Fall to Pieces - Velvet Revolver

Learning to play Velvet Revolver's hit song "Fall to Pieces" offers a great opportunity for guitarists to improve their skills through the mastery of various essential techniques. This song, driven by its expressive riffs, soaring solos, and dynamic chord progressions, provides a balanced mix of melody and rock intensity. Our note-for-note guitar lesson on "Fall to Pieces" dissects these elements in detail, giving you a deeper understanding of the guitar techniques that made this track iconic. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists in "Fall to Pieces"

The guitar work on "Fall to Pieces" is performed by none other than the legendary Slash. Known for his signature soulful bends, melodic phrasing, and emotional vibrato, Slash has influenced countless guitarists over the decades. His style blends elements of classic rock, blues, and modern rock, creating a unique, gritty yet melodic sound. Slash’s guitar playing on this track is a prime example of his ability to evoke emotion through technical mastery, particularly in the slower, heartfelt solos that reflect the song’s lyrical theme of personal struggle.

Slash’s use of classic rock techniques such as string bends, slides, and vibrato, combined with his exceptional feel for melody, has made him one of the most influential guitar players of all time. Learning these techniques through our detailed guitar lesson will allow you to infuse similar emotion into your own playing.

Techniques Covered in "Fall to Pieces"

Vibrato

One of the key elements in Slash's playing is his masterful use of vibrato. In "Fall to Pieces," the vibrato technique is used to give notes a sustained, emotional quality that resonates with the listener. Mastering vibrato allows you to add expression to single notes and hold them in a way that enhances the musical emotion, making your playing more dynamic and controlled.

String Bending

Slash's signature string bending technique is all over this song. Whether it's a slow bend leading into a high note or a quick bend as part of a riff, string bends give your playing that vocal-like quality. Learning to control your bends will enhance your expressiveness and help you match the song's emotional tone.

Slides

Slides between notes add a fluid, almost effortless transition between positions on the fretboard, creating a smooth and connected sound. Throughout "Fall to Pieces," slides are used to shift between notes, making the melodic lines sound more cohesive. Incorporating slides into your playing improves finger strength and helps you navigate the fretboard with ease.

Legato

In the guitar solo, legato playing is prominent. This technique involves playing notes smoothly using hammer-ons and pull-offs, reducing the number of times you pick each note. Legato playing is essential for creating fast, flowing licks without sacrificing clarity. Practicing legato will improve your finger strength, dexterity, and speed.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Throughout the song, hammer-ons and pull-offs are used to create smooth, melodic phrases that flow effortlessly. These techniques reduce picking motions and add a slurred, continuous sound to your playing. Practicing these techniques improves your finger independence and helps in building faster, more fluid lead lines.

Power Chords

The rhythm sections of "Fall to Pieces" rely heavily on power chords to provide the driving force behind the song’s structure. Power chords are an essential tool for any rock guitarist, offering a powerful and punchy sound without the complexity of full chords. Mastering power chords will improve your rhythm guitar skills and help you lock in with the band.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is crucial for creating rhythmic control, especially in the song's verses where the energy is dialed back. This technique gives a percussive quality to your playing, tightening up your sound and adding definition to your strumming. Learning palm muting will enhance your control over dynamics, allowing you to create contrast between sections of a song.

Double Stop Bends

The lesson on "Fall to Pieces" also focuses on double stop bends, a technique where two notes are bent simultaneously to create harmonic tension. This technique is integral to Slash's blues-influenced style and adds a distinct, biting character to solos. Mastering double stop bends will enhance your lead guitar phrasing and allow you to explore more complex melodic ideas.

Slides and Octave Melodies

Finally, octave melodies and slides are used to highlight key melodic passages, adding depth to the rhythm and lead parts. These techniques allow you to create rich harmonies and help navigate the fretboard more effectively. Octave melodies are a great way to add harmonic depth to your playing without overcrowding the arrangement.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

Here is a list of the guitar techniques covered in our Fall to Pieces guitar lesson. These techniques are fundamental to playing the song authentically and will help improve your overall guitar proficiency:

• Vibrato
• Legato
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Double Stop Bends
• String Bending
• Slides
• Octave Melodies

By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play "Fall to Pieces" with confidence, but you'll also improve your overall guitar skill set, allowing you to tackle a wide range of songs and styles.