Where Were You – Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck’s masterpiece Where Were You is an awe-inspiring display of expressive guitar playing, capturing the depth of emotion with hauntingly beautiful melodies and unconventional techniques. At LickLibrary, we bring you a note-for-note guitar lesson that breaks down this stunning composition, allowing players to study and master the signature techniques that define Beck’s unique style. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Jeff Beck and His Influence

Jeff Beck is one of the most influential and innovative guitarists of all time, known for his ability to blend rock, blues, jazz, and even orchestral elements into his playing. His use of the whammy bar, intricate vibrato, and dynamic touch creates a vocal-like quality that few guitarists can replicate. Where Were You from the Guitar Shop album is a prime example of Beck’s ability to make the guitar sing, with soaring melodies that seem to float in the air. His influence extends far beyond his genre, inspiring guitarists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Whammy Bar Manipulation

One of the defining features of Where Were You is Beck’s masterful use of the whammy bar to bend and shape notes, producing an almost operatic sound. This technique allows for microtonal shifts and fluid, vocal-like phrasing that adds a dramatic and emotional dimension to your playing.

Harmonics and Tapped Harmonics

Beck frequently incorporates harmonics and tapped harmonics to create ethereal, bell-like tones. This technique enhances sustain and gives notes a shimmering quality, making them sound almost otherworldly.

Volume Swells

By carefully controlling the volume knob while picking notes, Beck achieves seamless volume swells that mimic the effect of a violin bow. This technique is essential for creating smooth, expressive phrasing and can add a new layer of dynamics to your playing.

Finger-style & Hybrid Picking

Rather than relying on a pick, Beck often uses his fingers to pluck the strings, providing greater control over dynamics and articulation. This finger-picking technique, combined with hybrid picking, allows for softer, more expressive tones and precise note attack.

Wide-Interval String Bends

Beck’s use of string bending is unlike that of most players. In Where Were You, he executes extreme bends that stretch across multiple intervals, creating deep emotional tension and release. Learning this technique will improve your ability to control pitch and develop more expressive phrasing.

Sustain and Feedback Control

By adjusting pickup selection, amp settings, and finger placement, Beck masterfully controls sustain and natural feedback. This skill is crucial for adding warmth and depth to your playing, especially when holding long, expressive notes.

Legato Phrasing

Instead of picking every note, Beck employs legato techniques such as hammer-ons and pull-offs to create a flowing, connected sound. This reduces pick attack noise and results in a more fluid melodic line.

Slides and Glissando

Smooth slides and glissando play a critical role in replicating Beck’s sound, allowing for seamless transitions between notes and adding a lyrical quality to solos. Practicing this technique will help you develop a more expressive, vocal-like approach to playing.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Studying the techniques used in Where Were You offers multiple benefits:

• Improved Expressiveness: Learning to control vibrato, bends, and swells will make your playing more dynamic and emotive.
• Advanced Articulation: Techniques like legato, harmonics, and finger-picking allow for more nuanced and intricate phrasing.
• Better Control Over Sound: Mastering sustain, feedback, and volume swells teaches you how to manipulate your guitar’s tone without relying on effects.
• Unique Playing Approach: Jeff Beck’s techniques set him apart from other guitarists—learning his methods will expand your creative palette and give your playing a distinctive edge.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Harmonics
• Slides
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Pull-offs
• Finger-picking
• Hybrid Picking

Master these techniques with LickLibrary’s note-for-note lesson and bring Jeff Beck’s iconic sound into your own playing!