The opening notes of Jimi Hendrix’s “Red House” are iconic—a masterclass in 12/8 blues phrasing, soulful bends, and raw emotion. Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into blues-rock or an experienced player wanting to polish your Hendrix style, our latest introductory lesson breaks down the foundational licks you need to know.
Video Details:
In this lesson, McMusic Lessons & Performances walks you through the initial segments of the song, focusing on the specific fretboard shapes and techniques that give Hendrix his signature sound.
1. The Opening Licks and Tuning
Before you dive in, it is important to note that Hendrix famously tuned his guitar down a half-step (E-flat). This lesson is taught in standard tuning, so if you are playing along with the original record, everything will be shifted up a half-step [10:56].
The intro begins around the 10th and 11th frets, focusing on a call-and-response between the G and high E strings. The instructor encourages creativity here: “Even when I would play this live… be creative with how you’re doing that,” as long as it fits the timing of the 12/8 blues feel [02:39].
2. The Art of the Bend
The heart of “Red House” lies in its bends. The lesson highlights two main types:
- Whole-Step Bends: These are used extensively, especially during the repeating phrases where you bend the string to reach a target note a full two frets away [03:18].
- The “Classic Blues Bend”: Around the 6th position, the instructor demonstrates how to anchor your fingers to get that gritty, sustained blues tone [04:22].
Pro Tip: If you want to save your strings (or your fingers!) during practice, you can substitute these bends with slides to achieve a similar melodic effect [02:52].
3. Chromatic Runs and Pentatonic Shapes
As the intro progresses, the lesson moves into faster, more technical phrases:
- Chromatic Descending Lines: Learn how to use “blue notes” and half-step movements on the D and G strings to create tension [09:12].
- The Hammer-On Phrase: A distinct segment that separates the earlier bends from the lower-fret pentatonic work [08:32].
- High-Register Climax: The lesson concludes with the sliding phrases from the 8th to the 10th and 12th frets, leading into the high-energy bends at the 15th fret [12:57].
Why This Lesson?
Learning Hendrix isn’t just about memorizing tabs; it’s about understanding the “segments of time” and the “improvised feel” of the blues [02:33]. This tutorial breaks the complex solo into manageable three-note phrases, making it easier to digest and memorize.
Watch the full video above to see the fingerings in action, and stay tuned for Part 2 where we dive deeper into the rhythm and secondary solos!
- Title: Red House – Introductory Guitar Lesson 01
- Instructor: McMusic Lessons & Performances
