PREMIER CLINIC
BLUES
Dave Hamburger’s Slide Shop
ZZ Hooker Solo
Ok, this tune is just a vamp all in G, so we’re
going to use the G blues scale to play over it:
we’ve got the open fifth string, third fret on
the fifth string, open fourth string, third fret on
the fourth string, open third string, third fret
on the third string, fifth fret on the third string,
sixth and seventh fret on the third string. In
addition, there will be a lot of that slide from
the third to the fifth on the fourth string. Those
are both the root: fifth fret on the fourth string
and the open third string. Also, there’s the
other fourth in the scale. I’ve got the root, flat
third, fourth, all on the fifth string. Then five,
flat seven, root on the fourth string. Then root,
flat three, four, flat five, five, all on the third
string. Those are the notes we’re going to use.
The opening lick: open fourth string, third fret;
third fret sliding toward the fourth fret, and
then finish getting there with the open third
string. Then there’s another slide from the
third fret to the fifth fret on the fourth string.
Next phrase: third fret on the third string, sliding a little bit towards the fourth fret, and the
third fret on the third string pulled-off to open,
third fret on the fourth string pulled-off to
open, and then slide third to fifth fret on the
fourth string. It’s the same walk up for the third
phrase: open, third fret on the fourth string,
open third string. Slide to the fifth fret, third
fret open, all on the third string, and then the
phrase again.
And then the last phrase: up to the seventh
fret of the third string, then a quick slide six
to five on the third string, then third fret—and
actually that phrase, that whole section, the
second half of the solo starts down the fifth
string. For that lick, you’ve got the open fifth
string, third fret on the fifth string sliding up a
little bit. Then hit that fourth string open, third
string open, and then slide third to fifth fret on
the fourth string (only you don’t really get to
the fourth fret when you’re using a slide). And
that’s all the pieces of the solo.
