Slip of the Tongue – Whitesnake

Take your playing to the next level with our note-for-note guitar lesson on "Slip of the Tongue" by Whitesnake, available exclusively at LickLibrary.com. This explosive track is a high-energy showcase of virtuosic guitar work, primarily led by the phenomenal Steve Vai, who brought a new level of technical prowess and flair to the band’s sound during this era.

Our comprehensive lesson dissects every intricate lick and riff in Slip of the Tongue, breaking them down into manageable sections while focusing on the essential guitar techniques that define this song. Whether you’re an intermediate player looking to build speed or an advanced guitarist refining your technique, this lesson offers valuable insights into some of the most expressive and technical aspects of rock guitar playing. Sam Bell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitar Player: Steve Vai

The Slip of the Tongue album marked a significant chapter in Whitesnake’s career, not just musically but also in terms of guitar playing. Originally, guitarist Adrian Vandenberg had written the guitar parts, but due to an injury, he was unable to record. That opened the door for Steve Vai, one of the most innovative and technically advanced players of the era.

Vai’s unique blend of classical influence, over-the-top theatrics, and otherworldly control over his instrument added a flamboyant and modern edge to the Whitesnake sound. His work on this track is a masterclass in technical guitar, with every note radiating precision, emotion, and flair.

Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Legato Runs

The song features fluid legato passages that demand precision and control. Legato playing, which includes hammer-ons and pull-offs, allows for ultra-smooth phrasing. Learning this technique helps guitarists build speed and fluidity while minimising pick attack, which is essential for achieving Vai’s signature sound.

Alternate Picking

Many of the fast-paced riffs and solos in Slip of the Tongue rely on alternate picking for both speed and accuracy. Mastering alternate picking improves your rhythmic precision and ensures that your playing remains clean at high tempos.

Tapped Harmonics

Vai’s unique style frequently includes tapped harmonics, which are used in this song for both melodic and dramatic effects. This advanced technique adds a layer of ethereal tonality and gives your solos a voice-like quality that cuts through any mix.

Whammy Bar Tricks

From dive bombs to subtle whammy bar tricks, this lesson shows how Vai uses the tremolo arm not just as a novelty but as a deeply expressive tool. Learning these tricks expands your expressive range and gives you control over pitch like never before.

Double-Stop Bends and Unison Bends

The solo sections are rich with double-stop bends and unison bends. These add harmonic tension and intensity, allowing you to mimic vocal-like phrasing. They’re excellent for developing pitch accuracy and control in your bending technique.

String Bending and Vibrato

A key aspect of Vai's expressive soloing is his command of string bending combined with lush vibrato. These foundational techniques are essential for emotional soloing and are covered in detail throughout the lesson.

Pinched Harmonics

High-gain squeals using pinched harmonics are scattered throughout the track, adding attitude and aggression. These take time to master, but once nailed, they become a powerful tool in any rock or metal player’s arsenal.

Rakes and Trills

Vai uses subtle rakes to emphasise phrasing and create percussive accents, while trills inject explosive energy into melodic lines. Both techniques add texture and dynamism to your soloing.

Why Learn This Song?

Studying Slip of the Tongue provides an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a wide array of advanced guitar techniques within a real musical context. Rather than just learning isolated exercises, this lesson helps you integrate multiple techniques into cohesive musical phrases. You’ll develop:

• Greater technical accuracy and dexterity
• Improved fretboard knowledge
• Better tone control and expressive phrasing
• Increased confidence in tackling advanced solos and riffs

By breaking down every section of the song and focusing on each technique individually, our lesson ensures you not only understand how to play the song but also why each technique matters musically.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Dive Bombs
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• Rakes
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Whether you’re aiming to capture the lightning-fast licks or simply want to absorb some of Steve Vai’s creative genius, this Slip of the Tongue lesson from LickLibrary is a must-watch for any aspiring rock guitarist. Unlock the secrets behind one of Whitesnake’s most technically demanding tracks and take your playing to bold new heights.