Is This Love - Solo by Whitesnake - Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Our note-for-note guitar lesson on the solo from "Is This Love" by Whitesnake brings you all the classic rock and blues-inspired techniques that make this solo so memorable. Played by the legendary John Sykes, this solo is a masterclass in melody, control, and technique, featuring key elements like alternate picking, string bending, vibrato, and unison bends. Whether you’re an experienced player or looking to challenge your lead guitar skills, this lesson will guide you through the intricate details of this iconic solo, helping you capture the expressive sound and feel that has made it a timeless favorite in rock music. This lesson is taught by Sam Bell.

Key Techniques in Is This Love

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a fundamental technique for achieving speed and accuracy, and it is used in several sections of the "Is This Love" solo to articulate fast, clean runs. Alternate picking involves continuously alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes when picking each note. This technique helps maintain even timing and allows for smoother transitions between notes. In our lesson, we break down how John Sykes uses alternate picking to play rapid, flowing phrases that remain precise and clean. Mastering alternate picking will improve your overall picking hand control, allowing you to handle faster passages with clarity and accuracy.

String Bending

String bending is one of the most expressive techniques in guitar playing, and it is used extensively in the "Is This Love" solo to add emotion and drama to key notes. String bending involves pushing or pulling the string to raise its pitch, allowing for smooth, vocal-like transitions between notes. John Sykes uses bending to great effect in this solo, bringing out the emotional weight of the melody and giving the solo a deeply soulful quality. In this lesson, we guide you through perfecting your string bending technique, ensuring that your bends are in tune and controlled. Mastering string bending will allow you to add more expression to your solos, making them feel more dynamic and emotional.

Vibrato

Vibrato is crucial for giving sustained notes more life and character. Vibrato involves slightly oscillating the pitch of a note by moving the fretting hand back and forth, creating a rich, singing sound. In "Is This Love," Sykes uses vibrato to enhance the sustain and emotional depth of his playing, making key notes stand out with greater intensity. This lesson will help you develop a smooth and controlled vibrato, which is essential for giving your solos a professional, polished feel. Vibrato is one of the most important techniques for adding personal expression to your guitar playing, and mastering it will elevate the emotional impact of your lead work.

Unison Bends

Unison bends are another key feature of the "Is This Love" solo. A unison bend involves bending one string while playing another string at a fixed pitch, creating a powerful and harmonically rich sound. This technique adds tension and intensity to the solo, making certain moments stand out with dramatic effect. John Sykes uses unison bends to emphasize key notes, adding a sense of urgency and energy to the solo. In this lesson, we’ll show you how to execute clean, in-tune unison bends, allowing you to recreate the powerful moments that make this solo so memorable. Mastering unison bends will give you more control over your phrasing, helping you add excitement and intensity to your solos.

About the Guitar Player in Is This Love

The solo in "Is This Love" was played by John Sykes, one of the most respected guitarists in hard rock. Known for his work with Thin Lizzy, Blue Murder, and Whitesnake, Sykes has a distinct playing style that blends technical precision with soulful expression. His melodic approach, fluid phrasing, and powerful tone have made him an influential figure in rock guitar. On Whitesnake’s 1987 self-titled album, Sykes contributed some of the most memorable guitar work in the band’s history, and his solo on "Is This Love" is no exception. Learning this solo will give you insight into how Sykes balances emotive playing with technical prowess, making it a perfect study for those looking to refine their lead guitar skills.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Unison Bends

By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to play the "Is This Love" solo with the same power and emotion as John Sykes, while also enhancing your overall technical proficiency. This lesson will give you the tools to create expressive, dynamic solos that stand out, helping you grow as a guitarist and take your lead playing to the next level!