Learn to Play "Alive" by Pearl Jam

"Alive" by Pearl Jam is a timeless rock anthem, and learning to play this song note-for-note is a rewarding experience for any guitarist. The track is a masterclass in combining emotional depth with technical proficiency, making it an ideal choice for guitarists looking to expand their skills. In this Licklibrary.com guitar lesson, we focus on breaking down the techniques found throughout the song, allowing you to replicate the intricate details of Mike McCready and Stone Gossard’s guitar work. Michael Casswell breaks down this grunge anthem in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Influence of Pearl Jam's Guitarists

"Alive" features the guitar work of Mike McCready and Stone Gossard, two of the most influential guitarists in 90s rock. McCready's playing style draws from the blues and rock tradition, channeling greats like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His soaring, expressive solos often include wide bends and fast legato runs, creating a sound that is both powerful and emotionally charged. Gossard, on the other hand, provides a solid rhythmic foundation with crunchy power chords and groove-driven riffs that add depth and dynamic contrast. Together, their styles complement each other, creating the layered, rich sound that defines "Alive."

Guitar Techniques Featured in "Alive"

In this lesson, we’ll focus on several key techniques that are essential to mastering the song. Each section of the lesson targets specific techniques used throughout the track, and by the end of the lesson, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the elements that make this song so iconic.

Power Chords and Rhythm Guitar

The backbone of "Alive" is its driving rhythm section, which is built around power chords. Power chords are fundamental to rock guitar, providing the punch and fullness that define the song's main riff. By mastering power chords, you can solidify your rhythm playing, making it sound bigger and more energetic, even in simpler parts of the song. This lesson demonstrates how to lock in your rhythm and create a tight, cohesive sound that complements the lead guitar.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Mike McCready’s lead playing in "Alive" is filled with expressive string bending techniques, especially bluesy bends. These bends add emotional weight to the solo sections and are crucial for emulating McCready's style. Learning how to bend strings accurately allows you to add nuance and emotion to your own playing, making it more engaging for listeners. We’ll break down the different bending techniques used in "Alive," ensuring you can recreate them with precision.

Legato Techniques: Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

The song features several fast legato runs, which rely heavily on hammer-ons and pull-offs. These legato techniques allow you to play smooth, flowing lines that mimic the sound of Mike McCready's fluid solo work. Mastering these will improve your speed and dexterity, making it easier to transition between notes without picking every one. This part of the lesson will help you build fluidity and speed, which are key to executing the faster phrases in the song.

Vibrato for Expression

One of the hallmarks of McCready's lead guitar style is his use of vibrato to add a vocal-like quality to his notes. Vibrato gives your notes a distinct character, making them sound more alive and expressive. In this lesson, we’ll teach you how to apply vibrato effectively, showing you how to control the pitch variation for maximum emotional impact. This technique is essential for creating a more polished and professional sound in your lead playing.

Alternate Picking for Speed and Precision

Some of the faster lead sections in "Alive" require the use of alternate picking, a technique that allows you to pick with speed and precision. Alternate picking ensures that you can play quick, complex phrases without losing clarity or control. In this lesson, we’ll guide you through the alternate picking patterns found in the song, helping you build speed while maintaining accuracy.

Slides and Smooth Transitions

McCready often uses slides to transition between notes in his solos, giving them a fluid and seamless quality. Slides are a versatile technique that can be used to create smooth transitions, adding dynamics and movement to your playing. We’ll show you how to integrate slides into your lead work, enhancing your ability to create musical phrases that flow naturally from one note to the next.

Harmonics for Sonic Texture

"Alive" also incorporates the use of harmonics, which add a unique texture and shimmer to the guitar tone. Learning how to properly execute harmonics opens up a new dimension of sound for your playing. Whether you’re using natural harmonics or more advanced techniques like tapped harmonics, this lesson will break down the technique and show you how to incorporate these shimmering tones into your own playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Alive" by Pearl Jam

Here’s a list of the guitar techniques used in this lesson, each of which is essential to mastering the song "Alive":

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Power Chords
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Harmonics

By focusing on these essential guitar techniques, you’ll not only learn how to play "Alive" but also improve your overall guitar skills. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player, this lesson will help you deepen your understanding of rock guitar and enhance your technical abilities.