Learn to Play Journey with Licklibrary.com

Embrace the euphoria of American rock as we unravel the distinctive guitar work of Journey’s lead guitarist Neal Schon. Schon's iconic playing contributed to Journey's massive success and through our "Learn to Play Journey" product, you'll be delving into five of their timeless songs: "Stone in Love," "Any Way You Want It," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Separate Ways" and "Mother, Father." Join tutor Michael Casswell on this journey through some of the bands classic hits.

Stone in Love

"Stone in Love" exemplifies the intricacies of Schon's guitar work. This song primarily uses the A major scale, contributing to its upbeat feel. The main riff employs a mixture of single-note melodies and power chords, interspersed with palm-muted notes to create a sense of dynamism. The solo is a masterclass in tasteful use of bends and vibrato, punctuated with rapid-fire alternate picking runs. Our detailed lesson walks you through each section, giving you insight into Schon's phrasing and technique.

Any Way You Want It

"Any Way You Want It" is a song that showcases Schon's ability to blend rhythm and lead seamlessly. Built around a relentless E major chord progression, it features a syncopated rhythm guitar part that adds depth to the arrangement. The solo is in E major pentatonic and demonstrates Schon's use of double-stop bends and pre-bends to enhance his phrases. Here, you will gain the necessary techniques and scales to recreate the energetic vibe of this track.

Don't Stop Believin'

Possibly Journey's most famous song, "Don't Stop Believin'" features a memorable riff that hooks the listener. The intro riff is an arpeggiated chord progression in the key of E major, where Schon uses palm muting to give it a percussive feel. The solo, again in E major, showcases Schon's affinity for melodic guitar lines, using a variety of techniques including slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. In this lesson, we dissect each part, helping you to master this classic song note for note.

Separate Ways

"Separate Ways" is a song with a driving rhythm guitar part, utilizing a combination of power chords and palm-muted open string riffs. The song is in the key of E minor and the solo is a testament to Schon's ability to play melodically, even over a heavy backing track. The use of vibrato and slides in the solo adds to its emotive quality. Our detailed lesson breaks down this complex song into manageable parts, aiding you in mastering the techniques employed by Schon.

Mother, Father

"Mother, Father" demonstrates Schon's mastery of slow, emotive playing. It's in the key of D minor and features a chord progression that lends itself to emotive lead playing. The solo in this song demonstrates Schon's control over bends and his ability to build tension through his choice of notes. In this lesson, you'll learn to emulate Schon's soulful playing and build your ability to play expressively.

Neal Schon's Contribution to Journey

Neal Schon's contribution to Journey's music is unmistakable. He combined technical prowess with a strong sense of melody to create guitar parts that served the song while also standing out in their own right. Our "Learn to Play Journey" product is designed to guide you through each of these songs in detail, allowing you to learn the techniques, scales, and approaches used by Schon. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn from one of rock's greats or an experienced player looking to study Schon's style, this product will be a valuable resource.

Techniques Covered

These lessons delve into a multitude of techniques, each essential in recreating Neal Schon's iconic guitar parts. Here's a list of techniques you will be introduced to:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Palm Muting
• Double-stop Bends
• Pre-bends
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open-string Riffs

As you journey through this course, you'll find yourself growing as a guitarist, building a repertoire of songs that are bound to impress, while also fine-tuning your technique and understanding of guitar playing. Dive in and start your Journey with us today!