Wild Wood by Paul Weller

Paul Weller’s Wild Wood is a timeless classic that showcases his exceptional songwriting and musicality. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson of this iconic track dives deep into the techniques and artistry that make it such a compelling piece. Whether you're a fan of Weller’s evocative style or looking to improve your guitar skills, this lesson will enrich your playing with invaluable techniques and insights. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Paul Weller and Wild Wood

Paul Weller, often referred to as "The Modfather," is a cornerstone of British music. As the frontman for The Jam and later The Style Council, he shaped the sound of modern rock and pop. His solo work, including Wild Wood, blends folk, rock, and soul influences. The track features an introspective, earthy vibe, driven by rich chord progressions and melodic lines.

The guitar work on Wild Wood is central to its emotional resonance, blending intricate fingerpicking with lush chords. These elements reflect Weller’s unique blend of simplicity and sophistication, making the song a must-learn for guitarists who appreciate expressive, heartfelt music.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Finger-Picking

The intricate finger-picking pattern in Wild Wood provides the song's gentle and melodic foundation. This technique involves plucking the strings with your fingers instead of a pick, allowing for greater control over tone and dynamics.

Benefit: Mastering finger-picking improves your dexterity, timing, and ability to articulate melodies and harmonies simultaneously.

Chord Progressions

The lush and emotive chord progressions in Wild Wood are a hallmark of Weller's songwriting. This lesson explores how the changes create a sense of movement and mood.

Benefit: Understanding these progressions enhances your songwriting skills and broadens your harmonic vocabulary.

Slides

Slides are used throughout the track to connect notes smoothly, adding a flowing, vocal-like quality to the lead lines and embellishments.

Benefit: Practicing slides improves your fretboard navigation and helps you achieve a more expressive style.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These embellishments bring fluidity and flair to the melodic lines in Wild Wood. The lesson demonstrates their application within the context of the song.

Benefit: Hammer-ons and pull-offs strengthen finger coordination and allow you to play faster, more connected phrases.

Barre Chords

Barre chords form the backbone of the song’s rhythm guitar parts, requiring precise finger placement and strength.

Benefit: Developing barre chords unlocks the ability to play a wide range of songs and improve your overall finger strength.

Open String Riffs

The lesson highlights how open strings are incorporated into riffs to create a rich, resonant sound.

Benefit: Learning open string riffs sharpens your ability to blend melody and harmony while utilising the full tonal range of the guitar.

Sustain

The use of sustain in Wild Wood enhances its emotional depth, giving notes a lingering, resonant quality.

Benefit: Practicing sustain teaches you how to shape notes dynamically, adding expressiveness to your playing.

Why Learn Wild Wood?

Learning Wild Wood is not just about playing a beautiful song; it’s about immersing yourself in techniques that are foundational to expressive guitar playing. From the delicate finger-picking patterns to the emotive chord progressions, this lesson equips you with tools that translate across genres and styles.

Each technique is broken down into manageable steps, making this lesson accessible to intermediate players while still offering depth for advanced guitarists.

List of Techniques Covered

• Finger-Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Barre Chords
• Open String Riffs
• Sustain

Discover the magic of Wild Wood and elevate your guitar playing with this comprehensive lesson. Paul Weller’s masterpiece awaits, and with Licklibrary.com, you’ll bring it to life note-for-note.