Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

Learn to Play 'Landslide' by Fleetwood Mac with LickLibrary

Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide is one of the most beautiful and emotionally charged acoustic songs ever recorded. Written by Stevie Nicks and played by Lindsey Buckingham, this iconic ballad is a must-learn for any guitarist looking to develop precision, control, and expressive fingerstyle techniques. Our in-depth lesson at LickLibrary takes you through every note, ensuring you master the song exactly as performed on the original recording.

This lesson not only teaches you how to play Landslide note-for-note but also focuses on key guitar techniques that will enhance your playing across multiple styles. From intricate fingerpicking patterns to smooth transitions between chord voicings, learning this song will provide you with invaluable skills that translate to other musical pieces. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Lindsey Buckingham’s Influence

Lindsey Buckingham is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and expressive guitarists in rock history. His unique fingerpicking technique, inspired by folk and classical guitar, adds an intricate texture to Fleetwood Mac’s sound. Unlike traditional flat-picking, Buckingham's finger-style approach allows for dynamic control, melodic articulation, and seamless transitions between bass and melody lines. His work on Landslide showcases his ability to create emotionally compelling guitar arrangements that resonate with listeners worldwide.

Buckingham’s influence extends far beyond Fleetwood Mac, inspiring generations of guitarists to explore finger-style techniques and alternate tunings. His precise picking hand control and expressive playing style continue to be studied by aspiring musicians looking to develop a unique voice on the guitar.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking is the backbone of Landslide. This technique allows for independent movement between the bass and melody, creating a full and resonant sound. Learning fingerpicking improves dexterity, coordination, and dynamics, making it a crucial skill for acoustic and folk-style players.

Chord Progressions

The song features a beautifully structured chord progression that supports the melancholic melody. Understanding these progressions will help you build a strong foundation for songwriting and improve your ability to recognise common harmonic structures in music.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

Landslide relies on arpeggiated chord progressions to create its flowing and intricate sound. Mastering this technique helps guitarists develop precision in picking individual notes while maintaining smooth transitions between chords.

Slides

Throughout the song, Buckingham uses slides to smoothly transition between notes, adding an expressive touch to the melody. Incorporating slides into your playing enhances phrasing and fluidity, making solos and lead lines sound more natural.

Capo Usage

Buckingham uses a capo on the song, allowing for open chord voicings that would otherwise be difficult to play in the key of B-flat. Understanding how to use a capo effectively can expand your tonal possibilities and make playing in different keys easier.

Travis Picking

A key element in Buckingham’s style, Travis picking is used in Landslide to create a rhythmic and melodic interplay. This technique strengthens coordination between the thumb and fingers, making it an essential skill for finger-style players.

Guitar Techniques Featured in the Lesson

• Fingerpicking
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Slides
• Capo
• Travis Picking

By mastering the techniques in Landslide, you'll develop greater control over your playing, improve your ability to express emotion through the guitar, and expand your repertoire with one of the most cherished acoustic songs of all time. Explore the full lesson at LickLibrary and take your playing to the next level!