Green Manalishi – Peter Green
Dive into the dark, brooding world of “Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” with our exclusive note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. Originally written and recorded by Peter Green with Fleetwood Mac in 1970, this track is a haunting blues-rock masterpiece packed with guitar-driven atmosphere, tone, and soul. Our in-depth guitar lesson breaks down every riff, bend, and slide so you can truly capture the spirit of Green's emotionally charged performance.
Whether you're a blues purist or a rock enthusiast, this lesson is a powerful opportunity to explore the intricacies of Peter Green's expressive and often understated playing style, as well as the techniques that make this track a cult favourite among guitarists. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Guitarist – Peter Green
Peter Green, the founding guitarist of Fleetwood Mac, is widely regarded as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. Known for his deeply emotive playing and impeccable phrasing, Green brought a uniquely melancholic edge to the British blues movement. His work on “Green Manalishi” showcases his mastery of tone and atmosphere, combining minimalism with moments of sonic intensity.
Green’s influence reaches far beyond the blues, inspiring players like Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, and even metal guitarists who appreciate his haunting melodies and dynamic control. His ability to inject raw emotion into every note sets him apart, and this track is a prime example of his genius.
Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson
Our lesson on “Green Manalishi” dives into a range of classic techniques that define Peter Green’s unique voice on the guitar. Below are some of the essential skills you’ll develop:
String Bending
Peter Green’s expressive use of bends adds vocal-like phrasing to his solos. In “Green Manalishi,” bends are used to wring every ounce of feeling out of the notes, giving his lead lines a singing quality.
Why Learn It: Mastering string bending builds control and feel, helping you add emotion to your playing.
Vibrato
Green’s vibrato is slow, wide, and full of soul. It adds depth to sustained notes and is key to capturing the drama in this track.
Why Learn It: Developing a solid vibrato will give your lead playing a signature voice and improve your expressive range.
Slides
Slides are used to add fluid movement between notes, contributing to the moody and hypnotic quality of the guitar lines.
Why Learn It: Incorporating slides into your playing makes transitions smoother and solos more expressive.
Double Stops
In “Green Manalishi,” Peter Green utilizes double stops to create harmonised licks and emphasise rhythmic punctuation.
Why Learn It: Double stops are essential for crafting fuller-sounding licks and riffs, adding both harmony and power.
Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs
These legato techniques are subtly woven throughout the track, contributing to the flowing, lyrical nature of Green’s playing.
Why Learn It: Hammer-ons and pull-offs are foundational techniques that help you articulate phrases smoothly and increase your speed and precision.
Bluesy Bends
Peter Green’s mastery of blues-style bends—sometimes just shy of a full semitone—gives his solos their signature vocal cry and eerie edge.
Why Learn It: Learning bluesy bends teaches you how to inject nuance and emotion into each phrase.
Sustain
“Green Manalishi” is loaded with long, drawn-out notes that rely on sustain to maintain their haunting vibe.
Why Learn It: Mastering sustain helps you maintain tonal clarity and hold notes for dramatic effect, especially when using overdrive or reverb.
Palm Muting
Used selectively in rhythm sections, palm muting adds a percussive, chugging quality that contrasts beautifully with the open, airy leads.
Why Learn It: Palm muting adds dynamic control to your rhythm playing and enhances your tone during riffing.
Rakes
Green’s raking technique gives certain phrases more bite and attitude, creating a dramatic lead-in to key notes.
Why Learn It: Rakes give your playing aggression and style, making your solos stand out with a bluesy flair.
Why This Lesson Is Worth Your Time
“Green Manalishi” isn’t just a song—it’s a mood. Learning it note for note gives you the tools to express real emotion through your guitar. This lesson will help you master phrasing, tone control, dynamics, and articulation, all of which are essential for any serious guitarist. Whether you’re aiming to improve your blues vocabulary or simply want to get inside the mind of one of rock’s most expressive players, this breakdown is the perfect starting point.
Guitar Techniques Used in this Lesson
Take your playing to the next level and bring the haunting tones of Peter Green to life with this powerful and emotive guitar lesson on “Green Manalishi.”
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Michael Casswell
It is with great sadness that we post the news of Michael Casswell's tragic death in a swimming accident while on holiday in Spain. All of us at Licklibrary are shocked and saddened by MIke's passing, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this difficult time. Michael...