"He-Man Woman Hater" by Extreme": Guitar Lesson

Lead Guitarist: Nuno Bettencourt

Let's start by talking about the virtuoso himself, Nuno Bettencourt. If you're any sort of a guitar aficionado, then you'd know that Bettencourt's style is an eclectic blend of rock, funk, and jazz influences, melded into a rock framework. His dexterity, speed, and melodic intuition make him one of the most respected guitarists in rock. In "He-Man Woman Hater," Bettencourt showcases all of these abilities, turning the song into a guitar clinic for aspiring shredders.

Chord Progressions and Scales

"He-Man Woman Hater" features some common rock progressions, but it's how these chords are treated that sets the song apart. The main riff is built around the E5 and A5 power chords, which serves as a harmonic foundation for Nuno's lead licks. At times, we also hear complex extended chords like C#m7 and F#11, providing an intricate harmonic texture.

The song is primarily in E Mixolydian, though it modulates at times. Nuno is known for mixing scales effortlessly, sometimes venturing into pentatonic and natural minor scales to add drama and tension. In particular, the song features a lot of hammer-ons and pull-offs within these scales to create fluid legato phrases.

Solo Analysis

Ah, the guitar solo—a critical dissection of it could be a masterclass in guitar techniques. The solo begins with some classic alternate picking, displaying an exercise in precision and timing. He then shifts into legato runs, sweeping across the fretboard with remarkable fluidity. But what's particularly striking is his use of tapped harmonics. These harmonics add an ethereal quality to the solo that elevates it into a different emotional realm.

Let's not forget the unison bends and double-stop bends. These are techniques that add a vocal quality to the guitar, often making it sound like it's literally crying out loud. Nuno uses these techniques to create a conversational texture in his solo, often responding to his own phrases as if he were two guitarists talking to each other.

To top it off, he uses some dive bombs with his whammy bar for added drama, and it almost sounds like the guitar is screaming, emphasising the emotional peak of the solo.

Techniques to Note

Finally, let's discuss the techniques featured in this song, which aspiring guitarists can look to master:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Chord Progressions
• Dive Bombs
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords

In conclusion, "He-Man Woman Hater" by Extreme is a treasure trove for guitarists looking to expand their vocabulary. Nuno Bettencourt delivers a performance that highlights both technical prowess and musical emotion, making this song a must-learn for any serious guitarist. Sam Bell breaks down this blistering rock classic in this exclusive Lick Library lesson.