Since You've Been Gone – Guitar Lesson Breakdown
"Since You've Been Gone" by Rainbow is a classic rock anthem from the late '70s, renowned for its catchy riff, soaring vocals, and punchy guitar work. This lesson from LickLibrary.com is designed to break down the song note for note, focusing on key guitar techniques that will enhance your playing. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player, this lesson will improve your understanding of foundational rock techniques while providing a detailed look at the techniques that make this song so iconic. Michael Casswell breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Guitarist
Ritchie Blackmore, the legendary guitarist for Rainbow, played a crucial role in shaping the band's sound. Known for his versatility, Blackmore is a pioneer of blending classical music influences with rock guitar, which gave Rainbow's music a distinctive, melodic edge. His work on "Since You've Been Gone" showcases his technical prowess and his ability to create memorable, melodic riffs that are not only enjoyable to listen to but also fun to play. Learning Blackmore's guitar parts will give you insight into the techniques of a guitarist who influenced countless players in rock and heavy metal.
Guitar Techniques in "Since You've Been Gone"
Power Chords
The song's main riff is driven by power chords, a staple of rock music. These chords are relatively simple but create a thick, powerful sound that underpins much of the rhythm guitar in rock. Learning to play power chords helps build finger strength and is a great introduction to basic rhythm guitar playing. Mastering power chords is essential for any guitarist looking to expand their rock repertoire.
Alternate Picking
Throughout the song, you'll notice that many of the riffs are played with alternate picking. This technique involves striking the strings with alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, allowing for faster and more fluid playing. Alternate picking is a foundational skill that improves speed, accuracy, and picking efficiency. It's especially useful for playing the quicker passages in "Since You've Been Gone."
String Bending
One of the signature techniques used in Blackmore’s lead work is string bending, particularly during the solos. String bending allows you to add expressive pitch variations by physically bending the string to reach higher notes. In this lesson, you'll learn to execute bends with precision, enhancing your control over note pitch and adding emotion to your playing.
Vibrato
Vibrato is another key element of Blackmore's playing, and you'll encounter it throughout the lead sections of this song. Vibrato adds subtle or wide oscillation to a note, making it sound more dynamic and lively. Learning vibrato helps develop better control over sustain and note articulation, making your solos and melodies more expressive.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
In both the main riff and the solo sections, you'll find the use of hammer-ons and pull-offs. These legato techniques allow for smooth transitions between notes, reducing the need for constant picking. Hammer-ons and pull-offs help you build fluidity and speed, allowing for more efficient and connected playing, especially in fast passages.
Slides
Guitar slides are prominent in the lead lines of "Since You’ve Been Gone." A slide involves transitioning between notes by sliding your finger up or down the string, creating a smooth, gliding sound. This technique enhances the fluidity of your playing and adds a unique stylistic flair to your solos and riffs.
Palm Muting
The rhythm sections of the song make good use of palm muting to create a punchier, more controlled sound. By resting the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge, you can mute the strings slightly, giving them a percussive, chunky sound. Palm muting is vital for adding dynamics to rhythm guitar and can help make your power chords and riffs sound more controlled and powerful.
Double Stops
In certain lead parts, you'll encounter double stops, which involve playing two notes simultaneously. This technique thickens the sound of a lead passage and adds harmonic depth to your playing. It’s a versatile technique that can be used in both rhythm and lead guitar contexts.
Unison Bends
Another feature of the solo is the use of unison bends, where two notes are bent to the same pitch simultaneously. This technique creates a strong, harmonised effect that is a hallmark of classic rock and blues solos. Mastering unison bends will add a professional touch to your lead guitar skills.
Octave Melodies
Throughout the song, you'll also find sections where octave melodies are used, especially in the chorus. This technique involves playing the same note in two different octaves simultaneously, giving the melody a fuller, richer sound. Learning to incorporate octave melodies into your playing will improve your knowledge of the fretboard and enhance your ability to create harmonised lines.
Benefits of Learning These Techniques
- Power Chords: Improve rhythm playing and strengthen your fret-hand grip.
- Alternate Picking: Increase your picking speed and precision, essential for faster passages.
- String Bending: Enhance your control over pitch and expression in solos.
- Vibrato: Add dynamics and sustain to your playing, making it more emotionally expressive.
- Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: Build fluidity and speed, reducing the need for constant picking.
- Slides: Smooth out transitions between notes for a more polished sound.
- Palm Muting: Learn to control the dynamics of your rhythm playing.
- Double Stops: Add harmonic depth to your playing and create thicker lead lines.
- Unison Bends: Master the art of bending notes for harmonised effects in solos.
- Octave Melodies: Create fuller, richer sounding melodies and improve fretboard knowledge.
Guitar Techniques List
- Vibrato
- Alternate Picking
- Hammer-ons
- Pull-offs
- Power Chords
- Palm Muting
- String Bending
- Double Stops
- Unison Bends
- Slides
- Octave Melodies
By mastering these techniques, you'll be well on your way to playing "Since You've Been Gone" with the same energy and precision that made the original recording so memorable.
