"Elephant Gun" by David Lee Roth - Note for Note Guitar Lesson

David Lee Roth’s “Elephant Gun” from his 1986 album Eat ‘Em and Smile is a high-energy, explosive track driven by the virtuosic guitar work of Steve Vai. Vai’s intricate guitar parts in “Elephant Gun” are a masterclass in combining technical precision with musical creativity. The song features fast-paced riffs, dynamic lead lines, and a mix of advanced guitar techniques that make it a thrilling challenge for guitarists to learn. In this lesson, we’ll focus on four essential techniques found in “Elephant Gun”: double stops, palm muting, two-hand tapping, and harmonics. These techniques are critical to capturing the energy and complexity of the song, while also enhancing your overall guitar skills. This lesson is taught by Sam Bell.

Techniques Used

Double Stops

Double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously, are a key part of the rhythm and lead work in “Elephant Gun.” Steve Vai uses double stops to create thick, harmonized lines that add power and depth to the song’s riffs. These double stops are often used in quick, punchy phrases, making them a driving force in the overall rhythm of the track.

Learning double stops will allow you to add harmonic complexity to your playing, making your riffs and solos sound fuller and more powerful. Double stops are frequently used in blues, rock, and country, and they are essential for creating harmonized melodies and thickened rhythm parts. Mastering this technique improves your finger independence and coordination, as you need to play two notes simultaneously while maintaining clarity. Double stops also add weight to your lead playing, making it sound richer and more dynamic.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is a critical technique used in “Elephant Gun” to control the attack and dynamics of the rhythm guitar parts. By lightly resting the palm of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, you can create a muted, percussive sound that gives the riffs a tight, rhythmic feel. Vai uses palm muting to create contrast between muted and open notes, adding depth and variety to the song’s rhythm sections.

Mastering palm muting allows you to gain greater control over your dynamics and rhythm playing. It tightens up your sound and helps you create rhythmic, percussive riffs that are essential in rock and metal. Palm muting also improves your picking hand precision, helping you control the tonal balance between muted and open notes. By learning this technique, you’ll be able to add more punch and groove to your rhythm parts, making your playing sound tighter and more professional.

Two-Hand Tapping

One of the standout techniques in “Elephant Gun” is two-hand tapping, a technique that Steve Vai is famous for. Two-hand tapping involves using both hands to tap the fretboard, allowing you to play fast, fluid lines that would be difficult to achieve using traditional picking techniques. Vai uses tapping to create fast, intricate runs and arpeggios that give the song its virtuosic flair.

Two-hand tapping is an advanced technique that allows you to play faster, more complex lines with ease. It opens up new possibilities for creating legato phrases and arpeggios, making your solos sound smoother and more fluid. Tapping also helps improve your finger dexterity and coordination between both hands. By mastering two-hand tapping, you’ll be able to incorporate more intricate, fast-paced runs into your playing, making your lead work stand out.

Harmonics

Harmonics are another key feature of “Elephant Gun,” adding texture and sparkle to the guitar parts. Harmonics are produced by lightly touching the string at specific points along the fretboard while plucking the string, creating bell-like tones. In this song, Vai uses natural harmonics to punctuate the rhythm and lead parts, giving the song a unique sonic texture.

Learning harmonics will allow you to add a new layer of sound to your playing. Harmonics produce bright, ringing tones that can make your playing sound more atmospheric and dynamic. Mastering harmonics helps improve your precision and touch sensitivity, as you need to be accurate with both your fretting and picking technique to produce clear, ringing notes. Harmonics are widely used in rock, metal, and even classical guitar, and by learning this technique, you’ll be able to add more texture and color to your guitar lines.

The Guitarist Behind the Song

Steve Vai, the guitarist on “Elephant Gun,” is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and technically proficient guitarists of his generation. Vai’s work with David Lee Roth, particularly on Eat ‘Em and Smile, showcases his ability to blend jaw-dropping technical skill with a unique sense of musicality. On “Elephant Gun,” Vai employs a wide range of techniques, from fast-paced two-hand tapping to harmonics and intricate double-stop riffs, creating a sound that is both powerful and sophisticated.

Vai’s influence on the track is undeniable—his guitar work is the driving force behind the song’s energy and complexity. His ability to seamlessly blend complex techniques with melodic phrasing has made him an influential figure for guitarists across multiple genres. Learning to play “Elephant Gun” offers a unique insight into Vai’s approach to guitar, helping you develop advanced techniques that can be applied to your own playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Double Stops
• Palm Muting
• Two-Hand Tapping
• Harmonics

By mastering the techniques found in “Elephant Gun,” you’ll not only be able to play this high-energy track but also significantly enhance your overall guitar skills. Double stops will add harmonic richness to your playing, palm muting will help you develop tighter, more rhythmic control, and two-hand tapping will enable you to play faster, more fluid lines. Harmonics will introduce a new level of texture and expressiveness to your guitar work, making your playing more dynamic and exciting. Dive into this lesson to unlock the secrets behind Steve Vai’s innovative guitar work and bring new levels of creativity to your playing!