“The Stairway Lick” is my name for the opening sequence of notes in Jimmy Page’s famous solo on Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”
This lick, it’s variations and closely related phrases make up a significant chunk of blues and rock pentatonic vocabulary. Virtually every player has a version of it in their bag of tricks and uses it to great effect.
Of course one could find examples of its use that predates Jimmy Page in 1971, but I think you’d be hard pressed to find it opening up a more famous solo.
The opening phrase to the “Stairway to Heaven” solo as played by Jimmy Page:
The Lick and Variations
First we’ll look at the most basic iteration of the lick in the key of Am. It is played almost exclusively in the first position of the minor pentatonic scale.
A number of variations are possible and common, including the addition of bends, pull-offs, and the altering one or two notes to fit different harmony.
As the lick appears in “Stairway to Heaven,” the second note (E) is played via a whole step bend from the D note rather than being fretted. A pull-off between the notes on the 8th fret to the 5th fret on the second string is also added.
It’s also common to repeat the E note after the bend, this time fretted on the second string.
The second and third notes of the lick may also be reversed or repeated.
Another common variation involves replacing the first note with a bluesy chromatic move from the b3 to 3 of the chord.
Get the free PDF of this lesson sent to your inbox
Examples From Recorded Solos
See more examples from The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Ace Frehley, EVH, Mark Knopfler and more in the PDF
Usage And Ways To Practice
The Stairway Lick tends to function in three different ways:
- As a stand-alone phrase, usually embellished with repeated notes and larger note values to elongate the phrase.
- As a repeating lick it is played rapidly in its entirety multiple times without pauses. The time spent playing a repeating lick can range from as little as two repeats, or in the case of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” 14 measures, or a full 22.4 seconds of the Stairway Lick!
- The lick can also be used as a device for changing direction due to its ascending/descending melodic curve. In this case, the lick is not necessarily the focal point of the phrase, but it can become a stylish way of getting around the scale, or connecting other phrases.
Practice Tips
First, memorize the basic lick and a few variations. Repeat the lick until you can play it without actively thinking. You should be able to execute the phrase accurately starting on any fret without looking at your hand.
We’re not creating art with this yet, just trying to gain fluency with the phrase.
It’s helpful to visualize the lick’s position in the context of the larger pentatonic scale. One way to practice this is to play the ascending scale until you reach the first note of the Stairway Lick. Use the lick as a device to change direction before descending.
Take the lick to different keys, tempos and grooves/styles. Backing tracks are the perfect tool to work this out.
Jump on Youtube and search something like “blues backing track.” Playing over a handful of these will expose you to a variety of different keys and grooves. You’ll find yourself changing the rhythms of the lick and using different variations to fit the music.
Lastly, try to “sandwich” the phrase between other ideas or licks you would typically play. This is the musical equivalent to using a new word in a sentence. We’re trying to make this a solid part of your playing. You need to be able to move in and out of the phrase fluently, and have it interact with the rest of your musical vocabulary.
Doing this always feels awkward and contrived at first, but keep at it. Pretty soon the Stairway lick and its variations will pop up naturally in your phrasing, and your playing will sound that much more authentic!
Get the PDF of this lesson sent right to your inbox and start practicing!