Song Tabs

 Overview
Roy Orbison’s “Mean Woman Blues” is a classic rock and roll song driven by a swinging, bluesy rhythm. The original’s energy comes from its shuffle feel and lively tempo, making it a fun piece for guitarists who enjoy classic 50s rock and blues.

Chords & Progression
The song uses only a few basic chords: A, A7, D, D7, and E7. These are all open chords, perfect for beginners. Practice switching between A/A7 and D/D7 to get comfortable with the subtle differences.

Strumming Pattern
Use a quick, steady down-up shuffle strumming pattern (D-DU-D-DU) to mimic the original’s groove. Emphasize the backbeat by accenting the second and fourth beats in each bar. A light palm mute can help capture the percussive, chugging feel.

Chord Transitions & Tips
The song often moves quickly between chords, especially in the last line of each verse. Practice moving from E7 to D to A smoothly—lift your fingers just enough to switch, keeping your hand relaxed. For A7 and D7, just lift one finger from the A and D shapes.

Techniques
Add dynamics by playing softer during verses and louder in the outro. If you’re confident, try some light bluesy embellishments, like hammer-ons on the A string when playing the A chord.

Summary
Focus on keeping the rhythm steady and the transitions clean. This song is great practice for blues and early rock strumming, and playing along with the recording will help lock in the feel.