Learn to Play "When The Children Cry" by White Lion
Unlock the secrets of one of the most iconic ballads of the 80s, "When The Children Cry" by White Lion, through our comprehensive guitar lesson. This beautiful song is not just a piece of music, but a showcase of intricate guitar techniques and emotional depth. Our detailed tutorial is designed to help you master this song note for note while enhancing your overall guitar skills. This song is taught by Sam Bell.
Guitar Techniques Used in "When The Children Cry"
Arpeggios
The song opens with delicate arpeggios that set a somber tone. Arpeggios, or broken chords where the notes are played sequentially, add depth and texture to music. Learning this technique through our lesson not only helps in playing this song accurately but also enhances finger dexterity and timing, essential skills for any budding guitarist.
String Bending
One of the emotive highlights of "When The Children Cry" is its use of string bending. This technique involves pushing the guitar strings across the fretboard to raise their pitch, adding a vocal-like expressiveness to the lead lines. Mastering string bending can significantly improve your expressivity and is a crucial skill in lead guitar playing.
Power Chords
The chorus of the song utilizes power chords to deliver a robust and resonant sound that contrasts with the verses' gentle arpeggios. Power chords are a staple in rock music, simple yet impactful, providing a foundation in playing styles across various music genres. This lesson will solidify your ability to execute power chords cleanly and rhythmically.
Vibrato
Vibrato involves slightly vibrating the finger on a string that's already fretting a note, creating a pulsating, rich tone. This technique is pivotal in making sustained notes more interesting and emotional. Our lesson will help you incorporate vibrato naturally into your playing, enriching your musical expressiveness.
The Guitarist Behind the Song: Vito Bratta
Vito Bratta, the lead guitarist of White Lion, is renowned for his technical prowess and melodic sensibility. His playing on "When The Children Cry" demonstrates not only technical skill but also an incredible ability to convey emotion through his instrument. Bratta's influence is significant, as he brought a blend of technicality and melody to the 80s rock scene, inspiring a generation of guitarists to look beyond sheer speed and consider emotional depth in their playing.
Benefits of Learning These Techniques
By mastering the techniques showcased in "When The Children Cry," you'll not only be able to play this song impressively but also carry these skills into other musical ventures. Arpeggios enhance your understanding of chord structures, string bending enriches your soloing capability, power chords boost your rhythm guitar skills, and vibrato adds soul to your playing. Each technique builds your musical vocabulary and versatility, making you a more well-rounded guitarist.
Conclusion
Our lesson on "When The Children Cry" by White Lion is more than just a song tutorial. It's a journey through essential guitar techniques packaged within a timeless rock ballad. Whether you're a beginner looking to step up your game or an intermediate player aiming to refine your skills, this lesson offers valuable insights and techniques that will aid in your musical development.
Guitar Techniques Used in the Lesson
Embrace the challenge and experience the satisfaction of mastering "When The Children Cry" while significantly advancing your guitar skills. Join us at Licklibrary.com for this transformative guitar lesson.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Sam Bell
Sam Bell has been playing guitar from the age of 4, since then he has played many styles from Funky Blues to screaming Metal/Fusion on 8 string guitar. A member of UK tech metal band ‘Mask of Judas’, he is also currently writing his own solo instrumental album. He also...