Since You've Been Gone - Solo by Rainbow - Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Our note-for-note guitar lesson on the solo from "Since You’ve Been Gone" by Rainbow brings one of the most iconic classic rock guitar solos to your fingertips. This vibrant solo, performed by the legendary Ritchie Blackmore, showcases essential rock guitar techniques such as alternate picking, string bending, vibrato, and pre-bends. These techniques are crucial for any guitarist looking to improve their lead playing and achieve a more expressive, dynamic sound. In this lesson, you’ll not only learn how to play the solo note for note, but also master these fundamental techniques, making your overall guitar playing stronger and more versatile. This lesson is taught by Sam Bell.

Key Techniques in Since You've Been Gone

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a fundamental technique in rock guitar playing, especially for executing fast, clean lines with precision. In alternate picking, you pick the string using a continuous up-and-down motion, which allows for greater speed and efficiency when playing sequences of notes. In the "Since You’ve Been Gone" solo, Ritchie Blackmore uses alternate picking to deliver sharp, articulate runs that flow seamlessly throughout the solo. Mastering alternate picking will help you play faster, more intricate solos with clarity and precision. In this lesson, we break down the alternate picking patterns used in the solo, ensuring you can develop this technique to tackle more advanced lead playing.

String Bending

String bending is an essential technique for adding emotion and expression to your guitar playing. In "Since You’ve Been Gone," Blackmore uses string bending to raise the pitch of notes in a smooth and controlled way, creating expressive, vocal-like phrases. Bending allows you to add dynamic flair and emphasize key notes in a solo. Our lesson will show you how to execute clean, in-tune string bends, helping you bring out the soulful, bluesy quality of Blackmore’s playing. String bending is a must-learn technique for any guitarist looking to add depth and emotion to their solos.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another key technique that gives life and sustain to your notes. Vibrato involves subtly oscillating the pitch of a note to create a rich, resonant sound. In "Since You’ve Been Gone," Blackmore uses vibrato to enhance the sustain of key notes, making them stand out and adding a sense of controlled tension and release. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to apply vibrato effectively, giving your notes more depth and expression. Developing a strong vibrato will improve your ability to sustain notes and make your solos sound more professional and polished.

Pre-Bends

Pre-bends are a variation of string bending that involve bending the string up to a target pitch before striking the note, then releasing the bend. This technique is often used to create dramatic, expressive phrases, and is employed skillfully by Blackmore in the "Since You’ve Been Gone" solo. Pre-bends add a sense of tension and anticipation, as the note drops down in pitch after being struck. Learning how to execute clean pre-bends will give you greater control over your bends and allow you to add a new layer of emotion to your playing. This technique is perfect for creating dramatic shifts in your solos, making them more dynamic and expressive.

About the Guitar Player in Since You've Been Gone

The solo in "Since You’ve Been Gone" is performed by the highly influential guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, one of the founding members of Rainbow and Deep Purple. Blackmore’s playing style blends classical influences with hard rock, resulting in a unique and dynamic sound. Known for his precise technique and melodic phrasing, Blackmore crafted solos that are both technically challenging and musically rich. His work on "Since You’ve Been Gone" reflects his ability to balance power with finesse, making the solo a perfect study for guitarists seeking to expand their skill set. By learning this solo, you’ll gain valuable insight into Blackmore’s approach to melody, phrasing, and expression.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Pre-Bends

By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play "Since You’ve Been Gone" with the same power and finesse as Ritchie Blackmore, but also improve your overall guitar playing across various styles and genres. Dive into our detailed lesson, and take your guitar skills to the next level with this classic rock solo!