Under Pressure by David Bowie Acoustic Guitar - Digital Sheet Music

Guitar - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1809902

By David Bowie. By Brian May, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and John Deacon. Arranged by Dr. Tom Zlabinger / Telematic Studios / Dr. Tom's Charts. This edition: pdf, streaming. Pop, Rock. Chords/Lyrics. 7 pages. Dr. Tom's Charts / Telematic Studios #1370061. Published by Dr. Tom's Charts / Telematic Studios (A0.1809902).

"Under Pressure" is Queen and David Bowie's legendary collaborative masterpiece from 1981, featuring one of the most iconic bass lines in rock history and a powerful message about human connection. This song is an essential choice for advanced bands ready to tackle complex vocal arrangements, dynamic shifts, and the challenge of honoring two legendary artists in one performance. The bass line is instantly recognizable and deceptively demanding, requiring precise timing, consistent tone, and the groove to carry the entire song's foundation while resisting the urge to embellish the perfect simplicity of the original pattern. The guitar work moves from sparse, atmospheric chords to powerful rock passages, teaching players how to build intensity through restraint and strategic placement rather than constant playing. The piano adds essential harmonic texture and punctuation, requiring sensitivity to the song's dramatic arc and the ability to complement rather than compete with the dense vocal arrangements. For vocalists, "Under Pressure" presents an extraordinary challenge with its intricate harmonies, call-and-response sections between two distinct vocal styles, extreme dynamic range, and the famous ad-libbed finale that demands both technical control and fearless emotional expression. The song's timeless relevance, powerful social commentary, and explosive climax make it a show-stopping performance piece that demonstrates a band's musical maturity, tight ensemble work, and ability to deliver both technical excellence and raw emotion.


A NOTE ABOUT DR. TOMS CHARTS
DR. TOMS CHARTS help musicians make more music together. Inspired by the Nashville Number System and the classic Rise Up Singing, these charts emphasize song form with lyrics overlaid on top of evenly spaced chords. These musical roadmaps let you focus on what you love: vocal delivery, groove, harmonies, feel, and more! You can even experiment with different styles and meters.

In the HYBRID chart, the first chord of each line aligns with the first word or syllable on the downbeat, highlighting pickups and delayed entries. Subsequent chords may not align exactly with every word, but once the singer nails the entry, everything locks in! This format might look unfamiliar at first, but evenly spaced chords improve groove and accuracy. The harmonic rhythm guides the melody! For singers, the LYRICS ONLY chart provides all the words with rehearsal cues (intros, verses, bridges, solos).

Keep on jammin!
Dr. Tom


WHO IS DR. TOM?
Dr. Tom Zlabinger is a bass player, guitar player, and singer who has been jamming since high school. He is an Associate Professor of Music at York College / CUNY, where he has taught popular music performance since 2003. He holds a B.A. in music from Grinnell College, an M.A. in jazz performance from Queens College / CUNY, and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the Graduate Center / CUNY. Dr. Tom has published on jams, live online performance, and the role of musicians across various media franchises. He is passionate about innovations that make music making more accessible to musicians of all levels and backgrounds. In 2022, he founded Telematic Studios® to help musicians connect through online voice lessons, clear and legal charts, and live online performance.