Headspace – Velvet Revolver

Dive deep into Velvet Revolver's iconic song "Headspace" with Licklibrary's note-for-note guitar lesson. This tutorial offers a breakdown of every riff, chord, and solo, allowing you to master the techniques that make this track a standout. Perfect for players looking to expand their technical skills and add powerful new sounds to their guitar toolkit, this lesson unpacks the unique playing styles of Velvet Revolver's guitarists. You’ll learn the techniques behind the riffs, explore what makes these sounds so captivating, and gain insights into how these elements fit together to create an unforgettable song. Danny Gill breaks down this classic Velvet Revolver track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists and Their Influence

"Headspace" features the legendary guitar work of Slash, known for his soulful bends, gritty riffs, and an ability to weave bluesy phrasing with hard rock energy. Slash’s influence on rock guitarists worldwide is immense, bringing a signature style of soaring solos and infectious riffing. His technique combines raw power with refined execution, making each note and every silence impactful. Studying this song offers a glimpse into Slash’s style and an opportunity to understand why he has become one of rock’s most enduring icons.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Vibrato

In "Headspace," vibrato is used to give life and sustain to individual notes, particularly in the song's solo sections. Vibrato involves moving the note slightly up and down to create a "wobbling" effect, adding emotional expression to each note. Learning vibrato enhances your control over pitch and is key to developing your own expressive voice on the guitar.

String Bending

String bending is another foundational technique featured prominently in "Headspace." Slash employs both subtle and exaggerated bends to create tension and release in his solos. Mastering string bending enables you to add character and dynamics to your playing, replicating the soulful, vocal-like qualities of Slash’s sound.

Power Chords

The main riff in "Headspace" relies heavily on power chords to drive the rhythm. Power chords are straightforward yet powerful, offering a thick and aggressive tone. This lesson shows how to play these chords cleanly and consistently, providing the building blocks for countless rock songs.

Slides

Slides create a seamless connection between notes, adding fluidity and style. In "Headspace," slides are used to move smoothly between power chords and individual notes, lending a sense of urgency to the rhythm. Practicing slides enhances finger dexterity and allows for a more dynamic approach to riffing.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is a crucial technique for creating rhythmic contrast and controlling the intensity of each section. This lesson highlights the use of palm muting in "Headspace," where it’s used to build tension and create punchy, percussive rhythms. Developing strong palm-muting skills gives you more control over your sound and helps create dramatic dynamic shifts within your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These two legato techniques are essential for smooth, flowing licks. "Headspace" incorporates both hammer-ons and pull-offs in the song’s intricate runs, creating fast passages without picking each note individually. Learning these techniques will make your playing sound more fluid and open up new possibilities for melodic phrasing.

Double Stops

In the solo section, Slash frequently uses double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously. This creates a harmonised effect, adding depth and colour to the melody. Mastering double stops enriches your soloing style and enables you to add fuller sounds within single lines.

Alternate Picking

The song’s faster sections demand precision, making alternate picking essential. This technique involves alternating down and up strokes to play faster and cleaner. Practicing alternate picking builds speed, accuracy, and rhythm control—an absolute must for any rock guitarist.

Pinched Harmonics

Slash adds flair with pinched harmonics, producing sharp, squealing tones. Executing pinched harmonics can be challenging, but mastering this technique brings character and attitude to your playing. This lesson will guide you in creating those signature squeals, adding a fierce, metallic edge to your sound.

Unison Bends

In certain melodic lines, Slash uses unison bends, where two notes of different pitches are bent to meet in harmony. This technique creates a powerful, tension-filled sound. Practicing unison bends helps improve finger strength and pitch accuracy, key skills for any serious guitarist.

Octave Melodies

Octave melodies appear throughout the track, adding a rich and layered feel to the guitar work. Octave playing is a great way to expand your fretboard knowledge and add a melodic quality to your rhythm playing.

Benefits of Learning "Headspace" Techniques

Each technique used in "Headspace" offers unique benefits that go beyond the song itself. Learning vibrato and string bending brings expressive depth to your playing, while mastering power chords, slides, and palm muting lays a solid foundation for rhythm work in rock and metal. Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and alternate picking will boost your speed and agility, especially during intricate licks, while pinched harmonics and unison bends introduce more dynamic, explosive sounds into your solos. Finally, octave melodies help expand your understanding of melody on the fretboard. Altogether, these techniques create a well-rounded skill set that will enhance your musical vocabulary, enabling you to tackle other complex rock songs with confidence.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Pinched Harmonics
• Unison Bends
• Power Chords
• Slides
• Palm Muting
• Double Stops
• String Bending
• Octave Melodies

With these techniques in your arsenal, you’ll have a solid foundation to take on not just "Headspace" but any rock or metal song that comes your way. Let this lesson guide you as you unlock the secrets behind Velvet Revolver’s distinctive sound.