Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
In this comprehensive guitar lesson, we explore Soundgarden's iconic song "Black Hole Sun" and break down the unique guitar work that defines this grunge classic. Released in 1994 on their Superunknown album, "Black Hole Sun" became one of Soundgarden’s most well-known tracks, thanks to its memorable melodies, haunting atmosphere, and dynamic guitar arrangements. Our note-for-note guitar lesson focuses on the essential techniques used in the song, helping you master the skills that made it stand out. Let’s dive into the guitar techniques featured in this track and how learning them will improve your playing. Michael Casswell breaks down this iconic 90's track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Guitar Players Behind "Black Hole Sun"
"Black Hole Sun" features the combined talents of Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell, both of whom played pivotal roles in shaping Soundgarden’s unique sound. Kim Thayil, the band’s lead guitarist, is known for his innovative use of alternative tunings, heavy riffs, and dissonant melodies, which helped define the sound of 1990s grunge. His style blends elements of metal, punk, and classic rock with a distinct emphasis on texture and tone.
Chris Cornell, in addition to being the band's vocalist, was also an accomplished guitarist. His rhythm playing complements Thayil’s lead work, often providing a foundation for the song’s complex harmonic structure. Cornell’s approach to guitar was more minimalist compared to Thayil’s, but no less impactful. Together, their playing in "Black Hole Sun" creates a mesmerising and atmospheric soundscape. Learning their parts will not only improve your technical abilities but also inspire you to experiment with tone and chord progressions in your own playing.
Key Guitar Techniques in "Black Hole Sun"
Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
The intro and verses of "Black Hole Sun" prominently feature arpeggiated chord progressions. Instead of strumming chords, Thayil and Cornell pick individual notes of the chords, creating a smooth, flowing melody that underscores the song’s haunting feel. Learning this technique will sharpen your finger dexterity and teach you how to bring out melodies within chord structures, perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your rhythm playing.
Alternate Picking
Throughout the song, alternate picking is used to maintain consistency and speed during faster passages. This essential technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, ensuring even and rhythmic playing. Mastering alternate picking will help you develop better speed control and accuracy, especially in songs with intricate picking patterns like "Black Hole Sun."
Slides
Both Thayil and Cornell use slides in key sections of the song to create smooth transitions between notes. This technique adds a fluid, almost vocal quality to the guitar lines. Practicing slides will improve your ability to connect notes seamlessly, making your lead playing feel more natural and expressive.
Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
Hammer-ons and pull-offs are used frequently in the song’s lead parts. These legato techniques allow for fast, smooth transitions between notes without picking every note individually. They add a dynamic flow to soloing and embellish simple lines with speed and style. By practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs, you can add fluidity and expressiveness to your playing, which is crucial for emulating Thayil’s intricate phrasing in "Black Hole Sun."
Vibrato
Vibrato is used extensively by both guitarists in the solo sections of "Black Hole Sun." Vibrato is the technique of oscillating the pitch of a note by quickly moving the string up and down, adding depth and emotion to sustained notes. By mastering vibrato, you can make your solos more expressive and emotive, giving your notes a richer sound.
String Bending and Bluesy Bends
Thayil and Cornell make great use of string bending throughout "Black Hole Sun." This technique involves bending a string to change its pitch, often to hit a note between the frets. Combined with subtle bluesy bends, this creates tension and release, giving your playing a more vocal-like quality. Learning string bending will improve your pitch control and allow you to infuse more emotion into your playing.
Power Chords
A core element of Soundgarden’s rhythm guitar work is the use of power chords, which are used in "Black Hole Sun" to create thick, driving rhythms. Power chords consist of just two or three notes and are essential for delivering a powerful, punchy sound in rock and metal music. Mastering power chords will make your rhythm playing stronger and more authoritative, perfect for driving the song’s heavier sections.
Barre Chords
In addition to power chords, Thayil and Cornell utilise barre chords to craft more complex chord shapes in the song’s quieter sections. Barre chords require pressing down multiple strings with one finger, providing access to a wide range of chord voicings. Learning barre chords will increase your chord vocabulary and strengthen your fretting hand, allowing for more versatility in your rhythm playing.
Chord Progressions and Melodic Phrasing
The chord progressions in "Black Hole Sun" make use of both major and minor tonalities, adding to the song’s haunting atmosphere. Chord progressions like those found in this song will help you explore how different chord combinations evoke different emotions. The melodic phrasing of the lead sections complements these progressions, creating a dynamic push and pull that adds to the song’s tension and release. Practicing these progressions will deepen your understanding of harmony and improve your songwriting skills.
Double Stops
Thayil often employs double stops in his solos, where two notes are played simultaneously. This technique adds harmonic richness to lead lines, making them stand out more. Mastering double stops will enhance your soloing by allowing you to incorporate harmonies into your leads.
Palm Muting
In the verses, Cornell and Thayil use palm muting to create a tight, percussive rhythm. Palm muting involves resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to dampen the sound. This technique is excellent for adding dynamics to your playing, giving your rhythm work more texture and control.
Why Learn "Black Hole Sun"?
By learning to play "Black Hole Sun," you will gain a wide range of essential guitar techniques, from rhythmic power chords and arpeggios to expressive lead playing with vibrato, bends, and double stops. The song showcases the collaborative guitar work of Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell, offering a great opportunity to understand how rhythm and lead parts can complement each other in a song. Whether you’re looking to improve your technical skills, learn new ways to create atmosphere with your playing, or simply tackle a classic grunge anthem, this lesson is the perfect guide.
