Master the Art of Jimi Hendrix's Solos

About the Course

Embark on a journey to master the iconic solos of Jimi Hendrix, the legendary guitarist whose innovative style and electrifying performances redefined rock music. In this course, you'll explore the revolutionary lead guitar techniques that made Hendrix a household name. Whether you're a beginner or have been playing for a while, you'll find inspiration and new ideas to add to your repertoire. This article focuses on Chapter 1, the starting point of the full course available inside the Gibson App, where you'll lay the foundation for your Hendrix-inspired soloing journey.

Chapter 1

Introduction

Dive into Hendrix's World

In this lesson, we dive into the revolutionary lead guitar style of Jimi Hendrix. Known for his electrifying blues-fueled licks on tracks like "Purple Haze" and "Voodoo Child," Hendrix's playing has inspired countless guitarists. This course will guide you through various concepts associated with his style, presenting each within a musical lick. By the end, you'll be playing licks in the style of Hendrix, engineered with the beginner guitarist in mind.

Lick 1

String Bending Mastery

Our first lick is based around the E minor pentatonic and blues scales, incorporating string-bending techniques. Inspired by tracks like "Hey Joe" and "Foxy Lady," this lick emphasizes the importance of string-bending in Hendrix's style. You'll start by bending up a whole tone on the B string at the 15th fret, ensuring the bend is in tune. The lick continues through the minor pentatonic and blue scale, mixing iconic bending figures. Pay attention to the bends and pitch accuracy to capture the essence of Hendrix's sound.

The Full Course

Chapter 1: String Bending Lick

In this chapter, you'll explore the foundational techniques of Jimi Hendrix's lead guitar style, focusing on string bending and muting. Inspired by "Hey Joe" and "Foxy Lady," you'll learn to incorporate these techniques into your playing, setting the stage for more complex licks.

Chapter 2: Extended Shape Lick

Building on the foundation, this chapter introduces the extended shape of the E minor pentatonic scale, incorporating slides and string bends. Inspired by "All Along the Watchtower," you'll experiment with extended scales to add depth to your solos.

Chapter 3: Double Stop Hammer-Ons Lick

Dive into Hendrix's signature double-stop hammer-ons, a technique famously showcased in "Purple Haze." This chapter will enhance your ability to create dynamic and expressive solos, using double stops to add texture and complexity.

Chapter 4: Unison Bends Lick

Explore the iconic unison bends used in "Manic Depression." This chapter focuses on achieving pitch accuracy and incorporating vibrato to add a psychedelic touch to your playing.

Chapter 5: Dorian Lick

Add a touch of E Dorian to your pentatonic scale, inspired by Hendrix's approach in "Purple Haze." This chapter encourages experimentation with additional notes to create unique and colorful solos.

Finale: Play The Full Solo

In the final chapter, you'll bring all the licks together to create a solo in the style of Jimi Hendrix. This comprehensive journey will leave you with a deeper understanding of Hendrix's techniques and the confidence to incorporate them into your own playing.

By the end of this course, you'll have a new connection to your instrument, feeling personal and expressive in your playing. From your first riff to full-stage confidence, this course takes you there step by step.