How to Play Mustang Sally on Guitar

THIS is a song that I struggled with learning for a while. It wasn’t the chords that I struggled with or the song form, those are both very common patterns. Where I got stuck was with the actual guitar part to play from the recording. 

It sounded like one guitar but I couldn’t quite get my part to sound like the recording. So for years, I played this song on gigs with just a common rhythm accompaniment that wasn’t like the guitar part on the recording. It wasn’t until later I finally went back and figured it out from the recording. It’s actually TWO guitars.

In this “Mustang Sally” guitar lesson, I want to share with you the chords, rhythms, and scales to start jamming it with ease today! I’ll break down the guitar parts from the recording and share how you can combine them to play a great pattern for this song on one guitar.

Also, it’s a valuable song to know because it comes up at many jam sessions and parties. A lot of people play it!

So with that said make sure you’re tuned up and let’s dive in!

What is the meaning behind Mustang Sally?

“Mustang Sally” was originally written and first recorded by Mack Rice. Rice recorded it in 1965 and it was released under the artist name “Sir Mack Rice”.

The legend is that Rice had originally written the song as a joke for a fellow gospel singer he knew from Della Reese’s band who wanted a new Ford Mustang car. 

Apparently, the original title of the song was “Mustang Mama”, but was later changed to “Mustang Sally” at the suggestion of Aretha Franklin.

I think that actually deserves songwriting credit if it’s true. That’s a nice contribution and makes the song pull more because it’s more specific. Unfortunately, from my research, it looks like she didn’t get credit.

The song later became more popular after Wilson Pickett covered it the following year. It was first released as a single, and then later included on his album The Wicked Pickett released in 1966.

Plus in 1966, John Lee Hooker also recorded an entirely different song with a very similar title “Mustang Sally & GTO”

Mustang Sally Chords

“Mustang Sally” only uses 3 chords. The song is in the key of C major and uses the I, IV, and V chords, C, F, and G. Here are examples of those chords.

C can be played in the open position like this:

F can be played at the 1st fret like this:

And finally, G can be played like this:

These chords are typically referred to as the I, IV, and V chords in the key of C.

C major = I chord

F major = IV chord

G major = V chord

Is Mustang Sally a 12-bar blues?

Yes and no! I know, I know,  I hate answers like this but let me explain. If you want to be super technical about it, it is actually a 24-bar blues chord progression. So no it’s not a 12-bar blues. But the reason why I say yes is because it follows the same progression as a 12-bar blues but every chord is doubled in length. 

So if a typical 12-bar blues progression looked like this:

C (4 bars)

F (2 bars)

C (2 bars)

G (1 bar)

F (1 bar)

C (2 bars)

Then to play “Mustang Sally” you just double the length of every chord like this:

C (8 bars)

F (4 bars)

C (4 bars)

G (2 bar)

F (2 bar)

C (4 bars)

So even though it’s technically 24 bars long, I still would recommend taking a higher-level view of the song and seeing how it’s really just the same thing, with only a slight modification.

And this is what happens in millions of blues songs. They take the 12-bar and they just tweak it a little bit.

This is why I stress knowing the basics on my channel so much. It’s so important to have a foundation in the blues if you want to play pretty much any popular music.

And a lot of players have no idea that the music they love is rooted in blues. Once they study the roots it all becomes so much clearer.

The blues is a perfect springboard for so many styles, and when you are familiar with it learning songs and feeling confident in your music can be so much easier.

The Basic Rhythm of Mustang Sally

So before we go any further I would recommend that you have the chord shapes down, and can strum along with the song following the progression. If you’re used to a standard 12-bar blues you are going to have to wait a little bit longer on each chord. You’ll want to get used to this extended blues progression.

From there you can take the basic chords and substitute in a blues rhythm pattern for each chord. For the C chord we'll move up to the 8th position and play a common blues rhythm pattern using some palm-muting like this:

This part is played by plucking individual notes of a power chord shape and then reaching above it using the pinky finger on the fretting hand. (See the video above for a demonstration)

From there take this same shape and apply it to each chord in the blues. So for example the F chord would be played like this:

And the G chord would be played like this:

Adding Riffs to Mustang Sally

Once the main rhythm is feeling comfortable next you can add in some riffs on top of the rhythm.

This is a great way to practice with a looper pedal or by recording yourself.

Here is a riff that uses octaves. This is in the style of the second guitar part on the recording. This riff would sound great over the I chord C.

For practicing improvising over this progression the master scale you want to know is the C minor blues scale. Here is a way of playing it in the 8th position.

These same strings and frets can be thought of like this:

6th string = 8, 11

5th string = 8, 9, 10

4th string = 8, 10

3rd string = 8, 10, 11

2nd string = 8, 11

1st string = 8, 11

Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Playing Mustang Sally

As with any new skill, there are bound to be some mistakes along the way. Here are some common mistakes beginners make when learning to play "Mustang Sally":

- Rushing: It's important to take your time and focus on nailing the song form.

- Sloppy finger placement: Make sure your fingers are placed correctly on the fretboard to avoid buzzing or muted notes.

- Strumming too hard: It's important to find the right balance between strumming too lightly and too hard. Strumming too hard can cause the strings to buzz or sound muddy.

Tips for Playing Mustang Sally

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind as you learn to play "Mustang Sally":

• Play along with recordings: Playing along with recordings of the song can help you get a feel for the rhythm and timing.
• Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your skills on the guitar.
• Try it with just a metronome: A metronome can help you keep a steady rhythm and improve your timing.
• Experiment with different techniques: Don't be afraid to try different rhythm patterns to add variety to the song.

Conclusion:

Learning how to play "Mustang Sally" on the guitar takes us on a journey through the history of rhythm and blues, while also exploring fundamental guitar techniques. 

In this post, we have uncovered the fascinating origins and evolution of this timeless classic, gaining a deeper appreciation for its significance in popular culture. Moving beyond its historical context, we have delved into the essential chords and rhythms that form the infectious groove of "Mustang Sally." 

Mastering these chord progressions and strumming patterns will provide a solid foundation for further growth in your guitar journey. 

Additionally, we have explored the scales and techniques required for soloing over "Mustang Sally." Understanding the key and utilizing scales such as the C minor blues scale helps you to infuse your own unique expressions and improvisations into the song.

So embrace the process and enjoy the journey as you continue to expand your guitar skills and explore other songs. Happy playing and for another great blues jam check out “Green Onions” next!