Whitesnake Guitar Tutorial: Learn To Play The Classic Songs

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 60 views

Hey guys! Ready to dive into the awesome guitar riffs and solos of Whitesnake? This tutorial is designed to guide you through some of their most iconic songs, so you can learn to play like the legendary guitarists who've graced their lineup. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there's something here for everyone. Let's get started!

Whitesnake's Guitar Legacy

Before we jump into specific songs, let's talk about what makes Whitesnake's guitar work so special. Whitesnake, formed by David Coverdale in 1978, has always been known for its blues-rock sound with a heavy dose of hard rock energy. The band's guitarists have included some of the best in the business, each bringing their unique style to the band's sound. From the early days with Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, to the shredding era with John Sykes and later Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, Whitesnake's guitar work has always been a highlight.

The band's sound is characterized by catchy riffs, soulful blues licks, and blistering solos. A key element is the use of pentatonic scales, blues scales, and a blend of major and minor keys to create a dynamic and emotional sound. The guitar tones often feature a combination of warm, overdriven amps and effects like chorus, delay, and reverb to add depth and sustain. Understanding the nuances of these guitar styles is crucial for nailing the Whitesnake sound.

Whitesnake’s musical style is heavily influenced by blues and hard rock, incorporating elements of both to create a unique and recognizable sound. The blues influence is evident in the soulful bends, vibrato, and the use of the blues scale. The hard rock influence comes through in the high-energy riffs, aggressive rhythms, and powerful solos. By combining these elements, Whitesnake has crafted a sound that is both timeless and captivating. Learning Whitesnake songs isn't just about playing notes; it's about understanding and internalizing these influences.

Moreover, Whitesnake's guitarists often employ techniques such as pinch harmonics, sweep picking, and tapping to add flair to their solos. The rhythm guitar parts are just as important, providing a solid foundation for the lead work. These parts often feature power chords, palm-muted riffs, and syncopated rhythms that drive the songs forward. By studying both the lead and rhythm parts, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of Whitesnake's guitar style and how to recreate it effectively.

Essential Techniques for Whitesnake Songs

To really capture the essence of Whitesnake's guitar sound, there are a few essential techniques you'll need to master. These include:

Bending: Perfecting your bending technique is crucial for playing those soulful blues licks. Aim for accurate intonation and smooth transitions.
Vibrato: Adding vibrato to your notes will give them sustain and emotion. Experiment with different types of vibrato (finger, wrist) to find what works best for you.
Pentatonic Scales: Knowing your pentatonic scales inside and out is essential for improvising and playing solos in the style of Whitesnake. Practice these scales in different positions and keys.
Blues Scales: The blues scale adds a touch of grit and attitude to your playing. Learn how to incorporate the blues scale into your solos and riffs.
Pinch Harmonics: These squealing harmonics add a unique flavor to your playing. Practice your technique to get them to ring out clearly.
Sweep Picking: A more advanced technique, sweep picking can add speed and fluidity to your solos. Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you improve.

Gear Recommendations

While your skill is the most important factor, having the right gear can also help you nail the Whitesnake sound. Here are a few recommendations:

Guitar: A guitar with humbucker pickups is ideal for achieving the thick, overdriven tones of Whitesnake. A Les Paul or Stratocaster-style guitar with a humbucker in the bridge position would work great.
Amp: A tube amp with a good overdrive channel is essential. Look for amps that are based on classic British amp designs, such as Marshall or Vox.
Effects: A good overdrive pedal, a chorus pedal, and a delay pedal are essential for recreating Whitesnake's guitar effects. A wah pedal can also be useful for certain solos.

Breaking Down "Here I Go Again"

Let's start with one of Whitesnake's most recognizable hits, "Here I Go Again." This song features iconic guitar riffs and a memorable solo. Here’s how to approach learning it:

Intro Riff: The intro riff is based on a simple but catchy chord progression. Pay attention to the timing and the accents to get the feel just right. The riff primarily uses power chords and open string riffs, which are common in Whitesnake's music. The key is to maintain a steady rhythm and let the chords ring out to create a full, powerful sound. Be sure to practice slowly at first to ensure your timing is accurate before gradually increasing the tempo.
Verse Riffs: The verse riffs are more intricate, incorporating bluesy licks and bends. Focus on getting the bends in tune and adding vibrato to the notes to give them character. Listen carefully to the original recording to capture the nuances of the phrasing. The verse riffs often serve as a counterpoint to David Coverdale's vocals, so it's important to play them with a sense of melody and dynamics. Experiment with different fingerings to find what works best for you and allows you to play the riffs smoothly and comfortably.
Chorus: The chorus features powerful, sustained chords. Make sure to let the chords ring out and add some vibrato to give them sustain and emotion. The chorus is the emotional climax of the song, so it's important to play it with passion and energy. Focus on projecting the sound and making the chords resonate. You can also add some subtle variations to the chords, such as using different inversions or adding a sus chord, to make the chorus even more dynamic.
Solo: The solo in "Here I Go Again" is a classic example of Whitesnake's guitar style. It features a combination of pentatonic scales, blues licks, and fast runs. Start by learning the solo slowly and gradually increase your speed as you improve. Pay attention to the phrasing and dynamics of the solo to capture its emotional impact. The solo is a showcase for the guitarist's technical skills and musicality, so it's important to practice it diligently and pay attention to the details.

To master the solo, break it down into smaller sections and focus on each section individually. Practice each section until you can play it perfectly before moving on to the next. Use a metronome to ensure your timing is accurate and consistent. Once you can play each section flawlessly, start putting them together gradually until you can play the entire solo from beginning to end. Don't be afraid to experiment with your own variations and embellishments to make the solo your own.

Tackling "Still of the Night"

"Still of the Night" is another Whitesnake classic, known for its high-energy riffs and blistering solo. This song is a bit more challenging than "Here I Go Again," but it's well worth the effort. Here's a breakdown:

Main Riff: The main riff is a fast, aggressive riff that requires precise timing and a strong picking hand. Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you improve. The riff features a combination of power chords and single-note runs, so it's important to maintain a consistent rhythm and attack. Pay attention to the palm-muting and staccato notes to give the riff its characteristic punch. The main riff sets the tone for the entire song, so it's important to play it with confidence and energy.
Verse Riffs: The verse riffs are more melodic, but they still have a hard edge. Focus on getting the bends in tune and adding vibrato to the notes to give them character. The verse riffs often feature arpeggiated chords and syncopated rhythms, which add a sense of urgency and excitement. Listen carefully to the original recording to capture the nuances of the phrasing and dynamics. The verse riffs serve as a build-up to the chorus, so it's important to play them with a sense of anticipation.
Chorus: The chorus features soaring vocals and powerful guitar chords. Make sure to let the chords ring out and add some vibrato to give them sustain and emotion. The chorus is the emotional high point of the song, so it's important to play it with passion and conviction. Focus on projecting the sound and making the chords resonate. You can also add some subtle variations to the chords, such as using different inversions or adding a sus chord, to make the chorus even more dynamic.
Solo: The solo in "Still of the Night" is a shredder's dream. It features fast scales, sweep picking, and tapping. This solo will take some time and effort to master, but it's a great way to improve your technique. Start by learning the solo slowly and gradually increase your speed as you improve. Break the solo down into smaller sections and focus on each section individually. Use a metronome to ensure your timing is accurate and consistent. Don't be afraid to experiment with your own variations and embellishments to make the solo your own.

To really nail the solo, pay close attention to the phrasing and dynamics. The solo is a showcase for the guitarist's technical skills and musicality, so it's important to practice it diligently and pay attention to the details. Experiment with different picking techniques, such as alternate picking and economy picking, to find what works best for you. Use legato techniques, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, to create smooth transitions between notes. With practice and patience, you'll be able to play the solo with speed and precision.

Tips for Mastering Whitesnake's Style

Listen Carefully: The best way to learn Whitesnake's guitar style is to listen carefully to their music. Pay attention to the nuances of the guitar playing and try to emulate them.
Practice Regularly: Like any skill, playing guitar takes practice. Set aside some time each day to practice and you'll gradually improve your skills.
Learn the Scales: Knowing your scales inside and out is essential for improvising and playing solos in the style of Whitesnake. Focus on learning the pentatonic and blues scales.
Transcribe Solos: Transcribing solos is a great way to learn new licks and techniques. Choose some of your favorite Whitesnake solos and try to transcribe them by ear.
Play with Backing Tracks: Playing with backing tracks is a fun way to practice your timing and improvisation skills. Find some Whitesnake backing tracks online and jam along.

Conclusion

Learning to play Whitesnake songs on guitar is a rewarding experience that will challenge you and improve your skills. By mastering the essential techniques, studying the classic songs, and practicing regularly, you'll be well on your way to playing like a true Whitesnake guitarist. So grab your guitar, crank up your amp, and get ready to rock! Have fun, guys, and keep shredding!