Working Man
Rush
- Starts on
- Low E string, open
- This excerpt
- Main riff
- Strings used
- Low E
- Written in
- E (open strings)
The tab
Tab is short for tablature: a picture of the strings. Numbers are frets. 0 means play the string open.
Computer notes — not the original recording.
The grind
Low E
thickest string
Again, land on 0
Low E
thickest string
Rhythm in words
Da-da-da da da da da da. Chug on the open string, hop to 3 and 5.
How to play this
- 1All on Low E. Most notes are open — that is the engine.
- 2The 3s and 5s are the sparks. Keep the open notes even.
- 3Phrase 2 ends 5, 3, 0 instead of 5, 0, 3.
Practice slowly
Rest your picking hand near the bridge and pick down-up-down-up. That is the working-man chug. Start with Hear the notes at full speed or slower, then copy on the guitar. If a note buzzes, press a little closer to the fret wire — not in the middle of the space.
This arrangement is a simplified educational excerpt for learning. Playback is a computer playing the tab notes, not the original recording. It is not a full transcription and is not affiliated with Rush.