Learn “Tush” by ZZ Top on Guitar

If you love gritty, groovy blues-rock, “Tush” by ZZ Top is a must-learn classic. In this lesson, we learn to play one of the most famous Texas shuffle riffs ever recorded—while exploring rhythm, feel, and technique in true Billy Gibbons style.

What We Cover

We start by breaking down the main G shuffle riff, the heartbeat of the song. You’ll learn to play it using a thumb-over grip for the low-end bass note and discover how to make it feel relaxed and powerful at the same time. Justin explains how to find the sweet spot on your thumb (near the knuckle) and how to balance muting, attack, and palm-control for that authentic ZZ Top groove.

Once you’ve got the G riff down, we move into the C and D sections that make this tune a great mini-workshop on 12-bar blues structure. We compare how Billy Gibbons performs these parts live versus in the studio, uncovering the subtle differences that give each version its unique vibe.
You’ll learn:

The live “climb-up” run on the C chord using the thumb
The studio open-string voicing adds that bright ZZ Top ring
How to play the D-section shuffle with the correct picking pattern (two hits per beat for a driving feel)
The E♭9 → D9 turnaround used in the final phrase

Style and Feel

More than just a riff exercise, Tush teaches how to internalize shuffle time—the swung triplet rhythm that separates blues rock from straight rock. We learn to “feel the pocket” by playing along with the record and adjusting hand motion to sync with the drummer’s swing.

This lesson also highlights Billy Gibbons’ signature phrasing and tone choices, from muted bass pulses to his smooth slide-guitar licks, which he famously plays with the slide on his middle finger to keep other fingers free for rhythm.

Why This Lesson Matters

Practicing “Tush” builds skills that apply far beyond this song:

Control and comfort with thumb-over technique
Strong 12-bar blues foundation
Tighter timing and groove for band playing
Creative riff embellishment and chord substitutions
Real-world application of live vs. studio arrangement awareness

Whether you’re jamming with friends, playing in a trio, or refining your classic-rock chops, this song helps you sound tighter, more confident, and way more musical.

🎵 Get the official tabs and jam tracks for this lesson here!