Just by Radiohead

"Just" by Radiohead is a defining song of the 1990s, showcasing unique guitar work, intricate techniques, and haunting melodies. This lesson focuses on recreating the song’s energy and complexity through note-for-note instruction, allowing you to play it as intended. With techniques that range from alternate picking to string-bending and harmonics, this lesson is perfect for guitarists looking to build their skills with intermediate to advanced techniques. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic 90s track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists in "Just" by Radiohead

The guitar work on "Just" is masterfully handled by Radiohead’s lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood and rhythm guitarist Ed O'Brien. Greenwood, known for his experimental and genre-blending style, brings intensity through innovative riffs and bold techniques. His background in classical music theory and willingness to experiment have made him one of the most influential guitarists of his generation. Ed O'Brien, while more rhythm-focused, complements Greenwood's creativity with atmospheric layers, offering a fuller sound that gives Radiohead its unique character. Their synergy and stylistic choices are integral to the driving energy and haunting quality of "Just," making it an excellent song for studying varied techniques in rock guitar.

Guitar Techniques in "Just" by Radiohead

Alternate Picking

The main riff in "Just" relies heavily on alternate picking, a technique essential for playing rapid, even notes with precision and speed. This method involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, providing a rhythmic consistency that drives the song forward. Learning alternate picking enhances timing, speed, and accuracy, especially for fast rock passages like those in "Just."

String Bending

String bending is a powerful expression tool, used in "Just" to add emotional tension and dynamic variation. By bending strings up or down to raise the pitch, this technique adds a vocal-like quality to the melody, essential for capturing the intensity of Greenwood’s solos. Mastering string bending is beneficial for developing expressive playing, as it encourages precise pitch control and emotive phrasing.

Harmonics

The song features harmonics, where the guitarist lightly touches a string to create a bell-like tone. Natural harmonics are present in Greenwood’s solo, providing an ethereal, ringing quality. Learning harmonics enhances tone control and introduces textural variation to your playing, an essential skill for adding unique sonic layers to your music.

Slides

Sliding from one fret to another is used throughout "Just" to create smooth transitions and fluid movement. This technique can connect notes seamlessly, giving the melody a continuous, flowing quality. Practicing slides can increase your fretboard navigation, and when applied to a song like "Just," it adds to the hypnotic and flowing nature of the riffs.

Pull-Offs

Greenwood’s riffs in "Just" incorporate pull-offs, adding speed and fluidity to the guitar parts without straining your picking hand. Pull-offs involve plucking a note and releasing it to sound another note on a lower fret. This technique is excellent for developing legato playing, offering a smoother, more connected sound to riffs and solos.

Syncopated Rhythms

The song’s riff structure utilises syncopated rhythms, providing a rhythmic twist that adds to the song’s dynamic feel. Syncopation challenges the conventional beat structure, creating an off-kilter rhythm that enhances the song’s drive and unpredictability. Learning syncopated rhythms improves timing and rhythm skills, essential for versatility in various musical genres.

Power Chords

Power chords are central to "Just," driving its powerful, distorted sound and creating a solid foundation for the song. By playing these simple yet impactful chords, you can achieve a full, heavy sound typical in rock and alternative music. Practicing power chords improves hand strength and coordination, key for transitioning between rhythm and lead playing in rock music.

Palm Muting

To enhance the chugging rhythm sections, palm muting is used, especially during intense parts of the song. Palm muting involves resting your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, producing a dampened, percussive sound. This technique builds control over dynamics and adds a punchy, tight feel to your playing, ideal for rock and metal styles.

Unison Bends

Unison bends add tension to specific sections, achieved by bending one string while letting another ring in unison. This powerful technique creates dissonance and dramatic effect, perfect for the song’s intense moments. Learning unison bends helps develop finger strength and improves pitch control, adding an expressive tool to your technique arsenal.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each technique within "Just" helps guitarists not only replicate an iconic Radiohead song but also improve core skills essential for expressive rock playing. Alternate picking and palm muting build speed and rhythm control, while string bending and harmonics introduce emotive, vocal-like qualities. Techniques like pull-offs and slides allow for a smooth, connected sound, crucial for solo and melodic work. Finally, syncopated rhythms challenge timing, making this song an exceptional study in both technical precision and creative musical expression.

By mastering these techniques, you can capture the energy and complexity of Radiohead’s sound while gaining skills transferable across countless other songs and styles. This lesson offers a pathway to not only recreate "Just" accurately but also to deepen your understanding of expressive, dynamic guitar playing.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Harmonics
• Slides
• Pull-Offs
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Unison Bends

This lesson on "Just" by Radiohead provides a comprehensive dive into essential guitar techniques that, when mastered, will empower your playing with expressive depth and precision.