Gravity by John Mayer

John Mayer’s Gravity is a masterclass in tasteful, expressive guitar playing, making it an essential piece for any guitarist aiming to develop dynamic control, feel, and soulful expression. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note lesson on Gravity dives deep into the specific techniques used in the track, offering players an opportunity to expand their vocabulary while honing touch and tone. Whether you're a fan of Mayer's bluesy phrasing or simply looking to strengthen your lead and rhythm playing, this tutorial will guide you through every nuance of this iconic song. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitar Work

Originally featured on Mayer's acclaimed album Continuum, Gravity showcases his mature songwriting and guitar approach, drawing heavily from blues and soul traditions. The song revolves around a slow, emotive groove that leaves space for rich melodic ideas and expressive playing. It’s not about shredding—it’s about feeling, phrasing, and knowing exactly what not to play.

In this Licklibrary lesson, we focus on Mayer’s unique touch, tone, and timing. Every technique taught contributes to developing that expressive quality that Mayer is known for.

The Guitarist Behind the Tone

John Mayer is more than just a pop icon—he’s a highly respected guitarist in the blues and rock world. Drawing influence from legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and B.B. King, Mayer blends tasteful bends, clean tone, and vocal-like phrasing to create a style that’s distinctly his own. In Gravity, his phrasing is deliberate and dripping with emotion, backed by a rhythm section that includes Steve Jordan (drums) and Pino Palladino (bass), both world-class musicians who bring groove and depth to the track.

Learning Gravity allows players to tap into Mayer’s unique playing voice and gain insight into the subtleties that make his style so captivating.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

String Bending

One of the most signature aspects of Mayer’s style in Gravity is his expressive use of string bending. In this lesson, we focus on how to control bends to hit the pitch perfectly and add vibrato at the peak for emotional impact. This technique helps players build better pitch control and expressiveness in solos.

Vibrato

Mayer’s vibrato is smooth, vocal-like, and full of feel. We break down how to develop a slow, wide vibrato that enhances the melodic lines without sounding forced. This technique improves control and adds personality to lead playing.

Slides

Many of the transitions between notes in Gravity are executed using smooth slides. This technique is key to achieving a fluid, connected sound. Practicing slides improves fretboard navigation and legato phrasing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Mayer often combines hammer-ons and pull-offs to create a flowing, legato sound in his solos. These are demonstrated throughout the lesson, helping guitarists develop speed and fluidity.

Double Stops

Double stops are small, two-note chords that Mayer uses to add soul and texture. Our lesson teaches you how to execute double stops cleanly and how to incorporate them into both rhythm and lead parts.

Chord Progressions

The song is harmonically simple but emotionally powerful. We cover the song’s chord progressions, emphasizing how Mayer uses subtle voicings and phrasing to keep things interesting. This gives players a deeper understanding of harmony and voice leading.

Hybrid Picking

In several licks, Mayer uses hybrid picking—a combination of pick and fingers—to articulate notes clearly and dynamically. Learning this technique helps guitarists gain control over individual string articulation and improves finger independence.

Bluesy Bends

We explore the use of bluesy bends, where Mayer slightly bends notes to add tension and release, replicating a vocal cry. This is an essential element of blues phrasing and enhances emotional delivery.

Barre Chords

To replicate the rhythm parts, barre chords are essential. We walk you through proper technique to reduce hand fatigue and ensure clean voicings. Mastering barre chords boosts rhythm guitar confidence across all genres.

Why Learning Gravity Will Benefit You

Studying Gravity gives guitarists a deep dive into subtlety and taste. Instead of focusing on speed or complexity, this lesson encourages you to listen to your playing and refine every note. It’s an excellent workout for dynamics, tone shaping, and emotional expression. By learning Mayer's techniques, you’ll become more intentional and expressive in your own guitar work, better equipped to "say more with less"—a valuable skill for any genre.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Gravity Guitar Lesson

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Double Stops
• Chord Progressions
• Hybrid Picking
• Bluesy Bends
• Barre Chords

Explore the Gravity guitar lesson today at Licklibrary.com and bring soulful dynamics, tasteful licks, and expressive phrasing into your playing. Whether you're a fan of John Mayer or simply looking to develop more emotion and feel in your guitar work, this lesson will elevate your musicianship.