Learn to Play "Lazy" by Deep Purple | Guitar Lesson

Take your blues-rock guitar playing to the next level with our in-depth guitar lesson for “Lazy” by Deep Purple, a cornerstone track from their legendary Machine Head album. Clocking in at over seven minutes, this jam-packed instrumental showcases the incredible range and feel of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore — blending blistering solos, soulful bends, slick slides, and tasteful phrasing into a masterclass of expressive rock guitar.

This note-for-note guitar tutorial at LickLibrary breaks down every section of "Lazy" with precision and clarity. From the laid-back intro licks to the fiery blues-inspired solos, you’ll build your skills in string bending, slides, alternate picking, and vibrato — four essential techniques that will elevate your lead playing and phrasing, no matter your genre. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Song Breakdown & Techniques Covered

String Bending

Throughout the extended solos in “Lazy,” string bending plays a key role in delivering emotional impact. Blackmore’s use of bending goes beyond technique — it becomes a vocal expression. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to execute clean, pitch-perfect bends with both subtlety and aggression. Mastering this technique helps develop your ear for pitch, finger strength, and dynamic control, making your lead lines more expressive and authentic.

Slides

Slides are used throughout “Lazy” to connect phrases smoothly and create fluid transitions between notes. Whether sliding into chords or shifting between lead positions, this technique adds a bluesy, expressive character to your playing. Practicing slides will improve your fretboard navigation and help you create more melodic and cohesive solos. In this lesson, we break down exactly how Blackmore uses this technique for maximum impact.

Alternate Picking

Speed and accuracy are vital when tackling the faster, more intense licks in “Lazy.” That’s where alternate picking comes into play. This essential technique allows you to pick efficiently with downstrokes and upstrokes in a consistent rhythm. In this lesson, you’ll develop greater picking control and learn how to apply alternate picking in both bluesy phrasing and rapid-fire rock runs — essential for building stamina and tightness in your playing.

Vibrato

One of the defining features of Ritchie Blackmore’s style is his rich and controlled vibrato. On “Lazy,” vibrato adds depth and emotional nuance to held notes and phrasing. In this lesson, we show you how to apply vibrato tastefully and consistently, improving your tonal control and making your solos sing. Vibrato is key to personal expression on the guitar — and mastering it will elevate the impact of every note you play.

Why Learn “Lazy”?

Learning “Lazy” gives you more than just a classic Deep Purple song in your repertoire — it’s an immersive workout in expressive lead guitar techniques. You’ll explore blues-inspired phrasing, dynamic control, and intricate soloing over a laid-back yet powerful groove. Whether you're aiming to improve your blues-rock chops or gain confidence in improvisation and melodic development, this lesson offers the perfect platform.

By studying Ritchie Blackmore’s playing in "Lazy," you’ll gain a deeper understanding of phrasing, tone shaping, and solo structure. You’ll also strengthen your technical abilities while learning how to put feel above flash — a lesson every serious guitarist should take to heart.

About the Guitarist: Ritchie Blackmore

The guitar work in "Lazy" is the product of Ritchie Blackmore, one of rock's most revered and pioneering guitarists. Known for fusing classical precision with blues intensity, Blackmore helped define the hard rock and early heavy metal sound of the 1970s. His playing on "Lazy" is a perfect example of his versatility — combining bluesy attitude with technical control and expressive phrasing. Blackmore’s tone, touch, and unique sense of melody have inspired generations of guitarists, from shred players to classic rock icons. Learning “Lazy” is a direct path into the world of a guitar legend.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Slides
• Alternate Picking
• Vibrato

Dive into “Lazy” today and learn to channel the expressive, bluesy fire of one of rock’s greatest guitarists with our detailed LickLibrary breakdown. With step-by-step guidance and on-screen tab, you’ll master the track and the timeless techniques it’s built on.