Custard Pie - Led Zeppelin

Introduction to "Custard Pie"

Led Zeppelin's "Custard Pie," from their iconic album Physical Graffiti, stands as a testament to the band's genre-defining fusion of hard rock and blues. The track, driven by Jimmy Page’s electrifying guitar work, offers a treasure trove of techniques that guitar enthusiasts can learn to expand their skills. This lesson dives into each riff, lick, and solo, breaking down the techniques and showing how mastering them will elevate your playing.

Whether you're a fan of Jimmy Page's innovative style or simply looking to enhance your technique repertoire, this lesson is a deep dive into one of rock's most legendary tracks. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarist Behind the Song: Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page, the driving force behind Led Zeppelin's guitar sound, is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. His innovative use of alternate tunings, dynamic layering, and blues-inspired phrasing has influenced generations of musicians. In "Custard Pie," Page combines a raw blues foundation with his signature flair for experimentation, creating a groove-heavy riff that’s both timeless and challenging.

Learning Page’s techniques not only gives you insight into his genius but also equips you with tools to express yourself creatively on the guitar.

Techniques Explored in "Custard Pie"

Open String Riffs

"Custard Pie" opens with a driving riff that takes full advantage of open strings to create a dynamic and resonant sound. Open string riffs are not only sonically powerful but also a great way to improve timing and coordination.

Benefits:

Mastering open string riffs builds precision in combining fretted notes with open strings, helping you create more rhythmically and tonally diverse patterns.

Slides

Slides are a central feature of the riffs and licks in "Custard Pie," adding fluidity and expressiveness to the phrases. Page’s use of slides creates smooth transitions and a dynamic feel.

Benefits:

Practicing slides improves finger control and transitions, adding a professional polish to your playing.

Power Chords

The track’s heavy rhythm sections rely on the classic power chord shapes to drive its energy. Power chords are a staple in rock music, and "Custard Pie" is a prime example of their impact.

Benefits:

Learning power chords strengthens your rhythm playing and gives you the foundation for countless rock and metal songs.

Bluesy Bends

Jimmy Page’s blues roots shine in the bends scattered throughout the song’s licks. These bends infuse emotion and tension into the notes, making them a defining element of his style.

Benefits:

Bluesy bends enhance your ability to add expression to your solos, making them feel more personal and soulful.

Palm Muting

The chunky rhythm guitar in "Custard Pie" is driven by palm-muted power chords, adding a tight, percussive quality to the riffs. This technique is essential for creating rhythmically intricate grooves.

Benefits:

Palm muting improves your control over dynamics and articulation, essential for tight, aggressive rhythm playing.

Syncopated Rhythms

The track’s rhythm patterns feature syncopation, creating an engaging and groovy feel. Mastering these rhythms helps develop a deeper understanding of timing and groove.

Benefits:

Syncopation challenges your rhythmic skills, making you a more versatile player who can lock into complex grooves.

Slides into Double Stops

The song incorporates double stops to add harmonic richness, often preceded by slides to increase impact. These techniques together enhance the texture of the riff.

Benefits:

Practicing slides into double stops strengthens coordination and helps you create fuller, more intricate guitar lines.

String Bending and Vibrato

The lead sections of "Custard Pie" feature expressive string bending and vibrato. These techniques add life to every note, allowing for greater emotional expression.

Benefits:

Learning string bending and vibrato develops your ability to control pitch and sustain, essential for creating memorable solos.

Why Learn "Custard Pie"?

Studying "Custard Pie" allows you to explore Jimmy Page’s unique approach to blending rhythm and lead playing. Each technique not only builds your skills but also helps you understand how to craft iconic riffs and solos. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, diving into this track will inspire and challenge you.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Power Chords
• Open String Riffs
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops
• Syncopated Rhythms

Master these techniques and bring Jimmy Page’s legendary guitar work to life with LickLibrary’s note-for-note lesson of "Custard Pie."