Boogie With Stu by Led Zeppelin – Guitar Lesson Breakdown

“Boogie With Stu” is one of Led Zeppelin’s more playful and rootsy recordings, taken from the legendary Physical Graffiti album. Unlike the band’s towering hard rock anthems, this track dives headfirst into the world of rock ’n’ roll, boogie-woogie, and early rhythm and blues. With its rolling piano groove, foot-stomping rhythm, and gritty guitar work, “Boogie With Stu” offers a treasure trove of guitar techniques that are perfect for players looking to expand their rhythm and chord-based playing.

At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson on “Boogie With Stu” guides you through the signature guitar parts with precision and clarity. The lesson focuses on two core techniques featured prominently in the track: power chords and chord progressions. These elements are essential to capturing the driving feel and bluesy swagger of the song. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques Used

Power Chords

Power chords are the backbone of “Boogie With Stu.” These simple yet powerful shapes give the song its driving energy and percussive punch. Page uses them to punctuate the rhythm section, locking in with the drums and piano to deliver a tight, cohesive sound.

Benefit to the player: Power chords are essential for any guitarist looking to master rock rhythm playing. They teach you how to control muting, dynamics, and clarity in your strumming. By working through these in the context of a groove-heavy song, you’ll develop tight timing and solid fretboard control.

Chord Progressions

The song follows a classic blues-inspired chord progression, which forms the structure for both the rhythm guitar and the solo sections. The movement between chords is both familiar and nuanced, offering a chance to learn how traditional progressions can be transformed with feel, phrasing, and groove.

Benefit to the player: Understanding and mastering chord progressions allows you to recognize musical patterns and anticipate changes—crucial for playing with others or improvising. Working through this lesson will sharpen your rhythm playing, chord changes, and ear training, especially in blues and rock contexts.

About the Song and Guitar Style

“Boogie With Stu” is a jam-style track built around a classic boogie-woogie piano riff, featuring guest pianist Ian Stewart—an original member of The Rolling Stones. The song grooves with a loose, fun energy, and the guitar sits perfectly in the pocket with crunchy chords, syncopated rhythms, and punchy accents. Jimmy Page’s playing is raw and instinctive here, offering a masterclass in rhythm guitar playing that serves the groove while still injecting character and grit.

The guitar tone in the track is slightly overdriven and dirty, maintaining a vintage vibe that complements the old-school rock ’n’ roll feel of the song. Page's approach is all about feel, timing, and interplay with the rest of the band—perfect for developing your sense of rhythm and musicality.

About the Guitar Player – Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page, the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin’s genre-defying sound, is just as adept at crafting loose, blues-infused grooves as he is delivering towering riffs and solos. In “Boogie With Stu,” Page lets go of the theatrics and delivers a raw, rootsy performance that draws from early rock, blues, and country.

Page’s influence on rhythm guitar is often underrated, but tracks like this highlight his ability to hold down a groove while still injecting style and subtlety. Learning this song gives guitarists a deeper appreciation of his rhythmic instincts and his role as a musical glue within the band.

Summary

Our note-for-note lesson on “Boogie With Stu” at LickLibrary.com is a must for guitarists wanting to master groove-based rock and rhythm guitar. The track is less about flash and more about feel—making it perfect for developing your rhythm chops, timing, and understanding of chord-based playing.

You’ll gain practical experience working with power chords and classic chord progressions, all while learning a song that exudes vintage rock ’n’ roll energy. It’s a great study in how simplicity, when played with attitude and tight rhythm, can be just as powerful as a blazing solo.

Jimmy Page’s performance on this track is a lesson in taste and timing. By breaking down every chord and transition, this lesson gives you the skills to not only play the song, but to internalize its rhythmic DNA—and apply that knowledge to countless other tracks in your repertoire.

Whether you’re looking to solidify your rhythm technique, understand the mechanics of boogie-style guitar playing, or simply enjoy one of Led Zeppelin’s most fun and groove-heavy tracks, this lesson delivers everything you need.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Chord Progressions

Start grooving with “Boogie With Stu” today at LickLibrary.com and discover how Jimmy Page turns simple chord shapes into unforgettable rock ’n’ roll magic.