Alter Bridge - Blackbird - Guitar Lesson

Practice Studio

Alter Bridge - Blackbird - Guitar Lesson

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key G minor
PLAY WITH BACKING TRACK
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

Capo Advisor 0 G minor · Original key

Blackbird


"Blackbird" is the title track from Alter Bridge's 2007 album of the same name, released on October 5, 2007 via Universal Republic. Running close to eight minutes, it stands as one of the band's most ambitious compositions and is widely regarded as a career-defining moment for the group. For electric guitar players, it offers a rich study in dynamics, melodic phrasing, and the interplay between two distinct guitarists, Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti, making it a compelling and rewarding piece to learn.

  • The song runs approximately 7 minutes and 58 seconds, making it one of Alter Bridge's longest tracks to date.
  • Guitarist magazine ranked the song's guitar solo among the greatest ever recorded, in their March 2011 issue.
  • The solo is a dual performance by both Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti, showcasing two contrasting but complementary playing styles.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Myles Kennedy reaches for the Les Paul in the studio when Alter Bridge needs heavier, more saturated tones beyond what his PRS delivers. Its thicker body and traditional humbuckers add warmth and sustain to rhythm work, complementing his slightly less-compressed amp tones.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Custom's slightly thicker top and refined electronics give Myles Kennedy a darker, more controlled palette for layered studio recordings. This guitar bridges his PRS versatility with classic rock weight, perfect for Alter Bridge's dynamic range between clean arpeggios and crushing riffs.

PRS Custom 24
Guitar

PRS Custom 24

Myles Kennedy's workhorse alongside his signature model, the Custom 24 offers the same bolt-on snap and tonal flexibility as his PRS but with traditional 24-fret access for extended lead passages. Its responsive pickups complement his Marshall amp's open gain character.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Myles Kennedy's go-to alternative to PRS amps, the JCM800 delivers the less-saturated, more dynamic gain tone he favors for leads and cleaner sections. Its legendary presence peak cuts through without the tight midrange coloration of his PRS heads.

MXR Phase 90
Pedal

MXR Phase 90

Mark Tremonti layers this classic modulation sparingly across Alter Bridge leads to add movement and space without cluttering his amp-first tone philosophy. The subtle swirl complements his delay-driven solo textures perfectly.

ISP Decimator Noise Gate
Pedal

ISP Decimator Noise Gate

Essential for taming Mark Tremonti's high-gain PRS MT 100 during palm-muted rhythms, the Decimator keeps tight chugs articulate and gate-free, preserving pick attack clarity at extreme gain levels.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)