Nick Johnston - Tech Session by Sam Bell

Welcome to the Nick Johnston - Tech Session by Sam Bell at LickLibrary.com, where we dive deep into the intricacies of one of the modern guitar maestros, Nick Johnston. These note-for-note guitar lessons are meticulously crafted to help you master Johnston's unique techniques and elevate your playing to new heights. This comprehensive course includes both detailed lessons and a performance by the tutor, providing an invaluable context for each technique covered.

Lesson Breakdown

Lesson Overview

In this series, Sam Bell meticulously breaks down Nick Johnston's techniques, offering a detailed examination of his approach to guitar playing. Each lesson focuses on specific techniques, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to incorporate these into your own playing style.

Techniques Covered

Vibrato

Vibrato is essential for adding expression and emotion to your playing. In these lessons, you'll learn how Nick Johnston employs vibrato to create a singing quality in his notes, making his solos stand out. Mastering vibrato will give your playing a more professional and polished sound.

Alternate Picking

This technique involves alternating between upstrokes and downstrokes, allowing for faster and more precise note articulation. Sam Bell demonstrates how Johnston's use of alternate picking creates fluid and dynamic passages. Improving your alternate picking will enhance your speed and accuracy.

Legato

Legato playing, involving smooth transitions between notes, is a hallmark of Johnston's style. You'll learn to execute legato passages with clarity and speed, providing a fluid, seamless sound that is crucial for advanced solos.

Double-Stop Bends

Double-stop bends involve bending two strings simultaneously, creating rich harmonic intervals. Learning this technique will add depth and complexity to your lead playing, making your solos more engaging and harmonically interesting.

Unison Bends

Unison bends are another technique Johnston uses to create tension and release in his solos. By mastering this, you'll be able to add emotional intensity to your playing, making your performances more impactful.

Hybrid Picking

Hybrid picking combines the use of a pick and fingers to allow for complex picking patterns and greater flexibility in playing. This technique enables you to achieve a range of sounds and textures that are difficult to accomplish with traditional picking alone.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Mastering the techniques taught in this course will not only enhance your technical abilities but also improve your overall musicality. Each technique is broken down into manageable steps, ensuring that you can gradually build your skills. By incorporating these techniques into your repertoire, you'll be able to play more expressively and creatively, setting yourself apart as a guitarist.

Performance Context

Seeing these techniques in a performance context is incredibly beneficial for several reasons. First, it allows you to understand how each technique fits into a musical piece, showing you the practical application of what you've learned. Watching Sam Bell perform Nick Johnston's pieces helps you grasp the nuances of timing, dynamics, and phrasing, which are crucial for creating a professional sound.

Additionally, performances provide inspiration and motivation. Seeing the techniques executed flawlessly encourages you to practice and refine your skills. It also demonstrates the level of proficiency you can achieve with dedication and practice.

Guitar Techniques Used

Here is a list of the guitar techniques covered in these lessons:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Hybrid Picking

Embark on this exciting journey with Sam Bell and discover the techniques that make Nick Johnston's guitar playing so unique and captivating. Whether you're an intermediate player looking to improve or an advanced guitarist aiming to refine your skills, these lessons offer valuable insights and practical guidance to help you achieve your musical goals.