When The Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin

At LickLibrary, we’re proud to offer note-for-note lessons for some of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. One such iconic track is When The Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin—a blues-drenched, groove-heavy masterpiece known for its thunderous feel and haunting slide guitar work. Our in-depth guitar lesson not only teaches you how to play this classic but also focuses on developing a range of essential techniques that will greatly benefit any guitarist. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Song and Its Impact

Originally written and recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929, Led Zeppelin reimagined When The Levee Breaks into a monumental track for their fourth album, Led Zeppelin IV. Their version is driven by John Bonham’s legendary drum sound, Robert Plant’s wailing vocals, and most notably, Jimmy Page’s hypnotic and atmospheric guitar work.

Page, the lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin, was a master of tone, texture, and innovation. His work on this track showcases his skilful slide guitar playing and studio experimentation. Known for fusing blues, rock, folk, and Eastern influences, Page has influenced generations of guitarists with his ability to craft memorable riffs and unique sonic landscapes. When The Levee Breaks is a stellar example of his genius, and learning it provides insight into the mind of one of rock's most creative players.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Our When The Levee Breaks lesson guides you through a variety of guitar techniques that not only replicate the song's powerful feel but also expand your own musical vocabulary. Below is a breakdown of the core techniques you'll master during the course.

Slide Guitar

Slide guitar is central to When The Levee Breaks. Jimmy Page used a slide to create the haunting, gliding lead lines that define the track’s vibe. You’ll learn proper slide placement, muting techniques to control string noise, and how to sustain notes with emotion and precision.

Benefit: Slide playing improves your ear for pitch and enhances your control over vibrato and sustain—essential for expressive lead work.

Altered Tuning

This song is played in an altered tuning (most commonly open G with a capo), which gives it its deep, resonant sound. Our lesson will show you how to tune your guitar and adjust your playing approach to suit the tuning.

Benefit: Working in alternate tunings helps develop your fretboard awareness and inspires new creative ideas for songwriting and improvisation.

Open-String Riffs

The main guitar parts incorporate open-string riffs, which give the track its droning, hypnotic quality. This technique takes advantage of ringing open notes alongside fretted ones.

Benefit: Mastering open-string riffs adds texture to your rhythm playing and introduces you to more dynamic phrasing possibilities.

Slides

Beyond slide guitar, you'll also be using standard slides between notes and positions. These create smooth transitions and add a vocal-like quality to your playing.

Benefit: Learning slide techniques improves your finger accuracy and adds fluidity to your lead lines.

Vibrato

Page’s use of vibrato is subtle but effective, adding life and dimension to sustained notes. You’ll learn how to execute controlled and expressive vibrato throughout the lesson.

Benefit: Vibrato enhances your musical phrasing and allows you to convey emotion with a single note.

Sustain

Sustain is crucial in this track, especially given the slow tempo and heavy groove. Our lesson helps you understand how to manage note sustain through both technique and gear setup.

Benefit: Focusing on sustain refines your touch and dynamics, helping your notes ring out with clarity and intention.

Capo Use

This track makes use of a capo in conjunction with open tuning to achieve its signature pitch and tonal color. We’ll cover correct capo placement and how it affects your fingering and phrasing.

Benefit: Using a capo creatively opens up new chord voicings and tonal possibilities, broadening your stylistic range.

Why Learn When The Levee Breaks?

This lesson is ideal for guitarists looking to expand their skills beyond conventional blues and rock patterns. Not only will you learn a classic track revered by musicians and fans alike, but you’ll also deepen your understanding of how tone, timing, and technique combine to create something unforgettable.

The techniques taught in this lesson are transferable to a wide range of styles, from blues and country to ambient rock and modern alternative. Whether you’re a fan of Led Zeppelin or simply want to develop a more expressive and nuanced guitar style, this course is a must.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Slide Guitar
• Vibrato
• Sustain
• Capo
• Open-String Riffs
• Altered Tuning

Ready to dive into this blues-rock powerhouse? Join us at LickLibrary and master When The Levee Breaks—one slide at a time.