Oh Well (Part One) – Peter Green

Fleetwood Mac’s "Oh Well (Part One)" is a masterclass in blues-rock guitar playing, showcasing the raw emotion, creativity, and technical prowess of the legendary Peter Green. At Licklibrary.com, our in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every lick and nuance of this iconic track, guiding you through the techniques that made it such a standout in the British blues boom. This lesson is a must for any guitarist looking to deepen their blues vocabulary, enhance expression, and gain a better understanding of classic phrasing and tone. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Track & Peter Green’s Guitar Work

Released in 1969, “Oh Well (Part One)” is a gritty, riff-driven piece that encapsulates Peter Green’s signature sound: soulful, articulate, and emotionally charged. Green’s playing is a blend of British blues and improvisational creativity, characterised by dynamic touch, exceptional control, and haunting phrasing. His use of space, tone, and vibrato became a hallmark of the blues-rock movement and had a major influence on players like Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, and even David Gilmour.

The track features a blend of fingerpicked motifs, biting lead work, and rhythmic hooks, all built around a hypnotic riff that drives the entire song. This lesson takes you through every detail with expert instruction that helps you capture the spirit and technique of the original performance.

Technique Breakdown

String Bending

One of the most expressive elements of Green’s playing in "Oh Well (Part One)" is his string bending. Used both subtly and dramatically, these bends give the soloing its vocal-like quality. Learning proper bending technique is essential for developing emotional expression in your playing and controlling pitch accurately.

Vibrato

Green’s vibrato is wide, controlled, and slow – used to let notes linger with soul and depth. This lesson emphasises vibrato as a key expressive tool and teaches you how to develop your own unique style with it.

Slides

Slides are used frequently to transition between notes and positions, providing a smooth, flowing quality to the phrasing. They also enhance dynamics and build tension and release in a solo.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

These techniques feature heavily in the riffs and fills of "Oh Well." Hammer-ons and pull-offs help you create fluid legato lines and increase your playing speed without relying solely on picking.

Legato

The smooth delivery of connected notes in Green’s licks often makes use of legato phrasing. Mastering legato improves your ability to play fast, clean passages while maintaining a natural, musical feel.

Finger-picking

An essential part of this lesson, Green employs finger-picking to articulate notes with a greater range of dynamics and tone control. This technique also provides a more intimate and organic sound that is crucial to nailing the feel of the song.

Open String Riffs

The signature riff in "Oh Well (Part One)" makes brilliant use of open-string riffs to create a percussive, droning sound that adds power and groove. This technique is incredibly useful for creating dynamic riffs that sound bigger and more resonant.

Syncopated Rhythms

Rhythmic phrasing in "Oh Well" plays with time and groove. The use of syncopated rhythms makes the riff feel both driving and unpredictable. Learning to play with syncopation develops your timing, rhythm feel, and versatility.

Why You Should Learn This Song

Learning “Oh Well (Part One)” gives guitarists a unique insight into the mind of one of blues-rock’s most underrated geniuses. This lesson helps you internalize phrasing, dynamic control, and stylistic nuances that are essential to mastering expressive guitar playing. Whether you're a blues player or a rock guitarist looking to expand your emotional vocabulary, Peter Green’s approach provides a wealth of inspiration.

This lesson also challenges your sense of timing, helps improve your tone through touch, and teaches you how to say more with fewer notes — a hallmark of all the greats.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Legato
• Finger-picking
• Open String Riffs
• Syncopated Rhythms

Master “Oh Well (Part One)” and unlock the soulful power of Peter Green’s guitar magic with Licklibrary’s detailed and dynamic lesson.