"Goin' Crazy" by David Lee Roth - Note for Note Guitar Lesson

David Lee Roth’s “Goin’ Crazy” from his 1986 album Eat 'Em and Smile is a high-octane track that blends rock, pop, and blues influences, making it a standout in Roth’s solo career. The song features the extraordinary guitar work of Steve Vai, whose technical prowess and creative flair take the song to another level. In this guitar lesson, we focus on four essential techniques found in “Goin’ Crazy”: double stops, slides, alternate picking, and power chords. Each of these techniques plays a crucial role in defining the song’s energetic and driving guitar parts. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to play “Goin’ Crazy” note for note while also expanding your overall guitar skills. This lesson is taught by Sam Bell.

Techniques Used

Double Stops

Double stops, which involve playing two notes simultaneously, are used extensively in “Goin’ Crazy.” Steve Vai incorporates double stops into both rhythm and lead sections, adding harmonic depth and a thicker sound to the guitar lines. These double stops are often used in short, punchy riffs that give the song its driving, rhythmic feel.

Double stops are a great way to add harmonic complexity to your playing without needing full chords. They allow you to emphasize two-note harmonies, which can make your riffs and lead lines sound fuller and more dynamic. Learning double stops improves your finger independence and dexterity, as you need to play two notes simultaneously with precision. This technique is widely used in rock, blues, and country, and mastering it will help you add more texture to both your rhythm and lead playing.

Slides

Slides are another key technique in “Goin’ Crazy.” A slide involves pressing down on a note and smoothly gliding your finger up or down the fretboard to another note without lifting it. Vai uses slides to create fluid transitions between notes, giving the lead parts a smooth, connected feel. Slides are also used in the rhythm sections to add movement and variation to the riffs, helping to maintain the song’s dynamic flow.

Slides allow you to move between notes more seamlessly, creating a more fluid, legato feel in your playing. This technique is especially useful for adding expressiveness and smooth transitions to your guitar lines. Mastering slides helps improve your fretboard control and navigation, as you’ll be moving across the neck with more confidence and precision. Slides also enhance the emotional quality of your playing, making your solos and riffs sound more connected and musical.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is one of the fundamental techniques in “Goin’ Crazy.” It involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes while picking, allowing for faster and more efficient note articulation. Steve Vai uses alternate picking to play rapid, intricate lines with clarity and precision, especially during the song’s solos and faster riff sections. This technique is essential for achieving the song’s fast, driving pace.

Alternate picking is a critical technique for building speed and accuracy in your playing. By alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, you can play faster lines with less physical effort, making it easier to tackle more complex riffs and solos. Practicing alternate picking will improve your picking hand coordination and precision, which are essential for playing fast, intricate passages cleanly. Mastering alternate picking will give you greater control over your articulation and dynamics, allowing you to play with more speed and consistency.

Power Chords

Power chords form the foundation of the rhythm guitar parts in “Goin’ Crazy.” Power chords are simple two-note chords consisting of a root note and its fifth. These chords are perfect for creating a driving, heavy rhythm that gives the song its rock edge. Vai uses power chords to create the solid, rhythmic backbone of the song, giving it energy and momentum.

Power chords are essential for any rock or metal guitarist. They are simple to play but highly effective in creating a powerful, full sound. Power chords are movable shapes, meaning you can easily change keys by shifting the same shape up and down the fretboard. Learning power chords will improve your rhythm playing, allowing you to create bold, aggressive riffs with minimal finger movement. Power chords are the backbone of countless rock songs, and mastering them will give you the tools to play rhythm guitar with confidence and authority.

The Guitarist Behind the Song

Steve Vai, who played guitar on “Goin’ Crazy,” is one of the most technically accomplished and innovative guitarists of his generation. His work with David Lee Roth on Eat 'Em and Smile brought a fresh, virtuosic approach to Roth’s solo material, combining Vai’s extraordinary technical abilities with his unique sense of musical creativity. In “Goin’ Crazy,” Vai’s use of double stops, slides, alternate picking, and power chords creates a vibrant, energetic sound that perfectly complements Roth’s wild vocal performance.

Vai’s guitar work on “Goin’ Crazy” is a perfect example of his ability to blend complex techniques with musicality, creating guitar parts that are both challenging and engaging. Learning to play this song will give you insight into Vai’s approach to guitar, helping you develop your own technical skills while expanding your understanding of how to use these techniques in a musical context.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Double Stops
• Slides
• Alternate Picking
• Power Chords

Mastering the techniques found in “Goin’ Crazy” will not only allow you to play this David Lee Roth classic with accuracy, but it will also improve your overall guitar playing. Double stops will add harmonic richness to your riffs, slides will enhance your ability to create smooth, connected lines, alternate picking will help you play faster and with more precision, and power chords will give your rhythm playing a strong, driving foundation. These techniques are essential for any guitarist looking to expand their skills in rock and beyond. Dive into this lesson and discover the energy and technical brilliance of Steve Vai’s guitar work!