Smooth by Santana
The song "Smooth" by Santana, featuring Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, is an iconic blend of Latin rock and pop. Known for its infectious groove, captivating melody, and Carlos Santana's signature guitar tone, this track has become a classic that continues to inspire guitarists around the world. At Licklibrary.com, we’ve created a comprehensive note-for-note guitar lesson that allows you to master the techniques behind this legendary performance. Stuart Bull breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
Carlos Santana and his Influence
Carlos Santana, the legendary guitarist behind "Smooth," is renowned for his unique fusion of rock, blues, and Latin influences. His ability to create emotional and dynamic melodies has inspired generations of musicians. Santana’s playing on "Smooth" exemplifies his mastery of expressive phrasing, impeccable timing, and melodic inventiveness. Learning his techniques not only enriches your playing but also provides insight into how to convey emotion through the guitar.
Techniques Covered in the "Smooth" Guitar Lesson
1. Vibrato
Vibrato is a cornerstone of Santana's expressive style. This technique involves oscillating the pitch of a note to add depth and emotion. In "Smooth," Santana uses vibrato to enhance the vocal-like quality of his melodies.
Benefit: Mastering vibrato helps you infuse your playing with emotion and create a more personalised sound. It’s a key skill for developing your musical voice.
2. String Bending
String bending is prominently featured in "Smooth," allowing Santana to create expressive, vocal-like phrases. This technique involves pushing a string up or down to reach a higher pitch.
Benefit: Practicing string bending improves your control over pitch and helps develop a more dynamic playing style.
3. Slides
Slides connect notes smoothly, creating fluid transitions and adding a lyrical quality to solos. Santana frequently employs slides to embellish phrases in "Smooth."
Benefit: Incorporating slides into your playing enhances phrasing and makes solos sound more polished and professional.
4. Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
Hammer-ons and pull-offs contribute to the flowing, legato style of Santana’s playing. These techniques allow you to play sequences of notes quickly and smoothly without picking every note.
Benefit: These techniques improve your finger strength and dexterity while adding fluidity to your solos.
5. Double Stops
Double stops involve playing two notes simultaneously, creating harmonised lines that add richness to solos. Santana uses this technique to create textural variety in "Smooth."
Benefit: Double stops are an excellent way to explore harmonised melodies and add depth to your solos.
6. Bluesy Bends
Bluesy bends are another hallmark of Santana's style, allowing him to emphasise specific notes with soulful flair.
Benefit: Learning bluesy bends deepens your understanding of expressive phrasing and helps you develop a more nuanced approach to lead playing.
7. Sustain
Santana’s use of sustain allows notes to ring out, creating a singing quality that is central to his melodic style.
Benefit: Working on sustain teaches you how to hold notes for dramatic effect and emphasises tone control.
8. Syncopated Rhythms
The rhythm guitar work in "Smooth" incorporates syncopation to create a groovy and engaging feel.
Benefit: Practicing syncopated rhythms improves your timing and ability to lock in with a band.
9. Arpeggios
Arpeggios are used to outline chords in a melodic way, a technique that adds sophistication to Santana's solos.
Benefit: Learning arpeggios enhances your ability to create melodic solos that connect seamlessly to the underlying harmony.
Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson
Below is a list of the techniques you’ll master in this lesson. Click the links to explore these essential skills:
- Vibrato
- String Bending
- Slides
- Hammer-Ons
- Pull-Offs
- Double Stops
- Bluesy Bends
- Sustain
- Syncopated Rhythms
- Arpeggios
Mastering "Smooth" by Santana is not just about learning a song; it’s about immersing yourself in techniques that can transform your playing. With Licklibrary.com, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to play this masterpiece like a pro.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Stuart Bull
As co-founder of LickLibrary and Total Accuracy, Stuart plays a tremendous part of all the goings on in LickLibrary today. Looking at our entire catalogue, the entire contribution from Stuart is phenomenal and has had an impact on tens of thousands of aspiring guitar players the world over. Stuart's professional...