Purple Haze
by Jimi Hendrix
Album: Are You Experienced
Released: 1967
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
AdvancedBass
IntermediateMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding E dominant / E Mixolydian:
E dominant / E Mixolydian has a darker, more introspective character. The Mixolydian / Dominant Blues mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Pro Tip: These keys utilize open strings on guitar, making them ideal for powerful, ringing chords. The open strings add natural sustain and harmonic richness.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E dominant / E Mixolydian
E minor pentatonic
Notes: E - G - A - B - D
Application: Primary scale for riffs, fills, and solo passages throughout the song
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
The iconic progression built around the 'Hendrix chord' (E7#9) with blues-rock power chord movement to G and A
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
E7#9
G
A
Harmonic Functions:
- E7#9 (I7#9):The 'Hendrix chord' combines major and minor tonality, creating psychedelic ambiguity
- G (bIII):Borrowed from E minor, provides bluesy contrast and a dark harmonic pull
- A (IV):Subdominant movement delivering a momentary sense of resolution and lift
Key Techniques
The Hendrix Chord (E7#9)
IntermediateThe signature E7#9 voicing that defines the song's sound, combining a dominant 7th with a sharp 9th to create a chord that is simultaneously major and minor
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E7#9 stab with rhythmic accents
Tips:
- • Practice the thumb-over-neck technique separately
- • Mute the high E string to avoid unwanted noise
- • Use a punchy, aggressive attack for authenticity
- • Hendrix often used his thumb to fret bass notes while playing chords
Octave Riffs and Hammer-Ons
IntermediateHendrixthe iconic vocal hooks melodic riff passages between chord stabs
Progression:
Octave riff leading into E7#9 - G - A
Tips:
- • Practice hammer-ons with enough force for clear tone
- • Keep the fretting hand relaxed for quick movements
- • Mute unused strings with both hands to control noise
- • Use the fuzz pedal to help sustain hammer-on notes
Psychedelic Lead Techniques
AdvancedHendrix's expressive lead playing combining fuzz tone, whammy bar dives, feedback, and aggressive bending for the solo sections
Progression:
Over E7#9 - G - A progression
Tips:
- • Crank the fuzz for authentic Hendrix solo tone
- • Practice controlled feedback by facing the amp
- • Study Hendrix's use of the whammy bar as an expressive tool
- • Focus on attitude and feel over technical precision
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E dominant / E Mixolydian. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro Riff
0:00-0:14Alternate Picking Exercise
The iconic opening riff featuring the tritone interval (Bb to E) played with fuzz, establishing the song's psychedelic character immediately
Alternate Picking Exercise
- • The opening uses the tritone interval (E to Bb) for dissonance
- • Heavy fuzz tone is essential for the sound
- • Hammer-ons create fluid movement between notes
Verse
0:14-0:55Chord Voicing Exercise
Verse section built around the E7#9 chord stabs with rhythmic accents, creating a hypnotic groove under the vocal melody
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Aggressive E7#9 chord stabs with muted spaces between
- • Use thumb-over-neck technique for bass notes
- • Maintain tight rhythmic feel at 108 BPM
Guitar Solo
1:24-2:02Major Pentatonic Lick Exercise
A wild, fuzz-drenched guitar solo showcasing Hendrix's revolutionary approach to electric guitar with bends, whammy bar, and feedback
Major Pentatonic Lick Exercise
- • Based in E minor pentatonic with blues scale additions
- • Aggressive bending and whammy bar use throughout
- • Controlled feedback adds to the psychedelic atmosphere
Turnaround / Bridge
0:55-1:24Chord Voicing Exercise
The bridge section with chromatic movement between F# and G, creating dissonant tension before resolving back to the main riff
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Chromatic half-step movement creates tension
- • Power chord shapes moving up and down
- • Builds anticipation before the solo section
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Pickup Type:
Neck single-coil for warm lead tones, bridge pickup for aggressive riffs
Alternatives:
- • Fender Player Stratocaster
- • Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster
- • Any Strat-style guitar with single coils and tremolo bar
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 8-9 (cranked for natural overdrive)
Treble: 7 (bright and cutting)
Middle: 5 (scooped slightly for fuzz clarity)
Bass: 6 (full low end for power)
Presence: 7 (cutting high-end presence)
Alternatives:
Effects
Distortion:
Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face - germanium transistor fuzz, full gain
Reverb:
Natural amp reverb, moderate amount
Other:
Roger Mayer Octavia (octave fuzz) for solo sections; Uni-Vibe for rotary speaker effect on select passages
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks with regular practice
- • Learn E5, G5, and A5 power chord shapes
- • Practice the simplified main riff using power chords
- • Work on basic hammer-on technique from open strings
- • Develop steady rhythm at 108 BPM with metronome
Time Estimate: 4-6 weeks for authentic rhythm performance
- • Learn the E7#9 (Hendrix chord) voicing with thumb-over-neck
- • Practice the full intro riff with octave shapes
- • Develop hammer-on/pull-off fluency for riff passages
- • Work on the verse chord progression with proper rhythmic feel
Time Estimate: 6-10 weeks for complete mastery
- • Learn the guitar solo note-for-note
- • Develop fuzz pedal control and feedback technique
- • Master whammy bar techniques for pitch manipulation
- • Perform the complete song with all sections and dynamics
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Not fretting the E7#9 chord cleanly - practice the stretch slowly
- • Losing the rhythmic groove by focusing too much on chord shapes
- • Over-using effects to compensate for sloppy technique
- • Playing the riff too cleanly - Hendrix was raw and aggressive
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with E minor pentatonic and blues scale runs (5 minutes)
- • Practice E7#9 chord voicing with clean transitions (10 minutes)
- • Work on the intro riff with fuzz at slow tempo (10 minutes)
- • Practice the solo section in short phrase segments (10 minutes)
- • Full song run-through with backing track (5 minutes)
Focus Areas
- • E7#9 chord voicing and thumb-over-neck technique
- • Clean hammer-ons and pull-offs at tempo
- • Rhythmic precision and groove feel
- • Fuzz tone control and dynamic expression
Metronome Work
- • Start intro riff at 80 BPM, gradually increase to 108 BPM
- • Practice chord changes (E7#9 - G - A) at 90 BPM first
- • Solo phrasing: work at half speed focusing on bend accuracy
- • Full tempo run-through once comfortable with all sections