About this Backing Track:

Here's our ‘Alive‘ Pearl Jam guitar backing track. Use this 90’s rock guitar track once you've worked your way through the ‘Alive‘ guitar lesson.

Alive Guitar Lesson

In this comprehensive lesson, the late, great Michael Casswell takes you through Pearl Jam's iconic anthem "Alive," breaking down the song’s distinct mix of grunge energy and melodic classic rock influences. Designed for intermediate to advanced players, this tutorial covers every aspect of Mike McCready’s legendary guitar work, from the gritty, chord-driven rhythm parts to the soaring lead sections that define the track. Michael meticulously deconstructs the song’s intricate techniques, including McCready’s signature use of bends, vibrato, and his dynamic phrasing within the pentatonic and blues scales. The lesson delves deep into the epic outro solo, where you’ll explore advanced techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and expressive double-stop bends, all crucial for capturing the song’s emotional intensity. Along with note-for-note accuracy, Michael provides insightful tips on tone and gear, helping you dial in that warm, overdriven tone reminiscent of McCready’s iconic Stratocaster sound. By the end of the tutorial, you’ll not only master the song but also gain a deeper understanding of the musicality and feel that make "Alive" a timeless guitar classic. This lesson is perfect for players looking to challenge themselves with one of the 90s' greatest rock anthems and push their lead guitar playing to new heights.