanks

[@jayteebee2041]

same shape as an open am7 in standard cool. Love your tone, too.

[@iwannarockschool]

Jay Tee Bee Exactly! Am7 standard tuning shape. Thanks for the comment. Most of the tone in this video is the GFS Dream 90 neck pickup. It's got a good mix of chime mixed with cream.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@iwannarockschool This time we're leaving on the Low E string tuned to D2.

[@MarkBoese]

Just watched the ZZ Top Rockpalast video from 1980, and Gibbons is playing this song in standard tuning...

[@crussellprince]

Here... take ALL my likes!

[@kenandersen8887]

I'm liking the open G

[@luckyfamilyman]

Thx man

[@jurgenblick5491]

could you play free(the band) on open G?

[@philrigsby7750]

Could this part be played on the Bass...

[@pageluvva]

Finally someone who got that riff at 5:44 right! Hey Jay thanks my friend. Was Waitin for the Bus in Open G as well?

[@huskvarsm]

at the crossroads fest he plays it in standard tuning he plays a partial G chord and uses his index and next finger to play a C with the partial G.

[@thesword2380]

He shouldn't do that. Because.

[@rb343]

Jay on the barred notes you're playing, are you still strumming from the 5th string down? I know you are on the first open G part at the beginning. Thanks! Great job!

[@dawnrussell4838]

I use open G but leave the high E at E. Then you can play the Walk down with out stretching, and it's easier to solo on. You're top 4 strings are in standard tuning.

[@thesword2380]

You shouldn't do that. Because.

[@DrewTownson66]

You can play this with one guitar if you drop the A down to G and leave the high E on E. It's a partial open G. That's how I've done it for years. That way you don't have the huge stretch on the descending part. Then you can play your lead solos too.

[@rokspodcast2571]

Ya buddy, that's the way it's done live.

[@virider7466]

+Mitch Wild Drew's tuning has the rest of the guitar in standard tuning. The turnaround would then be 3rd fret on the High E, and descending on the 4th string from the 3rd fret, to 2nd, to 1st fret

[@markdavis545]

awesome amp Blackstar ID \m/

[@Macbrowndog]

try Drop G tuning.... It make it easier to use one guitar.. just mute the high e before the turnaround and solo. I also remove the E string (Keith Richard style) tuning (E) GDDBE Awesome lesson I forgot how great this song sounds particular when you hit the G

[@iwannarockschool]

I typically play this song live in standard, but it's just so right sounding playing that part in open G. I keep 2 other guitars in 5 string Keith Richards tuning.

[@jammer70s]

I never realized this before, but AC/DC "borrowed" heavily from this for "Night Prowler"....maybe not intentionally, but subliminally....cool. Also, doesn't the descending chromatic lick begin with a triplet?

[@yeayouright9]

Great to see you on line Jay. Who the Fuck is Dave says thanks for the lesson. Always wanted to play that song and now I know how. Thanks Man!

[@iwannarockschool]

Dave? Who the Fuck is Dave? Still one of the funniest road stories! Glad you liked the lesson.

[@guitarocd9984]

I do this song and open G also. But I leave the high e so the turnaround is easier.

[@Beachbumartist]

Do you happen to know who made up that last turn around your playing?? it was The Great Robert Johnson who made it up and famous is why so many people play it, hard to learn but very famous. Thank you for your time.

[@jamesball5743]

Silver BeachBum wrong dumb ass

[@tylerrjohnson68]

cool

[@r.llynch4124]

I do open G by lowering the A to G. It works most of the time unless you want to do open G slide work. Makes it simple to tune back up to std. Kinda like dropping the low E to D for drop D tuning. This way there is no need for a guitar tuned just for open G.

[@iwannarockschool]

Technically there's no need for me to own a couple dozen guitars...but don't tell my wife that ;)

[@damnSpambackwards]

I've done that. Glad you mentioned it. I forgot.

[@jimmybower9739]

I would give you a heads up..but there's 777 of them / the sign of good just like Jesus..keep on keeping on

[@stringlocker]

When I tune it to G I leave the high E string alone so I don't have that stretch.

[@rioace3953]

Once in a blue moon one comes across a guitar tone that hooked 'em at first chord.. Do you mind telling us the signal chain mate?

[@rioace3953]

And i'm guessing it's the exact chain you used on this vid? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp_LoGukmqyZpNE

[@iwannarockschool]

@@rioace3953 those are 2 different signal chains. The Keith Richards lesson is thru Line 6 Pod farm software. The ZZ top lesson is straight into a Blackstar id series amp with a touch of slow chorus

[@rioace3953]

wow, thank you @@iwannarockschool strange cuz i hate Line 6, No pedal at all??

[@iwannarockschool]

@@rioace3953 I don't like Line 6 amps, but their software and effects are good. I'm not using pedals in any videos.

[@rioace3953]

@@iwannarockschool Thank you, Thank you :)

[@Mark70609]

I've always played this song in standard tuning and it looks easier to play in standard tuning.

[@garyjohnson1970]

....."Ride on" AC/DC?

[@cv4wheeler]

The big stretch on the turnaround is a problem that is easily solved. Tune to open E and capo up to open G, the Keith Richards fork moves over one string and the stretch disappears!! Take off the capo and learn Stray Cat Blues or Gimme Shelter.

[@derekemrie2987]

FYI, and I think it's only your camera set-up but your guitar neck looks bowed...sure if it was as badly bowed as it appears you could not make it sound as well. Just a observation I noticed, happy rocking!

[@aneily]

Sounds like the same guitar tone as “say hello to heaven” by temple of the dog

[@mikedizzle298]

Very cool disection of the recording and I'm gonna take your word for it, sounds legit. When Billy plays it live hes usually in standard as they usually go into it from waitin on the bus. also seen a just got paid>JLC BUT I have seen him play it with the A tuned down to G also. Nice breakdown though friend.