Jesus Just Left Chicago - ZZ Top | Guitar Lesson

More ways to support the channel:
Super Thanks (see below the video screen)

Learn how to play Jesus Just Left Chicago, as performed by ZZ Top released as part of their Tres Hombres album. The song immediately follows Waitin' For the Bus on the album, you always hear them together on radio, and ZZ Top always seems to play these 2 songs back to back as well. Listening to the original recording, there are clues that point to him tuning the 5th string down from A to G, but leaving the rest of the strings the same as standard tuning. So not exactly 'open G", not exactly 'standard'. There are multiple tracks of guitars on the recording, but I think what most people are looking for insight on is the "lead" guitar which is what I believe has the tuning change. Of course live Billy plays all this in Standard tuning and it still sounds great in standard tuning too.

The lesson covers the tuning, rhythm and lead guitar parts, including both solos (1st solo and the solo during the outro/fade out). I cover how to play the song in both tuning options.

00:00 Introduction/What to expect
01:15 Getting your tone
02:39 The tuning
04:53 Lesson - Rhythm guitar chord shapes
06:50 Lesson - The turnaround riff
08:01 Lesson - Guitar Solo #1
13:27 Lesson - Guitar Solo #2
16:10 Lesson - Standard Tuning
20:57 Final Thoughts

Gear used in this video (if you purchase via these links I will earn a small commission):

Also...

WIN FREE GEAR:

DEALS ON MUSIC GEAR:

USED GEAR:

[michaeld.mahoney]

Excellent tone; you can't beat the telecaster sound for this tune. Thanks so much for the lesson; well done.

[TheTriplelman]

Long Story, Played with Billy and Dusty in a Club in Houston. I was BIG in Radio and opened for Jay Leno, when he came to Houston, and knock on the Door, Billy and Dusty wanted to meet Jay, first time I met months latter I was in a Club because a great blues band came in from Chicago (ha jesus done left Chicago), and someone recognized me and wanted me to sing, so I did and they liked it and I DID NOT WANT to but did another Otis Redding-Dock of the Bay, when in the middle of the song, Billy and Dusty walked in and watched me (crazy) (they live in Sugar Land Tx. - down the road) So billy comes up to me after I left stage and said, "hey Larry, nice vocals" - I said, "you remember me? man you must meet 1000 people a week". He said he knew me, really because the of morning show. - anyway we had a few drinks then the Chicago Band asked ZZ to come play, and Billy said, Come on Larry lets jam. GREAT memory, very nice guys and AWESOME ROCK!

[murraypettinger]

Dropping the A string to G is fantastic. Very simple, and it instantly sounds right. Thanks so much. You've got 'big ears"

[roylovitt]

Thanks Man! I feel like I grew 3 sizes in my guitar playing after spending some time playing along with you.

[fredbeaudon]

Tuning down the A string in G is THE big spot Thx from France. It's awesome ;)

[jeffreycereghino]

Really great explanation. So appreciate it.

[rolfhauf]

Super good lesson Guitar Dude, Thank YOU ! Best tuning ever

[awrogers]

Tres Hombres. The greatest guitar tone in the history of rock and roll.

[gilbonsai]

Ah, you cracked the code! Finally a YouTuber that got the tuning right (A to G). Tons of lessons on YouTube for this tune but not one of them teaches it the way it should be done. Took me a long time to figure it out myself. Nicely done and thanks!!!

[derekgenre]

Nailed it !!!! You are the first person I have ever heard that flat nailed the sound !!!!

[offtherip]

Thank you for this. It was so hard in standard tuning. I appreciate your time.

[patriottothecore]

Like all things Billy, he makes it sound simple. He’s always economical - the tune gets no more than it needs but there’s actually always a lot more going on. Genius. Nice lesson thanks. I like the way you just show us what to do without too many baby steps.

[williamsporing]

Billy is a master at economy of movement. One of my favorite players

[robertshirley]

How COOL is this???? Early ZZ!! Can't wait to check out...early material is excellent. 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎼🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[shakeyblues]

Top shelf 12 Ft, saw ZZ Top in the 80's. Colin James opened up for them at Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto When Colin was on as the opening act, they pranked him and tossed a lot of rubber fish on stage. Great stuff ♪♫♪♫♪ On another note they had the moving side walks on stage. Moving across the stage with them on them. That was Billy Gibbons earlier band

[JeffCrowell]

Thanks! One of my all time favorites from them. Once the A string gets dropped, the magic happens. Excellent lesson.

[steveleeper]

Awesome! Two others that would be great to show are “Brown Sugar” from their first album and also “My Head’s in Mississippi”. I’d love some help with those. You have a great teaching style!!

[Chrisguitar]

Thank you for this video. I had most of it down, but couldn’t figure out that crazy. chord that he announces the solo with. Awesome blues tune.

[dorsetpete]

Great lesson on a classic song. Thanks 🙏

[slaheyful]

THIS IS SUPER AWESOME. I just caught ZZ TOP in Calgary early this month, 3rd time. I just love them.