"Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix" - Note for Note Guitar Lesson

Few songs are as iconic and immediately recognizable as Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze. This revolutionary track redefined the possibilities of electric guitar and showcased Hendrix’s unmatched creativity, technique, and soul. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson dives deep into the heart of this legendary song, breaking down its key techniques: string bending, hammer-ons, alternate picking, and pull-offs. These techniques are essential to mastering Hendrix’s style and to advancing your skills as a guitarist. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Breakdown

String Bending

String bending is at the core of Hendrix’s expressive playing in Purple Haze. By bending the string to reach precise pitches, Hendrix adds emotion, texture, and energy to his solos. The wide, vocal-like bends in this song create a dynamic and unpredictable sound that elevates the track's psychedelic atmosphere.

Learning string bending improves your finger strength and pitch accuracy. Mastering Hendrix's bends will teach you to manipulate notes for expressive phrasing, helping you connect emotionally with your audience. It’s an essential skill for any guitarist aiming to add depth to their solos and melodic lines.

Hammer-Ons

Hammer-ons play a significant role in Purple Haze, allowing Hendrix to transition smoothly between notes and execute fluid, rapid-fire licks. This technique, which involves pressing a finger onto the fretboard without picking the string, is a key element of Hendrix's legato phrasing.

Practicing hammer-ons develops your finger independence, speed, and precision. By mastering this technique, you'll be able to replicate Hendrix’s seamless note transitions and incorporate this fluidity into your own playing.

Alternate Picking

The driving rhythm and riffs in Purple Haze require precise alternate picking. This technique alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes, ensuring efficiency and accuracy when playing fast passages or intricate riffs. Hendrix’s use of alternate picking gives the song its characteristic groove and energy.

Learning alternate picking improves your timing, consistency, and speed. Incorporating this technique into your playing will allow you to tackle complex riffs and solos with ease, making it an essential skill for mastering Hendrix’s catalog.

Pull-Offs

Pull-offs, a complementary technique to hammer-ons, are integral to the fluidity of Purple Haze. By removing a fretting finger to produce a lower-pitched note, Hendrix creates cascading runs and dynamic phrasing. This technique contributes to the song’s signature licks and melodic embellishments.

Mastering pull-offs enhances finger dexterity and control, enabling you to play more intricate phrases with minimal effort. Hendrix’s innovative use of pull-offs in Purple Haze will inspire you to explore new possibilities in your own playing.

About Jimi Hendrix and His Influence

Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and Purple Haze is one of his most celebrated works. Released in 1967, the song captures Hendrix’s groundbreaking approach to guitar playing, blending blues, rock, and experimental sounds. Hendrix’s fearless use of feedback, effects, and unconventional techniques pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the electric guitar.

His influence extends far beyond the world of music, inspiring generations of guitarists to explore their creativity and challenge the status quo. Learning Purple Haze is not just an opportunity to study a masterpiece but also a chance to connect with the legacy of a true innovator.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-Offs

Our Purple Haze guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com provides an in-depth exploration of one of rock’s most influential tracks. By mastering the string bending, hammer-ons, alternate picking, and pull-offs featured in this song, you’ll not only capture the essence of Hendrix’s playing but also expand your own technical and creative capabilities. Dive into the world of Jimi Hendrix with this comprehensive lesson and experience the thrill of playing one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.