Straight For The Heart – Whitesnake
Take your guitar playing to the next level with LickLibrary's exclusive note-for-note breakdown of "Straight For The Heart" by Whitesnake. This powerful and melodic hard rock anthem delivers an excellent opportunity for guitarists to master a range of expressive and technically demanding techniques. Whether you’re a fan of 80s rock, looking to improve your phrasing, or wanting to expand your lead guitar vocabulary, this detailed lesson will guide you through each section of the song with precision and clarity. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song and the Guitarists
"Straight For The Heart" features some of the most iconic melodic hard rock guitar work of the late 1980s. Whitesnake’s lineup during this era was a showcase of elite-level guitar talent, and on this track, the guitar duties are handled by none other than Adrian Vandenberg and Vivian Campbell. These players brought a blend of European melodic sensibility and fiery American rock aggression, resulting in solos and riffs that are both emotionally charged and technically thrilling.
Vivian Campbell’s fluid legato lines and searing vibrato shaped much of Whitesnake’s energetic solo sections, while Adrian Vandenberg’s phrasing, tasteful bends, and harmonic sophistication laid the foundation for the band's melodic appeal. Both players have significantly influenced generations of rock and metal guitarists with their unique blend of blues-rooted phrasing and modern metal technique.
What You Will Learn
Our lesson for "Straight For The Heart" breaks down every riff, solo, and fill note for note. It’s not just about memorising the parts — it's about internalising the techniques and vocabulary that make this song so iconic. Let’s explore the core guitar techniques this lesson focuses on:
Vibrato
Vibrato is essential for giving your notes emotion and depth. In "Straight For The Heart," it’s used to sustain and shape the end of phrases, making the guitar truly sing. Mastering vibrato helps players develop their unique voice and adds character to solos.
Alternate Picking
Precise and speedy runs in the song demand excellent control of alternate picking. This technique is fundamental for developing speed and accuracy, especially during rapid melodic sequences and ascending/descending lines.
Legato
The smooth and fluid passages in the solos use a healthy dose of legato playing. Hammer-ons and pull-offs help create seamless phrases and improve finger strength and dexterity.
Unison Bends
Unison bends are a staple in expressive rock soloing. In this track, unison bends create tension and intensity, making lead parts stand out with a signature screaming quality. Practicing this builds strength and tuning awareness in your bends.
Pinched Harmonics
The signature squeals heard in the heavier riff sections are achieved using pinched harmonics. Mastering this technique allows you to inject aggression and attitude into your playing.
String Bending
A cornerstone of expressive lead guitar, string bending is used throughout this lesson to bring emotion and movement to the solos. Controlled bending helps refine pitch recognition and finger control.
Slides
Slides are used extensively in the riffs and fills, offering dynamic motion between notes. Learning slides improves fretboard fluency and phrasing.
Pull-offs
The use of pull-offs allows for rapid note articulation without continuous picking. They are critical in building speed and smoothness in legato phrases.
Power Chords
The rhythm parts feature solid power chords, delivering the song’s driving energy. Practicing these helps build hand strength and rhythm tightness — essential for rock and metal playing.
Palm Muting
The chuggy, controlled rhythm parts rely heavily on palm muting, adding percussive definition and heaviness. It’s vital for creating tight, punchy riffs.
Arpeggios
Several melodic sections utilise arpeggios, breaking chords into individual notes. This enhances understanding of harmony and adds a sophisticated touch to solos.
Why This Lesson is Valuable
Learning "Straight For The Heart" is more than just copying a great song — it’s about expanding your musical toolkit. You'll gain deeper insight into phrasing, dynamics, and articulation. These skills will transfer across all styles of rock, metal, and blues, improving your improvisation and songwriting as well.
Whether you're a developing intermediate or an advanced guitarist looking to refine your skills, this lesson will help you tighten your technique, build muscle memory, and develop musical confidence. Our breakdown ensures that you understand the “why” behind each lick and the “how” behind each move.
Techniques Covered
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...