Bloodsucker by Deep Purple - Guitar Lesson Overview

Deep Purple’s “Bloodsucker” is a hard-hitting track from their iconic In Rock album, showcasing the band’s signature blend of heavy riffs, bluesy licks, and powerful melodies. For guitarists, learning this song offers a unique opportunity to master several key techniques, including alternate picking, arpeggios, string bending, and slides. This note-for-note lesson on "Bloodsucker" will help you replicate the distinctive style of Deep Purple’s legendary guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, while expanding your skill set for tackling rock and blues-based solos. This song lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Key Techniques in "Bloodsucker"

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a fundamental guitar technique that involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes to pick notes. In "Bloodsucker," alternate picking is used to play the fast, precise riffing that drives the song’s energy. This technique is essential for increasing speed and maintaining accuracy in your playing, especially when navigating complex riffs or solos.

Mastering alternate picking will improve your ability to play at higher speeds without sacrificing clarity. It also builds rhythmic precision and helps you maintain a consistent tone throughout your playing. This lesson will break down how Ritchie Blackmore uses alternate picking in "Bloodsucker" and show you how to apply it to your own playing.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios are the broken-up notes of a chord played individually rather than strummed. In "Bloodsucker," Blackmore uses arpeggios to add a melodic and harmonic richness to the solo sections. By playing arpeggios, you can emphasize the notes of a chord and create a more dynamic sound, whether you’re playing lead or rhythm guitar.

Learning how to incorporate arpeggios into your playing helps you navigate chord progressions more fluidly and adds musicality to your solos. This technique is essential for developing a deeper understanding of harmony and is used extensively in both classical music and rock. The lesson on "Bloodsucker" will guide you through how Blackmore employs arpeggios, helping you add this expressive technique to your guitar arsenal.

String Bending

String bending is a technique that allows you to "bend" a note to a higher pitch by pushing the string up or down. This is a staple of blues and rock guitar playing and is used frequently in "Bloodsucker" to add emotional intensity to key phrases. Blackmore’s use of string bending in this song adds a vocal-like expressiveness to the solo, creating a soaring, dynamic sound.

Mastering string bending improves your control over pitch and tone, allowing you to add more emotion to your playing. This technique also helps you connect phrases smoothly and create tension and release in your solos. The "Bloodsucker" lesson will teach you how to bend strings accurately and in tune, just like Blackmore.

Slides

Slides involve moving your finger up or down the fretboard to create a smooth transition between notes. In "Bloodsucker," slides are used to add fluidity and motion to both the riffs and solo sections. This technique helps connect notes and phrases in a way that sounds seamless and musical, often adding a bluesy or dramatic effect to your playing.

Learning to use slides effectively will improve your ability to create smooth transitions between notes, making your playing sound more cohesive and polished. Slides also allow for greater expression, adding texture and dynamics to your guitar lines. The lesson will demonstrate how Blackmore uses slides in "Bloodsucker" and how you can incorporate this versatile technique into your own playing.

About the Guitarist: Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar work in Deep Purple is known for its seamless fusion of classical, blues, and rock elements. Blackmore’s style was foundational in defining the sound of hard rock and heavy metal. His playing on "Bloodsucker" is a prime example of his ability to balance aggressive riffing with intricate solos, making use of a wide range of techniques to express both power and subtlety. Learning "Bloodsucker" will not only improve your technical playing ability but will also provide insight into Blackmore’s influential style, which has inspired generations of guitarists, from blues-rock players to modern metal shredders.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Arpeggios
• String Bending
• Slides

The guitar lesson for "Bloodsucker" by Deep Purple is an excellent opportunity to develop key techniques that will serve you well across many musical genres. From the speed and precision of alternate picking to the expressive power of string bending and slides, this song offers a comprehensive workout for both your rhythm and lead guitar skills. With detailed breakdowns of each technique, you’ll be able to confidently play one of Deep Purple’s most energetic tracks while expanding your technical repertoire. Dive into this lesson and start mastering the techniques that will take your playing to the next level!