Poison (Riff) by Alice Cooper

Mastering the Iconic Riff from Poison

Alice Cooper’s Poison is one of the most recognisable rock anthems of the late ‘80s. Driven by a powerful, melodic riff, this song perfectly blends hard rock aggression with anthemic hooks. In this Licklibrary.com lesson, we break down the main riff note for note, helping you develop the essential guitar techniques that make this track so impactful.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to add a classic riff to your repertoire or an intermediate guitarist aiming to refine your technique, this lesson will give you the skills to play Poison with confidence and accuracy. Andy James breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Power Chords

The Poison riff relies heavily on power chords, providing a thick, aggressive sound that defines the track's hard rock vibe. Mastering power chords is essential for any rock guitarist, as they form the foundation of countless songs. Learning to switch between them fluidly will enhance your overall rhythm playing and improve your ability to play with precision.

Palm Muting

A key aspect of Poison’s punchy sound comes from effective palm muting. This technique dampens the strings just enough to create a tight, controlled attack. Palm muting is an invaluable skill for rock and metal players, as it enhances clarity and prevents unwanted string noise while adding a percussive quality to your playing.

String Bending

The lead parts in Poison feature string bending, a crucial technique that brings expression and emotion to a riff or solo. Bending allows you to reach notes between the frets, giving your playing a vocal-like quality. Proper bending control ensures accurate pitch and smooth phrasing, making your solos sound professional and expressive.

Slides

Throughout the riff and solo sections, slides add fluidity and character to the melody. This technique helps to connect notes seamlessly, creating a legato effect that enhances musicality. Learning to execute clean slides will improve your phrasing and lead-playing ability.

Alternate Picking

To maintain the rhythm and clarity of the Poison riff, alternate picking is essential. This technique involves alternating upstrokes and downstrokes for a smooth, even attack. Practicing alternate picking will not only help you play faster but also improve your picking accuracy and efficiency.

Vibrato

Adding vibrato to sustained notes in Poison brings a dynamic and expressive feel to your playing. Vibrato gives notes a rich, singing quality by slightly fluctuating their pitch. This technique is fundamental for lead guitarists, helping to develop individual style and character in solos.

Guitarists Behind Poison and Their Influence

The standout guitar work in Poison was performed by Kane Roberts and John McCurry, both of whom played significant roles in shaping Alice Cooper’s late ‘80s sound.

• Kane Roberts was Alice Cooper’s guitarist and collaborator during the Constrictor and Raise Your Fist and Yell albums, bringing a heavier, more modern rock sound to Cooper’s music. His flashy technique and shredding ability added a new level of technical proficiency to the band's style.
• John McCurry, a seasoned session guitarist, contributed to Poison with his polished, melodic playing. His knack for crafting memorable riffs and solos helped shape the song’s infectious guitar work.

Together, their playing combined the raw energy of ‘80s hard rock with the precision of polished studio musicianship, making Poison an enduring classic.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

Here’s a list of the key guitar techniques covered in our Poison lesson:

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Alternate Picking
• Vibrato

By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play Poison accurately but also improve your overall guitar-playing ability. Start your lesson today and take your rock guitar skills to the next level!