Are You Gonna Go My Way - Riff by Lenny Kravitz - Note-for-Note Guitar Lesson

Our Are You Gonna Go My Way - Riff by Lenny Kravitz guitar lesson on LickLibrary.com delivers a detailed breakdown of this hard-hitting, classic rock riff. This lesson dives into the techniques that give the riff its punch, including pull-offs, string bending, string skipping, and palm muting. With each element explained and demonstrated in detail, you’ll be able to master Kravitz’s dynamic playing style and gain skills that will enhance your overall playing technique. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Breakdown

Pull-Offs

Pull-offs are an essential part of Are You Gonna Go My Way, adding fluidity and a smooth connection between notes in the riff’s main phrase. A pull-off is achieved by plucking a note, then releasing the finger from the fretboard to let a lower note ring out without picking it again. Ross’s use of pull-offs in this riff creates a flowing, legato feel that adds to the riff’s signature groove.

For guitarists, mastering pull-offs is essential for improving finger strength, control, and accuracy. This technique allows players to connect notes seamlessly, creating a natural, fluid sound. Pull-offs are commonly used across rock, blues, and jazz, making them invaluable for adding smooth transitions to any riff or solo.

String Bending

String bending brings an expressive quality to the riff, giving it a vocal-like, emotive sound. String bending involves pushing the string across the fretboard to raise its pitch, allowing for dynamic shifts in tone. In Are You Gonna Go My Way, the bends add intensity and make the riff feel more powerful and alive, giving each note an added edge.

Learning string bending is crucial for guitarists, as it builds finger strength, accuracy, and expressiveness. Mastering this technique enables players to create nuanced phrasing in their solos and riffs, allowing for greater emotional expression. String bending is widely used in blues and rock, and it’s a great way to bring an individual flair to your playing.

String Skipping

String skipping is a technique that adds complexity and excitement to the riff, creating a jumping, rhythmic feel. String skipping involves moving across non-adjacent strings, requiring accuracy in both the fretting and picking hands. In this riff, Ross uses string skipping to give the main phrase a more dynamic quality, which adds to its distinct groove and impact.

For guitarists, mastering string skipping improves hand coordination, picking accuracy, and timing. This technique allows players to create unique patterns and add variety to their playing. String skipping is commonly found in rock, metal, and jazz, making it a valuable skill for creating intricate, standout riffs and solos.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used throughout Are You Gonna Go My Way, adding a tight, percussive quality to the rhythm. Palm muting is achieved by lightly resting the edge of the picking hand on the strings near the bridge, creating a dampened, rhythmic sound. In this riff, palm muting enhances the groove and provides a solid foundation for the lead line, adding punch and clarity to each note.

Practicing palm muting is beneficial for building control, dynamics, and a tight rhythm. This technique is widely used in rock, metal, and punk, where a heavy, driving rhythm is essential. Mastering palm muting allows players to add rhythmic depth to their playing, making it easier to control the tone and dynamics in any riff or progression.

About Lenny Kravitz and His Influence

Lenny Kravitz, known for his ability to blend rock, funk, and soul, became one of the most influential rock musicians of the 1990s. His work on Are You Gonna Go My Way showcases his knack for combining catchy riffs with a driving rhythm and expressive guitar work. This track’s riff, played by Craig Ross, is a staple in rock music and has inspired countless guitarists with its blend of groove and energy. Learning this riff gives guitarists a glimpse into the power of Kravitz’s style, which is rooted in classic rock and filled with dynamic phrasing and tone.

Guitar Techniques in Are You Gonna Go My Way - Riff by Lenny Kravitz

• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• String Skipping
• Palm Muting