Learn to Play "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett on Guitar

Discover the quintessential techniques and captivating guitar styles embedded in the rhythm and blues classic "Mustang Sally" originally performed by Wilson Pickett. This Licklibrary guitar lesson dives deep into the song's construction, focusing on essential guitar techniques such as octaves, hammer-ons, slides, and palm muting. Each session is designed not only to teach you how to play the song note-for-note but also to enhance your overall guitar skills, adding versatility and expression to your playing. This song is taught by Mitch Laddie.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Mustang Sally"

"Mustang Sally" offers a rich palette of guitar techniques that can broaden a guitarist's expressive capabilities and technical proficiency.

Octaves

The use of octaves in "Mustang Sally" allows guitarists to emphasize melody lines and create a fuller sound. An octave refers to the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. This technique is pivotal in the song for linking chords smoothly and adding a layer of depth to the rhythm section.

Hammer-Ons

Hammer-ons are prominently featured to enrich the song's melodic lines. This technique involves plucking a string and then "hammering" a finger onto a higher fret without plucking again. It produces a smooth, connected sound that enhances legato playing, crucial for the fluidity in soul and blues genres.

Slides

Slides are used to express the emotional range of the song, connecting notes with a smooth gliding sound that adds a vocal-like quality to guitar play. This technique, which involves sliding a finger along the string from one fret to another, is essential for creating the expressive phrasing that "Mustang Sally" is known for.

Palm Muting

Palm muting in "Mustang Sally" provides a percussive quality to the rhythm guitar parts. By resting the palm of the strumming hand on the strings near the bridge while playing, guitarists can produce a muted, staccato sound that propels the groove of the song, offering a dynamic contrast to more open, resonant chord strums.

The Guitarists of "Mustang Sally"

The original recording of "Mustang Sally" featured guitar work that has influenced countless musicians. The guitarists on this track laid down a foundation that is both rhythmically solid and melodically inventive, embodying the soul and passion of rhythm and blues guitar playing. Their work showcases not only technical skill but also a deep feel for the music, a quality that inspires guitarists to this day. Learning these parts offers more than just an understanding of the song; it provides a window into the soulful expressions and rhythmic mastery that define much of the blues and rock music of the era.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Mastering these techniques through "Mustang Sally" does more than allow you to play this specific song; it equips you with skills applicable across a wide range of musical scenarios. Whether jamming with friends, performing live, or composing your own music, these techniques help in creating a more expressive and dynamic performance. They are fundamental in numerous musical genres, making this lesson an invaluable addition to any guitarist's repertoire.

List of Guitar Techniques Used in Our Lessons

Below is a comprehensive list of guitar techniques featured in our lessons at Licklibrary. Each link leads to a detailed glossary page that will help you understand and master these techniques:

• Palm Muting
• Hammer-Ons
• Slides
• Octave Melodies

Explore these techniques and more through our extensive library of guitar lessons, and elevate your playing to new heights with Licklibrary.