'Open My Eyes' by Rival Sons

Rival Sons' song "Open My Eyes" is a fantastic piece of modern rock that pays homage to classic rock roots while incorporating fresh, contemporary guitar techniques. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, we break down the playing of the song's guitarist, Scott Holiday, whose bluesy, hard-hitting riffs and expressive lead work make this track a must-learn for guitarists of all skill levels. In this lesson, you'll master various essential guitar techniques that will not only help you play "Open My Eyes" with precision but also improve your overall guitar proficiency. Nick Jennison breaks down this modern rock classic in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarist Behind 'Open My Eyes'

Scott Holiday, the lead guitarist for Rival Sons, is known for his gritty tone, soaring leads, and vintage-inspired playing. Influenced by iconic players like Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, Scott Holiday injects classic rock and blues elements into his style while adding his unique flavour. His use of effects, such as fuzz and reverb, combined with skilful playing techniques, gives Rival Sons their signature sound. Learning Holiday's riffs and solos in "Open My Eyes" will help you appreciate his ability to mix traditional blues-based rock with modern energy.

Breaking Down the Guitar Techniques in 'Open My Eyes'

Vibrato

Vibrato is one of the standout techniques used in the lead sections of "Open My Eyes." Scott Holiday uses this technique to add emotion and sustain to his notes, particularly in the song's solo. Mastering vibrato allows you to play notes with more expressiveness, making each one resonate with feeling. This is essential for players wanting to bring depth and personality to their playing.

String Bending

Throughout the song, string bending is heavily featured in both riffs and solos. Bending allows you to reach pitches higher than a standard note while giving your playing a vocal-like quality. Whether it's a slight bend for flavour or a full-tone bend for dramatic effect, learning this technique will improve your control over pitch and expressiveness.

Alternate Picking

The song's driving rhythm sections rely on the precision of alternate picking. This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes to play notes quickly and efficiently. It's crucial for keeping a steady rhythm and allows for clean, fast playing when performing riffs or solos.

Power Chords

Scott Holiday's use of power chords in the verses and chorus creates a powerful, hard-hitting sound that’s quintessential to rock music. Power chords are simple to play but provide a massive sound, making them a staple in any rock guitarist's toolkit.

Palm Muting

To add dynamic contrast, palm muting is used to control the song's intensity. This technique involves lightly resting the palm of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to create a muted, percussive effect. Learning palm muting will improve your rhythm guitar playing by helping you control the sustain and attack of each note.

Slides

Holiday's use of slides throughout the song adds a smooth transition between notes, which gives the riffs a flowing, connected feel. Sliding between notes is a key technique to make your playing sound more fluid, and it's perfect for achieving the legato effect heard in the song.

Bluesy Bends

The solo section features several bluesy bends, which contribute to the song’s soulful, emotional tone. These bends are done with finesse, emphasising notes that carry the feeling of the song. Mastering bluesy bends will give your lead playing more character, especially in rock and blues genres.

Pinched Harmonics

Adding extra bite to specific notes, Scott Holiday occasionally throws in pinched harmonics for emphasis. These harmonics produce a high-pitched, squealing sound that cuts through the mix, perfect for highlighting particular moments in a song. Learning pinched harmonics will enhance your ability to add texture and dynamic interest to your solos.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Holiday incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs in the solos to create smooth, fast passages without needing to pick every note. These techniques are essential for creating fluid lines and adding speed to your playing while maintaining control and articulation.

Why You Should Learn These Techniques

Learning the techniques used in "Open My Eyes" by Rival Sons will benefit any guitarist looking to improve both their rhythm and lead guitar skills. From the driving power chords and alternate picking in the main riff to the expressive string bending and vibrato in the solo, these techniques will not only allow you to play the song note for note but also give you valuable tools to use in your own playing. Mastering these techniques will enhance your musical vocabulary, improve your expressiveness, and strengthen your technical ability across various styles of music.

Guitar Techniques Used in 'Open My Eyes'

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs

Mastering these techniques through the "Open My Eyes" guitar lesson will give you the skills to perform not only this track but many other rock and blues pieces with confidence and authenticity.

List of Guitar Techniques Used in Lessons

• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Alternate Picking
• Power Chords

Each lesson at Licklibrary.com is meticulously designed to ensure you not only learn the song but also develop techniques that can be applied to your overall guitar playing. Dive into the lesson for "Open My Eyes" by Rival Sons today and begin your journey to becoming a more skilled and expressive guitarist.