Deep Purple's "Burn" Guitar Lesson

If you're looking to learn Deep Purple's iconic track "Burn," you're in for an exciting journey through some of the most powerful and influential guitar techniques in rock history. At Licklibrary.com, we provide a note-for-note guitar lesson that focuses on breaking down the song and its core elements, ensuring you not only learn to play "Burn" but also develop essential skills that will elevate your guitar playing.

In this lesson, you'll explore a variety of techniques that define the song's dynamic and energetic sound. From fast-paced alternate picking to bluesy bends, this is a comprehensive deep dive into rock guitar mastery. Danny Gill takes a closer look at the techniques covered in this lesson and how they can benefit your guitar playing.

The Guitarist Behind "Burn"

"Burn" is driven by the legendary Ritchie Blackmore, one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock. Blackmore’s technical precision and creative use of scales, bends, and aggressive picking have left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. His playing on "Burn" is a shining example of his ability to blend speed, melody, and intensity into a cohesive and thrilling piece of music. By studying his work on this song, you'll gain insight into the methods of one of rock’s greats, as well as a deeper understanding of how to apply these techniques to your own playing.

Technique Breakdown and Benefits

Alternate Picking

One of the most essential techniques used in "Burn" is alternate picking. Blackmore utilises this to maintain a fast and consistent flow throughout the song's riffs and solos. Learning alternate picking allows you to increase your picking speed and precision, which is crucial for tackling high-tempo songs like this one.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

The signature sound of Blackmore's solo work often includes string bending and bluesy bends. These bends give notes a more vocal, expressive quality, adding emotion and tension to your playing. Mastering these will improve your phrasing and help you inject more feeling into your solos.

Double Stops

Double stops are featured heavily in the main riff and are a key component of rock guitar. Playing two notes at the same time adds a fuller sound and a sense of power. This technique is widely used in classic rock, and understanding how to use double stops effectively will enhance your rhythm guitar playing.

Slides

Slides between notes give the music a smooth, connected feel. In "Burn," you’ll find slides between power chords and melodic lines. Slides can make transitions between notes and chords more fluid and dynamic, helping to bridge your phrasing in both lead and rhythm guitar playing.

Pull-Offs and Hammer-Ons

Blackmore frequently uses pull-offs and hammer-ons to create fast legato phrases. This technique allows for smoother and quicker transitions between notes without constant picking. Learning pull-offs and hammer-ons will speed up your lead playing and give it a more fluid, flowing quality.

Arpeggios

During the solo section, you'll encounter arpeggios—the playing of individual notes of a chord in sequence rather than simultaneously. Arpeggios add a melodic and harmonic richness to solos. By learning these, you’ll improve your understanding of chord structure and enhance your soloing vocabulary.

Vibrato

Ritchie Blackmore’s distinctive vibrato is a crucial part of his sound, and it features throughout "Burn." Vibrato gives life to a note, adding sustain and expression. Mastering vibrato will allow you to give your notes more emotional depth and sustain, making them sing out with clarity.

Power Chords

The song’s foundation lies in the use of power chords, which are simple yet powerful chord shapes. Power chords are a staple in rock and metal music, and learning to play them well is essential for rhythm guitar. They provide the foundation of many classic riffs, offering a full, rich sound with minimal movement across the fretboard.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used in the main riff of "Burn" to create a chugging, rhythmic effect. This technique involves lightly resting the palm of your picking hand on the strings to mute them slightly, resulting in a tight, percussive sound. Palm muting adds definition and punch to your playing, especially in rhythm sections.

Unison Bends

Blackmore often uses unison bends to create tension in his solos. This involves bending one string while holding another note at the same pitch, resulting in a powerful, slightly dissonant sound. Unison bends are a great way to add intensity and flair to your soloing.

Tremolo Picking

Finally, tremolo picking is used in the fast solo sections to create a rapid-fire burst of notes. This technique involves picking one note at a very high speed and can add an exciting, high-energy feel to your playing. Tremolo picking is an excellent technique for building speed and endurance.

Conclusion

Our note-for-note guitar lesson for "Burn" by Deep Purple at Licklibrary.com gives you the opportunity to master not only this classic song but also to learn and perfect essential guitar techniques. Whether you're looking to improve your speed, precision, or expressive playing, each technique covered in this song will bring new skills and insights to your guitar journey.

Guitar Techniques Used in These Lessons

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-Offs
• Hammer-Ons
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Arpeggios
• Double Stops
• Unison Bends
• Tremolo Picking
• Slides
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends

By working through the techniques used in "Burn," you'll gain skills that can be applied across many styles and genres of guitar playing.