Mastering Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be"

Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be" stands as a testament to the band's innovative fusion of hard rock and blues. Featured on their 1969 album, Led Zeppelin II, this track showcases Jimmy Page's masterful guitar work, blending melodic riffs with dynamic techniques. Our detailed guitar lesson delves into these techniques, offering guitarists an opportunity to enhance their skills and capture the essence of Page's distinctive style. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

The song is characterised by its alternating dynamics, shifting between mellow verses and powerful choruses. This contrast not only highlights Led Zeppelin's versatility but also provides guitarists with a rich landscape to explore various playing styles within a single track.

Key Guitar Techniques Explored

Slides

Throughout the track, Page employs slides to transition smoothly between notes and chords. This technique involves moving the fretting finger along the string to a new fret without lifting it, creating a seamless glide between pitches. Mastering slides enhances a guitarist's ability to connect phrases fluidly, adding a vocal-like expressiveness to their playing.

String Bending

String bending is prominently featured in the song's lead sections. By pushing or pulling a string to raise its pitch, guitarists can achieve a soulful, expressive sound. This technique is essential for conveying emotion and adding a bluesy feel to solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Page's solos often incorporate hammer-ons and pull-offs to articulate rapid note sequences. A hammer-on involves striking a string and then pressing down on a higher fret without re-picking, while a pull-off is the reverse, pulling the finger off to a lower note. These techniques facilitate smooth, fast passages and contribute to a legato sound.

Vibrato

Adding depth to sustained notes, vibrato involves oscillating the pitch slightly by varying finger pressure or shaking the string. Page's tasteful use of vibrato imparts emotion and character to his playing, making notes resonate with intensity.

Alternate Picking

To achieve clarity and speed in certain passages, Page utilises alternate picking, which involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes with the pick. This technique is crucial for maintaining rhythm and precision during faster sequences.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

By studying and practicing these techniques, guitarists can:

• Enhance Expressiveness: Techniques like string bending and vibrato allow players to convey emotion more effectively.
• Improve Fluidity: Mastering slides and legato techniques such as hammer-ons and pull-offs leads to smoother transitions between notes.
• Increase Speed and Precision: Alternate picking and legato playing enable guitarists to execute rapid passages with greater accuracy.
• Expand Musical Vocabulary: Incorporating these techniques adds variety and complexity to one's playing style, opening avenues for creative expression.

Jimmy Page: The Architect of Iconic Guitar Work

Jimmy Page, the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin's groundbreaking sound, is renowned for his innovative guitar techniques and eclectic influences. Before forming Led Zeppelin, Page honed his skills as a sought-after session musician, contributing to numerous recordings in the 1960s. His diverse background allowed him to blend elements of blues, rock, and folk, crafting a unique style that has inspired generations of guitarists. Page's meticulous attention to tone, combined with his experimental approach, solidified his status as one of rock's most influential guitarists.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Slides
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking

By immersing yourself in this lesson, you'll not only master a classic Led Zeppelin track but also acquire essential guitar techniques that will elevate your overall musicianship.