Classic Albums - Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is one of the most celebrated albums in rock history, known for its emotional depth, intricate compositions, and timeless appeal. At Licklibrary.com, we’re excited to present Classic Albums - Rumours, a comprehensive guitar course that dissects the album's legendary guitar work note-for-note. With this course, you'll master the iconic styles of Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie, both of whom shaped the sound of Rumours with their unique techniques and creativity. Sam Bell breaks down every note of this classic album in this exclusive Lick Library course.

The Guitarists Behind Rumours

Lindsey Buckingham's finger-style technique, rhythmic precision, and melodic sensibility were instrumental in creating Fleetwood Mac's signature sound. His playing blends folk, rock, and blues influences, often characterised by intricate picking patterns, emotive phrasing, and a minimalist approach to effects.

Christine McVie, while primarily known for her keyboard skills, also contributed to the album's guitar arrangements. Her contributions often added a rich harmonic depth, complementing Buckingham's parts beautifully. Together, these two musicians brought Rumours to life with their impeccable craftsmanship and musical synergy.

Techniques Covered in the Rumours Guitar Course

Fingerpicking

Lindsey Buckingham's fingerpicking technique is a cornerstone of the album's sound, prominently featured in tracks like "Never Going Back Again." This style requires dexterity and coordination, allowing you to create intricate, layered melodies without a pick. Learning Benefit: Fingerpicking enhances control and clarity, providing a dynamic, percussive quality to your playing.

Slides

Slides add expressiveness and fluidity to Buckingham's solos and melodies. Used in songs like "Go Your Own Way," this technique helps you connect notes smoothly, mimicking a vocal-like quality. Learning Benefit: Developing slide skills improves transitions and adds emotional depth to your solos.

Double-Stops

Double-stops are a hallmark of Fleetwood Mac’s harmonised guitar lines. These appear throughout Rumours, creating rich, layered textures. Learning Benefit: Mastering double-stops enhances your harmonic understanding and adds complexity to your lead playing.

Chord Progressions

Fleetwood Mac's music relies on creative and emotive chord progressions, such as those in "The Chain." These progressions are vital for building tension and releasing it effectively within a song. Learning Benefit: Studying these progressions improves your songwriting and ability to convey emotion through harmony.

String Bending

Expressive string bending is a highlight in solos like those found in "Go Your Own Way." This technique allows you to "speak" with your guitar, adding a vocal-like inflection to your notes. Learning Benefit: Practicing bends improves pitch control and emotional expressiveness in your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs add fluidity to Buckingham's rapid melodic lines. They can be heard in the embellishments of several Rumours tracks. Learning Benefit: These techniques increase your speed and smoothness, helping to create seamless licks.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios form the backbone of many Rumours tracks, contributing to their harmonic sophistication. They provide clarity to individual chord tones, making melodies stand out. Learning Benefit: Learning arpeggios sharpens your understanding of music theory and improves precision in lead playing.

Hybrid Picking

Hybrid picking combines the use of a pick and fingers, a technique Buckingham uses to great effect in tracks like "Second Hand News." This approach provides versatility in executing complex picking patterns. Learning Benefit: Hybrid picking enables you to alternate between strumming and fingerpicking with ease, broadening your playing style.

Unison Bends

Unison bends, which involve bending one string to match the pitch of another, create dramatic tension in solos. Buckingham uses these bends to add energy and intensity to the music. Learning Benefit: Practicing unison bends improves finger strength and adds flair to your improvisations.

Vibrato

Vibrato adds character and sustain to Buckingham's lead lines. His use of this technique brings life and emotion to Rumours, giving each note a singing quality. Learning Benefit: Mastering vibrato enhances note articulation and gives your playing a professional polish.

List of Guitar Techniques in This Course

Below is a list of all the techniques you’ll master in the Rumours guitar course, along with helpful links for further exploration:

• Vibrato
• Fingerpicking
• Slides
• Double-Stops
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions
• Hybrid Picking
• Unison Bends

Explore the magic of Rumours with Licklibrary.com, and elevate your playing to new heights by learning the techniques of Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie. Their artistry is timeless, and with this course, so too can be your guitar skills!