Woman From Tokyo - Deep Purple

Dive Into the Iconic Guitar of "Woman From Tokyo"

Deep Purple’s "Woman From Tokyo" is a masterpiece that showcases the band’s dynamic ability to blend rock with intricate musicality. This track, from their 1973 album Who Do We Think We Are, features iconic riffs and melodic themes that have inspired guitarists for decades. At LickLibrary.com, we’ve created a note-for-note guitar lesson that dissects this incredible song, enabling you to master its techniques while building your overall guitar proficiency. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple’s legendary guitarist, is the driving force behind "Woman From Tokyo." Known for his unparalleled creativity, Blackmore’s playing blends blues, classical, and rock influences, making him one of the most influential guitarists in rock history. His innovative approach to melody and technique has inspired generations of players and solidified Deep Purple’s legacy as one of rock’s greatest bands.

Key Techniques Explored in the Lesson

String Bending

String bending is a staple of expressive guitar playing, and "Woman From Tokyo" uses it masterfully to add emotion to the lead lines. This technique involves pushing a string up or down to alter its pitch. Practicing string bending helps you develop finger strength, control, and the ability to play more expressively.

Vibrato

Ritchie Blackmore’s signature vibrato brings life and depth to every note. Vibrato involves oscillating the pitch of a note to add a singing quality to your playing. This lesson will help you develop a controlled and dynamic vibrato, which is essential for creating an emotive guitar tone. Learn about vibrato.

Slides

Slides create smooth transitions between notes and are prominently featured in the melodic sections of the song. By incorporating slides, you can add fluidity to your playing and seamlessly connect phrases. Explore slides.

Alternate Picking

Blackmore’s intricate picking patterns are driven by alternate picking. This technique involves alternating up and down strokes with your pick, ensuring speed and accuracy in your playing. Mastering alternate picking improves your efficiency and precision across all styles. Discover alternate picking.

Pull-Offs

Pull-offs create a fluid, legato sound by removing your fretting finger to allow a lower-pitched note to ring out. This technique is used in various melodic runs and adds a smooth, lyrical quality to your playing. Learn about pull-offs.

Power Chords

The song’s rhythm sections are driven by powerful and punchy power chords. This essential rock technique uses root and fifth intervals to create a strong harmonic foundation. Learning power chords builds your rhythm-playing chops and is fundamental to rock and metal. Explore power chords.

Arpeggios

"Woman From Tokyo" features arpeggios that outline its chord progressions with clarity and elegance. By breaking chords into their individual notes, arpeggios enhance your understanding of harmony and improve your finger dexterity. Master arpeggios.

Palm Muting

The track employs palm muting to create tight, percussive rhythm parts. By lightly resting your palm on the strings near the bridge, you can control sustain and dynamics. Palm muting is essential for adding texture and groove to your playing. Learn palm muting.

Syncopated Rhythms

The song’s rhythmic complexity includes syncopated patterns that make it exciting and dynamic. Syncopation involves playing off the beat, challenging your timing and adding variety to your rhythm playing. Discover syncopated rhythms.

Harmonics

Ritchie Blackmore often uses natural harmonics to add shimmering overtones to his playing. Harmonics involve lightly touching the string at specific points to produce bell-like tones, adding color and uniqueness to your sound. Explore harmonics.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Mastering the techniques in "Woman From Tokyo" will not only enable you to replicate this iconic song but also enhance your overall playing ability. These skills are foundational to many styles of guitar, from rock to blues and beyond. They improve your technical proficiency, musicality, and confidence on the instrument, making you a more versatile and expressive guitarist.

Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

Here’s a list of the key techniques covered in this lesson:

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Arpeggios
• Palm Muting
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Harmonics

Embark on your journey to mastering "Woman From Tokyo" and deepen your understanding of the techniques that make this song a timeless classic. Start your lesson at LickLibrary.com today!