Stargazer by Rainbow

Explore the legendary "Stargazer" by Rainbow with our in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson, exclusively at LickLibrary. This epic track from Rainbow's seminal 1976 album Rising is a showcase of technical mastery, powerful riffing, and soaring melodies. Our lesson breaks down every part of this hard rock masterpiece, focusing on the iconic techniques that made Ritchie Blackmore one of the most respected guitarists of his era.

Whether you're aiming to improve your technique, expand your musical vocabulary, or simply master one of the most revered tracks in rock history, this lesson is a goldmine for guitarists at an intermediate to advanced level. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Ritchie Blackmore

"Stargazer" features the phenomenal guitar work of Ritchie Blackmore, one of the founding fathers of hard rock and neo-classical metal. As a key member of Deep Purple and later Rainbow, Blackmore helped pioneer the integration of classical motifs with heavy rock guitar playing. His precise alternate picking, expressive phrasing, and flair for dramatic composition made him an enduring influence on countless guitarists, including Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci. In "Stargazer," Blackmore blends mystical Eastern scales, tight rhythmic precision, and fiery solo work, all of which are explored in our lesson.

Song Breakdown & Techniques

1. Powerful Riffs and Precision Picking

The main riff of "Stargazer" is a perfect example of Ritchie Blackmore’s tight, articulate picking style. This section features alternate picking, which enhances right-hand accuracy and helps players develop speed and control. Practicing this riff builds stamina and timing, especially when played alongside the song’s driving rhythmic pulse.

Benefit: Mastering alternate picking improves your overall picking efficiency, enabling you to play both rhythm and lead parts with greater clarity and control.

2. Melodic Legato Lines

The solo in "Stargazer" is a masterclass in smooth, flowing legato phrasing. Utilising hammer-ons and pull-offs, Blackmore crafts a series of lyrical passages that contrast beautifully with the more aggressive sections of the song.

Benefit: Legato techniques help develop finger independence and fluid motion, allowing players to move quickly across the fretboard while maintaining a smooth, expressive tone.

3. Sliding Between Phrases

Throughout the solo and melodic sections, Blackmore uses slides to seamlessly connect phrases. Slides add a vocal-like quality to your playing and are essential for expressive rock guitar.

Benefit: Learning to use slides effectively adds depth and emotion to your lead guitar work, making your solos feel more connected and dynamic.

4. Soulful Vibrato and String Bending

Blackmore’s use of vibrato and string bending is central to the emotion in his playing. His vibrato is wide and deliberate, giving notes a singing quality, while his precise bends hit the pitch perfectly.

Benefit: Developing a controlled vibrato and accurate bends gives your playing character and emotional impact, allowing you to express more with fewer notes.

5. Harmonic Magic

In some of the song’s more dramatic moments, you’ll find touches of pinched harmonics, adding a screaming edge to select notes. These harmonic touches elevate the dynamic range of the song.

Benefit: Learning harmonics trains your control of pick attack and touch sensitivity, helping you craft tone with surgical precision.

6. Classical-Inspired Arpeggios

"Stargazer" incorporates several arpeggiated lines reminiscent of classical compositions. Practicing these arpeggios sharpens your fretboard awareness and note targeting.

Benefit: Arpeggios are a fundamental element in both rhythm and lead playing, improving your ability to outline chords and add melodic interest to solos.

7. Chordal Dynamics and Progressions

The underlying harmonic structure of "Stargazer" features rich chord progressions that move between minor and modal tones. This not only supports the vocal melody but sets an atmospheric mood for the guitar solos.

Benefit: Understanding and playing through complex chord progressions helps develop your rhythm skills and knowledge of harmony.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions

Our "Stargazer" guitar lesson gives you the tools to master a track that combines epic scale with intricate musicianship. Dive deep into Ritchie Blackmore’s iconic style and unlock new levels of skill and expression on the guitar, only at LickLibrary.com.