What's Goin' On Here by Deep Purple - Guitar Lesson

“What’s Goin' On Here” by Deep Purple is a groovy rock track that features a blend of powerful rhythm playing and expressive lead work. This guitar lesson from LickLibrary.com is designed to break down the song note-for-note, teaching you the core techniques that Ritchie Blackmore used in this classic track. Techniques like power chords, alternate picking, vibrato, and string bending are fundamental to the song’s overall sound and feel. By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play "What’s Goin' On Here" with confidence but also improve your overall guitar proficiency across a wide range of rock and blues styles. This song is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques in "What’s Goin' On Here"

Power Chords

Power chords are the foundation of the rhythm guitar in "What’s Goin' On Here." Power chords consist of just two or three notes, and when played with distortion, they deliver a heavy, full sound. These chords are especially important in rock and metal guitar playing, providing the backbone of the song’s driving rhythm. In this lesson, you’ll focus on playing these power chords cleanly and efficiently, ensuring that you capture the energy of the original recording. Learning to play power chords is essential for any guitarist looking to perform rock music, as they form the basis of countless riffs and progressions.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a technique where you alternate between downstrokes and upstrokes when picking individual notes. This technique is crucial for playing fast, precise runs, as it allows you to maintain a steady rhythm and increase your picking speed. In "What’s Goin' On Here," alternate picking is used in the lead sections, especially during the solos. By practicing alternate picking, you’ll improve your speed and accuracy, allowing you to tackle faster guitar parts with ease. This lesson will teach you how to execute alternate picking cleanly, helping you develop greater control over your picking hand.

Vibrato

Vibrato is one of the most expressive techniques a guitarist can use, and it plays a vital role in Ritchie Blackmore’s lead work. Vibrato involves slightly bending and releasing a note repeatedly to create a variation in pitch, adding depth and emotion to the note. In "What’s Goin' On Here," Blackmore uses vibrato to emphasize key notes, giving them a richer, more resonant sound. Learning vibrato will help you add personality to your playing, making your solos and melodies stand out. This lesson will show you how to control your vibrato, ensuring that you apply it effectively to enhance the emotional impact of your playing.

String Bending

String bending is another key technique used extensively in "What’s Goin' On Here," particularly during the guitar solos. String bending allows you to raise the pitch of a note by bending the string, creating tension and release in your playing. This technique is often used to mimic the sound of a human voice, adding expressiveness to your solos. In this lesson, you’ll practice both half-step and full-step bends, learning how to execute them with precision. String bending adds a dynamic quality to your playing, allowing you to convey emotion and intensity in your lead lines.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Mastering the techniques used in "What’s Goin' On Here" will not only allow you to play this Deep Purple classic but also develop your overall guitar technique. These techniques are foundational for rock guitarists and can be applied across a wide range of songs and styles.

• Power Chords: Learning to play power chords cleanly will improve your rhythm playing and help you create solid, driving riffs that are essential in rock and metal music.
• Alternate Picking: Mastering alternate picking will allow you to play faster and more accurately, improving your ability to tackle fast lead lines and complex riffs.
• Vibrato: Vibrato adds emotion and expression to your playing, allowing you to make individual notes stand out and resonate with feeling.
• String Bending: String bending gives you control over pitch and adds a vocal quality to your solos, making your lead playing more expressive and engaging.

By focusing on these techniques, you’ll not only be able to recreate the feel of "What’s Goin' On Here" but also improve your overall proficiency as a guitarist. These skills are essential for any rock or blues player and will provide you with a solid foundation for exploring more advanced techniques in the future.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Influence on "What’s Goin' On Here"

Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar playing on "What’s Goin' On Here" is a prime example of his ability to blend gritty rock with bluesy overtones. Known for his technical proficiency and melodic phrasing, Blackmore’s playing is both powerful and dynamic. His ability to incorporate fluid string bending, aggressive alternate picking, and soulful vibrato has left a lasting impression on rock and heavy metal guitarists. By learning Blackmore’s approach in this track, you gain insights into the playing style of one of rock’s most innovative guitarists. This lesson will guide you through each of these techniques, allowing you to tap into Blackmore’s expressive playing style.

List of Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Alternate Picking
• Vibrato
• String Bending

By learning and mastering these core techniques, you’ll be well-equipped to play "What’s Goin' On Here" with confidence and apply these skills to countless other rock and blues tracks. Whether you’re looking to improve your rhythm playing, develop your lead guitar technique, or simply enhance your overall guitar skills, this lesson will provide you with the tools you need to succeed.