Two Approaches to Incorporating Steve Lukather's Virtuoso Guitar Stylings Into Your Playing
Key Highlights :
The legendary Steve Lukather is a play-anything session player and the box-office guitar behind Toto. His virtuoso guitar stylings are renowned for their blistering technique, great melody and incredible rhythm guitar pocket. In this lesson, we’ll take a look at two approaches for incorporating Lukather’s style into your own playing.
Toto need little introduction to the musically inclined. As a band, they have had over four decades of success, including winning several Grammy awards, an induction into the Musicians’ Hall Of Fame And Museum, and over 40 million albums sold. Their classic line-up consisted of Steve Lukather on guitar, drummer Jeff Porcaro and his brother Steve on bass, keyboardist David Paich, bassist David Hungate and singer Bobby Kimball. It was this line-up that played on the band’s first few albums, which included Toto IV in the early 1980. It was this release that catapulted them to mainstream success with the mega hit single , and of course with its incredible improvised outro solo.
Lukather’s playing style is equal parts technique, melody and rhythm guitar pocket. It was his rhythm/riff playing and bass parts that set the foundation on Michael Jackson’s , that then allowed Eddie Van Halen to play one of the most memorable solos ever. But Lukather has always been an advocate for solid rhythm playing over flashy lead. He has also toured and recorded with Larry Carlton, standing up alongside his hero.
Our lesson track is in the key of E minor (E-F#-G-A-B-C-D) and is built on single-note riffs. There are no chords in the arrangement but the overall sound lends itself to E Dorian in places (E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D). The C# note from this mode is played during the solo, which gives it a bluesy edge to the overarching rock sound.
Approach One: Blistering Technique
Lukather is renowned for his blistering technique and incredible speed. To incorporate this into your playing, focus on the basics. Start by learning some of the scales and modes that Lukather uses, such as the pentatonic and blues scales, and the Dorian and Mixolydian modes. Once you have a good grasp of these, practice playing them over the backing track, focusing on the timing and accuracy of your notes.
Next, work on developing your picking technique. Lukather employs a combination of alternate and economy picking, so spend some time getting used to both. Use a metronome to help you stay in time and develop your speed.
Finally, focus on developing your vibrato technique. Lukather’s vibrato is very wide and expressive, so practice using your fretting hand to move the notes up and down.
Approach Two: Great Melody
Lukather is also known for his great melody playing. To incorporate this into your playing, focus on developing your ear. Listen to some of Lukather’s solos and try to work out the notes he is playing. Once you have an idea of the notes, practice playing them over the backing track.
Next, work on developing your phrasing. Lukather’s solos often feature chromatic lines, so practice playing these over the backing track. Pay special attention to the timing of the notes and the way they move up and down.
Finally, focus on developing your vibrato technique. Lukather’s vibrato is very wide and expressive, so practice using your fretting hand to move the notes up and down.
Conclusion
Steve Lukather is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His virtuoso guitar stylings are renowned for their blistering technique, great melody and incredible rhythm guitar pocket. In this lesson, we looked at two approaches for incorporating Lukather’s style into your own playing. By focusing on the basics and developing your ear, you can start to incorporate Lukather’s style into your playing.
