Bigger Than My Body - John Mayer

Master the Signature Techniques of "Bigger Than My Body"

John Mayer’s "Bigger Than My Body" is a masterclass in melody, phrasing, and nuanced guitar playing. This lesson from Licklibrary.com provides a detailed breakdown of Mayer’s approach, helping you unlock the techniques behind his signature tone. Whether you're a fan of Mayer’s fluid lead playing, intricate chord voicings, or expressive phrasing, this lesson will provide everything you need to recreate the magic of the track.

Mayer's unique style combines elements of blues, pop, and rock, blending technical proficiency with deep musical expression. This lesson will cover key guitar techniques used in "Bigger Than My Body," breaking them down in an accessible way to help you integrate them into your playing. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

1. Vibrato

Mayer’s use of vibrato brings life to sustained notes, giving them a vocal-like quality. Mastering this technique will help you develop expressiveness in your playing, making your lead lines sing with emotion. A controlled and even vibrato can significantly enhance your phrasing and musicality.

2. Alternate Picking

The song features alternate picking, essential for fluid and articulate playing. This technique ensures precision and speed, making it easier to navigate Mayer’s intricate melodies and faster passages without losing clarity.

3. Legato

Mayer seamlessly incorporates legato phrasing in his licks, using hammer-ons and pull-offs to create smooth, connected notes. This technique is key to achieving a flowing, effortless sound that characterises his playing style.

4. Tapped Harmonics

One of the signature elements in Mayer’s playing is his creative use of tapped harmonics. These add shimmering overtones and create a bell-like chime to select notes, enhancing the dynamics and texture of your playing.

5. Double Stop Bends

Mayer frequently uses double stop bends to add a bluesy, expressive edge to his solos. These bends create harmonic tension and are excellent for adding depth and energy to lead phrases.

6. Unison Bends

Another hallmark of Mayer’s expressive lead work, unison bends, allow you to create soaring, vocal-like melodies. Learning this technique helps develop bending accuracy and strengthens your control over pitch and tone.

7. Chord Progressions

Mayer’s rhythm work is just as important as his lead playing. The chord progressions in "Bigger Than My Body" blend pop sensibility with jazzy extensions, making them both rich in harmony and compelling in movement. Understanding these progressions will improve your overall compositional and accompaniment skills.

8. Hammer-ons & Pull-offs

A key component of Mayer’s smooth phrasing, hammer-ons and pull-offs allow for fluid note transitions without excessive picking. These techniques help in creating legato lines and are integral to his vocal-like soloing.

9. Slides

Mayer uses slides to transition between notes smoothly, giving his lines a lyrical quality. This technique enhances fluidity and expressiveness in your playing, making lead passages sound more organic.

10. String Bending

A critical technique in Mayer’s lead work, string bending adds expression and emotion. Controlling your bends and ensuring they reach the correct pitch is essential for replicating his signature feel.

The Guitarists Behind the Song

John Mayer is the primary guitarist on "Bigger Than My Body," and his playing on this track showcases his ability to blend technical skill with emotive expression. Influenced by legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix, Mayer incorporates elements of blues, pop, and rock into his unique sound. His ability to craft melodies that feel both sophisticated and accessible is one of the reasons he has become one of the most respected guitarists of his generation.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Chord Progressions
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• String Bending

Mastering these techniques will not only help you play "Bigger Than My Body" accurately but also improve your overall guitar playing, making your phrasing, touch, and expressiveness more refined. Start your journey into Mayer’s guitar world today with our comprehensive lesson!