Easy Lover - Solo by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins - Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Learn how to play the iconic guitar solo from "Easy Lover" by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins with our detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson. This energetic and unforgettable solo showcases a blend of rock and pop techniques, making it both exciting and challenging to learn. In this lesson, we focus on key guitar techniques such as alternate picking, string bending, vibrato, and double stops. Whether you're an intermediate player looking to refine your skills or an advanced guitarist aiming to master the nuances of this famous solo, our lesson will help you break down each technique step by step, ensuring you capture the essence of this 80s classic. This lesson is taught by Sam Bell.

Key Techniques in Easy Lover

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a fundamental technique for speed and precision, and it's essential for playing the fast, articulate runs found in the "Easy Lover" solo. Alternate picking involves using a continuous up-and-down motion with your pick, allowing you to move between notes smoothly and efficiently. This technique is crucial for maintaining accuracy in fast passages and ensuring that every note is clear and well-defined. In this lesson, we break down the alternate picking patterns used by Daryl Stuermer in the solo, helping you build speed while keeping your playing clean and precise.

String Bending

String bending is a key technique that adds emotion and expression to your guitar playing. By bending a string, you raise the pitch of a note, allowing for smoother transitions between notes and a more vocal-like quality. In the "Easy Lover" solo, Daryl Stuermer uses string bending to emphasize key notes and create dramatic, expressive moments. Mastering string bending will not only improve your technical skills but also add more feeling and dynamics to your solos. Our lesson will show you how to execute clean, controlled bends that are always in tune, helping you bring more expressiveness to your playing.

Vibrato

Vibrato is an essential technique for adding sustain and character to your notes. Vibrato involves slightly bending the string up and down while holding a note, creating a rich, resonant sound. Daryl Stuermer uses vibrato in "Easy Lover" to give his notes more presence and emotional depth. Learning how to apply vibrato effectively will help you make your solos stand out, adding personality and musicality to each phrase. In this lesson, we focus on helping you develop a smooth, controlled vibrato that will enhance your overall tone and playing style.

Double Stops

Double stops involve playing two notes simultaneously, creating a fuller, harmonically rich sound. This technique is used throughout the "Easy Lover" solo to add weight and power to certain phrases, giving the solo a thicker, more impactful feel. Double stops are commonly used in rock, blues, and pop music to create harmonic tension and complexity in solos. Our lesson will guide you through how to play double stops cleanly and effectively, allowing you to add more harmonic depth to your lead playing.

About the Guitar Player in Easy Lover

The guitar solo in "Easy Lover" was performed by Daryl Stuermer, a virtuoso guitarist known for his work with Phil Collins and Genesis. Stuermer’s playing style is marked by precision, melodic phrasing, and a seamless blend of rock, jazz, and pop influences. His solo in "Easy Lover" perfectly complements the song’s upbeat and driving rhythm, adding layers of excitement with fluid runs and powerful bends. By studying this solo, guitarists can gain valuable insights into Stuermer’s approach to combining technical skill with melodic expressiveness, making this lesson a great opportunity to improve both your technical proficiency and musicality.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Double Stops

By mastering these key techniques, you'll be able to play the "Easy Lover" solo with the same energy and precision as Daryl Stuermer, while also expanding your own lead guitar skill set. This lesson will give you the foundation you need to tackle a variety of musical styles and solos, helping you grow as a guitarist and take your playing to the next level!