Hi, This is my first post trying to use tabs so please forgive me if it’s a bit patchy! The following few examples are some Frank Zappa ideas, that aim to demonstrate some different melodies. With all of these pieces I'd strongly recommend that you take the time to search these tracks out, due to odd time signatures etc. They only really make sense if you can hear them!
Example 1: The Black Page
E-----------------------------5-6---------------------------------- B----------------6----------5-----6-------------------------------- G-----4-6-6-4-7-----------6---------5------------------------------ D-------------------7-7-8-------------5-7-------------------------- A------------------------------------------------------------------ E------------------------------------------------------------------
This motif runs throughout the Black Page and is first introduced about 25 seconds into the track, its actually played by sax and keyboard, but Mike Kenally plays it on guitar in the Zappas Universe Video. If you find the ascending/descending section a bit awkward try the following alternative:
E-----------------------------0-(5)-6------------------------------- B----------------6--------------------6----------------------------- G-----4-6-6-4-7-----------6------------5---------------------------- D-------------------7-7-8----------------5-7------------------------ A------------------------------------------------------------------- E-------------------------------------------------------------------
H
This way of playing it is pretty handy if your sweep picking not up to scratch! The first 9 notes themselves (up to the 8th fret on the D string) form a rhythmic pattern that’s present in a lot of Zappa's playing (Check out the beginning of example 2!) Example 2: Peaches En Regalia
E--------------------------------------------------------------- B----------------------5-------------5-------------------------- G----4----4-4-4--6--7----6-----7---7---7p5p4--5-4--------------- D--------------------------7-------------------------7-5-------- A---------------------------------------------------------5-7--- E---------------------------------------------------------------
I’ve seen this played and tabbed in 2 different ways, the version above is the most common but if you play along to the track its slightly out, have a go with the following for the recorded version: This is the main theme of the tune which comes in just after the tremolo picked intro.
E--------------------------------------------------------------- B--------------------------------------------------------------- G-----------------7-9--------7-7-9-7---------------------------- D---9--9-9-9-11--------11-7----------10-9-10-9-7---------------- A-------------------------------------------------10------7----- E-----------------------------------------------------10-------- /// ///
/// = Tremolo pick This theme is repeated again to form part of the outro, but is played an octave higher starting on the 12th fret B string
E-----------------------12-------------12---------------------------- B--12---12-12-12-14-15-----14----15-15----15-13-12-13-12------------- G-----------------------------14-------------------------14-12------- D--------------------------------------------------------------12-14- A-------------------------------------------------------------------- E--------------------------------------------------------------------
Repeation of a theme at different pitches can be found in a majority of Zappa’s work Example 3: Willie the pimp
E-------------------------------------------------------------------- B-------------------------------------------------------------------- G-----------------5-------------------------------------------------- D--------------------7-5--------------------------------------------- A----0---0-5-7-5---------7-(5)--3--0--------------------------------- E-------------------------------------------------------------------- S
This is doubled with violin at the beginning of the song, also the opening vocal line mirrors it. Overall it’s a simple riff that drives the song. There are several great examples of Frank Zappa playing vocal lines on guitar, check out The Jazz discharge party hats for a talking guitar part (You can see this influence on Steve Vai in tracks like Yankee rose and The audience is listening) Example 4: Chunga’s Revenge The only version I have of this track is with Dweezil Zappa on Zappa’s universe, its one of my favourites and shows a more sensitive side.
E--12---10--12-13-12-10------12-13-12-8------------------------------ B-------------------------------------------------------------------- G------------------------------------------12--12--12--12--12-------- D------------------------------------------12--12--12--12--12-------- A------------------------------------------10--10--10--10--10-------- E--------------------------------------------------------------------
Continued> E-------------------------------------------------------------------- B-------------------------------------------------------------------- G---XXXX---10^^^^^^^-----12--12--12--12--12-------------------------- D------------------------12--12--12--12--12----PICK SCRAPES---------- A------------------------10--10--10--10--10-------------------------- E--------------------------------------------------------------------
Continued> E--12---10--12-13-12-10------12-13-12-8------------------------------ B-------------------------------------------------------------------- G-----------------------------------------------7--7--10--12--------- D-----------------------------------------------7--7--10--12--------- A-----------------------------------------------5--5---8--10--------- E--------------------------------------------------------------------
Play these last power chords with some force. Well that’s it I hope that this has been of some interest any comments/ corrections would be appreciated! Most of us when playing fly around the fret board in attempts to try and break the guitar land speed record, and although Zappa definitely had bags of technique (and Steve Vai!) he generally milked every note for what it was worth.
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