"Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac

"Second Hand News" is one of the standout tracks from Fleetwood Mac’s iconic album Rumours, and its infectious rhythm and catchy melodies make it a fantastic song for any guitarist looking to improve their technique. The song is packed with various guitar techniques, including alternate picking, vibrato, and finger-picking, all of which help shape its signature sound. In this guitar lesson, we will break down the key elements of the song and provide insights into the techniques used, as well as the benefits of mastering them. Sam Bell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

This guitar lesson focuses on several fundamental techniques that can greatly improve your guitar playing. Here’s an overview of the techniques we will cover and their importance to the "Second Hand News" track:

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a crucial technique for fast, clean picking. It involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, which is essential in playing the upbeat rhythm of “Second Hand News.” By practicing alternate picking, you'll improve your speed, precision, and overall control, making your guitar playing sound cleaner and more professional. This technique helps you play complex rhythms and fast lines with ease.

Vibrato

Vibrato adds expression and depth to your playing. By learning how to use vibrato effectively in "Second Hand News," you’ll develop your ability to make notes sing, adding a personal touch to every phrase. This technique helps you hold notes with a more musical tone and can convey emotion and style in your performance.

Finger-Picking

Finger-picking is the art of plucking the strings using your fingers rather than a pick. It is an essential technique in “Second Hand News” because of the laid-back yet intricate rhythm that drives the song. Mastering finger-picking will improve your dexterity and control, allowing you to execute smoother transitions between chords and more intricate melodies.

String Bending

String bending is a technique often used to add expressiveness to guitar solos and riffs. In "Second Hand News," bending is used to create tension and release, making certain phrases more powerful. By practicing string bends, you’ll learn how to achieve pitch variation with precision, adding emotional weight to your solos.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is a technique used to create a muted, percussive sound, which is a key element in the rhythm sections of the song. It helps you control the attack of each note and provides a more choppy, staccato sound. This is especially useful in playing the song’s driving, syncopated rhythm patterns.

The Guitarists Behind the Song

The song “Second Hand News” features the distinctive guitar work of Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac’s lead guitarist and primary songwriter. Buckingham is renowned for his unique finger-picking style, rhythmic precision, and inventive use of guitar effects. His playing on this track showcases his skilful use of finger-picking combined with strong rhythmic elements, which became a defining characteristic of his style. His influence on rock guitar playing is immense, especially in terms of rhythm guitar techniques and integrating folk elements into rock.

Buckingham’s ability to blend finger-picking with conventional strumming and his creativity in adding intricate details to his arrangements make him an influential figure in rock music. His work with Fleetwood Mac, particularly on Rumours, has inspired countless guitarists to explore new ways of approaching rhythm and lead guitar roles.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Mastering the techniques found in "Second Hand News" will not only improve your technical ability on the guitar, but it will also expand your musical vocabulary. Techniques such as alternate picking, vibrato, and string bending will help you play with greater expression and precision, whether you're covering songs or creating your own. By learning how to execute these techniques with clarity, you’ll be able to approach more complex guitar music with confidence.

The song's rhythm is essential to understanding the role of a guitarist in a band setting, showing you how to drive a song forward with dynamic strumming and picking patterns. Finger-picking will also introduce you to a more delicate touch on the strings, which is a great skill for playing a wide range of musical genres, from folk to rock.

Techniques List

Below is a list of guitar techniques covered in this lesson. Each of these techniques plays an important role in helping you master "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Finger-Picking
• String Bending
• Palm Muting

By learning these techniques, you will gain better control over your playing and enhance your ability to tackle more challenging guitar songs in the future. The combination of rhythm and lead guitar elements found in "Second Hand News" will challenge you to expand your musical horizons while improving your overall technique.