"Hole Hearted" by Extreme: Guitar Lesson

The Song and the Lead Guitarist

When you listen to Extreme's "Hole Hearted," you're immediately treated to a sonic blend of acoustic rock, bluesy undertones, and exceptional musicianship. Released in 1991 as part of the 'Pornograffitti' album, the song emerged as a chart-topper. As a guitarist, what makes this song particularly intriguing is the work of Nuno Bettencourt, the lead guitarist of Extreme. Known for his technical prowess and emotional touch, Nuno blends complexity with musicality, making "Hole Hearted" a lesson in both technique and expression. Sam Bell breaks down this classic acoustic track.

Chord Progressions

At its core, "Hole Hearted" is based on a rather simple chord progression featuring mostly open chords such as G, C9, Dsus4, Em7, and Asus2. While these chords are straightforward, the way they are arpeggiated and embellished brings them to life. What could have been a simple strummed acoustic piece becomes a rhythmic and melodious journey that perfectly complements the vocals.

Scales Used

Primarily, the song utilises the G major scale, but Nuno isn't a guy to limit himself to just one scale or tonality. You'll notice that some phrases have a Mixolydian flavour, and there are moments of pentatonic magic thrown in there as well, adding some bluesy vibes to the overall piece.

Guitar Solo Analysis

When it comes to the guitar solo, we are once again reminded of Nuno's brilliance. Although "Hole Hearted" doesn't offer a traditional blistering electric solo, it showcases Nuno’s gift for melody. He incorporates various techniques to colour the sounds, moving seamlessly from smooth legato runs to arpeggiated sequences. Pay close attention, and you'll find some delicate use of tapped harmonics, adding an ethereal touch to the solo. He also blends major and minor tonalities, a hallmark of a guitarist who knows how to tell a story with his instrument.

Techniques List

To wrap things up, let's list the techniques used in "Hole Hearted," complete with links to their definitions. This song serves as a masterclass on how to tastefully integrate various guitar techniques into a cohesive musical statement.

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Barre Chords
• Hammer-ons
• Double-stops
• Slides
• Sustain
• Open-string Riffs
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

As a guitarist, the deep dive into "Hole Hearted" offers a valuable lesson in how technique serves music, rather than the other way around. Nuno Bettencourt proves that virtuosity can be as simple or as complicated as the song requires. He employs a wide range of techniques but does so with an effortless flow that serves the song's purpose: to create an emotional impact. "Hole Hearted" stands as a testament to what can be achieved when technical skill meets emotive musicality.