Cause We've Ended As Lovers by Jeff Beck

Overview of the Song and Guitar Techniques

"Cause We've Ended As Lovers," originally composed by Stevie Wonder and famously performed by Jeff Beck, stands as one of the most emotionally charged instrumental guitar pieces of all time. Featured on Beck's 1975 album Blow by Blow, this track is a masterclass in expressive guitar playing, combining soulful phrasing with advanced technical skills. In our note-for-note guitar lesson, we dive deep into every nuance of Jeff Beck’s performance, ensuring that players can capture the essence of the song while building a solid foundation in important guitar techniques.

Throughout the lesson, we break down the song into its key components, focusing on techniques that not only define this track but also serve as essential tools for any guitarist. Whether you're a novice guitarist or a seasoned player, learning these techniques will improve your overall control, phrasing, and musicality. Below, we'll explore some of the key techniques employed in "Cause We've Ended As Lovers," along with their benefits and importance to your playing journey. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson

Vibrato

Vibrato is one of the most critical techniques used throughout "Cause We've Ended As Lovers," helping Jeff Beck’s notes sing and sustain beautifully. Beck’s control over the intensity and speed of his vibrato adds emotional depth to every note. Learning vibrato will give you more expressiveness in your playing, allowing you to make even the simplest note feel rich and full of emotion. With practice, you can learn to apply subtle or wide vibrato, tailoring your playing to different musical contexts.

String Bending

Jeff Beck is a master of string bending, and this song highlights how bends can be used to evoke emotion. The bends in "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" vary from subtle quarter-tone bends to larger, soaring whole-step bends that mimic vocal lines. Mastering string bending will allow you to bring a more vocal-like quality to your playing, with greater control over pitch and expression.

Slides

The use of slides throughout the piece connects phrases in a smooth, fluid manner. Whether sliding into a note or transitioning between chords, slides give the song its seamless, lyrical quality. Incorporating slides into your playing will help you link notes with ease, creating more dynamic and natural phrasing in both lead and rhythm guitar parts.

Harmonics

The lesson will also focus on the use of harmonics, both natural and tapped. Jeff Beck’s use of harmonics adds a shimmering, ethereal quality to key moments in the track. By mastering harmonics, you can add a new layer of texture and colour to your playing, enhancing the overall complexity of your guitar work.

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics are used sparingly in the song but are essential to capturing some of the track’s biting tonal qualities. This advanced technique adds a sharp, harmonic overtone to specific notes, giving them a piercing, almost vocal quality. Learning pinched harmonics will give your playing an extra edge and make certain notes stand out in a dramatic way.

Volume Swells

Jeff Beck’s use of volume swells throughout "Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers" creates a smooth, violin-like sound. This technique involves using the volume knob (or pedal) in conjunction with picking to achieve a swell in volume, creating a unique dynamic curve. Mastering this technique allows you to seamlessly control dynamics and bring a more orchestral, expressive quality to your guitar playing.

Fingerpicking

Beck often alternates between fingerpicking and using a pick, giving him precise control over dynamics and articulation. Fingerpicking allows for a more intimate, nuanced approach to the guitar, perfect for slower, emotional songs like this one. Developing your fingerpicking technique will broaden your versatility as a guitarist, enabling you to switch between picks and fingers depending on the song or style.

Jeff Beck and His Influence

Jeff Beck, widely considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, brings a distinct fusion of rock, jazz, and blues influences to his playing in "Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers." His approach to the guitar is known for its inventiveness, blending technical mastery with unparalleled expressiveness. The song itself is a tribute to fellow guitarist Roy Buchanan, and Beck’s phrasing in the track is a testament to his ability to channel deep emotion through the guitar.

Buchanan, like Beck, was known for his soulful playing and innovative use of techniques like volume swells and string bending. Together, these two players have influenced countless guitarists over the decades, and their legacies continue to shape modern guitar playing. Learning "Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers" offers a rare opportunity to step into the shoes of these guitar legends and understand the techniques that define their sound.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson

Here’s a list of the techniques covered in this lesson. These techniques are foundational skills that will serve you in mastering "Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers" and beyond:

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Slides
• Harmonics
• Pinched Harmonics
• Finger-picking
• Volume Swells

By learning and mastering these techniques, you'll not only improve your ability to play "Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers" but also elevate your overall guitar playing, equipping you with the skills to tackle other advanced pieces with confidence and precision.