Sail Away by Deep Purple - Guitar Lesson

“Sail Away” by Deep Purple is a dynamic rock song with a groove-driven rhythm and powerful guitar work that showcases Ritchie Blackmore’s signature style. In this lesson from LickLibrary.com, we’ll break down the essential guitar techniques used in "Sail Away," including hammer-ons, power chords, vibrato, and string bending. These techniques form the foundation of the song and are crucial to capturing the full essence of Blackmore’s playing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, mastering these techniques will enhance your overall guitar skills and improve your ability to play this classic Deep Purple track note for note. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques in "Sail Away"

Hammer-ons

Hammer-ons are used throughout "Sail Away" to create smooth transitions between notes, especially in melodic passages. A hammer-on involves "hammering" a fretting finger down onto the fretboard to produce a note without picking the string again. This technique allows for fluid, connected phrasing, which is essential for both fast runs and slow, expressive lines. In this lesson, you'll practice incorporating hammer-ons in the context of the song’s main riff and solos. Mastering hammer-ons will improve your finger strength, speed, and legato playing, making your transitions between notes smoother and more connected.

Power Chords

Power chords are a staple of rock guitar, and in "Sail Away," they provide the song's driving, rhythmic foundation. Power chords consist of just two or three notes, usually played with distortion to create a full, powerful sound. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play the power chords that form the backbone of the song’s main riff. Power chords are essential for rhythm guitarists, and mastering them will allow you to play countless rock songs with confidence. This lesson will also help you improve your chord transitions and develop the hand strength needed to maintain the energy and drive required for rock guitar playing.

Vibrato

Vibrato is a critical technique for adding emotion and expression to your guitar playing. In "Sail Away," Ritchie Blackmore uses vibrato to enhance the sustain and feel of certain notes, especially during the song's lead sections. Vibrato involves slightly bending and releasing a note to create a subtle variation in pitch, giving the note a "singing" quality. Learning vibrato is essential for developing your personal sound and making your playing more expressive. This lesson will teach you how to control your vibrato, ensuring that each note resonates with the right amount of emotion and intensity.

String Bending

String bending is another technique that is central to Blackmore’s lead playing in "Sail Away." Bending a string raises the pitch of the note, allowing you to create tension and resolution in your solos. String bending is especially useful for mimicking the human voice, giving your solos a more vocal, emotional quality. In this lesson, you’ll practice both full and half-step bends, ensuring that you can execute them accurately and smoothly. String bending adds a dynamic element to your playing, allowing you to emphasize certain notes and create more expressive solos.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Mastering the techniques used in "Sail Away" will not only allow you to play the song authentically but also improve your overall guitar playing. These foundational techniques can be applied to countless other songs and styles, making you a more versatile and skilled guitarist.

• Hammer-ons: Hammer-ons are great for improving your speed and fluidity, allowing you to play faster, more connected lines with ease.
• Power Chords: Power chords are essential for any rhythm guitarist, providing a strong foundation for rock, metal, and punk songs. Learning to play them cleanly will give your playing more power and precision.
• Vibrato: Vibrato adds depth and emotion to your notes, making your guitar playing sound more expressive and personal.
• String Bending: String bending gives you control over pitch and adds drama to your solos, allowing you to create tension and release with ease.

Each of these techniques plays a key role in defining the sound of "Sail Away," and by mastering them, you’ll not only capture the essence of the song but also improve your overall guitar technique. Whether you’re looking to enhance your lead playing or strengthen your rhythm guitar skills, this lesson will give you the tools you need to succeed.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Influence on "Sail Away"

Ritchie Blackmore, the guitarist behind Deep Purple’s most iconic songs, is known for his unique combination of blues, rock, and classical elements. His playing on "Sail Away" demonstrates his versatility and flair, blending hard-hitting power chords with subtle, expressive lead work. Blackmore’s influence extends beyond the confines of Deep Purple, as his pioneering approach to guitar helped shape the sound of hard rock and heavy metal. By studying his techniques in "Sail Away," you not only gain insight into his playing but also learn how to develop your own expressive voice on the guitar. This lesson will guide you through each technique, enabling you to emulate Blackmore’s distinctive style.

List of Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Hammer-ons
• Power Chords
• Vibrato
• String Bending

By focusing on these essential techniques, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle "Sail Away" by Deep Purple and apply these skills to a wide range of songs. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, mastering these techniques will enhance your ability to play with both technical proficiency and emotional expression.