Classic Albums - 1987
Song Lessons in this Course
Song-by-Song Guitar Lessons Taught by Danny Gill
Master the guitar parts for the following tracks from the multi-platinum album, Whitesnake -1987
• Still of the Night
• Bad Boys
• Give Me All Your Love
• Crying in the Rain
• Is This Love
• Straight for the Heart
• Don’t Turn Away
• Children of the Night
• Here I Go Again
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is ideal for players who:
• Are looking for in-depth guitar lessons on the hard rock and heavy metal styles of the 80s.
• Want to master the specific techniques and unique style of the legendary guitarist John Sykes.
• Have a solid grasp of basic guitar techniques (power chords, basic scales) and are ready to move into intermediate and advanced hard rock soloing.
• Are fans of Whitesnake and the 1987 album and want to play the songs accurately and authentically.
• Are seeking to improve their technical proficiency in areas like alternate picking, vibrato, and legato playing within a practical, song-based context.
• Want to learn the secrets behind the powerful, arena-ready sound of 80s rock guitar.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
Completing this Whitesnake guitar lessons course will fundamentally transform your approach to hard rock and heavy metal playing. You will not only learn the iconic tracks from the guitar lesson syllabus but also acquire a versatile set of techniques and theoretical knowledge that can be applied to any rock context. By focusing on the style of John Sykes, you will develop a powerful, articulate, and melodically rich lead voice, significantly improving your overall musicianship.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Master the Signature Sound: Confidently play the heavy, blues-infused riffs and complex song structures that define the Whitesnake - 1987 album.
• Develop Technical Precision: Acquire advanced techniques such as fast alternate picking, wide vibrato, and two-hand tapping, crucial for high-level rock soloing.
• Enhance Melodic Soloing: Understand how to blend pentatonic and diatonic scales with chromatic passing tones to create memorable, vocal-like solos in the style of John Sykes.
• Improve Rhythm Guitar: Learn advanced palm-muting and syncopated rhythm techniques to create a tight, driving foundation for your band.
• Apply Theory to Practice: Gain a practical understanding of how modes (like Mixolydian and Dorian) are used to create the album's distinct hard rock sound.
• Build a Repertoire: Add a full album's worth of classic, in-demand tracks to your playing repertoire, perfect for jamming or performance.
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** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with
Whitesnake
nor does
Whitesnake
perform or appear on this course.*
Whitesnake's "1987" Album: A guitarist's perspective
Guitar lessons by Danny Gill
Released in 1987, Whitesnake's self-titled album (also known as "1987") is a landmark in hard rock and heavy metal music. 1987 was a massive crossover hit, selling over eight million copies in the US alone and produced the major power ballad hit, “Is This Love”, along with the number one hit “Here I Go Again. This album, featuring guitarist John Sykes, offers a rich array of guitar techniques, solos, and riffs that make it a classic and an essential listen for any guitarist.
Lick Library veteran, Danny Gill shows you note for note the highlights of each song, how Whitesnake fused blues riffs with rock and pop influences to create the groundbreaking guitar work that helped make ‘1987’ a classic album. In this article, we will dive deep into the album's songs, focusing on their guitar-driven aspects and dissecting the contributions made by the talented John Sykes.
Track by Track Analysis
1. Still of the Night
A powerful and iconic opener, "Still of the Night" showcases Sykes' prowess with heavy riffs and blazing solos. The song features minor pentatonic scales and a combination of power chords and palm-muted syncopated rhythms. The guitar solo displays impressive alternate picking, string bending, and legato techniques, which contribute to its memorable and energetic nature.
2. Give Me All Your Love
This track offers a more upbeat and catchy vibe, with a driving rhythm that features open-string riffs and power chords. Sykes' use of the Mixolydian mode gives the song its major tonality. The guitar solo is full of energy and includes techniques such as slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.
3. Bad Boys
"Bad Boys" is a hard rock anthem with a driving rhythm and an aggressive edge. The song utilizes power chords and barre chords, with Sykes employing palm-muting and galloping rhythms for added intensity. The solo section showcases his remarkable skills with fast alternate picking, string bending, and sweep picking.
4. Is This Love
One of Whitesnake's most famous ballads, "Is This Love" features a more melodic approach to guitar playing. The song highlights arpeggiated chord progressions and clean guitar tones, with Sykes using the major scale to create a tender and emotional atmosphere. The guitar solo incorporates bluesy bends, slides, and tasteful vibrato.
5. Straight for the Heart
"Straight for the Heart" is an upbeat track with a driving rhythm and a catchy chorus. Sykes employs a combination of power chords and open-string riffs, giving the song its signature sound. The guitar solo showcases Sykes' technical prowess with alternate picking, string bending, and legato techniques.
6. Looking for Love
Another melodic ballad, "Looking for Love" features arpeggiated chord progressions and a clean guitar tone. The song's emotional depth is enhanced by Sykes' use of the major scale and the incorporation of chromaticism. The guitar solo is full of emotion, with a strong emphasis on vibrato and bluesy bends.
7. Children of the Night
"Children of the Night" is a heavy, driving track that showcases Sykes' ability to create catchy and powerful riffs. The song features power chords, palm-muted rhythms, and open-string riffs. The guitar solo is a whirlwind of fast alternate picking, string bending, and legato techniques.
8. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again
This track is a hard-hitting rocker with a driving rhythm and aggressive edge. Sykes employs power chords and barre chords, using palm-muting and galloping rhythms for added intensity. The guitar solo showcases his technical mastery with alternate picking, sweep picking, and string bending.
9. Crying in the Rain
Another iconic Whitesnake ballad, "Crying in the Rain" features a clean guitar tone and arpeggiated chord progressions. Sykes uses the minor scale to create an emotional and melancholic atmosphere. The song also includes a dramatic and extended guitar solo, showcasing Sykes' talent with techniques such as vibrato, string bending, and legato.
10. Don't Turn Away
"Don't Turn Away" is a mid-tempo track that combines power chords with arpeggiated chord progressions. The song features a strong melodic sensibility, with Sykes using the major scale to create an uplifting atmosphere. The guitar solo is both expressive and technical, with a focus on vibrato, string bending, and alternate picking.
John Sykes: Lead Guitarist and His Contributions
John Sykes, the lead guitarist on Whitesnake's "1987" album, played a crucial role in defining the sound of this iconic record. Sykes' style is characterised by his aggressive and powerful playing, coupled with a strong melodic sensibility. His ability to seamlessly blend various guitar techniques into memorable riffs and solos is a testament to his skill as a musician. Throughout the album, Sykes demonstrates his mastery of a wide range of techniques, from alternate picking and legato to string bending and sweep picking. His contributions to the "1987" album have made it a favourite among guitarists and an essential part of hard rock and heavy metal history.
Whitesnake's "1987" album is a testament to the immense talent of John Sykes and the band as a whole. It offers guitarists a treasure trove of techniques, riffs, and solos that continue to inspire and influence musicians to this day. By exploring the various aspects of the album's guitar work, guitarists can gain a deeper understanding of Sykes' style and learn to appreciate the intricacies of his contributions. The album remains a classic in the hard rock and heavy metal genres, and its legacy will continue to endure for years to come.
Guitar Techniques Used in the Album
Whitesnake's "1987" album showcases an impressive array of guitar techniques, expertly executed by lead guitarist John Sykes. Throughout the album, Sykes masterfully employs alternate picking, legato, string bending, and sweep picking to create powerful riffs and memorable solos. Additionally, he skilfully incorporates palm muting, syncopated rhythms, open-string riffs, and galloping rhythms to drive the intensity of the songs. Sykes also demonstrates his melodic sensibility with arpeggiated chord progressions, bluesy bends, and tasteful vibrato. The combination of these techniques makes "1987" a must-listen for guitarists seeking inspiration and technical insights.
Here's a list of guitar techniques used throughout Whitesnake's "1987" album. These techniques are explained in detail at the respective links provided:
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...