Highway Star Guitar Lesson - Deep Purple

"Highway Star" by Deep Purple is an iconic rock anthem that has been thrilling guitarists and music lovers for decades. The song's high-octane energy and blistering guitar solos have cemented it as a must-learn for any guitarist looking to develop advanced rock techniques. Danny Gill's note-for-note guitar lesson will take you through every nuance of the song, breaking down the key techniques used by Deep Purple's guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore and how they can elevate your guitar playing.

The Guitar Master Behind the Song: Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore, the lead guitarist for Deep Purple during their most celebrated years, is renowned for his virtuosic playing, blending classical influences with hard rock. His groundbreaking guitar work in "Highway Star" showcases a mastery of speed, precision, and melody, creating one of the most memorable solos in rock history. Blackmore’s technique not only revolutionised the sound of rock guitar but also influenced countless guitarists who followed. His ability to switch between high-energy rock riffs and fluid, intricate solos has set a benchmark for guitar players around the world.

Song Breakdown

Opening Riffs and Power Chords

The song kicks off with a driving rhythm supported by power chords. These simple yet effective chords provide the foundation for the song's fast-paced tempo. Learning how to execute power chords with precision will greatly benefit your rhythm playing, allowing you to lock in with the rest of the band and maintain the song’s intensity.

Benefits: Power chords are essential for any rock guitarist, offering a tight, punchy sound that cuts through the mix and forms the backbone of many iconic songs.

Alternate Picking in the Main Riff

The main riff of "Highway Star" makes heavy use of alternate picking, providing both speed and articulation to the fast-paced sections. Mastering alternate picking in this context will help you develop the dexterity and control needed to play faster, more complex passages with accuracy.

Benefits: Alternate picking is a fundamental technique that enhances your ability to play with speed while maintaining precision. It's particularly useful in solos and fast lead lines.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Ritchie Blackmore's solo work in this song utilises string bending and bluesy bends to create expressive and dynamic phrases. Bending the strings allows for subtle pitch variations and vibrato that make each note sing with emotion.

Benefits: Learning how to control string bending adds a vocal quality to your playing, making your solos more emotive and dynamic. It’s an essential tool for adding personality to your lead guitar lines.

Tremolo Picking in the Solo

The fiery guitar solo in "Highway Star" features rapid tremolo picking, a technique where a single note is picked repeatedly at high speed. This adds a dramatic, driving effect to the solo, pushing the energy of the song to its peak.

Benefits: Tremolo picking is an essential skill for creating intensity in solos. Mastering this technique will improve your speed and stamina when playing fast passages.

Arpeggios and Sweep Picking

One of the most recognisable parts of Blackmore's solo is his use of arpeggios and sweep picking. Arpeggios are the notes of a chord played in sequence rather than simultaneously, and sweep picking allows for smooth transitions between notes at high speed. This combination produces the fluid, melodic runs that Blackmore is famous for.

Benefits: Learning arpeggios and sweep picking will significantly improve your ability to play complex, fast passages cleanly. These techniques are vital for advanced lead playing and melodic solos.

Vibrato

Throughout the song, Blackmore applies vibrato to sustain notes, adding richness and texture. Vibrato is a subtle but powerful tool that enhances the musicality of sustained notes, making them stand out in a mix.

Benefits: Vibrato adds depth and emotion to your playing, and learning how to control it will make your solos sound more professional and engaging.

Pull-offs and Hammer-ons

The solos also incorporate a mix of pull-offs and hammer-ons, techniques that help increase speed and fluidity when moving between notes. These techniques allow for smooth legato phrasing, which contrasts nicely with the more aggressive alternate picking sections.

Benefits: Pull-offs and hammer-ons help create fluid, connected phrases without the need for continuous picking, enhancing your overall technical proficiency.

Double Stop Bends

One of the standout features of Blackmore's playing in "Highway Star" is the use of double-stop bends, where two notes are bent at once to create harmonic tension and release. This technique contributes to the song’s explosive sound.

Benefits: Double stop bends will improve your control and understanding of harmonised lines, adding an extra layer of expression to your lead playing.

Why Learn "Highway Star"?

Learning "Highway Star" will not only sharpen your technical skills but also give you insight into the stylistic elements that define hard rock guitar playing. This song is packed with useful techniques that every rock guitarist should have in their arsenal, from alternate picking and tremolo picking to sweep picking and string bending. By mastering these techniques, you'll be better equipped to tackle a wide range of guitar solos and riffs, and your overall playing will become more fluid, expressive, and powerful.

Guitar Techniques Used in the "Highway Star" Guitar Lesson:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Tremolo Picking
• Arpeggios
• Sweep Picking
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Power Chords
• Double Stop Bends