Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tutorials
  2. Guitar Lessons & Tutorials

Quick licks: intermediate #15

News
By Guitar Techniques
Published 11 July 2012

Joni Mitchell and Robin Trower style

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Intermediate lick one: Robin Trower rhythm

Intermediate lick one: Robin Trower rhythm

Inspired by '70s era Trower, this example is typical of his chord work. Pay careful attention to the hammer-ons and slides. Start slowly and work your way up to a comfortable 56bpm tempo. A bridge position single-coil pickup and some Univibe or Flanger effect will do the trick.

Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
Intermediate lick two: Joni Mitchell acoustic

Intermediate lick two: Joni Mitchell acoustic

This is a tribute to Mitchell's unique acoustic guitar style. The tuning is C, G, D, F, G, C from low to high and play this with plenty of energy. Due to the low string tension of the tuning, be careful not to bend the notes out of tune. Enjoy those lush resonant harmonies!

Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
Guitar Techniques
Read more
A portrait of the great Robin Trower with his Fender Stratocaster
Artists Robin Trower on recreating live magic in the studio and the creative power of great guitar tone
 
 
Robin Trower and Jack Bruce photographed circa 1980, just before they would collaborate on BLT.
Guitarists Legendary guitarist Robin Trower on the ’80s supergroup he created with Jack Bruce
 
 
Joni Mitchell in 1983
Artists “It’s hard not to be affected in a visceral way”: Steve Lukather hails the genius of Joni Mitchell
 
 
george harrison
Recording "He said, ‘Oh, no – I can’t do that. Nobody’s ever played on a Beatles’ record": The theory behind While My Guitar Gently Weeps
 
 
Joni Mitchell
Artists “Joni called Jaco Pastorius the bassist of her dreams and his playing helped liberate her music”
 
 
Carlos Santana
Artists Carlos Santana on Miles and McLaughlin, Hendrix and SRV, and his quest for eternal melody
 
 
Latest in Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Guitar Tricks Summer Black Friday promo
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Get almost $1k of guitar tuition from our number one online platform for only $99 with this epic Summer Black Friday deal – over 11,000 lessons, plus bonus gifts
 
 
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Guitar maintenance
Guitars "There isn't one correct answer": 6 things you need you need know about how to clean and condition your guitar fretboard
 
 
Tom Morello
Artists How Tom Morello used his guitar to drill into the off-limits domain of the turntablist
 
 
Close up of a person playing guitar
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
 
 
Latest in News
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 06:  (L-R) Jack Waters, director Sean Evans, director/musician Roger Waters and musician Harry Waters attend the "Roger Waters The Wall" premiere during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival at The Elgin on September 6, 2014 in Toronto, Canada.  (Photo by Philip Cheung/Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals “These songs have meant so much to so many people”: Roger Waters and son announce a ‘Pink Floyd Show’ tour
 
 
Thoughtful Things Engram generative audio sampler
Tech Engram is a ‘generative audio sampler’ that applies circuit bending principles to AI audio models
 
 
Eric Clapton plays his Blackie Strat onstage in the mid '80s. He auctioned the Strat off in 2004 to support the Crossroads rehab centre in Antigua.
Artists Eric Clapton on why he has no regrets about auctioning off his most “sacred” guitars
 
 
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 2: J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr band, performs during the second day of 'Festival Hipnosis 2025' at Fray Nana stadium on November 2, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico.  (Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images)
Bands “I’m not going back to sleeping on floors”: Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis reveals why he turned down Nirvana
 
 
Teddy bear playing the piano
Keyboard Players If you go down to the woods today… you might hear a prog legend playing a piano in a bear sanctuary
 
 
phoenix
Tech "This is a dream inspiration engine": BT and Spitfire Audio team up for Phoenix hybrid synth
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...