Legs by ZZ Top – Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Legs is one of ZZ Top’s most iconic tracks, blending their signature Texas blues grit with 1980s synth-pop flair. Released on their massively successful 1983 album Eliminator, the song became a global hit thanks to its infectious groove, catchy hooks, and stylish music video. At its core, however, Legs is still a ZZ Top song—driven by raw guitar tone, tight riffs, and Billy Gibbons’ unmistakable style. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every element of the track, showing you how to master the rhythm and lead parts with precision, style, and authenticity.

This lesson focuses on four essential techniques featured throughout the song: hammer-ons, double stops, string bending, and power chords. Each of these is a key element of Gibbons’ guitar vocabulary and is taught in the context of how it’s used in Legs. Whether you’re working on rhythm chops or looking to tighten up your lead phrasing, this track offers a powerful opportunity to refine your technique while learning one of the most recognizable rock songs of the 1980s. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques Used

Hammer-Ons

Hammer-ons are used throughout Legs to add fluidity and movement to melodic phrases. Whether it’s in a fill or part of the main riff, the technique helps Gibbons transition between notes without excessive picking, keeping the phrasing smooth and connected.

Benefit to the player: Hammer-ons are essential for building legato phrasing and improving finger strength. They help add speed and fluidity to your playing while minimizing pick attack, making your lines sound cleaner and more expressive.

Double Stops

Double stops are sprinkled into the track to add emphasis and harmonic texture. Gibbons uses them in both rhythm and lead parts to make his lines sound fuller, often incorporating subtle bends for added attitude.

Benefit to the player: Learning to use double stops enhances fretboard awareness and allows you to add thickness to your playing. They’re perfect for blues and rock, offering a simple way to make leads and riffs stand out with more impact.

String Bending

String bending is one of Gibbons’ signature techniques, and in Legs it’s used to inject character into lead phrases. His bends are clean and controlled, often paired with vibrato to add sustain and emotion.

Benefit to the player: Mastering string bending develops pitch accuracy and expressive control. It’s crucial for adding vocal-like phrasing to your solos and making individual notes sing with more emotion and depth.

Power Chords

The core of the song’s riffing is built around thick, overdriven power chords. These two-note shapes drive the rhythm section and give the track its hard-rock punch, blending seamlessly with the synth bass underneath.

Benefit to the player: Power chords are foundational to rock guitar playing. They help develop rhythm precision, muting control, and left-hand strength, making them vital for creating tight, punchy riffs that hit hard and lock in with the groove.

About the Song and Guitar Style

Legs rides a steady, synth-driven groove that’s propelled by gritty rhythm guitar and snappy lead licks. The main riff is rooted in blues-rock but filtered through ZZ Top’s sleek, modern production style. The guitars are tight, punchy, and full of character—never overplayed, but always effective. Billy Gibbons crafts parts that are both simple and satisfying, layering rhythm and lead elements that lock in tightly with the electronic beat.

This lesson walks you through each section of the song, from the pulsing intro riff to the slick lead lines and dynamic chord progressions. With an emphasis on tone, articulation, and timing, our breakdown ensures you’ll be able to play the song with both accuracy and feel.

About the Guitar Player – Billy Gibbons

Billy Gibbons is one of the most influential and stylistically distinct guitarists in rock and blues. Known for his killer tone, minimalist phrasing, and deep groove, Gibbons has inspired generations of players with his ability to make simple parts sound massive and meaningful. His gear choices, touch, and tonal sensibilities are legendary—and in Legs, he demonstrates how to bring blues flavor into a more modern, synth-friendly soundscape without compromising on character.

Gibbons’ playing in Legs is a study in groove and economy. He lets the rhythm section breathe, adding punctuation and expression with bends, hammer-ons, and perfectly placed double stops. Studying this track gives you a front-row seat to how restraint and tone can create lasting impact.

Summary

Our Legs guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com provides the ultimate breakdown of this classic ZZ Top hit. From tight rhythm playing to slick, blues-infused lead work, this track is packed with valuable techniques that will benefit guitarists of all levels. Whether you're looking to lock into a groove, improve your phrasing, or dial in that iconic Billy Gibbons tone, this lesson covers it all.

You’ll learn how to execute hammer-ons, double stops, string bending, and power chords in the context of a professional, polished performance—gaining the skills needed to play Legs with confidence and style. It’s a powerful addition to any guitarist’s repertoire and a chance to study one of rock’s most distinct tones in action.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Hammer-Ons
• Double Stops
• String Bending
• Power Chords

Learn Legs the way Billy Gibbons played it—with groove, tone, and swagger—only at LickLibrary.com.