How do you play the famous part of "Beat It"

[Lower-Than-Low]

Hello everyone!

I am going to be doing a medley of songs for a school talent show, and one of the songs in the medley is Beat It.

I've been trying to figure it out for a while now, but there is some weird ghost note or dead note thing in the riff. I've tried playing it without that, but it sounds completely off and nothing like the original song.

So, long story short, how on earth am I supposed to play the opening riff to Beat It?

Thanks for reading!

[MistaMarko]

the dead note i think is on beat 4..and then a grace note to the next

[Lower-Than-Low]

I've got the tab for it, so I know when to play everything, but how, technique wise would I play a 'grace note'?

[the_fonz]

a grace note is a note played right before the beat, really quick

[Lower-Than-Low]

Ahh, I see, thanks man.

I should be able to get the line down now.

[Jazz Ad]

A slightly related stupid piece of tapping fun.

G|--------------------------------7-----9---------10----9---------7-----9---------10----9---------
D|--------------------------------7-----9---------10----9---------7-----9---------10----9---------
A|5---3-5-3-------5---3-5-3-------5---3-5-3-------5---3-5-3-------5---3-5-3-------5---3-5-3-------
E|--5-------5-3-5---5-------5-3-5---5-------5-3-5---5-------5-3-5---5-------5-3-5---5-------5-3-5-

[smeet]

hahahaha! I love that, I'm going to have to use it!

[MistaMarko]

Originally Posted by the_fonz

a grace note is a note played right before the beat, really quick

actually, grace notes are ON the downbeat.

[need4mospd]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

actually, grace notes are ON the downbeat.

Not all the time. Sometimes grace notes are notated in the bar preceding the note to which it is attached, showing that it is to be played before the beat. It can go either way.

[Paulb7664]

Hi I have never played this song.
Sorry if the timing is off as I don't have a TAB program.
This is the riff that was in my head. I hope it's ok

Paul

G|-------|----------------------|---------------------
D|-------|--------5--2--2--h4--|--2--0----0---------
A|-------|-----2----------------|---------------------
E|----0--|--3-------------------|-------------------0-