Learn to Play Rainbow: Unravel the Mysteries of Ritchie Blackmore’s Iconic Guitar Techniques

Rainbow is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of classic rock and heavy metal, delivering timeless hits with intense guitar virtuosity thanks to the legendary Ritchie Blackmore. The "Learn to Play Rainbow" collection from LickLibrary is a unique offering that will lead you, note-for-note, through the intricate guitar works of this remarkable band. Get ready to dive into this great series of lessons with our very own Danny Gill showing you the secrets of Rainbow.

Man on the Silver Mountain

Let's start with a deep dive into the electrifying "Man on the Silver Mountain". This track features a mix of minor pentatonic and natural minor scales, creating a dark yet majestic atmosphere fitting of its namesake. The focus here is on classic rock riffs and melody lines that serve as the backbone of the song. Here, you'll decipher Blackmore's blend of pull-offs, double-stops, and string-bending techniques that shape the song’s melodically rich and rhythmically complex solo.

Still I'm Sad

"Still I'm Sad" is a haunting instrumental piece that showcases Blackmore's mastery over chord progressions and his innovative use of the harmonic minor scale. The guitar solo in this song is an emotional rollercoaster, with vibrato-infused notes and swift legato passages that evoke a sense of longing. You'll learn to convey emotion through your playing just as Blackmore does in this poignant song.

Stargazer

With "Stargazer", you’ll delve into the realm of the Phrygian Dominant scale. The song features an extended guitar solo that sees Blackmore exploring various melodic and rhythmic possibilities, employing techniques like tremolo picking and alternate picking for speed and precision. Stargazer also has an interesting interplay of arpeggios that creates a beautiful tapestry of sound, enhancing the epic storytelling of the lyrics.

Kill the King

"Kill the King" is a high-energy track dominated by power chords and syncopated rhythms. Here, Blackmore showcases his speed and accuracy with the guitar. The solo section is a blistering demonstration of scales, particularly the minor pentatonic and blues scales, interspersed with palm-muted riffs. This lesson will test your speed and dexterity while further enhancing your rhythmic capabilities.

Gates of Babylon

"Gates of Babylon" is a testament to Blackmore's compositional genius and his ability to incorporate exotic scales, in this case, the Double Harmonic Major scale, into hard rock. The solo features fast, seamless legato runs and dive-bombs using the whammy bar. Learning this song will significantly improve your fretboard navigation and your understanding of exotic scales.

Ritchie Blackmore: The Man Behind the Magic

The lead guitarist of Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore, is a musician of unparalleled talent and creativity. His playing style is a combination of classical music's sophistication and rock's raw power, often blending unique scales and chord progressions with the electrifying energy of rock. His performances are marked by emotional intensity and technical brilliance, with intricate solos that explore the full range of the guitar's potential.

Blackmore's contribution to Rainbow and the wider rock genre can't be overstated. His approach to the guitar—infusing each note with emotion, building solos that are both complex and accessible, and continuously pushing the boundaries of what a rock guitarist can do—is what sets him apart. As you learn to play these songs, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Blackmore's genius and hopefully infuse some of that magic into your playing.

Techniques Involved

These lessons will help you master a wide range of guitar techniques, each vital to Rainbow's sound:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Dive Bombs
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Barre Chords
• Two-handed Tapping

Whether you're a beginner wanting to delve deeper into the world of rock guitar or an advanced player looking to unravel the intricacies of Rainbow's music, "Learn to Play Rainbow" is an essential addition to your guitar-learning journey.