[Intro] (palm muted)
Em D G C x2
[Verse 1]
Em D G C
I don't wanna bet but my father wrote a check that I bet his ass could never cash
Em D G C
He's betting on the eight ball landing in the side wall, cold blooded killer if you ask
Em D G C
But every night he needs me to land himself a red three corner pocket at 12 am
Em D G C
Only twelve years old but I got a hold of a pool stick I was gifted from him
[Chorus]
Em D
My father is a betting man
G C
But I got myself a steady hand
Em D
He's sitting in the corner with a six pack of Corona
G C
Betting that his son will win again
Em D G C x2
[Verse 2]
Em D
Go bet another six-pack, bet I make comeback
G C
I know that this table's got a lean
Em D G C
Won't you takе me fishing and I wanna try out for the sevеnth grade football team
Em D G C
He'll probably be nothing but this town's old drunkard and die on a smoke stained stool
Em D G C
Right now he's got a bargain that he's taken too far on his boy's game of nine-ball pool
[Chorus]
Em D
My father was a betting man
G C
But I got myself a steady hand
Em D
He's sitting in the corner with a six pack of Corona
G C
Betting that his son will win again
Em D G C
My father was a betting man
Em D G C x2
[Outro]
Em* D*
My father was a betting man
G* C*
But I got myself a steady hand
Em* D*
He's sitting in the corner with a six pack of Corona
G* C*
Betting that his son will win again
Em* D* G* C*
I don't wanna bet but my daddy wrote a check that I bet his ass could never cash
Em* D* G* C*
He's betting on the eight ball landing in the side wall, cold blooded killer if you ask
* = strum once
How to play "Nine Ball" on guitar by Bryan Zach.
"Nine Ball" spins a tale of familial bonds and expectations, set to a
chord progression that mirrors the narrative's emotional weight. The song
begins with a palm-muted intro, using the chords Em, D, G, C, setting a
thoughtful, introspective tone.
Intro:
Start with a palm-muted intro to capture the tension and anticipation
inherent in the story.
[Intro] (palm muted)
Em D G C x2
This muted approach sets the stage for a tale of challenges and expectations
between a father and son.
Verse 1:
The verse lays out the narrative, describing a complex relationship
through the metaphor of a pool game.
Em D G C
"I don't wanna bet but my father wrote a check that I bet his ass could never cash..."
The progression from Em to D and then to G and C supports the storytelling,
adding depth to the narrative of hope, disappointment, and familial pressure.
Chorus:
The chorus shifts to a declaration of personal strength and resilience
amidst the expectations placed upon the son by his father.
Em D
"My father is a betting man..."
G C
"Betting that his son will win again"
The repeated chord progression emphasizes the cyclical nature of the
expectations and the son's desire to meet them, despite his own aspirations.
Verse 2 and Outro:
The narrative continues with the second verse and concludes with a poignant
outro that echoes the intro's chord progression, bringing the story full
circle.
Em* D*
"My father was a betting man..."
The outro, with chords strummed once and allowed to ring, serves as a
reflective moment, summarizing the song's themes of pressure, expectation,
and the complex love between a father and son.
Guitar Lesson and Tutorial:
When playing "Nine Ball," focus on the dynamics of palm muting in the intro
and verses to convey the tension of the narrative. The transition to open
strumming in the chorus highlights the emotional release and the son's
resilience. This song is an excellent practice in storytelling through music,
demonstrating how chord progressions and strumming patterns can enhance a
song's narrative impact.
The lyrics of "Nine Ball" delve into themes of familial expectations, the
burdens of legacy, and the search for personal identity within the framework
of parental relationships. It's a song that speaks to the heart, encouraging
listeners to find their own path while navigating the expectations of those
they love.