Remedy by The Black Crowes

The Black Crowes' hit "Remedy" showcases a unique blend of blues-rock guitar techniques that make it an essential study for guitarists looking to deepen their skill set. Our note-for-note lesson for "Remedy" dives into the nuances of this song, focusing on techniques like string bending, alternate picking, and slides that define its iconic sound. This lesson offers practical insights into each technique used, breaking down complex patterns and helping players master the signature licks and riffs that characterise the song. With this deep dive, you’ll learn not only how to play "Remedy" accurately but also how to incorporate its techniques into your own playing style. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind "Remedy"

"Remedy" features the masterful guitar work of Rich Robinson and Marc Ford, two guitarists known for their soulful, bluesy tones and rock-infused playing style. Robinson’s rhythmic foundation and Ford’s lead work combined to create a sound that balances grit with melodic sophistication, influencing countless guitarists in the blues-rock genre. Their interplay highlights powerful, expressive techniques that resonate deeply with audiences, making the song a staple in rock music. Learning their approaches offers insight into crafting compelling, dynamic guitar parts that complement and enhance a song’s core.

Key Techniques in "Remedy"

1. String Bending

• Description: String bending is used to create a unique sound by stretching the string to raise its pitch, often to hit notes outside the fretboard’s standard pitch range. In "Remedy," bends add expressiveness, giving the melody a soulful, human-like quality.
• Benefits: Mastering string bending improves control over pitch and adds an emotional dimension to your playing, enhancing solo sections and giving notes a vocal-like quality.

2. Slides

• Description: Slides are crucial in this song’s licks, allowing smooth transitions between notes and enhancing the fluidity of the melody. Sliding in and out of notes provides the music with a flowing, seamless feel that reflects the song’s relaxed groove.
• Benefits: Practicing slides increases finger control and strengthens hand positioning, creating a more connected and polished sound in your playing.

3. Double Stops

• Description: Double stops, or playing two notes simultaneously, are integral to the rhythm guitar sections in "Remedy." They add thickness and a rhythmic punch, particularly in the song's blues-inspired phrases.
• Benefits: Double stops help guitarists understand harmony within lead lines and improve dexterity, providing a fuller, richer sound to your rhythm work.

4. Power Chords

• Description: Power chords lay the song's foundational groove, giving the rhythm a solid, driving force. They’re a staple in rock music, adding strength and depth to the lower end of the track.
• Benefits: Learning power chords is essential for developing a strong rhythm technique, offering a full, robust sound that complements lead parts in any rock setting.

5. Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

• Description: Both hammer-ons and pull-offs are used to create smooth, flowing phrases in "Remedy." They provide a legato, fluid sound that makes for seamless transitions between notes, which is essential for the song’s bluesy feel.
• Benefits: These techniques are vital for building speed and fluidity in solo lines, allowing players to add melodic embellishments effortlessly.

6. Vibrato

• Description: Vibrato is used to add warmth and sustain to certain notes, creating a dynamic, vocal-like quality. In "Remedy," vibrato helps certain notes resonate and stand out, adding emotion and depth to the melody.
• Benefits: Developing vibrato control enhances tonal expression, making solos and melodic lines sound more soulful and engaging.

7. Chord Progressions

• Description: The song’s chord progression is both rhythmic and soulful, laying a blues-rock foundation that supports the other guitar techniques. This progression creates the song's harmonic structure, emphasising the groove and flow.
• Benefits: Learning this progression provides insight into constructing songs with a blues-rock feel and enhances understanding of rhythm and harmony.

8. Alternate Picking

• Description: Alternate picking is used in "Remedy" to play quick sequences and rhythmic licks, enhancing speed and precision. This technique helps maintain the rhythm while allowing for quick, articulate runs.
• Benefits: Alternate picking improves timing and articulation, enabling guitarists to play faster, more defined sequences across various musical genres.

Summary of Techniques Used

Below is a list of techniques you’ll master in our lesson on "Remedy," each with a dedicated focus to help you replicate the sound of The Black Crowes while enriching your own guitar technique.

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Power Chords
• Chord Progressions

By breaking down each technique, our lesson for "Remedy" by The Black Crowes will guide you through the intricacies of the song, helping you capture its essence and apply these valuable skills to a wide range of guitar styles. This is more than just a lesson; it's a way to enhance your musicality and expand your guitar-playing toolkit.