“Cheap An’ Nasty” by Whitesnake

Unleash your inner rock guitarist with our detailed note-for-note breakdown of “Cheap An’ Nasty” by Whitesnake. This gritty, blues-infused hard rock anthem from the 1989 Slip of the Tongue album is a treasure trove of expressive and technical guitar work. Our LickLibrary lesson shows you how to master every riff, lick, and lead section while helping you understand the why behind each technique used in the song.

Ideal for intermediate to advanced players, this lesson doesn’t just teach you to play the track — it sharpens your overall playing ability by focusing on specific techniques that enhance expression, control, and style. Sam Bell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Steve Vai’s Shred Meets Blues

On Cheap An’ Nasty, Whitesnake’s usual guitarist Adrian Vandenberg was unable to record due to injury, and Steve Vai was brought in as a temporary but unforgettable replacement. Known for his technical wizardry, experimental flair, and deeply expressive playing, Vai took the raw, blues-rock DNA of Whitesnake and injected it with a shot of unfiltered virtuosity. His guitar parts on this track are a masterclass in combining flash with feel.

Learning Vai’s approach in this song offers a rare opportunity to explore how a top-tier guitarist blends aggressive blues phrasing with high-level technique in a rock context.

Song Breakdown & Techniques

Opening Riff and Driving Rhythm

The song kicks off with a punchy riff driven by powerful chordal movement and attitude. It's built around chunky rhythm work and carefully articulated chord stabs that demand precision and groove from the player. This section is an excellent way to build dynamic awareness and rhythmic timing.

Benefit: Mastering this section tightens your right-hand control and helps you develop consistency in playing riff-based rock songs.

Lead Phrasing with Bends and Vibrato

Steve Vai's lead lines ooze character thanks to his mastery of bending and vibrato. These techniques are used to give notes emotion and intensity, transforming simple phrases into signature licks.

Benefit: Developing your bending and vibrato improves pitch control and allows you to make your solos sound more vocal and expressive.

Attitude with Pinched and Tapped Harmonics

Scattered throughout the song are moments where harmonics cut through the mix with bite. Pinched harmonics add aggressive tone color to individual notes, while tapped harmonics showcase Vai’s flair for finesse and surprise.

Benefit: These techniques help you control your tone and make even single notes stand out, especially in lead or transitional phrases.

Unison and Double-Stop Bends

Steve Vai doesn’t shy away from bringing in blues-inflected, dual-string bends. These double-stop and unison bends add thickness and intensity to his phrasing, giving the solo sections a dramatic and sometimes vocal-like quality.

Benefit: These techniques are excellent for developing finger strength and learning to bend both strings in tune — a staple of expressive blues and rock solos.

Legato Phrasing with Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

The solo work also includes silky-smooth legato passages that make use of fast hammer-ons and pull-offs. These allow for rapid, flowing lines that contrast well with more articulated, picked notes.

Benefit: Practicing legato helps you build finger independence and control, allowing for speed and fluidity in solos without relying on constant picking.

Palm Muting and Syncopation in Rhythmic Phrases

Vai integrates rhythmic detail into his riffs through strategic use of palm muting and syncopated rhythms. These keep the rhythm section tight and add tension and groove throughout the track.

Benefit: This is key to becoming a versatile rhythm guitarist, especially in rock genres where precision and groove go hand in hand.

Whammy Bar Flair and Expressive Tricks

No Vai performance would be complete without a touch of whammy bar theatrics. These tricks add extra drama and sonic texture to transitions and lead lines, offering unexpected movement in pitch and sustain.

Benefit: Learning how to use your whammy bar tastefully can open up new dimensions in your playing, adding emotion and character beyond the fretboard.

Why Learn “Cheap An’ Nasty”?

This song isn’t just about playing flashy licks — it’s about learning how to combine feel, attitude, and technique. By working through this lesson, you’ll gain:

• Greater control of expressive techniques like vibrato and bends
• Rhythmic discipline through palm muting and syncopation
• Expanded lead guitar vocabulary via harmonics, legato, and whammy tricks
• Insight into how a world-class player like Steve Vai interprets blues-rock

Whether you're a budding shredder or a blues-based player looking to spice things up, Cheap An’ Nasty is a fantastic workout for your hands, ears, and creativity.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Vibrato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tapped Harmonics
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Legato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Syncopated Rhythms

Explore this track now at LickLibrary.com and take your rock guitar playing to the next level — one lick at a time.