Stone In Love – Journey

"Stone In Love" by Journey is a timeless classic that captures the heart of 80s rock and is a must-learn for any guitarist looking to dive into melodic rock playing. This track, featured on Journey's seminal album Escape, showcases intricate guitar work, soaring melodies, and unforgettable riffs, crafted by none other than Neal Schon. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson for "Stone In Love" breaks down every nuance of this song, helping you master both the technical and expressive elements that define its sound. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Neal Schon and Journey

Neal Schon, Journey’s lead guitarist, is one of the most influential guitarists of the 70s and 80s rock era. Known for his melodic sensibilities, technical precision, and improvisational prowess, Schon played a pivotal role in shaping Journey's signature sound. His guitar work in "Stone In Love" exemplifies his ability to combine technical expertise with raw emotion, making it a perfect study for guitarists eager to expand their skill set. Schon’s style blends elements of blues, rock, and jazz, offering a rich foundation for learning essential guitar techniques.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Vibrato

The song features expressive vibrato throughout, adding depth and emotion to the solos and melodic lines. Vibrato is essential for bringing personality to your playing, allowing notes to "sing" and sustain with character. Mastering this technique will enhance your musical expressiveness across all styles.

Alternate Picking

Precision and speed are key to executing the riffs and solos in "Stone In Love," and alternate picking ensures both. This technique provides consistency in tone and rhythm, improving your control over fast passages and intricate lines.

String Bending

Neal Schon’s use of string bending in this track conveys a sense of yearning and passion. Learning to bend strings accurately will improve your intonation and add emotional weight to your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The track’s fluid legato passages incorporate both hammer-ons and pull-offs, creating a smooth and connected sound. These techniques are essential for achieving speed and articulation without relying solely on picking.

Slides

Slides are used in "Stone In Love" to transition between notes seamlessly, adding a vocal-like quality to the guitar phrases. This technique enhances your ability to create flowing and dynamic lines.

Double Stops

Double stops add harmonic richness to Schon’s solos and riffs. Incorporating this technique into your playing will help you build more dynamic and layered guitar parts.

Palm Muting

The rhythmic sections of the song utilise palm muting to create tight, punchy dynamics. This technique is fundamental for controlling your tone and adding definition to your riffs.

Power Chords

A hallmark of rock guitar, power chords drive the rhythm section of "Stone In Love." Mastering these chords is essential for any guitarist looking to create a powerful and energetic sound.

Harmonics

Natural harmonics add texture and brightness to the track. Learning this technique will expand your tonal palette and allow you to experiment with unique sound effects.

Whammy Bar Tricks

Schon’s tasteful use of the whammy bar enhances the expressiveness of his solos. This technique is perfect for adding dramatic flair and character to your lead playing.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Learning the techniques featured in "Stone In Love" equips you with a versatile skill set that can be applied across multiple genres. Each technique not only helps you recreate the song authentically but also builds your overall proficiency as a guitarist. By practicing these elements, you’ll develop better timing, articulation, and expressiveness, enabling you to craft your own unique playing style.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Harmonics
• Whammy Bar Tricks

With our comprehensive lesson for "Stone In Love," you’ll gain the skills and confidence to tackle not only this classic track but also a variety of other songs and styles. Dive in and experience the thrill of playing like Neal Schon!