La Grange - ZZ Top (Patreon)
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Today we are going to learn how to play "La Grange" by ZZ Top on the Ukulele. This song has a very unique arrangement as it doesn't follow the verse chorus verse chorus format at all. It has an intro that bleeds into the verse and once in the verse the riff changes, the verse seems to be two 9 bar progressions, a completely unique number then it smashes into a key change for a solo with no chorus only to go back to the original verse for another key, add a random 4 bar turnaround and then back to the original key again for another solo, this time in A and not C. All of this makes for an incredible unique musical experience that is a ton of fun to play. As always we will break it down piece by piece to get you rocking this classic tune in no time!
We will also break down the first phrase in the solo. The solo is a C blues solo and we are rocking out in the C minor pentatonic scale. It opens with a long full step bend that rings for a full measure and then shreds into triplets. The triplets run up and down and ultimately finish on the open C string at the bottom. You should practice that with the timing of the song so you can throw it in your own playing and you can start to get the groove really improve your timing.
Will improve
Power Chords
Syncopation
Riffs as rhythm
Turnarounds
1/4 note triplets
8th note triplets
Soloing in C Minor Pentatonic
Switching Keys