"Still Raining, Still Dreaming" by Jimi Hendrix - Note for Note Guitar Lesson

Jimi Hendrix’s “Still Raining, Still Dreaming” is a standout track from his 1968 double album Electric Ladyland. The song is a psychedelic blues masterpiece, filled with Hendrix’s signature guitar wizardry, expressive playing, and innovative use of effects. In this lesson, we focus on the essential techniques that define the song: chord progressions, barre chords, octaves, and string bending. These elements not only capture the essence of Hendrix’s playing but also serve as a valuable learning experience for guitarists looking to enhance their technical and musical skills. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques Used

Chord Progressions

At the core of “Still Raining, Still Dreaming” lies a driving chord progression that anchors the song’s groove. Hendrix uses a mix of blues and rock-influenced progressions, allowing him to flow seamlessly between rhythm and lead playing. The song’s chord progression blends dominant seventh chords with funky rhythms, making it a perfect example of Hendrix’s unique approach to rhythm guitar. His ability to switch between full chords and intricate lead lines adds a dynamic quality to the track.

Mastering chord progressions is essential for building a strong foundation in rhythm guitar playing. In this song, learning the chord progressions will not only improve your ability to move between chords smoothly but will also teach you how to integrate rhythmic grooves with lead embellishments. Practicing these progressions will help you develop better timing, coordination, and an overall sense of musicality. Understanding how Hendrix blends rhythm and melody will give you insight into how to create more interesting and dynamic guitar parts.

Barre Chords

Barre chords play a significant role in “Still Raining, Still Dreaming.” Hendrix’s use of barre chords allows him to create a strong, consistent harmonic base while adding embellishments with his fretting hand. By using his index finger to press down multiple strings across the fretboard, Hendrix is able to move chord shapes fluidly and incorporate slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs within the barre chord structure.

Barre chords are a fundamental technique for any guitarist, as they allow you to play chord shapes in multiple positions across the neck. Learning barre chords improves your finger strength and endurance, as well as your ability to play chords in any key. In “Still Raining, Still Dreaming,” barre chords are used in a dynamic way, often combined with Hendrix’s unique rhythmic approach, which enhances the overall groove of the song. Mastering barre chords will give you more freedom on the fretboard and enable you to play a wider variety of chord shapes and progressions.

Octaves

Octaves are another essential technique in “Still Raining, Still Dreaming.” Hendrix frequently uses octaves to add melody and texture to his rhythm playing. Octaves involve playing a note on one string while simultaneously playing the same note one octave higher on another string. This technique allows Hendrix to highlight melodic lines without overpowering the rhythmic foundation of the song. His use of octaves creates a fuller, harmonically rich sound.

Learning octaves helps you add harmonic depth to your playing while keeping your guitar parts clean and focused. Octaves are great for emphasizing key melodic ideas, allowing you to create more dynamic and expressive guitar lines. Practicing octaves also improves your fretboard navigation and finger independence, as you need to mute the strings in between the notes to ensure clarity. Octaves are commonly used in rock, jazz, and funk, making them an essential technique for expanding your tonal range and melodic capabilities.

String Bending

String bending is a signature element of Hendrix’s lead playing, and “Still Raining, Still Dreaming” is no exception. Hendrix’s bends are expressive, soulful, and often mimic the sound of a human voice. String bending involves pushing or pulling the string across the fretboard to raise its pitch, creating a fluid, vocal-like effect. In this song, Hendrix uses string bends to add emotion and drama to his solos, making his guitar lines feel alive and full of expression.

String bending is one of the most expressive techniques a guitarist can learn. It allows you to manipulate pitch and create subtle variations in your playing, giving your solos a more emotive and dynamic feel. Mastering string bending will improve your finger strength and control, as it requires precision to bend the string to the desired pitch. In “Still Raining, Still Dreaming,” string bending is crucial to capturing Hendrix’s bluesy, vocal-like phrasing, making it a must-learn technique for any guitarist looking to enhance their lead playing.

The Guitarist Behind the Song

Jimi Hendrix’s guitar work on “Still Raining, Still Dreaming” is a testament to his unparalleled creativity and technical mastery. Hendrix was known for pushing the boundaries of what the electric guitar could do, and this track is a perfect example of his innovative approach to blending rhythm and lead playing. His use of effects, such as the wah pedal, further enhances the psychedelic, otherworldly sound of the song.

Hendrix’s influence on the guitar world is immeasurable. His ability to seamlessly combine technical prowess with emotional expression has inspired generations of guitarists across all genres. Learning “Still Raining, Still Dreaming” will not only give you insight into Hendrix’s unique approach to the instrument but also help you develop a deeper understanding of how to integrate rhythm, melody, and effects into your playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Chord Progressions
• Barre Chords
• Octaves
• String Bending

Mastering the techniques found in “Still Raining, Still Dreaming” will not only allow you to play this psychedelic blues masterpiece with accuracy but also improve your overall guitar playing. Chord progressions will enhance your rhythm playing, barre chords will give you more flexibility across the fretboard, octaves will add harmonic depth to your melodies, and string bending will give your solos a more expressive, vocal quality. These techniques are essential for any guitarist looking to expand their technical abilities and bring more musicality to their playing. Dive into this lesson to unlock the secrets behind Jimi Hendrix’s extraordinary performance in “Still Raining, Still Dreaming.”