Nick Jennison's Solo Guitar Arrangement of "Africa" by Toto

Nick Jennison's solo guitar arrangement of Toto's iconic hit "Africa" delivers an extraordinary opportunity for guitarists to master the song’s intricate layers, while simultaneously learning essential guitar techniques. This lesson from LickLibrary.com not only breaks down the musicality of the song, but also provides valuable insights into key guitar techniques that form the foundation of this remarkable arrangement. By studying this arrangement, guitarists can enhance their playing through a focus on melody, rhythm, and advanced technical skills.

About "Africa" and Toto’s Guitarists

Toto’s "Africa," released in 1982, features the skilled guitar work of Steve Lukather. Known for his versatility, Lukather has been an influential figure in the world of guitar, contributing to countless hit records and pioneering a clean yet soulful style. In "Africa," his tasteful combination of subtle guitar layers, rhythm work, and melodic lines showcases his unique approach to the instrument, blending pop, rock, and jazz influences.

Steve Lukather's contributions to Toto’s sound are defined by his ability to seamlessly blend virtuosic technique with emotional expressiveness. His influence on guitarists worldwide cannot be overstated, and studying his playing in "Africa" provides guitarists with the chance to dive into his exceptional use of melody, timing, and tone.

Breakdown of Techniques in the Lesson

Finger-Picking

One of the standout techniques in Nick Jennison's arrangement of "Africa" is finger-picking, which allows for a softer, more delicate sound. This technique is key to capturing the acoustic feel of the song's intro and main sections. By learning finger-picking, guitarists can develop greater control and independence of the fingers, enabling them to play complex patterns that require simultaneous melody and harmony.

Barre Chords

Barre chords are heavily used in the arrangement, giving the song its harmonic richness. Barre chords allow guitarists to play full, resonant chords across the neck of the guitar, giving them the ability to quickly move between different keys and positions. Mastering barre chords helps players achieve strength in their fretting hand and provides flexibility in both rhythm and lead playing.

Syncopated Rhythms

The rhythmic complexity of "Africa" is one of its most defining features. The lesson focuses on syncopated rhythms, which create a groove that feels off-beat and playful. Syncopation enhances a player's sense of timing and rhythm, improving their ability to perform both simple and complex pieces with a unique flow.

Slides

Slides are featured prominently in Jennison's arrangement, adding smoothness and fluidity to the melodic lines. By practicing slides, guitarists can transition between notes more expressively, creating a vocal-like quality in their playing. This technique is especially beneficial for developing fretboard familiarity and precision.

Double Stops

The use of double stops—playing two notes simultaneously—gives parts of the arrangement a fuller and more dynamic sound. Double stops are a fundamental technique in both lead and rhythm playing, allowing guitarists to create harmony within their solos or fills. This technique is excellent for building finger independence and strength.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The lesson includes multiple passages that make use of hammer-ons and pull-offs, adding speed and fluidity to the phrasing. These legato techniques are essential for creating smooth, flowing lines and improving finger coordination. Mastering hammer-ons and pull-offs can significantly enhance a player’s ability to perform fast, articulate runs without relying on strict picking.

Vibrato

Jennison also demonstrates the use of vibrato to add expressiveness to key notes. This technique is essential for giving sustained notes a singing, emotional quality. Learning vibrato helps players develop control over pitch and tone, making their playing sound more professional and polished.

Arpeggios

In Jennison's arrangement, arpeggios are used to outline the chords melodically. By breaking up the chords into individual notes, arpeggios provide clarity and movement. Practicing arpeggios improves a player's dexterity and fingerpicking precision, while also enhancing their understanding of chord structure and harmony.

Tapped Harmonics

Another advanced technique featured in this arrangement is tapped harmonics, which are used to produce bell-like, ethereal tones. By learning tapped harmonics, players can expand their tonal palette and introduce a new dynamic texture to their playing. This technique also sharpens accuracy and finger coordination, as it requires precise timing and touch.

Hybrid Picking

Hybrid picking, which involves using both the pick and fingers, adds versatility to Jennison's arrangement. This technique allows guitarists to alternate between picking and finger-style approaches, giving them more options in terms of tone and attack. Hybrid picking is especially useful for combining complex picking patterns with chordal playing.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Learning the techniques featured in Nick Jennison’s arrangement of "Africa" by Toto offers guitarists the opportunity to enhance both their technical proficiency and musicality. Techniques like finger-picking, syncopated rhythms, and double stops help build foundational skills that apply across many musical genres. Meanwhile, mastering advanced techniques like tapped harmonics and hybrid picking introduces a new level of creativity and expression to your playing.

These techniques also offer direct benefits, such as improving hand strength and coordination, expanding your dynamic range, and increasing your ability to play complex rhythms and melodies. By focusing on the key elements of this arrangement, guitarists can develop a richer, more varied sound while learning to perform one of the most recognisable songs in pop history.

List of Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson

• Finger-Picking
• Barre Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Vibrato
• Arpeggios
• Tapped Harmonics
• Hybrid Picking