Classic Albums - Alive!
Song Lessons in this Course
Song-by-Song Guitar Lessons Taught by Danny Gill
• Deuce
• Strutter
• Got to Choose
• Hotter Than Hell
• Firehouse
• Nothin’ to Lose
• C’mon and Love Me
• She
• Parasite
• Watchin’ You
• 100,000 Years
• Black Diamond
• Rock Bottom
• Cold Gin
• Rock and Roll All Nite
• Let Me Go, Rock ’n’ Roll
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is the ultimate resource for guitarists seeking to unlock the secrets of 70s rock guitar and the influential sound of KISS. It is perfect for players who want to move beyond basic chords and scales to develop a powerful, stage-ready sound. If you are looking to build a robust rhythm foundation, master the art of the blues-rock solo, and understand the dynamic interplay between two guitarists, this comprehensive set of guitar lessons will provide the tools and knowledge you need. Embrace the energy of the Kiss Alive! and transform your playing into a spectacle worthy of the biggest stage.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
By completing this in-depth Kiss Alive! guitar lesson course, you will not only be able to play every track on this seminal album, but you will also gain a deep, practical understanding of the core techniques that underpin classic hard rock guitar playing. The course is structured to build your proficiency from solid rhythm foundations to expressive lead guitar work, ensuring you develop a versatile and powerful playing style that is applicable across the entire rock genre.
• Power Chord Mastery: Develop the tight, palm-muted rhythm techniques essential for Paul Stanley's driving, hard-hitting sound.
• Blues-Rock Phrasing: Learn to inject blues sensibility into your rock solos, focusing on the pentatonic scale and its extensions, a hallmark of Ace Frehley's style.
• Vibrato and Bending: Achieve expressive, controlled string bending and the wide, signature vibrato that gives the lead lines their vocal quality.
• Double-Stops and Unison Bends: Master the use of two-note figures to add texture and melodic depth to your riffs and solos.
• Galloping Rhythms: Execute the syncopated, driving rhythms found in tracks like "Nothin' to Lose" and "Firehouse" with precision.
• Harmonics and Whammy Bar Effects: Incorporate natural and pinched harmonics, along with dramatic whammy bar dives and trills, to add flair and excitement to your playing.
• Improvisation in the Mixolydian Mode: Understand the use of the Mixolydian mode, a key ingredient in many of the album's most memorable riffs and solos.
• Dynamic Duo Guitar Arrangements: Learn how rhythm and lead parts interlock, improving your ability to play in a band setting.
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1-ON-1 COACHING
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** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with
Kiss
nor does
Kiss
perform or appear on this course.*
Alive by KISS: A Guitarist's Perspective
Alive, released in 1975, is a monumental live album by the iconic rock band KISS. From the thrilling riffs to the electrifying solos, the album captures the band's raw energy and showcases the phenomenal skills of the band's lead guitarists: Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley. With a selection of the best tracks from the first three studio albums, Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed To Kill, Alive! is a monument to the rock n roll majesty of KISS and spawned live versions of classic tracks which became legendary in their own right.
Licklibrary veteran tutor, Danny Gill walks you through one of the greatest live albums ever recorded in HD video lessons, bringing you step by step guitar lessons for some of the most beloved KISS songs of all time; from the famous live version of Rock And Roll All Nite to fan favourites such as Deuce and Cold Gin. You wanted the best? You got the best! In this article, we'll dissect each song from the album and delve into the guitar techniques that make Alive a must-listen for any guitarist.
Song-by-Song Analysis
Deuce
"Deuce" kicks off the album with a powerful riff in the key of A Mixolydian. Paul Stanley plays rhythmic, palm-muted power chords, while Ace Frehley's lead guitar soars with bends and vibrato that give the song its bluesy edge.
Strutter
"Strutter" is an upbeat track featuring the use of E Dorian and E Mixolydian scales. The song is driven by a catchy chord progression, including power chords and barre chords. Frehley's solo combines alternate picking with legato phrasing, resulting in a smooth, fluid sound.
Got to Choose
"Got to Choose" is a bluesy track in the key of A Mixolydian, featuring a mix of power chords and open chords. Frehley's lead guitar showcases his skills with bluesy double-stop bends, unison bends, and pinched harmonics.
Hotter Than Hell
This song features a heavy, chugging riff in the key of A Phrygian dominant. Frehley's lead work employs tremolo picking and slides to create a sinister, aggressive sound.
Firehouse
"Firehouse" is characterized by its driving rhythm and a memorable riff in the key of G Mixolydian. Stanley's rhythm guitar work combines power chords with palm muting, while Frehley's lead guitar uses hammer-ons, pull-offs, and trills to add flair to his solos.
Nothin' to Lose
This track features a bouncy, syncopated rhythm in the key of A Mixolydian. The lead guitar work shines with octave melodies and galloping rhythms, making it a standout track on the album.
C'mon and Love Me
"C'mon and Love Me" is a catchy, upbeat track in the key of E Mixolydian. Frehley's lead guitar work combines alternate picking with legato phrasing and double-stops for a smooth, melodic sound.
Parasite
"Parasite" showcases a heavy riff in the key of A Phrygian. The rhythm guitar employs power chords and palm-muted chugging, while Frehley's lead guitar utilises sweep picking and two-handed tapping techniques to create a captivating, high-energy solo.
She
This song features a slow, moody riff in the key of B Mixolydian. Frehley's lead guitar work employs string bending, pre-bends, and vibrato for a bluesy, emotional sound.
Watchin' You
"Watchin' You" is an upbeat track in the key of E Mixolydian, featuring driving power chords and syncopated rhythms. Frehley's lead guitar work displays a mix of alternate picking, legato techniques, and arpeggiated chord progressions.
100,000 Years
"100,000 Years" showcases a memorable, groovy riff in the key of A Dorian. Frehley's lead guitar combines whammy bar tricks, dive bombs, and harmonics to create an otherworldly, spacey sound.
Black Diamond
"Black Diamond" closes the album with a powerful, anthemic chord progression in the key of G Mixolydian. The rhythm guitar features open-string riffs and power chords, while Frehley's lead guitar work is characterised by dual guitar harmonies and sustain to create an epic, soaring sound.
The Lead Guitarists: Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley
Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley's guitar work on Alive is nothing short of exceptional. Their distinct playing styles complement each other, resulting in a rich and diverse guitar sound throughout the album.
Paul Stanley, the band's rhythm guitarist, is known for his powerful riffs and chord progressions. His playing is characterised by tight palm-muted power chords and barre chords, providing a solid foundation for the band's hard-hitting sound.
Ace Frehley, the lead guitarist, is renowned for his unique, expressive playing style. His solos are packed with bends, vibrato, and harmonics, creating a captivating, melodic sound that has become synonymous with KISS. Frehley's impressive technical skills are evident in his use of techniques like sweep picking, two-handed tapping, and tremolo picking.
Together, Stanley and Frehley form a dynamic guitar duo that gives Alive its distinct, unforgettable sound.
Conclusion
Alive is a monumental live album that captures the essence of KISS's raw energy and displays the incredible guitar work of Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley. From the powerful riffs to the mesmerising solos, each track showcases a wide range of guitar techniques and styles, making it a must-listen for any guitarist looking to expand their musical horizons. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or just starting, Alive offers valuable insights into the art of guitar playing and serves as an excellent source of inspiration. So, pick up your guitar, crank up the volume, and dive into the electrifying world of KISS's Alive.
Guitar Techniques Used in Alive
Below is a summary of the guitar techniques used throughout the album, with links to more information on each technique:
- Vibrato
- Alternate Picking
- Legato
- Double-stop Bends
- Unison Bends
- Pinched Harmonics
- Trills
- Tremolo Picking
- Chord Progressions
- Slides
- Hammer-ons
- Pull-offs
- Palm Muting
- Barre Chords
- Two-handed Tapping
- Sweep Picking
- Power Chords
- String Bending
- Pre-bends
- Syncopated Rhythms
- Open-string Riffs
- Whammy Bar Tricks
- Dive Bombs
- Harmonics
- Octave Melodies
- Galloping Rhythms
- Dual Guitar Harmonies
- Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
- Sustain
- Double Stops
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...