Black Diamond by KISS: Guitar Lesson

Context and Lead Guitarist

When you dig deep into the rock genre, it's impossible to overlook KISS's seminal album "Alive!". Among the many tracks that defined their aggressive rock sound is "Black Diamond." The man behind the lead guitar, Ace Frehley, exhibits an extraordinary blend of feel, technique, and raw energy. Danny Gill delves into the music theory, guitar techniques, and elements that make this song a landmark in rock history in this exclusive Lick Library video lesson.

Chord Progressions and Scales

The song revolves around a set of basic but highly effective chord progressions, mainly based on E, A, and D power chords. It kicks off with an E power chord that sets the stage for the high-voltage energy to follow. The verse features a progression of E, D, A, setting up a bluesy-rock feel that grounds the song.

The scales used are predominantly minor pentatonic and blues scales, particularly the E minor pentatonic. This scale choice fits the aggressive, rebellious tone of the song and offers plenty of room for Ace Frehley to inject his personality into the solos and riffs.

Solo Analysis

The solo in "Black Diamond" is a textbook example of rock guitar soloing. It starts off with a slide into the 12th fret of the E string, setting the stage for a series of pentatonic licks that are rooted in the E minor pentatonic scale. One of the notable licks employs a double stop bend, hitting two notes but bending only one, which adds texture and thickness to the sound.

Ace also makes effective use of unison bends, where one string is bent to match the pitch of a neighbouring unbent string, creating a rich, chorusing effect. Tapped harmonics make an appearance as well, giving the solo a shimmering quality that contrasts nicely with the darker pentatonic lines.

Frehley knows how to integrate vibrato to give his solo a singing quality. His vibrato is wide but controlled, adding emotional weight to the notes. The solo concludes with a descending pentatonic run that employs alternate picking for a smooth, rapid-fire delivery.

Techniques Employed

"Black Diamond" is not just a song; it's a lesson in rock guitar technique. Here's a rundown of some of the standout techniques:

• Vibrato: Adds emotion and sustain to the solo notes.
• Alternate Picking: Employed in fast descending runs for smoother articulation.
• Double Stop Bends: Used to add texture and thickness to the solo.
• Unison Bends: Utilised for a rich, chorusing effect.
• Tapped Harmonics: For a shimmering, ethereal quality in the solo.
• Power Chords: The backbone of the song's chord progression.
• Palm Muting: Used to add dynamics and rhythmic variation.
• Slides: Effectively used for transitioning between notes and phrases.

To sum up, "Black Diamond" is an exemplary track that demonstrates the synergy of excellent songwriting, stellar performance, and brilliant guitar work. Ace Frehley's contributions to this song are nothing short of iconic. This track is not just a rock anthem; it's a textbook of rock guitar techniques and a must-learn for any aspiring guitarist.