Watch This - Slash

"Watch This" by Slash is a high-energy rock instrumental showcasing the unique styles and techniques of one of rock's greatest guitarists, Slash, joined by powerhouse collaborators. This song is packed with intense riffs, melodic passages, and dynamic soloing that combine to create a thrilling guitar experience. For players aiming to master Slash's signature style, Licklibrary’s "Watch This" guitar lesson offers a note-for-note breakdown, focusing on techniques essential to the song's sound. This guide dives deep into these techniques, providing a comprehensive learning experience that will enhance your playing style and skill level. Danny Gill breaks down this classic Slash track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Slash and Collaborators

The iconic guitarist Slash, widely known as the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, has influenced rock and blues players for decades. His technique merges expressive bends, swift legato phrases, and intricate riffs that embody the essence of classic rock with a modern edge. In "Watch This", Slash is joined by bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Dave Grohl, who bring additional layers of rhythm and intensity. Grohl’s solid drumming and McKagan’s powerful bass lines provide a solid foundation for Slash's lead playing, creating a driving groove and allowing Slash’s guitar to shine. Learning this piece allows players to absorb the dynamic and interactive style of ensemble play, building skills beyond solo guitar work.

Technique Breakdown

String Bending

String bending is a hallmark of Slash’s playing style, used frequently to emphasise emotion and intensity in his solos. In this lesson, you’ll master precise and controlled bends, reaching the correct pitch consistently, which is essential to achieving Slash's expressive sound. By practicing string bending, you'll develop finger strength, pitch accuracy, and a more vocal quality to your playing, all of which are essential for rock and blues guitarists.

Vibrato

Slash’s use of vibrato gives his notes an intense, sustained quality, bringing them to life with a rich, singing tone. This technique involves subtly oscillating the pitch of a note, which adds a sense of depth and emotion to sustained notes. Learning vibrato helps players develop their expressiveness and personal style, enhancing the overall impact of every note they play.

Slides

Slides are integral to Slash’s fluid playing style, connecting notes smoothly and adding a vocal-like phrasing to his solos. In "Watch This", slides are used to create seamless transitions between notes, contributing to the melody's smooth, flowing quality. Practicing slides will enhance your phrasing, allowing you to move between notes naturally and dynamically.

Alternate Picking

This song showcases rapid alternate picking, crucial for executing the fast-paced riffs and solos. Alternate picking allows for precise and efficient string transitions, vital for Slash’s signature speed and articulation. Developing this technique improves your picking accuracy, speed, and rhythmic consistency, all essential skills for rock and metal genres.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used throughout the song's rhythm sections to add depth and tightness to the riffs. This technique involves lightly resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, muting them to create a controlled, percussive sound. Practicing palm muting enhances your control over dynamics and articulation, giving you greater command over rhythm sections.

Legato

Legato playing is used for the song’s flowing solos, enabling smooth transitions between notes. Slash uses hammer-ons and pull-offs to connect notes seamlessly, avoiding the sharp attack of each pick. Mastering legato technique will help improve your finger strength, speed, and ability to play fluidly, making it ideal for melodic and fast solo sections.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The solo section of "Watch This" incorporates rapid hammer-ons and pull-offs, essential components of Slash’s style. These techniques create a fluid sound, allowing for fast runs without needing to pick each note. Practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs enhances your dexterity and finger independence, making it easier to execute fast passages and add expressiveness to your playing.

Power Chords

Power chords drive the song’s rhythm sections, creating a punchy, powerful foundation that Slash uses to build tension. This technique is a staple in rock music, providing a robust and straightforward harmonic structure. Practicing power chords will improve your rhythm skills and give you the foundation for playing in a band or ensemble setting.

Unison Bends

Unison bends create an intense and dramatic effect by bending one note to match the pitch of another. This technique adds richness and tension, which is prominent in Slash’s solos. Unison bends help you develop accuracy in pitch and add a unique vocal quality to your playing, enhancing both solo and ensemble performance.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Each technique in "Watch This" not only allows you to master an iconic Slash song but also builds essential guitar skills. Vibrato and string bending add emotion to your playing, while legato, hammer-ons, and pull-offs increase your speed and smoothness. Alternate picking, slides, and unison bends bring precision, while power chords and palm muting improve your rhythm skills. By learning these techniques, you'll be equipped to tackle other challenging rock and blues songs and develop your unique style.

Technique List with Links

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Unison Bends
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides

With these techniques, you'll capture the essence of Slash’s style and bring new levels of expression and technical skill to your playing.