"C'mon And Love Me" by KISS – Guitar Lesson

Overview

The track "C'mon And Love Me" from the live album 'Alive!' by KISS is a rock anthem that epitomises the band's unique style. Its catchy, gritty, and straightforward, delivering the classic KISS vibe that fans have come to know and love. For guitarists, this song offers a lot of room for interpretation, with a mixture of single-note licks, chords, and solos that are both challenging and rewarding to play. Danny Gill dives deep into the guitar work on this song, focusing on the chords, scales, and solo intricacies.

Chord Structure

The song features common rock and roll chords like A5, D5, E5, and G5. These are essentially power chords, giving the track a hefty, driving sound. The verse predominantly hangs around the A5 and D5 chords, with a quick transition to E5 to wrap it up. This is textbook rock chord progression, but the sheer energy of the performance elevates it to another level.

Scales

The scales employed in the song are predominantly minor pentatonic and blues scales. In A minor pentatonic, the scale degrees are A, C, D, E, and G. The blues scale adds a flatted fifth, the E♭. You'll see these scales in action in both the riffing and the solos.

Lead Guitarist & Solo Analysis

Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist, is the star of the show when it comes to the guitar work on this track. The solo section exhibits Frehley's signature style—a blend of fast alternate picking, classic blues bends, and vibrato. The solo starts with a rapid-fire ascending lick based on the A minor pentatonic scale, showing off his command of alternate picking. He then transitions into a series of double-stop bends that really scream, thanks to his impeccable string bending technique.

Pay attention to how he uses vibrato to add character to sustained notes. The vibrato is often quick and wide, demonstrating Frehley's emotive style. He mixes a variety of techniques to keep the listener engaged; you'll hear hammer-ons, pull-offs, and even tapped harmonics as he navigates through the solo.

The song's solo uses a lot of legato techniques as well, as Ace Frehley seamlessly transitions from note to note. This legato playing makes the solo flow smoothly, giving it a somewhat liquid quality that contrasts nicely with the gritty, punctuated rhythms in the rest of the song.

As the solo concludes, Ace returns to the A minor pentatonic scale, letting a few high E notes ring out with a biting vibrato before descending back into the main riff of the song. This is an excellent example of thematic unity, where the solo ties back into the overall structure and melody of the song. It doesn't feel like an isolated shred fest but a coherent part of the whole musical narrative.

Techniques Employed

For quick navigation, here's a list of guitar techniques used in "C'mon And Love Me":

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords

Understanding and mastering these techniques will not only help you play this KISS classic but also enhance your overall guitar skills. Whether you are a budding guitarist or a seasoned player, "C'mon And Love Me" offers a rich tapestry of sounds and styles to explore and enjoy.