Learn to Play Alice Cooper

Guitar Lesson Course Overview
LickLibrary is proud to present an exciting and immersive set of lessons: “Learn To Play Alice Cooper”. This comprehensive set of lessons taught by Danny Gill, dives deep into the guitar mastery found in Alice Cooper’s most iconic tracks. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this module offers something for everyone, keen on exploring the gritty, hard-hitting, and melodic style that characterizes Alice Cooper’s music.

Tracks Include
Disc 1:
• I’m Eighteen
• Poison
• School’s Out
Disc 2:
• No More Mr. Nice Guy
• Billion Dollar Babies

I’m Eighteen
“I’m Eighteen” is a gritty, anthemic track that captures the angst and confusion of youth. The song is predominantly based around power chords and uses a minor scale, creating a dark and aggressive feel. The solo is relatively simple yet highly effective, using bends and quick legato licks to create a sense of chaos and tension that suits the song’s theme perfectly.

Poison
“Poison” is known for its catchy, melodic hooks and emotional undertones, utilizing a mix of power chords and barre chords to create a rich, full sound. The scale is minor, contributing to the song’s dark, romantic vibe. The solo is a highlight, with its use of vibrato, string bending, and fast legato runs, creating a sense of urgency and passion.

School’s Out
“School’s Out” is another anthem, celebrated for its rebellious spirit. The main riff uses open-string chords to create a resonant, ringing sound, and the scale work moves between minor and blues scales, offering a mix of darkness and a raw, playful energy. The guitar solo employs fast alternate picking and slides, showcasing technical skill while maintaining a clear, singable melody.

No More Mr. Nice Guy
“No More Mr. Nice Guy” stands out for its upbeat tempo and major scale, a contrast to the band’s usually darker sound. The song features intricate chord progressions and a catchy, melodic solo that uses a variety of techniques, including string bends, slides, and intricate finger-picking, showcasing a more nuanced, technical side to the band’s guitar work.

Billion Dollar Babies
“Billion Dollar Babies” delivers a menacing, almost theatrical vibe, with its use of sharp, staccato power chords and an ascending chromatic riff. The song employs a minor scale to great effect, creating an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The solo uses a mix of scales, including the minor and the blues scale, and techniques like string bending and fast picking to create a frenetic, dizzying sound.

About Alice Cooper’s Lead Guitarists
Alice Cooper’s music has been graced by the skills of many talented lead guitarists over the years, including Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, and more recently, Nita Strauss. Each brought their unique flavor to the band’s music, contributing significantly to the raw energy, intense drama, and dark atmosphere that the band is known for. Their use of various scales, impactful solos, and a range of guitar techniques not only defined the band’s sound but also influenced generations of guitarists.

Guitar Techniques Used in These Lessons
Each of these songs incorporates a range of guitar techniques that not only define the sound of Alice Cooper but also offer valuable practice for any guitarist. Below is a list of techniques used across these lessons, with links to further information:
Vibrato / Alternate Picking / Legato / String Bending / Slides / Power Chords / Barre Chords / Palm Muting / Chord Progressions / Hammer-ons / Pull-offs / Finger-picking

These techniques, when mastered, can drastically improve your versatility and expressiveness as a guitarist. Whether you’re bending a string to reach that perfect pitch or using vibrato to express a melody’s emotion, each technique can transform the way you play and how you’re heard. Embrace each song’s unique challenges, and you’ll not only walk away playing Alice Cooper’s hits but also with a richer, more diverse skill set as a guitarist.