White Wedding by Billy Idol
Learn to play "White Wedding" by Billy Idol with a detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson from Licklibrary. This iconic 1982 track features memorable riffs, unique tones, and sophisticated techniques crafted by Steve Stevens, Billy Idol's longtime guitarist. This lesson takes a deep dive into the techniques used in "White Wedding," from essential power chords to advanced harmonics, helping players capture the song’s gritty rock vibe while expanding their technical skills. Michael Casswell breaks down this iconic song in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
Steve Stevens - The Guitarist Behind "White Wedding"
Steve Stevens, known for his intricate style and technical prowess, brings a bold and edgy sound to Billy Idol’s music. His blend of punk attitude with melodic rock elements makes him one of the most respected guitarists in rock. With influences ranging from flamenco to heavy rock, Stevens has a distinctive tone that defines "White Wedding." His use of effects and skilful integration of techniques like pinched harmonics, whammy bar tricks, and power chords are essential to this song, and this lesson provides a thorough exploration of these techniques, helping guitarists emulate Stevens’ signature style.
Key Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson
Power Chords
"White Wedding" heavily relies on power chords, especially in the main riff, which establishes the song’s driving energy. Power chords, being a staple in rock and punk music, offer a powerful, full sound that works well with distortion. Mastering power chords enhances rhythm skills, enabling players to maintain control and dynamics even during high-energy sections. Practicing power chords helps develop a strong foundational skill crucial for rock playing.
Palm Muting
In the verses, palm muting is used to create a tight, percussive sound, building tension before the explosive chorus. By learning palm muting, players can enhance their rhythmic precision and dynamics, adding depth and texture to their playing. Palm muting is essential in rock and metal, providing a way to alternate between open, ringing chords and muted, choppy sections that drive the song forward.
Pinched Harmonics
One of Steve Stevens’ trademarks is his use of pinched harmonics, which add a piercing, squealing sound to certain notes, giving the song a unique edge. This technique involves using the thumb and pick to produce harmonic overtones, resulting in a sound that cuts through the mix. Mastering pinched harmonics is a great way to add excitement to solos and riffs, making them sound more aggressive and expressive.
Vibrato
Throughout the song, vibrato is used to sustain and add emotion to individual notes, especially during lead sections. Vibrato involves subtly oscillating the pitch of a note, adding richness and depth. Developing control over vibrato is essential for all guitarists as it gives players the ability to expressively shape their sound and make their playing more nuanced and personal.
Slides
Slides are a prominent technique in "White Wedding," particularly within the transition between chords and notes. Slides provide a fluid connection between notes, adding a sense of movement and intensity. Practicing slides improves finger control and smoothness, allowing players to transition between notes and chords seamlessly, which is valuable in both lead and rhythm playing.
Whammy Bar Tricks
Steve Stevens incorporates whammy bar tricks to add a unique sound to key parts of the song. By pressing and releasing the whammy bar, guitarists can create pitch dips and vibrato effects, adding drama to solos and riffs. Learning whammy bar techniques helps players gain control over pitch manipulation, offering new dimensions in their lead guitar skills.
Alternate Picking
Alternate picking is essential in "White Wedding," as it provides speed and precision in the faster sections. This technique, which alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes, is crucial for players looking to increase their picking speed and accuracy. Practicing alternate picking builds right-hand coordination and stamina, making it easier to tackle complex, fast-paced riffs.
Sustain
Sustain is a crucial element in creating the intense, resonant sounds in "White Wedding." Sustaining notes allows them to ring out for extended periods, adding a sense of fullness and presence to solos and melodic lines. Developing sustain control benefits players in both lead and rhythm settings, allowing for more expressive playing and richer tones.
Benefits of Learning "White Wedding" Techniques
Mastering these techniques offers both intermediate and advanced guitarists a solid foundation in rock guitar skills. The power chords and palm muting techniques develop rhythm accuracy and timing, which are essential in all genres. Meanwhile, pinched harmonics, vibrato, and whammy bar tricks teach control and expression, expanding the guitarist's tonal palette. These techniques, taken together, provide players with tools that enhance both rhythm and lead playing, allowing them to perform with more confidence and versatility.
Learning these techniques also encourages an understanding of how to construct and layer sounds effectively, as seen in Steve Stevens' playing. The lesson not only teaches players the specific riffs of "White Wedding" but also empowers them to use these techniques creatively in their own playing.
Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson
By diving into these essential techniques, guitarists will not only learn to play "White Wedding" with authenticity but also gain valuable skills that will enhance their overall musicality and technical proficiency.
