"House Burning Down" by Jimi Hendrix - Note for Note Guitar Lesson

Jimi Hendrix’s "House Burning Down," from his groundbreaking album Electric Ladyland, is a fiery and politically charged song that showcases his exceptional guitar skills and innovative techniques. This track features a blend of blues-rock elements, aggressive riffing, and psychedelic soundscapes. In this guitar lesson, we will break down the core techniques that define "House Burning Down," including string bending, alternate picking, hammer-ons, and slides. Mastering these techniques will help you capture the essence of Hendrix’s style while improving your technical proficiency and musical creativity. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques Used

String Bending

String bending is one of Hendrix’s go-to techniques, and it’s used extensively in "House Burning Down" to create emotional depth and intensity. String bending involves pushing or pulling a string to raise its pitch, allowing you to smoothly glide between notes. Hendrix’s bends in this track add expressiveness to his lead lines, creating a vocal-like quality that enhances the song’s emotive power.

Mastering string bending will elevate your soloing by adding a layer of expression that is difficult to achieve with standard fretting alone. Bends allow you to manipulate pitch with subtlety or aggression, depending on the context, making your playing more dynamic. String bending also improves your finger strength and precision, which are critical for hitting the desired pitch and maintaining control. This technique is essential for blues, rock, and any genre where emotional intensity is a focus.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is another key technique in "House Burning Down." It involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes while picking, allowing you to play faster and more efficiently. Hendrix uses alternate picking in this song to drive the fast-paced rhythm sections and to deliver quick, precise lead lines. This technique provides the foundation for many of the intricate riffs and solos in the track.

Alternate picking is essential for improving your speed and precision on the guitar. By alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, you’ll reduce the amount of motion in your picking hand, allowing you to play faster with less effort. Practicing alternate picking will also help synchronize your picking and fretting hands, leading to cleaner, more articulate playing. This technique is a must for any guitarist looking to master fast, complex riffs and solos in rock, blues, or metal.

Hammer-ons

Hammer-ons play a significant role in Hendrix’s lead work on "House Burning Down." A hammer-on involves picking a note and then using a fretting finger to quickly press down on a higher note without picking again. This technique creates a smooth, flowing sound and is often used in rapid, legato passages. Hendrix’s use of hammer-ons allows him to add speed and fluidity to his improvisations, making his lead lines sound effortless and connected.

Hammer-ons are essential for creating fluid, legato lines without the need for constant picking. They allow you to play faster and more smoothly by reducing pick noise and making your playing sound more connected. Learning hammer-ons will build finger strength and dexterity, helping you transition between notes more efficiently. This technique is critical for fast solos, melodic runs, and creating a smooth, seamless feel in your playing.

Slides

Slides are another powerful technique used throughout "House Burning Down." Hendrix uses slides to move between notes and chords smoothly, adding a fluid, almost gliding quality to his playing. A slide involves moving a finger along the string while maintaining pressure, creating a continuous change in pitch. Hendrix employs slides in both his lead and rhythm parts to add movement and texture to his playing.

Slides are a versatile technique that can add expression and fluidity to your playing. They allow you to transition between notes seamlessly, making your lines feel more connected and smooth. Practicing slides will improve your fretboard navigation and help you develop better control over dynamics and tone. Slides are particularly useful in blues and rock guitar, where phrasing and expression are key components of the style.

The Guitarist Behind the Song

Jimi Hendrix is often regarded as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in rock history. His playing on "House Burning Down" exemplifies his ability to blend technical mastery with boundless creativity. Hendrix’s unique approach to guitar involved pushing the boundaries of what was possible with the instrument, incorporating feedback, distortion, and unconventional techniques to create entirely new sounds.

Hendrix’s use of string bending, alternate picking, hammer-ons, and slides in this track showcases his versatility and his ability to seamlessly combine blues, rock, and psychedelic elements into one cohesive performance. His pioneering style continues to inspire guitarists across genres, and learning to play "House Burning Down" is a great way to dive into his genius and develop your own guitar skills in the process.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-ons
• Slides

By mastering the techniques featured in "House Burning Down," you’ll not only learn how to play one of Jimi Hendrix’s classic tracks but also enhance your overall guitar technique. String bending and slides will give your playing a more expressive, vocal-like quality, while alternate picking and hammer-ons will improve your speed, precision, and fluidity. These techniques are essential for any guitarist looking to explore blues-rock, psychedelic, and improvisational styles, and they will open up new possibilities for creativity and self-expression in your playing. Dive into this lesson to discover the magic of Hendrix’s guitar work and unlock your own potential as a guitarist!