To play “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” by The Hollies on guitar, follow these general steps. The song has a distinctive riff and is relatively easy to play once you get the hang of it. Here’s a breakdown to help you:
1. Tune Your Guitar
The song is played in standard tuning (EADGBE).
2. Main Riff (Intro/Verse)
The iconic riff is played in the intro and is used throughout the song. Here’s how you play it:
– Start by playing the 6th string (E) on the 3rd fret (this is G).
– Then play the 5th string (A) on the 5th fret (this is D).
– Follow it with the 4th string (D) on the 7th fret (A note).
– Slide up to the 4th string (D) on the 9th fret (B note).
– Play the 3rd string (G) on the 7th fret (D note).
– You can also add a quick pull-off from the 7th fret to the 5th fret on the 4th string (D) for added flavor.
This riff is simple but requires precision and timing to get it to sound right.
3. Chords for the Verse and Chorus
The song alternates between a few basic chords in the verse and chorus sections. Here are the main chords used:
– E major
– G major
– A major
– B7
– Cm (minor)
Verse Example Chord Progression:
– E – G – A – E
Chorus Example Chord Progression:
– B7 – A – E – G – A – E
4. Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern for this song is fairly simple and follows a common rock rhythm. You can use a down-down-up-up-down-up pattern to match the groove of the song. However, in the intro and riff sections, you’ll want to focus more on playing the individual notes in the riff rather than full chords.
5. Play Along with the Song
Once you have the intro riff and the basic chords down, try playing along with the original track to get a sense of timing and rhythm. The riff is repeated throughout the song, and the changes in the verse and chorus follow a predictable pattern.
Additional Tips:
– Keep your picking hand relaxed, especially when playing the riff, as it helps with faster and cleaner picking.
– Try to play the riff in a staccato manner, making each note distinct.
– As the song progresses, you can also experiment with adding more dynamics to your playing (i.e., playing softer or louder).
By breaking down the song into manageable sections—riff, verse chords, and chorus chords—you can quickly pick up the song and play it confidently. Have fun playing!
