Guitar & Bass Tabs
Mr. Big
About Mr. Big
Mr. Big formed in 1988 in Los Angeles, bringing together vocalist Eric Martin, guitarist Paul Gilbert, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Pat Torpey. They fused Gilbert’s blistering lead work with Sheehan’s thunderous, melodic bass, creating a blend of technical virtuosity and hook-driven rock that resonated worldwide. Their self-titled debut arrived in 1989, but it was Lean Into It (1991) that propelled them to international fame, anchored by the No. 1 hit To Be with You and multi-platinum sales. Their music bridged the gap between ambitious instrumental prowess and radio-friendly choruses, redefining what hard rock could sound like when technical skill serves the song. The band’s trajectory—high-profile tours, enduring albums, and a reputation for precision, feel, and showmanship—made them one of the era’s defining acts in melodic hard rock.
🎸 Want to know what gear Mr. Big used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy
Mr. Big
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To Be With You
Mr. Big
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Mr. Big’s sound is a masterclass in balancing virtuosity with melody. Paul Gilbert’s playing features razor-sharp alternate picking, rapid sweep arpeggios, and expressive legato that cut through a dense mix, while Billy Sheehan provides a massive, melodic bass foundation with aggressive pick attacks and intricate lines. The rhythm section locks in with tight, palm-muted chugs and dynamic grooves, letting the guitars soar or bite as the moment demands. Learning their material exposes players to techniques like power chords, palm muting, sweep picking, arpeggios, and tasteful tapping, all wrapped in song-first phrasing that stays memorable long after the solos.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic Mr. Big gear centers on Paul Gilbert’s signature Ibanez PGM guitars (alongside his Charvel-style shredders) for bright, articulate lead tones, and Billy Sheehan’s heavy, melodic bass work typically served by Music Man basses when possible. The band’s live tone has relied on robust, high-gain amplification and tasteful modulation, with phase, chorus, and delay effects thickening the texture during solos and fills. Drums, as provided by Pat Torpey, anchored the sound with a powerful, precise groove that drove the punchy hard rock foundation the band is known for.
Why Learn Mr. Big Songs?
Learning Mr. Big tunes is a gateway to solid rock technique with instant musical payoff. You’ll develop clean arpeggios, precise alternate picking, and a sense of dynamic phrasing that makes both ballads and riff-driven songs compelling. The two lessons on DadRock Tabs tease apart the melodic leads (To Be with You) and the groove-heavy, riff-centric parts (Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy), offering approachable entry points for intermediates while challenging players to tighten timing, accuracy, and feel. These songs build a robust foundation in rhythm, lead work, and expressive dynamics that translate across classic rock repertoire.
Did You Know?
- 1Mr. Big formed in 1988 in Los Angeles with a lineup featuring Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, and Pat Torpey.
- 2Their 1991 hit To Be with You reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining ballad of the era.
- 3Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan are celebrated as two of rock’s most respected virtuosos, known for blending technical precision with musical expressiveness.
- 4Pat Torpey passed away in 2018, but Mr. Big has continued to honor the legacy with new members and ongoing touring.
2 Mr. Big lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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