"One Last Breath" by Creed

Dive deep into the melodic, emotionally driven guitar work of Creed with our comprehensive “One Last Breath” guitar lesson, taught note-for-note here at Licklibrary. This hauntingly beautiful rock ballad is a standout track from the band’s 2001 album Weathered, and it's the perfect showcase for players looking to develop expressive lead phrasing, dynamic rhythm skills, and an understanding of how to create musical tension and release through technique.

In this lesson, you’ll learn every nuance of the song’s structure — from its clean and atmospheric intro to the soaring, emotive solo — using a range of essential guitar techniques that build your musical vocabulary and strengthen your playing foundations. Richard Shaw breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Song and Its Guitar Style

“One Last Breath” features layered guitar work that balances subtlety and strength. The clean intro arpeggios set a somber tone before moving into more driven, distorted textures as the song progresses. The contrast between soft dynamics and powerful lead phrases makes this a great lesson in musical storytelling. Each section of the song offers an opportunity to improve your control, timing, and articulation.

The rhythm guitar parts offer rich chordal movement with just the right amount of edge, while the lead guitar lines cut through with emotional bends, melodic runs, and dynamic phrasing. This is not just a song to play—it's a song to feel.

About Mark Tremonti – Guitarist Profile

The guitar work on "One Last Breath" is performed by Mark Tremonti, Creed’s lead guitarist and a modern rock icon. Known for his precision, emotive solos, and tight rhythm playing, Tremonti combines technical ability with a deep understanding of melody and harmony. His influence spans multiple projects, including Alter Bridge and his solo material, where he continues to showcase his unique voice on the instrument.

Studying his playing gives guitarists not only technical insights but also a masterclass in building solos that serve a song rather than overpower it. His work on “One Last Breath” is a prime example of how tasteful phrasing and dynamic control can elevate a track to iconic status.

Key Guitar Techniques in the Lesson

Arpeggios

The song opens with delicate arpeggiated picking patterns that demand accuracy and clarity. Learning to play these smoothly will improve your alternate picking technique and fretting-hand coordination, both crucial for mastering clean-tone arrangements.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

These fundamental legato techniques appear in fills and runs throughout the song. They teach fluidity and finger independence, allowing for faster playing with minimal effort from the picking hand.

Chord Progressions

The rhythm guitar work is built on emotive, flowing chord changes. Learning how these progressions are structured provides insight into songwriting and helps players recognise how harmonic movement can support a melody.

Why You Should Learn “One Last Breath”

Learning “One Last Breath” is about more than just learning a song — it's about unlocking techniques that you’ll use across your playing career. This lesson is especially valuable for players who want to:

• Improve their phrasing and melodic awareness
• Develop cleaner arpeggio skills
• Study the stylistic elements of one of modern rock’s most influential guitarists
• Learn how to blend clean and distorted guitar tones effectively

Each section of this lesson builds both technical skills and musical sensitivity, making it a rewarding piece for intermediate players looking to take the next step in their guitar journey.

Guitar Techniques Used in “One Last Breath”

• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions

Take your playing to the next level with Licklibrary’s expert guitar breakdown of “One Last Breath” by Creed. Learn the techniques, master the tone, and play it just like the original — note for note.