SMOKE ON THE WATER – Guitar Lesson

From the 1972 album Machine Head, Deep Purple's classic story and classic guitar riff are featured in this, your Smoke on the Water guitar lesson.

  Gm
  We all came down to Montreux
  F Gm
on the Lake Ge neva  shoreline
  Gm
  To make records with the mobile
  F Gm
We didn't  have much  time
  Gm
  Frank Zappa and the mothers
  F Gm
had the best  place a round
  Gm
  But some stupid with a flare-gun
  F Gm
burned the place  to the  ground

  C Ab
  Smoke on the  water
  Gm
  a fire in the sky
  C Ab
  Smoke on the  water

They burned down the gambling house
it died with an awful sound
A funky claude was running in and out
pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
we had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
it seemed that we would lose the race

Smoke on the water
a fire in the sky
Smoke on the water

We ended up at the Grand Hotel
it was empty cold and bare
But with the rolling truck stones thing outside
making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
we made a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know well never forget

Smoke on the water
a fire in the sky

Smoke on the water

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Jim December 5, 2011 at 4:49 PM

Great, great, great. Brings back memories…. can't help but smile. Thanks.

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admin December 6, 2011 at 5:46 AM

Thnans Jim …… that’s the beauty of Classic Rock ….. it “connects” with so many!

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Neil January 29, 2012 at 1:01 PM

Hello Jackson
Just to say what a real Gentleman you are, I have just joined your site,, and although I have only taken up the guitar a year ago at the ripe old age of 55, IT IS because of people like yourself, that  I have progressed extremely well.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK CHUM !(Good old english term that"chum")
 
Regards
Neil

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admin January 29, 2012 at 1:40 PM

Thanks Neil … much appreciated! Keep up the good work yourself!

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adam February 17, 2012 at 2:48 PM

Thanks, I always look forward to your lessons, Made in Japan was the first 8-track I bought and i think I wore the tape out. 

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admin February 17, 2012 at 3:33 PM

You bet Adam …. even though admitting to know 8 track technology dates us!

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Higgy May 10, 2012 at 1:13 PM

Pace, Ashton & Lord were spin-off's
as was West,Bruce & Lang
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane bro….. XoxoX (a French thing :D)
GBU

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admin May 10, 2012 at 2:28 PM

Love the spin-offs! You’re very welcome!

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gibstrat July 22, 2012 at 5:07 AM

i think its " frank zappa and the mothers " had the best place around".
not "were at the best place around"

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admin July 22, 2012 at 6:16 AM

Absolutely … consider it repaired!

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Martin October 5, 2012 at 1:39 PM

Awesome site!!!!  I just found you and I've dusted off my strat and acoustic!
For this song (along with song from AC/DC for example), I struggle with amp and/or pedal effects to duplicate the sound.  The notes are right, but I just can't find the sound (queue in KISS/Beth).
Keep up the GREAT work!

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admin October 5, 2012 at 1:47 PM

Thank you! What kind of amp Martin?

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eye January 27, 2013 at 2:24 PM

Awesome guitars you have!  Show us more of them. I dont know when you did the video however the keyboard player recently died.  May he rest with rock.  Rumor has it the classic riff was plucked at recording studio,  as you show us.  Your lessons and singing are alot of fun.  Tanks. awesome work.

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admin January 29, 2013 at 7:14 AM

Jon Lord … yes. Thanks for the kind words!

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tatko April 9, 2016 at 3:18 PM

Back around 1974 went to a Frank Zappa concert at the Horden Pavilion, Sydney, Australia.

Some Aussie larrikin decided to let off  a Roman candle with coloured balls flying through the air, something a lot easier to get away with in those laid back days.

Needless to say Frank Zappa not impressed by the way shouted into microphone, and not sure played his best that night.

Oh well..probably better than Lou Reed on another occasion who had back turned to audience all night, but did manage to conduct a brilliant guitarist from San Francisco.

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admin April 9, 2016 at 3:49 PM

Thanks for sharing your personal experiences!

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ANDY May 16, 2017 at 1:55 AM

CAN YOU SUPPLY THE STRUMMIMG PATTERNS FOR VERSE AND CHORUS. CHEERS

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admin May 16, 2017 at 6:53 AM

Not really sure what you’re after with this question Andy? Smoke on the water is not really a strumming song although the verses are really kind of a DD D pattern, the chorus is single strums down. Hope that helps.

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