Vultures – John Mayer

Few modern guitarists have blended blues, soul, and pop as seamlessly as John Mayer, and nowhere is this more apparent than in “Vultures.” Featured on his 2006 album Continuum, this track is a masterclass in groove, touch, and tone. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com breaks down every nuance of Mayer’s playing, showing you exactly how to recreate the techniques that make Vultures such an expressive and dynamic performance. From its syncopated rhythm guitar to its fluid melodic fills, this lesson focuses on developing the finesse, phrasing, and rhythmic awareness that define Mayer’s signature style. Richard Shaw breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Its Guitar Work

Vultures is built around a hypnotic, funk-infused groove that combines minimalist chord voicings with subtle percussive elements and dynamic control. The song’s clean tone and rhythmic pulse draw deeply from vintage R&B and blues traditions, but with a modern pop sensibility. Mayer’s playing feels effortless—every note, rest, and slide is deliberate, serving both the song’s laid-back groove and its soulful vocal delivery.

This Licklibrary guitar lesson dissects both the rhythm and lead guitar parts, offering players of all levels the tools to master Mayer’s intricate approach to timing, articulation, and touch. You’ll learn how to emulate his expressive phrasing, refined tone, and control of space—skills that will enhance your playing across all genres.

Techniques Explored in the Lesson

String Bending & Bluesy Phrasing

Mayer’s signature string bending technique lies at the heart of Vultures. His bends are subtle yet vocal, often paired with bluesy bends that give the melody its soulful edge. Learning these bends teaches players to focus on pitch accuracy and expressive control, allowing their solos to sing with emotional depth rather than rely on speed alone.

Slides & Legato Movement

Throughout Vultures, Mayer uses slides and legato phrasing to connect his melodic ideas fluidly. These smooth transitions between notes create a flowing, vocal-like line that perfectly complements the song’s relaxed groove. Practicing legato slides helps develop finger strength, coordination, and the ability to maintain even tone across phrases.

Syncopated Rhythms & Groove Mastery

One of the defining features of Vultures is its rhythm guitar part. Mayer uses syncopated rhythms to build a funky, off-beat pulse that feels both loose and locked-in. Mastering these syncopations improves timing and groove, two essential components for any modern guitarist. It trains players to internalise rhythm, making their playing tighter and more dynamic.

Chord Voicings & Barre Chords

Mayer often employs barre chords and compact chord voicings that combine fretted notes with open strings. These shapes give Vultures its distinctive harmonic texture. Learning these voicings helps guitarists expand their chord vocabulary and understand how subtle note choices can completely change a progression’s character.

Finger Picking & Hybrid Picking

Mayer’s clean tone and articulation often come from his use of finger picking and hybrid picking, blending pick and fingers for ultimate dynamic control. Practicing this technique develops precision and expression, allowing players to emphasise bass lines, accents, and melodic details simultaneously.

Slides & Vibrato for Expression

The subtle vibrato Mayer applies to sustained notes adds warmth and life to his tone. Combined with expressive slides, it enhances phrasing and emotional impact. Mastering vibrato and slide control helps players add personal character to their playing, transforming static notes into expressive statements.

The Guitar Players on Vultures

While Vultures is most famously associated with John Mayer’s guitar work, it was brought to life by the John Mayer Trio, featuring Pino Palladino on bass and Steve Jordan on drums. This powerhouse rhythm section provides the perfect backdrop for Mayer’s nuanced guitar tone.

Mayer’s influences are deeply rooted in blues legends like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and B.B. King, but he merges those classic sounds with the smooth phrasing and pop sensibilities of players such as Eric Clapton and D’Angelo’s neo-soul collaborators. His work on Vultures showcases how a guitarist can balance technical precision with deep musical feel—a combination that continues to inspire players worldwide.

Why Learn “Vultures”

Studying Vultures goes beyond learning a single song—it’s an exploration of feel, touch, and musicality. Every phrase teaches you something about dynamics, groove, and space. You’ll gain:

• Better rhythmic control through syncopated strumming and timing awareness
• Improved finger independence and touch sensitivity
• A deeper understanding of how to make fewer notes sound bigger
• The ability to craft expressive solos and rhythm parts that breathe

Whether you’re a blues, funk, or pop guitarist, this lesson provides the building blocks for mastering Mayer’s clean tone and soulful articulation.

Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Legato
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Slides
• Barre Chords
• Finger Picking
• Hybrid Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Open String Riffs
• Syncopated Rhythms

By mastering the techniques taught in Licklibrary’s Vultures guitar lesson, you’ll not only capture John Mayer’s tone and feel—you’ll also elevate your rhythm, phrasing, and expression to a professional level.