How to Play Guitar Like John Mayer

John Mayer's guitar style is nothing short of captivating, blending blues, rock, pop, and a bit of soul into a seamless tapestry of sound. His playing isn't just about technical prowess; it's about emotion and storytelling. If you've ever wondered how to capture a bit of that magic for yourself, you're in the right place. We'll break down some core elements of Mayer's technique, so you can start incorporating them into your own playing.

The Art of Fingerstyle Playing

One of the first things you'll notice about John Mayer's guitar work is his masterful use of fingerstyle technique. Unlike many rock guitarists who rely heavily on picks, Mayer often uses his fingers to pluck the strings, creating a softer, more nuanced sound. This approach allows for a greater dynamic range, from gentle whispers to more forceful notes.

To start experimenting with fingerstyle, try this simple exercise:

• Rest your thumb on the low E string, and position your index, middle, and ring fingers on the G, B, and high E strings, respectively.
• Practice plucking the strings simultaneously, starting slowly to develop coordination and timing.
• As you get comfortable, try incorporating this fingerstyle pattern into a simple chord progression like C-G-Am-F.

Fingerstyle playing can feel awkward at first, but with practice, it becomes a fluid and expressive way to play guitar. This technique is an integral part of Mayer's sound, so don't rush it—enjoy the process of getting to know your instrument in a new way.

Mastering Bends and Vibrato

Mayer's solos often feature expressive bends and vibrato, adding emotional depth to his playing. Bending involves pushing or pulling a string to raise its pitch, while vibrato is a subtle, controlled oscillation of pitch around a note.

To practice bends, focus on these steps:

• Choose a note on the G or B string and use your ring finger to fret it.
• Push the string up or down, listening carefully to ensure you're hitting the desired pitch.
• Start with half-step bends and gradually work up to whole-step bends as your control improves.

For vibrato, try this approach:

• Fret a note and play it cleanly.
• Use your wrist to create a gentle rocking motion, causing the pitch to rise and fall slightly.
• Experiment with different speeds and widths of vibrato to find what feels natural to you.

As you integrate bends and vibrato into your playing, you'll notice your solos becoming more expressive and engaging—just like Mayer's.

Chord Voicings and Inversions

John Mayer is known for his creative use of chord voicings and inversions, which add richness and complexity to his music. Instead of sticking to standard open chords, he often incorporates shapes that include open strings or move the bass note to a different string.

To explore this concept, try playing a simple D chord. Then, move the bass note to the F# on the low E string, creating a D/F# inversion. Listen to how the added bass note changes the character of the chord.

Here are a few other voicings to experiment with:

• Cadd9: A variation of the C chord that includes an added D note.
• Em7: An Em chord with an added D note for a richer sound.
• G6: A G chord with an added E note, giving it a more open feel.

By incorporating these and other chord voicings into your playing, you'll start to develop a more Mayer-like sound, full of depth and color.

Rhythm and Groove

One of Mayer's strengths is his sense of rhythm and groove. Whether it's the laid-back feel of a blues shuffle or the tight, syncopated rhythms of a pop song, his playing always seems to be in the pocket.

To improve your rhythm skills, try practicing with a metronome or drum track. Focus on staying locked in with the beat, whether you're strumming chords or playing single-note lines.

Another great way to develop your sense of groove is to play along with Mayer's recordings. Pay attention to the way he phrases his rhythms and try to mimic his timing and feel. This can be a fun and rewarding way to internalize his approach to rhythm.

Melodic Phrasing

John Mayer's solos are known for their melodic quality, often telling a story with each phrase. To develop your own melodic phrasing, start by singing a simple melody over a chord progression. Then, try to replicate that melody on your guitar.

This exercise helps you focus on playing phrases that are musical and memorable, rather than just running scales. Remember, it's not about playing as many notes as possible; it's about choosing the right notes and playing them with intention.

Mayer's use of space is also important—he often lets notes ring out or leaves pauses between phrases, giving his solos a conversational quality. Try incorporating this approach into your own playing by leaving space between phrases and allowing your notes to breathe.

The Influence of the Blues

Blues is a cornerstone of John Mayer's guitar style, evident in his use of bends, slides, and bluesy scales. To get a taste of this influence, start by learning the minor pentatonic scale, which is a staple of blues guitar playing.

The minor pentatonic scale is made up of five notes and can be played in various positions on the neck. Here's a basic pattern to get you started:

e|-----------------------------5--8--|
B|------------------------5--8-------|
G|-------------------5--7------------|
D|--------------5--7-----------------|
A|---------5--7----------------------|
E|----5--8---------------------------|

Practice this pattern up and down the neck, paying attention to the sound and feel of each note. As you become more comfortable with the scale, start experimenting with adding bends, slides, and other blues techniques to bring it to life.

By embracing the blues, you'll tap into an essential part of Mayer's style, adding emotion and soul to your playing.

Dynamic Control

One of the hallmarks of Mayer's playing is his dynamic control. He knows when to play softly and when to dig in for a more aggressive sound, creating a musical journey that keeps listeners engaged.

To develop your dynamic control, practice playing a simple chord progression or melody at various volume levels. Start by playing as softly as possible, then gradually increase the volume until you're playing as loudly as you can.

As you work on dynamic control, pay attention to how it affects the emotional impact of your playing. Learning to vary your dynamics can add depth and interest to your music, just like it does for Mayer.

Honing Your Tone

John Mayer is known for his lush, warm tone, which is a result of both his guitar and amp choices, as well as his playing style. While you might not have the exact gear he uses, you can still work on honing your tone to match his style.

Start by experimenting with your guitar's pickup settings and tone controls. Mayer often uses the neck pickup for a warmer sound, so try dialing in a similar tone on your own guitar.

Your amp settings also play a crucial role in shaping your sound. Aim for a clean, slightly overdriven tone with a touch of reverb for added depth.

Finally, consider using a few effects pedals to enhance your tone. Mayer often incorporates effects like delay and compression to add texture and sustain to his playing. Experiment with different settings to find a sound that works for you.

Final Thoughts

Playing guitar like John Mayer isn't just about mimicking his technique—it's about capturing the emotion and storytelling that define his style. By focusing on fingerstyle playing, expressive bends and vibrato, creative chord voicings, and a strong sense of rhythm and groove, you'll be well on your way to developing your own unique sound. And remember, if you're looking to explore more advanced guitar techniques, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the world's best metal guitarists to help you on your journey.