"Mother" by Danzig

Our note-for-note guitar lesson for Mother by Danzig offers an immersive and detailed breakdown of this iconic track. Originally released in 1988, the song remains a powerful anthem of rock music, driven by dark tones, aggressive rhythms, and memorable guitar lines. This lesson focuses on the distinct playing techniques used in the song and demonstrates how mastering them can elevate your playing to new heights. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarist Behind Mother

The primary guitar work on Mother is handled by John Christ, Danzig’s original guitarist, whose heavy, riff-driven style helped define the band’s sound in the late 80s and early 90s. John Christ’s influence is deeply rooted in metal, blues, and hard rock, blending chunky power chords, aggressive vibrato, and dark melodies. His tone is bold and gritty, with a slight bluesy edge, and his playing emphasises feel and dynamics over speed and technical flash. For guitarists learning Mother, Christ's approach provides a great lesson in balancing aggression with precision.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Power Chords

Power chords form the backbone of the song’s structure, particularly in the main riff and the verses. These simple yet effective two-note chords provide a strong, punchy sound, perfect for rock and metal songs. Learning power chords will improve your rhythm playing, and give you the ability to craft solid foundations in any song. Plus, mastering them will open the door to playing countless other rock classics.

Palm Muting

The chugging rhythm in Mother heavily relies on palm muting, which gives the riffs their percussive, driving feel. By resting the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings, you can create that signature muted attack, adding tightness and intensity to your playing. Palm muting is a staple technique in rock and metal, essential for creating dynamic contrasts in rhythm guitar parts.

String Bending

John Christ’s solos often incorporate string bending, an expressive technique that adds a vocal-like quality to your playing. Bending strings allows you to hit notes that aren’t immediately available, creating a sense of tension and release. Mastering string bending will improve your lead guitar work and help you develop better control over intonation and sustain.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another critical aspect of Christ’s lead work. In Mother, it is used to add emotion and character to bent notes. Developing a strong, controlled vibrato can make a huge difference in your playing, as it allows you to add personality to every note you play. This technique will not only give your solos more depth but will also help you establish your own unique sound.

Pinched Harmonics

Christ incorporates pinched harmonics throughout Mother, delivering those signature squeals that punctuate the riffs. Achieving pinched harmonics involves a precise pick attack combined with a bit of thumb contact, which can take some time to master. Learning this technique adds another layer of aggression to your playing and allows you to accent certain notes with a high-pitched, harmonic flair.

Alternate Picking

The main riff in Mother makes use of alternate picking, which is crucial for keeping up with the fast-paced rhythm and delivering a consistent attack. By alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, you can maintain the speed and accuracy required to nail the riff. This technique is invaluable for improving your overall picking efficiency, speed, and timing, and it can be applied to virtually every genre of music.

Slides

Slides between power chords and notes appear frequently in the rhythm sections of the song. Sliding between positions allows for smooth transitions and adds a bit of flair to what might otherwise be static changes. This technique helps develop a fluid playing style and improves your fretboard navigation.

Pull-offs

In the solo section, you’ll find the use of pull-offs, which help create fast, fluid lines without relying solely on picking each note. This legato technique improves your finger strength and dexterity, and learning to incorporate pull-offs can help you achieve a more effortless, flowing sound in your lead playing.

Vibrato-Infused Bends

John Christ often combines vibrato with string bending to give the notes extra movement. This blend of techniques adds a distinctive feel to his soloing, which is both dramatic and emotional. Mastering this combination allows you to bring more life and expression to your bends, turning simple phrases into captivating moments.

Chord Progressions

Mother also features some straightforward chord progressions that drive the rhythm and provide the song with its unmistakable structure. Understanding how these chord progressions function within the song will help you improve your songwriting skills and recognise similar patterns in other tracks.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Slides
• Chord Progressions

By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to fully capture the essence of Mother and improve your overall guitar skillset.

Guitar Techniques Used in Our Lessons

• Unison Bends
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending

Each of these links leads to a glossary entry on our site, providing further details and examples of the technique.

Join us at Licklibrary.com to master "Mother" by Danzig and unlock new levels of guitar proficiency through our comprehensive and engaging lessons. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, our lessons are designed to enhance your skills and broaden your musical horizons.