How to Play "Thriller" on Guitar (Rhythm Part)
How to Play "Thriller" on Guitar (Lead Part)
Sing & Play!
Verse 1
It's close to midnight...something evil's...
F#7 C#m7
Under the moonlight...see a sight...
F#7 C#m7
You try to scream...you make it
F#7 C#m7
You start to freeze...between the eyes,
F#7 C#m7
You're paralyzed.
G#m7
Chorus 1
Cause this is Thriller! Thriller night
C#m E E F# C#m
And no one's gonna...beast about to strike
F# F#m
You know it's Thriller! Thriller night
C#m E E F# C#m
You're fighting...killer, Thriller tonight.
F# A7 F#7 A/B C#m7
Verse 2
You hear the door...realize that...
F#7 C#m7
You feel the cold...wonder if...
F#7 C#m7
You close your eyes...imagination
F#7 C#m7
But all the while...up behind
F#7 C#m7
You're out of time
G#m7
Chorus 2
Cause this is Thriller! Thriller night
C#m E E F# C#m
There ain't no second...thing with forty eyes
F# F#m
You know it's Thriller! Thriller night
C#m E E F# C#m
You're fighting...killer, Thriller tonight.
F# A7 F#7 A/B C#m7
Bridge
Night creatures call...
F#7
Dead start...masquerade
F#7 Amaj9
There's no escapin'
C#m7
The jaws of the alien this time
E A#m7b5
They're open wide
Amaj7
This is the end of your life.
G#7sus4 G#7
Verse 3
They're out...demon's closing...
F#7 C#m7
They will possess...unless you change...
F#7 C#m7
Now is the time...together
F#7 C#m7
All through the night...the screen
F#7 C#m7
I'll make you see
G#m7
Chorus 3
Cause this is Thriller! Thriller night
C#m E E F# C#m
Cause I can thrill...ghost would ever dare to try
F# F#m
You know it's Thriller! Thriller night
C#m E E F# C#m
You're fighting...killer, diller, chiller, Thriller tonight.http://www.elyricsworld.com/thriller_lyrics_michael_jackson.html
F# A7 F#7 A/B C#m7
References
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Thomas Gilbert
Meet Thomas, one of Mahalo's guitar experts. Thomas is an alumnus of both USC and Cal State Northridge, majoring in music education and music composition. Thomas has collaborated with composers Hans Zimmer and Mateo Messina, and worked on such film scores as "The Dark Knight," "Gladiator" and "Juno." He taught an online advanced blues guitar course for over two years with a huge online response and is a member of rock band Radius.
Guitar Chords Used in the Song
"Thriller" is in the key of C#m and uses these chords: C#m, E, F#, F#7, C#m7, G#m7, F#m7, A7, A/B, Amaj9, A#m7b5, Amaj7, G#7sus4, G#7
The Form of the Song
"Thriller" is a single from Michael Jackson's 1982 album, Thriller.c
The introduction to Thriller uses the same chords as the first line of the chorus. These are C#m, E, and F#. Play the chords in this progression, C#m, E, E, F#, C#m. The rhythm here should mimic the rhythm of the chorus as the words, "Thriller! Thriller night!" are sung.
After you play this, you can play the lead guitar riff (and bass line) which leads in to the first verse. This riff follows the following progression.
- A string, second fret
- A string, fourth fret
- D string, second fret
- D string, fourth fret
- A string, fourth fret (play twice)
If you'd like to add a bit of funk, use your palm as a mute while you play the riff.
The progression of the song follows this pattern:
- Introduction/riff
- Verse 1
- Chorus 1
- Verse 2
- Chorus 2
- Bridge
- Verse 3
- Chorus 3
Tips on Playing "Thriller"
- Use your palm to mute the riff
- Use your index finger as a capo to bar the F# chord
- Play the bridge after the second chorus.
