ZZ Top - La Grange

How to play ZZ Top - La Grange by Michael Baker on guitar

This is a fun beginner tune to learn because it sits in a steady groove and gives you a simple, bluesy feel right away. You can focus on clean changes and a relaxed rhythm, which makes it satisfying to play even at a moderate pace.

Most of the song uses open shapes like A, Am, G, F, and D, so the left hand stays friendly at first. The main thing to watch is the move between A and Am, then into A#, since that shift can feel less natural and needs a little extra time to land cleanly.

Start by looping the opening progression slowly: A - Am - A# - Am. Once that feels smooth, add the other open shapes one at a time, then work the barre shapes only after the open changes are solid. When the switches feel automatic, bring it up to tempo and keep the motion loose.

Use the play-along above to follow each chord change in time with the music, or learn the shapes first with the chord diagrams below.