Learn to Play "Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz

"Fly Away" by Lenny Kravitz is a quintessential rock anthem that showcases a blend of funk, groove, and rock. Its powerful, catchy guitar riff and driving rhythm have made it a standout track in Kravitz's catalog and a favourite for guitarists looking to dive into rock and funk-infused styles. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play "Fly Away" note for note, focusing on the fundamental techniques used in the song, including strumming patterns and barre chords. These techniques will help you capture the full energy and feel of the track, while also enhancing your overall rhythm and chord-playing skills. Richard Shaw breaks down this classic rock track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Lenny Kravitz and the Influence Behind "Fly Away"

Lenny Kravitz, the songwriter and guitarist behind "Fly Away," is known for his blend of rock, soul, and funk influences. His guitar work is heavily inspired by legends like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Prince, and "Fly Away" is no exception. While the song is built on a fairly straightforward structure, Kravitz's rhythmic precision and groove give it a special edge. His playing is both raw and powerful, driven by his unique ability to blend vintage rock with a modern twist.

Breakdown of Guitar Techniques Used in "Fly Away"

Strumming Patterns

The rhythm guitar in "Fly Away" revolves around a steady and driving strumming pattern. The strumming creates the backbone of the song, adding to the song’s energetic feel and maintaining a consistent groove. The pattern is straightforward, with a strong emphasis on downstrokes to create that iconic, gritty rock sound.

Benefits: Learning and mastering the strumming patterns in "Fly Away" is great for improving your rhythm guitar skills. Strumming consistently and with the right dynamics is key to playing rock and funk genres effectively. This lesson will help you develop precision and timing, ensuring that your strumming sounds tight and locked into the groove of the song.

Barre Chords

One of the most important elements of "Fly Away" is its use of barre chords. Kravitz employs barre chords to build the song's powerful and rhythmic progression. Barre chords require pressing down multiple strings with one finger, allowing you to play chords that can be easily moved up and down the neck without changing shape. In "Fly Away," the barre chords help create a full, rich sound that drives the song forward.

Benefits: Barre chords are essential for any guitarist looking to expand their chord repertoire. They allow you to play more complex chords across the neck, making it easier to shift between different keys and positions. Learning to use barre chords efficiently will strengthen your fingers, improve your hand coordination, and make you a more versatile player. In "Fly Away," mastering the barre chords will also help you develop the stamina and control necessary for playing high-energy rock songs.

Chord Transitions

In "Fly Away," smooth and fast chord transitions are key to maintaining the flow of the song. The ability to move between barre chords seamlessly while keeping the strumming consistent is critical in this track. The guitar’s role is to maintain the groove, and the transitions between chords must be quick and accurate to prevent any breaks in the rhythm.

Benefits: Learning to execute clean, efficient chord transitions will make your playing smoother and more fluid. This skill is not only useful for "Fly Away," but for any song that involves frequent chord changes, especially in rock and pop music. Improving your transitions helps with timing and accuracy, ensuring your rhythm stays tight and consistent.

Muting Techniques

Kravitz also uses subtle muting techniques in the song to control the dynamics and create percussive effects in the rhythm. By lightly resting the palm on the strings, he manages to keep certain sections of the rhythm guitar tight and controlled, emphasising specific beats while muting others to create rhythmic variation.

Benefits: Muting is essential for controlling the dynamics of your playing. It allows you to add texture and rhythmic interest, particularly in songs where groove and tightness are important. Learning how to mute effectively will help you gain more control over your sound and allow you to shape your strumming patterns more precisely.

List of Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Barre Chords
• Strumming Patterns
• Muting Techniques

By focusing on these core techniques through our detailed "Fly Away" guitar lesson, you'll not only learn to play this classic track note for note but also build essential guitar skills that will improve your rhythm playing, chord transitions, and dynamic control. Enjoy mastering the song and adding these techniques to your guitar toolkit!

Techniques List

Below is a list of all guitar techniques covered in our lessons, with links to detailed glossary pages for further learning:

• Barre Chords
• Slides
• String Muting

By the end of this lesson, not only will you be able to play "Fly Away" with confidence, but you'll also have a deeper understanding of how Lenny Kravitz uses these guitar techniques to craft hit songs. This comprehensive tutorial will not just teach you a song but will enhance your overall guitar playing skills, making it a valuable addition to your musical learning journey.