Rain Wizard by Black Stone Cherry

"Rain Wizard" by Black Stone Cherry is a hard-hitting Southern rock anthem that combines bluesy grit with modern aggression. At LickLibrary.com, we’ve created a comprehensive note-for-note guitar lesson that captures every detail of this high-energy track. This lesson is ideal for players looking to expand their repertoire of expressive, rock-oriented techniques while also getting hands-on experience with dynamic rhythm and lead guitar work.

Whether you’re a fan of raw, riff-driven rock or aiming to boost your technique arsenal, our lesson on "Rain Wizard" offers the perfect balance of stylistic flair and technical development. Richard Shaw breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: Chris Robertson & Ben Wells

The guitar work on "Rain Wizard" is primarily handled by Chris Robertson and Ben Wells, the powerhouse guitar duo behind Black Stone Cherry’s signature sound. Chris delivers soulful, blues-infused leads and gritty riffs, while Ben contributes high-octane rhythm playing and hard rock aggression. Their playing is deeply rooted in classic rock and blues but filtered through a modern, heavier lens.

Their influences range from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin to Soundgarden and Pantera, and this fusion is evident in their tone, phrasing, and fearless approach to guitar playing. Learning their parts in "Rain Wizard" offers a rare opportunity to explore how old-school rock techniques are reimagined for a contemporary audience.

Guitar Techniques Featured in "Rain Wizard"

Our in-depth video lesson for "Rain Wizard" dissects several key guitar techniques that not only define the song’s sound but also provide excellent developmental value for players looking to grow in both rhythm and lead contexts.

1. String Bending

The expressive string bending found in the lead sections adds a vocal-like quality to the solos. Chris Robertson uses bends to emphasize emotion and energy. Practicing these allows players to develop better control, ear training, and expressive phrasing.

2. Vibrato

Closely tied to bending, vibrato brings life and movement to sustained notes. In this lesson, we explore how Chris applies wide, confident vibrato to bring personality to his licks. Mastering vibrato is essential for players aiming for expressive, professional-sounding solos.

3. Pinched Harmonics

Black Stone Cherry’s heavier sections are punctuated by aggressive pinched harmonics, which add bite and flair. These harmonics cut through the mix, especially when combined with overdrive, and are great for building right-hand control and attitude in your playing.

4. Power Chords

Rhythm sections in "Rain Wizard" are largely built on crushing power chords, a staple in rock and metal guitar. These form the backbone of the song's heavy riffs and are essential for developing palm-muting, chord transitions, and tight rhythm playing.

5. Palm Muting

Used to create percussive, chugging rhythms, palm muting is featured heavily in the main riff. It’s a fundamental skill for controlling dynamics and achieving that thick, punchy rock tone.

6. Slides

Both lead and rhythm parts in the song make use of slides for transitions between positions. Slides add fluidity and smoothness to solos and riff passages, improving your fretboard navigation and phrasing skills.

7. Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

There are several fast, blues-infused licks that incorporate hammer-ons and pull-offs, often in quick succession. These are key to developing legato fluency and speed without relying on picking every note.

8. Bluesy Bends

The song’s Southern rock roots shine through in its bluesy bends, which inject soulful character into each lick. Learning these enhances your phrasing and ability to convey emotion through lead guitar.

9. Double Stops

Double stops are used to thicken up riffs and fills. They’re perfect for players looking to explore harmony and add more punch to their leads.

Why Learn “Rain Wizard”?

Learning "Rain Wizard" offers guitarists a real-world context to apply a variety of fundamental and expressive rock guitar techniques. It’s not just about copying a song — it's about internalising tools that make your own playing more confident, musical, and stylistically diverse.

By focusing on bending, vibrato, harmonics, and more, you’ll build muscle memory and stylistic sensibility. The combination of rhythm and lead parts in this lesson also helps strengthen your timing, coordination, and ear — all crucial skills for becoming a well-rounded guitarist.

Techniques Used in “Rain Wizard”

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops

This Rain Wizard guitar lesson is a deep dive into modern Southern rock guitar. It's perfect for intermediate players aiming to sharpen their chops, improve tone control, and master expressive techniques in a musical context. Sign up or log in to LickLibrary.com and start playing note-for-note like Black Stone Cherry today.