Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria

Coheed and Cambria’s epic track "Welcome Home" is a guitar masterpiece that blends progressive rock, metal, and classic hard rock elements. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary dives deep into every intricate detail of this song, teaching you how to replicate each part with precision while mastering several fundamental and advanced guitar techniques. Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your technique or a seasoned player aiming to sharpen your skills, learning this song will enhance your playing. Richard Shaw breaks down this modern classic in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind the Track

"Welcome Home" is led by the band’s iconic guitarist and vocalist, Claudio Sanchez, whose playing is both technically impressive and emotionally powerful. Sanchez, along with contributions from Travis Stever, masterfully intertwines dynamic rhythms with soaring leads, creating the epic sound that Coheed and Cambria are known for. Their guitar work blends influences from progressive rock bands, metal giants, and even classical music, making this song a rich tapestry of guitar techniques and styles. Sanchez’s influence comes from players like Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, and even Eddie Van Halen, whose precision and flair resonate throughout "Welcome Home."

Guitar Techniques in "Welcome Home"

In this detailed guitar lesson, you will explore a wide range of techniques that contribute to the signature sound of "Welcome Home." Below, we’ll break down some of the most critical aspects of the song and explain how each technique can help you become a more versatile and proficient guitarist.

Power Chords and Palm Muting

The driving force behind the song's heavy and aggressive rhythm is the use of power chords combined with palm muting. These techniques provide a punchy and controlled sound, creating a tight rhythmic foundation that complements the song’s powerful atmosphere.

• Benefits: Mastering power chords will help you in almost every genre of rock and metal, providing a solid foundation for rhythm playing. Palm muting adds dynamic control, allowing you to create contrast between muted and open sections.

Alternate Picking

Throughout the song, especially in the faster lead sections, alternate picking plays a crucial role in keeping up with the song's fast tempo. This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, which increases speed and precision.

• Benefits: Developing your alternate picking will improve your picking efficiency and accuracy, helping you tackle fast passages with ease and clarity. It’s an essential skill for playing at higher tempos without sacrificing precision.

String Bending and Vibrato

The solo section of "Welcome Home" features expressive use of string bending and vibrato, adding emotion and flair to the lead lines. Bending allows you to reach notes that lie between frets, while vibrato adds texture and depth to sustained notes.

• Benefits: These techniques allow you to add personal expression to your playing. String bending helps with pitch control and ear training, while vibrato enhances the sustain and emotional impact of your notes.

Pinched Harmonics

To achieve those screaming high-pitched notes found in the heavier sections, pinched harmonics are used. This technique adds an aggressive, squealing tone that cuts through the mix, making it perfect for metal riffs.

• Benefits: Pinched harmonics are a great way to add aggression and excitement to your playing. Learning to execute them consistently will give your riffs a sharp, distinctive edge.

Arpeggios

"Welcome Home" features beautiful arpeggios in its clean sections, where the individual notes of chords are played in sequence rather than strummed. This creates a flowing, melodic texture that contrasts with the heavy power chords.

• Benefits: Arpeggios are crucial for expanding your understanding of chords and melody. They also improve finger dexterity and control, making you a more versatile player in both rhythm and lead contexts.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

Another key feature of "Welcome Home" is its use of dual guitar harmonies. Multiple guitar parts are layered to create rich harmonised lines, which are a signature element of Coheed and Cambria’s sound.

• Benefits: Learning to play in harmony with another guitarist sharpens your timing, pitch recognition, and overall musicianship. It’s especially useful for players in bands who want to create more complex and immersive arrangements.

Conclusion

Our lesson on "Welcome Home" by Coheed and Cambria provides you with an excellent opportunity to develop a broad set of guitar skills. From power chords and alternate picking to advanced techniques like two-handed tapping and dual harmonies, this song offers a wide range of challenges and rewards for players of all skill levels. By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play "Welcome Home" with confidence but also elevate your overall guitar playing ability.

Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Arpeggios
• Dual Guitar Harmonies