Hard to Handle by The Black Crowes

"Hard to Handle" by The Black Crowes is an iconic track that blends Southern rock, blues, and a bit of funk. Originally written by Otis Redding, the Black Crowes' version adds a distinctive guitar-heavy arrangement, making it a must-learn for guitarists looking to expand their skills in rock rhythm playing and lead guitar work. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, you will learn how to master the techniques used by guitarist Rich Robinson and Jeff Cease, who brought the song to life with their soulful playing and energetic feel. The lesson will dive deep into essential rock techniques while helping you capture the vibe and dynamics of the song. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Rich Robinson and Jeff Cease – Influential Guitarists

Rich Robinson, co-founder of The Black Crowes, is renowned for his rhythmic prowess and ability to infuse bluesy grit into his playing. His guitar work on "Hard to Handle" showcases his masterful use of rhythm and tight, driving chord progressions, which are the backbone of the song. Meanwhile, Jeff Cease, the band's original lead guitarist, adds tasty lead fills and bluesy embellishments that provide the perfect contrast to Robinson's rhythm work. Together, their guitar interplay demonstrates the power of dual guitar harmonies, something The Black Crowes became famous for.

Learning this song not only gives you insight into these two guitarists' styles but also broadens your ability to create a full sound with rhythm and lead parts working in harmony.

Rhythm Guitar Techniques in "Hard to Handle"

Power Chords

One of the primary techniques used in "Hard to Handle" is the use of power chords. Power chords are a staple of rock guitar and provide a driving, punchy sound that's easy to play but essential for creating a strong rhythmic foundation. In this song, you'll focus on moving between power chords with precision and maintaining a steady, grooving rhythm.

Learning power chords enhances your control over chord progressions and allows you to build a tight, rock-solid foundation in any rock song.

Syncopated Rhythms

The groove of "Hard to Handle" is accentuated by syncopated rhythms. Syncopation refers to placing rhythmic emphasis on the off-beats, which helps to create a dynamic and slightly funky feel. This technique is crucial to getting the rhythm section of the song just right, especially when playing alongside a band.

Mastering syncopated rhythms improves your timing and ability to play more complex rhythmic patterns, adding flavour to your guitar playing.

Palm Muting

To add more texture to the rhythm parts, palm muting is used. This technique involves lightly resting your palm on the strings near the bridge while strumming, giving the chords a more percussive and tight sound. In "Hard to Handle," this muting helps to accentuate certain parts of the rhythm, creating contrast and dynamics throughout the song.

Learning palm muting is essential for developing control over dynamics, allowing you to shift between softer, muted tones and open, ringing chords.

Lead Guitar Techniques in "Hard to Handle"

String Bending

Throughout the song, there are expressive lead fills that feature string bending, especially in Jeff Cease’s lead playing. Bending a string allows you to raise the pitch of a note, giving your solos and fills a more vocal-like quality. The bends in "Hard to Handle" add soulfulness and bluesy emotion, which is a hallmark of rock guitar.

String bending helps develop your ear for pitch and adds emotional depth to your lead playing, especially when applied with precision.

Slides

Slides are another key feature in the lead sections of "Hard to Handle." Sliding between notes creates a smooth transition and is frequently used in blues and rock guitar solos. These slides give the lead parts a fluid, flowing feel that complements the more aggressive rhythm playing.

Practicing slides improves your legato technique and helps you move between notes more seamlessly, giving your playing a more professional, polished feel.

Vibrato

Adding vibrato to held notes in a solo gives them more expressiveness. In "Hard to Handle," vibrato is used to sustain certain notes and give them a rich, singing quality. Vibrato is a subtle but powerful technique that adds emotion and character to your solos.

Mastering vibrato helps you add personality to your solos and gives you greater control over the sustain and pitch of your notes.

Conclusion

Learning to play "Hard to Handle" by The Black Crowes is an excellent way to hone both your rhythm and lead guitar skills. Rich Robinson's powerful chord progressions and syncopated rhythms paired with Jeff Cease’s bluesy lead fills create a well-rounded guitar lesson that focuses on essential techniques used in rock and blues guitar. Whether you're looking to improve your timing, develop better control over your lead playing, or simply add new techniques to your guitar toolbox, this lesson is a must for any guitarist looking to capture the essence of classic rock guitar.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson:

• Vibrato
• Power Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides