Unearthed by Michael Casswell

"Unearthed" by Michael Casswell is an intricate and soulful guitar lesson that invites players to explore a wide array of essential techniques used by this master guitarist. With Licklibrary's note-for-note guitar lessons, each section of "Unearthed" is broken down into digestible segments, enabling guitarists to master the techniques that define Michael Casswell’s distinctive sound. This lesson takes you through the foundational skills and expressive techniques that not only enrich "Unearthed" but also broaden your skill set, allowing you to integrate Casswell's approach into your own playing.

About Michael Casswell

Michael Casswell was known for his profound musicality, blending elements of rock, blues, and fusion with a unique, dynamic style. His technical precision and melodic phrasing set him apart as a guitarist who could convey deep emotion and intense energy in his playing. Casswell's influence on "Unearthed" highlights his keen sense for expressive, articulate phrasing and his seamless blending of technical skills, making this lesson an inspiring opportunity for guitarists to learn from his powerful legacy.

Guitar Techniques Covered in "Unearthed"

Vibrato

In "Unearthed," Casswell’s use of vibrato brings a vocal quality to his guitar lines. Vibrato adds emotional depth and can transform even the simplest note into something powerful. By controlling the pitch variation, you’ll learn to give notes a richer, more resonant sound, a skill that translates across any style of guitar playing.

Alternate Picking

Casswell’s precision in alternate picking is a fundamental aspect of his smooth, flowing style. This technique involves alternating the direction of the pick to produce a rapid and consistent sound. Mastering alternate picking will improve your speed and articulation, allowing you to navigate complex passages more efficiently.

Legato

The lesson includes Casswell’s smooth legato phrasing, which involves playing notes in a connected, flowing manner without distinct pauses. Legato passages are achieved using hammer-ons and pull-offs, reducing the need to pick each note. This technique provides a fluid and expressive sound, making your playing feel more natural and effortless.

Tapped Harmonics

Casswell’s signature use of tapped harmonics adds an ethereal, bell-like quality to his playing. This technique involves lightly tapping the string at harmonic nodes to create unique, high-pitched tones. Mastering tapped harmonics will open up new tonal possibilities and enhance your ability to add shimmer and complexity to your playing.

Double-Stop Bends

In this song, Casswell uses double-stop bends to create a soulful, bluesy sound. By bending two notes simultaneously, you can create harmonised, expressive sounds that add richness to solos. Learning this technique improves hand strength and control, making it easier to bend notes precisely and create emotional intensity in your playing.

Unison Bends

Unison bends, where one string is bent to match the pitch of another, are another hallmark of Casswell’s style. This technique produces a powerful, chorus-like effect and is especially effective in rock and blues settings. Practicing unison bends will enhance your bending accuracy and allow you to create a strong, layered sound.

Pinched Harmonics

Casswell’s use of pinched harmonics adds bite and texture to certain notes, giving them a searing, cutting quality. This technique, achieved by striking the string with the pick and edge of the thumb simultaneously, brings out higher overtones. It’s a valuable skill for adding intensity and emphasising key notes within a riff or solo.

Trills

Trills are another technique Casswell uses to bring energy and movement to his playing. By rapidly alternating between two notes, trills add a flurry of activity to the fretboard. Practicing trills will increase your finger strength and dexterity, allowing you to add excitement and variation to your solos.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking is used in certain sections of "Unearthed" to achieve a fast, sustained note effect. This technique involves picking a single note repeatedly at high speed, creating a continuous, flowing sound. Developing your tremolo picking skills will help you achieve greater speed and control, allowing you to incorporate dramatic, intense sounds into your solos.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios are used throughout "Unearthed" to create melodic interest and highlight chord tones. This technique involves playing individual notes of a chord in succession, allowing you to outline harmony while maintaining a fluid, melodic line. Mastering arpeggios will enhance your understanding of chord shapes across the fretboard and add depth to your solos and compositions.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used in rhythm sections to create a punchy, percussive effect. This technique involves resting the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge while picking. Learning palm muting adds texture to your playing and helps you control dynamics, creating contrast between muted and open tones.

String Bending

String bending is central to Casswell’s expressive style in "Unearthed." By bending strings, he adds a vocal, crying quality to his playing, conveying emotion with each bend. Developing your bending technique allows you to add character and intensity to your notes, making your solos more impactful.

Slides

Casswell frequently uses slides to connect notes smoothly, giving his phrases a cohesive, flowing feel. This technique involves shifting from one note to another on the same string without lifting your finger, creating a seamless transition. Practicing slides enhances your fretboard navigation skills and adds a polished, professional sound to your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These techniques are fundamental to Casswell’s legato phrasing, allowing for smooth, effortless transitions between notes. Hammer-ons and pull-offs reduce the need for constant picking, making your playing sound fluid and connected. Mastering these techniques will improve your speed and phrasing, enabling you to create cascading lines with ease.

Guitar Techniques Summary

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• Arpeggios
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs

By learning each of these techniques, you’ll not only master "Unearthed" by Michael Casswell but also gain valuable skills to elevate your overall guitar playing. Each technique adds depth, texture, and expressiveness to your playing, helping you connect with your instrument and your audience on a deeper level. Dive into "Unearthed" with Licklibrary, and start transforming your guitar skills today.