Lightnin' Strikes Again – George Lynch
Dive deep into the iconic guitar stylings of George Lynch with Lightnin' Strikes Again, an electrifying guitar lesson available exclusively on LickLibrary.com. This detailed, note-for-note breakdown of one of Dokken’s standout tracks is tailored to help intermediate to advanced players master the techniques that defined the golden age of 80s shred guitar. Whether you’re a Lynch Mob devotee or a fan of high-octane metal soloing, this lesson offers an immersive experience into the guitar work that helped solidify George Lynch’s legendary status. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Guitarist: George Lynch
George Lynch is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of the 1980s metal scene. As the lead guitarist for Dokken, and later Lynch Mob, Lynch carved out a unique place in rock history with his aggressive yet melodic playing style. His phrasing, use of unusual scales, and emotive vibrato made him stand out among his peers. Lightnin’ Strikes Again exemplifies Lynch’s high-energy playing, combining technical mastery with raw expression. His influence continues to echo through the work of modern guitarists seeking to blend precision with personality.
Song Breakdown: Techniques and Application
Alternate Picking
One of the foundations of this lesson is precise alternate picking, used to articulate fast-paced melodic lines cleanly and with control. This technique helps players develop timing accuracy, even at higher tempos, and increases picking hand efficiency.
String Bending and Bluesy Bends
The solo in Lightnin’ Strikes Again features intense string bending, often paired with expressive bluesy bends. These elements bring vocal-like phrasing to the guitar, allowing the player to evoke emotion and mimic a singing voice. Practicing these bends improves pitch control and expressive dynamics.
Pinched Harmonics
Throughout the track, Lynch utilises pinched harmonics to add bite and attitude to his leads. Learning this technique adds tonal diversity and flair, a staple in the arsenal of many metal and hard rock guitarists.
Palm Muting
The rhythm parts of the song lean heavily on tight palm-muting, especially during the verse sections. This technique enhances rhythmic precision and gives a percussive feel, creating contrast between rhythm and lead parts.
Dive Bombs and Whammy Bar Tricks
A signature of George Lynch’s style is his use of dramatic dive bombs and other whammy bar tricks. These techniques add explosive moments to solos and transitions, increasing the drama and impact of a performance.
Two-Handed Tapping
A highlight of the solo section is two-handed tapping, executed with speed and precision. Mastering this skill allows players to extend their range across the fretboard and create fluid, legato-style passages that are difficult to achieve with standard picking.
Trills
Fast and repeated trills give certain licks their vibrancy and motion. Working on this technique enhances finger strength and dexterity, as well as improving phrasing fluidity.
Power Chords
The song’s driving rhythm parts are based on powerful and punchy power chords. These are essential for building the song’s heavy backbone and are crucial for any guitarist looking to excel in rock and metal rhythm playing.
Slides and Hammer-Ons
Transitions between notes are made fluid with tasteful slides and expressive hammer-ons. These techniques help in achieving a more legato and seamless sound, crucial for melodic soloing.
Arpeggios and Chord Progressions
Incorporating arpeggios into the solo adds melodic depth and harmonic context, while the underlying chord progressions are classic examples of 80s rock songwriting structure. Practicing these improves both lead phrasing and harmonic understanding.
Why This Lesson is Valuable
This lesson is a goldmine for players looking to sharpen both lead and rhythm skills. Each technique is broken down in a way that’s clear, practical, and directly applicable to real-world playing. By studying George Lynch’s phrasing, note choices, and dynamic control, learners gain not only technical skills but also musical insight that elevates their overall guitar playing.
Whether you're aiming to play the song note-for-note or absorb its techniques into your own playing, Lightnin’ Strikes Again is a powerful learning tool. It balances flash and substance, offering a well-rounded workout for players wanting to take their metal and hard rock chops to the next level.
Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...