"Strutter" by Kiss from 'Alive!': Guitar Lesson

Intro: Ace Frehley and His Playing

The song "Strutter" from the album 'Alive!' by Kiss is a showcase of iconic rock guitar techniques and masterful execution. It features none other than Ace Frehley, the band's original lead guitarist, who brings his unique, hard-hitting style into this classic. The live version on 'Alive!' brings an added level of energy and improvisation to the song, making it an ideal case for dissecting rock guitar elements. Danny Gill shows you every nuance on this classic live track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Chords & Scales

The song predominantly uses power chords for its punchy riffing, and you'll often see chords like E5, A5, and B5 making their appearance. The progression often moves between E5 - A5 - B5, which indicates we are in the E major context. There is also a good use of the dominant chord, A7, at several instances that adds a bluesy touch to the song.

As for scales, the lead guitar primarily relies on the minor pentatonic and the blues scale, particularly E minor pentatonic and E blues scale. In some sections, Frehley also incorporates elements of E Mixolydian, reflecting the blues-rock characteristic of the song.

Guitar Solo Analysis

The solo kicks off with a series of ascending pentatonic licks, making ample use of the root, minor third, and fifth intervals to establish a strong, bluesy theme. Here Ace incorporates some swift alternate picking, letting each note sustain and ring. He gradually moves up the neck, using slides and bends to maintain the melodic continuity.

The midpoint of the solo introduces double-stops and unison bends that widen the sonic palette. This adds a layer of complexity and a more textured sound. Ace then introduces legato techniques, especially hammer-ons and pull-offs, to smoothly link phrases.

As he approaches the climax, Ace taps into the upper octave and starts to incorporate tapped harmonics, adding a bright, bell-like timbre. The solo winds down with a series of bends and vibratos, a nod to classic blues rock, before merging seamlessly back into the main riff.

Technique List

Given the wide range of techniques Ace Frehley employs in "Strutter," it serves as a comprehensive textbook for aspiring rock guitarists. Here's a list of techniques you'll encounter in this song:

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Vibrato
• Chord Progressions

"Strutter" by Kiss from the 'Alive!' album is a treasure trove of rock guitar techniques. The artistry of Ace Frehley shines through, offering us an invaluable lesson on how to meld technical prowess with emotive playing. If you're an aspiring guitarist, analysing and dissecting the elements of this song would be a masterclass in rock guitar.