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Bill Withers - Lean on Me - Guitar Lesson

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Bill Withers - Lean on Me - Guitar Lesson

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Bill Withers - Lean on Me guitar lesson video
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Bill Withers Soul C major
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Lean on Me

"Lean on Me" is a song written and recorded by Bill Withers, released in April 1972 as the first single from his second album, Still Bill. It reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and soul charts, and was ranked among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. For electric guitar players, it offers a straightforward yet soulful chord structure rooted in gospel and R&B traditions, making it an excellent study in rhythm feel and dynamics.

  • "Lean on Me" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in July 1972, showing its massive mainstream crossover appeal.
  • The song is one of only nine tracks to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in versions by two different artists.
  • Billboard ranked "Lean on Me" the No. 7 song of 1972, reflecting its commercial dominance throughout that year.
Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Bill Withers' session players used the Telecaster's bright, cutting single-coil tone for clean rhythm parts that defined his soul sound. Its snap and articulation captured every ghost note and muted scratch in his groove-oriented arrangements.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

The ES-335's warm semi-hollow body provided the darker, jazzier passages on Withers' ballads and slower tracks. Its PAF-style humbuckers delivered richness without muddiness, perfect for his intimate vocal settings.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The Twin Reverb's massive headroom and clean breakup point made it ideal for Withers' studio sessions, maintaining clarity on intricate rhythm work. A touch of built-in reverb added room ambiance without coloring the direct, honest guitar tone.

Fender Deluxe Reverb
Amp

Fender Deluxe Reverb

This amp's balanced clean tone and natural compression helped session players achieve Withers' signature articulate sound with just enough headroom. Its modest wattage made achieving that studio-quality clean tone easier in live or smaller session settings.

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