Lady Gaga - Bloody Mary - Guitar Tab

Born This Way (Special Edition)

2011 4:05

Listen on Spotify

About Bloody Mary

At 130 BPM in E minor, "Bloody Mary" has a cold, mechanical pulse that asks the guitarist to lock in tightly with the track rather than breathe naturally around it. The signature sound is built on clean, rhythmically precise synth-style guitar lines that demand strict alternate picking and an even touch. Because the tempo keeps moving relentlessly, any hesitation in your fretting hand will stand out immediately. The key of E minor keeps the chord shapes fairly accessible, but nailing the staccato, detached articulation is what gives the part its character. Lady Gaga's arrangement sits comfortably in the Pop genre but leans on a darker, almost gothic texture, so aim for a clean tone with a slight reverb tail rather than anything too warm. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the main riff at a reduced speed until your picking rhythm is locked in, then gradually bring it back up to 130 BPM.

• The song sits at 130 BPM in E minor, so a metronome is essential to keep your picking tight against the track's mechanical, driving rhythm.
• A clean tone with light reverb suits the dark, synth-driven texture better than a heavy overdrive or warm amp setting.
• Alternate picking with deliberate staccato articulation is the core technique needed to capture the cold, precise feel of the guitar part.