LA Woman by The Doors - Note-for-Note Guitar Lesson

Explore the iconic rock sound of LA Woman by The Doors in our LickLibrary.com guitar lesson, where we break down the unique techniques that bring this song’s timeless solo to life. This lesson focuses on four core techniques—barre chords, hammer-ons, slides, and vibrato—each of which is central to the depth and style of Robby Krieger’s guitar work. By learning these techniques, guitarists will not only capture the essence of LA Woman but also expand their own skills, gaining the ability to add more expressiveness, fluidity, and power to their playing. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Breakdown

Barre Chords

Barre chords form the rhythmic backbone of LA Woman, allowing guitarists to create a full, resonant sound that supports the entire band. Barre chords involve pressing down multiple strings with a single finger, enabling players to play movable chords across the neck of the guitar. In LA Woman, barre chords are used to build tension and depth within the rhythm, adding a rich, layered effect that emphasizes the song's intensity.

Learning barre chords is essential for guitarists looking to expand their chord vocabulary and versatility on the fretboard. Barre chords allow players to execute complex chord progressions and create a fuller sound with minimal movement. Practicing barre chords strengthens the fretting hand and improves endurance, two skills crucial for mastering many styles of music. With barre chords, guitarists gain the flexibility to transpose songs into different keys with ease, a valuable skill for live performance and session work.

Hammer-Ons

Hammer-ons are used in LA Woman to add a fluid, legato quality to the solo. This technique involves fretting a note and then "hammering" a higher note with another finger, creating a smooth, continuous sound. Hammer-ons allow Krieger’s playing to flow seamlessly, enhancing the natural rhythm and melody of his solo. By focusing on hammer-ons, guitarists can bring subtle ornamentation to their playing, adding expressive detail to each phrase.

Practicing hammer-ons improves finger strength, control, and precision, making it easier to articulate quick, smooth note transitions. For lead players, hammer-ons are invaluable, as they allow for rapid movement between notes without the need to pick each one individually. This technique is especially useful for soloing and adding a melodic feel to otherwise rhythmic lines. Mastering hammer-ons will enhance your phrasing, allowing you to play with more nuance and fluidity.

Slides

Slides contribute to the seamless, gliding sound that defines Krieger’s solo in LA Woman. By sliding between notes, Krieger adds a vocal-like quality to the guitar, making his lines feel natural and expressive. This technique involves moving a finger from one fret to another without lifting it off the string, creating a smooth transition between pitches. Slides add drama and movement to phrases, bringing a distinct sense of flow and direction to the melody.

For guitarists, learning slides enhances control over the fretboard and improves coordination, as it requires precise timing and finger positioning. Practicing slides will improve your ability to connect notes smoothly, adding continuity to solos and licks. Slides are especially useful in blues, rock, and jazz, where they bring out the expressive potential of the guitar. With this technique, guitarists can add depth and fluidity to their playing, emulating the soulful sounds of legends like Krieger.

Vibrato

Vibrato is key to capturing the emotion in Krieger’s solo, as it allows certain notes to resonate with a rich, sustained tone. Vibrato involves moving the fretting hand to create a slight fluctuation in pitch, adding warmth and depth to a held note. Krieger’s use of vibrato brings a vocal-like quality to his solos, enhancing the melody and creating a more immersive sound. In LA Woman, vibrato is used to emphasize key notes, making them stand out and adding a layer of expressiveness to each phrase.

For guitarists, vibrato is essential for adding character to solos and giving notes a professional, polished feel. Mastering vibrato enhances control over sustain and pitch, allowing players to adjust the intensity and speed to suit the mood of the music. This technique is highly versatile and can be applied across genres to bring depth and emotion to any musical phrase. Practicing vibrato will also improve finger strength and dexterity, making it easier to hold notes with precision and finesse.

About the Guitarist and His Influence

Robby Krieger, the lead guitarist of The Doors, brought an unconventional and diverse set of influences to rock music. Known for his jazz, flamenco, and blues-infused approach, Krieger’s playing style adds a unique flavor to LA Woman. His work on this song is marked by a raw, emotive quality that enhances the song’s bluesy feel. With a keen sense for melody, Krieger’s solos blend technical skill with soulful phrasing, making his contributions to The Doors’ music both memorable and influential. By studying his techniques in LA Woman, guitarists can tap into the organic, expressive qualities that define classic rock.

Guitar Techniques in LA Woman - Solo by The Doors

Each of the following techniques is crucial to understanding and mastering the solo in LA Woman. They provide the foundation for a well-rounded, expressive style that captures the essence of classic rock guitar.

• Barre Chords
• Hammer-Ons
• Slides
• Vibrato

This lesson on LA Woman by The Doors allows guitarists to explore the soulful, blues-inspired solo work of Robby Krieger, learning techniques that add expressiveness and control to their playing. With a focus on barre chords, hammer-ons, slides, and vibrato, guitarists can develop a solid foundation in classic rock techniques while gaining insight into the unique style of one of rock’s most influential bands.