One Vision by Queen

"One Vision" by Queen is a quintessential rock anthem featuring one of Brian May's most powerful guitar performances. Known for his unique playing style and innovative approach to guitar sound, May's work in "One Vision" encapsulates the techniques and musical nuances that define his legacy. At LickLibrary, our guitar lesson on "One Vision" provides a note-for-note breakdown of this classic song, focusing on the specific techniques that bring the song's iconic guitar parts to life. By learning these techniques, you’ll not only master a classic Queen track but also elevate your guitar skills with valuable, transferable techniques that can enrich your overall guitar playing journey. Michael Casswell breaks down this iconic rock track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Brian May’s Guitar Influence

Brian May, Queen's legendary guitarist, is celebrated for his inventive and melodic style, as well as his use of homemade equipment, including his iconic Red Special guitar. May's tone is instantly recognisable, thanks to his precise touch and creative use of effects. His influences range from classic rock and blues to orchestral arrangements, blending seamlessly to create a sound that is simultaneously lush and powerful. In "One Vision," May’s skilful application of various guitar techniques highlights his ability to create texture and intensity within a rock framework, showcasing his versatility and deep musicality. Learning this song provides a glimpse into May’s technique and creative process, offering valuable insight into the approach of one of rock’s most influential guitarists.

Techniques Focused on in the Lesson

Power Chords

In "One Vision," power chords serve as the foundation of the song’s driving rhythm. Power chords are perfect for creating a robust, full-bodied sound and are widely used in rock music. This technique focuses on playing the root and fifth notes of a chord, which gives a gritty, raw quality to the sound. Learning power chords improves your control over rhythm guitar, helps you build hand strength, and enhances your ability to create dynamic shifts within a song.

Palm Muting

Palm muting adds texture and control to the rhythm guitar sections in "One Vision." By lightly resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, you can produce a muted, percussive sound that brings intensity to the riff. This technique is essential for building tension and maintaining rhythm, especially in rock and metal. Palm muting aids in developing your timing and right-hand control, making your playing sound tighter and more polished.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Brian May's expressive use of string bending gives "One Vision" a dynamic, soulful quality. String bending raises the pitch of a note, adding emotion to solos and melodic lines. Bluesy bends, a variation that brings a slightly out-of-key feel, add character and depth to a melody. Mastering these bends enhances your soloing capabilities, as it requires precise control over pitch and finger strength, allowing for expressive, vocal-like phrasing in your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are key techniques in many of May’s solos, allowing for smoother and faster note transitions without the need for picking each note. By adding these to your skill set, you'll be able to perform intricate melodic phrases with ease and fluidity, which is essential for crafting fast and flowing solos. Practicing these techniques improves your left-hand strength and dexterity, enabling you to tackle more challenging solos and licks.

Slides

Slides are used throughout "One Vision" to create a seamless connection between notes, adding a sense of movement and flair. By sliding between frets, you can create a continuous sound that emphasises musical phrasing. This technique is beneficial for players looking to add emotion to their solos, as it provides a smooth transition that enhances the musicality of each phrase. Slides also help improve fretboard navigation, allowing you to develop a better sense of spatial awareness on the guitar neck.

Unison Bends

Unison bends are a distinctive part of May’s style, featured in various parts of the "One Vision" solo. This technique involves bending one string while playing a stable note on another, creating a harmonious yet slightly discordant sound that adds intensity and drama. Practicing unison bends builds finger strength and coordination, helping you achieve that classic rock sound that has defined guitar solos for decades.

Tremolo Picking

The fast, rhythmic picking technique known as tremolo picking adds drive and momentum to the solo sections in "One Vision." This technique requires rapid alternate picking on a single note, creating a continuous and intense sound. Tremolo picking is especially useful in rock and metal for building energy and maintaining speed. Mastering this technique will improve your picking accuracy and speed, making it easier to tackle faster sections in other songs.

Rakes

Raking is used in "One Vision" to produce a gritty, percussive sound by muting strings before hitting the desired note. This technique adds drama and articulation to solo phrases, giving them a more pronounced attack. Rakes are an excellent way to emphasise specific notes and enhance your dynamic control. Practicing this technique will improve your precision and timing, making your solos more expressive.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each technique featured in "One Vision" not only brings you closer to replicating Brian May’s sound but also contributes valuable skills that enhance overall guitar proficiency. Mastering power chords and palm muting strengthens rhythm playing, while techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides add fluidity to solos. Bends, unison bends, and rakes build finger strength and expressive control, while tremolo picking increases speed and accuracy. Together, these techniques build a foundation that will allow you to approach a variety of musical styles with confidence, making you a more versatile and expressive guitarist.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Unison Bends
• Tremolo Picking
• Rakes

Our "One Vision" lesson provides an in-depth exploration of Brian May’s guitar work, allowing players to master not only the notes but the nuanced techniques that give this song its power.