Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
by Jimi Hendrix
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
AdvancedRhythm
AdvancedLead
ExpertBass
IntermediateWhy "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Jimi Hendrix's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
The Dissonant E7#9 Augmented-Ninth Chord Over a Thundering Low E Pedal Drone
The raw sonic power of Voodoo Child comes from the tension between the major third (G#) and augmented ninth (G natural) sounding simultaneously within the E7#9 chord, clashing fiercely against the hypnotic low E pedal point before releasing into crying blues scale bends.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I7#9 - bIII - IV - I7#9Step-by-Step Movement
- •E7#9 (I7#9): The definitive Hendrix chord featuring both major and minor tonal qualities simultaneously.
- •G (bIII): Borrowed modal step from E Aeolian providing a punchy blues turnaround lift.
- •A (IV): Subdominant resolution sliding smoothly back down into the open E pedal point.
- •E7 (I7): Low E open bass drone maintaining continuous harmonic resonance under flying solos.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The #9 (G natural) sits one half-step below the major 3rd (G#), creating an internal semitone friction that fuels the blues-rock explosion.
- ›The G and A chords move in parallel motion on the lower strings, accentuating the pentatonic box shift.
- ›Half-step down tuning lowers string tension, allowing wider vibrato and richer low-end speaker resonance.
Fretboard Mechanics
Fretted with thumb-over-neck technique while rocking a Vox wah pedal. Rolling back the volume to 7 yields throaty chime, while turning it up to 10 pushes the Fuzz Face and Plexi into singing feedback.
Anchor your riff with an unshakeable low open string pedal note and decorate it with a colorful dominant 7#9 extension. It creates an irresistible groove that sounds both ancient and modern.
The source of weeping vocal bends and blue note tension.
The foundational soloing box across the 12th position.
Supplies sweet major third and sixth intervals.
Dominant scale framework for dominant 7th chords.
The Hendrix chord (7#9) structure and fingerings.
Punchy transition power chords for rock weight.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding E Minor:
E Minor has a darker, more introspective character. The E Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scale with Mixolydian 3rds and Dorian 6ths mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Aggressive vocal-like solo lines and crying bends featuring the flat-5 blue note (Bb)
Core foundation of the legendary main riff and rhythm accompaniment
Major 3rd (G#) and 6th (C#) passing tones over the E7#9 Hendrix chord
The harmonic character shaping E Minor
The harmonic character shaping E Minor
The harmonic character shaping E Minor
Understand minor chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E Minor
E Blues Scale
Notes: E - G - A - Bb - B - D
Application: Aggressive vocal-like solo lines and crying bends featuring the flat-5 blue note (Bb)
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Unstoppable blues-rock vamp based on a low E pedal drone, punctuated by biting G and A transition chords
💡 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 In This Section:
E7#9
G
A
E7
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- E7#9 (I7#9)The definitive Hendrix tonic chord combining both major 3rd (G#) and augmented 9th (G natural) for raw blues tension
- G (bIII)Borrowed modal step providing a punchy blues turnaround lift
- A (IV)Subdominant resolution sliding smoothly back down into the open E pedal point
- E Open Drone (I)Ringing low E string creating an earth-shaking resonant acoustic foundation
Key Techniques
Wah-Wah Pedal Sweep & Percussive Muting
AdvancedSynchronizing right-hand 16th-note muted strumming with smooth rocking of the wah pedal treadle to create a human vocal timbre
Uses chords:
Progression:
E7#9
Technique Tips:
- •Keep picking wrist loose and relaxed like a funk rhythm guitarist
- •Control amp volume to prevent runaway squeal while sweeping
The 'Hendrix Chord' (E7#9) Grip
IntermediateFretting the 7#9 chord using a 4-finger shape on the middle strings: Root (7th fret A), Major 3rd (6th fret D), Dominant 7th (7th fret G), and Augmented 9th (8th fret B)
Uses chords:
Progression:
E7#9 - G - A
Technique Tips:
- •Mute high E string with index finger slant if not sounding
- •Let low E ring out underneath the upper voicing
Aggressive Unison & Microtonal Blues Bending
ExpertExecuting wide whole-step and 1.5-step string bends on the G and B strings with rapid vibrato at the peak of the bend
Uses chords:
Progression:
E7 vamp
Technique Tips:
- •Half-step down tuning reduces string tension, facilitating easier multi-step bends
- •Keep thumb anchored over neck for leverage
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E Minor. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Wah-Wah Percussive Intro
Wah-Wah Rake & Intro Build
The immortal intro begins with percussive muted rakes through a Vox wah pedal before breaking into open string snaps
- •Mute strings lightly across the 7th fret without pressing down to the wire
- •Rock the wah pedal steadily in time with Mitchell's hi-hat count
- •Let the open low E string ring out as the riff builds explosive intensity
Main Riff
Main Explosive Groove Riff
Full band explosion where Jimi establishes the iconic riff with heavy thumb-over low notes and snappy double stops
- •Slightly bend the 3rd fret on the low E string up a microtone (blues curl) before resolving to open E
- •Slap the E7#9 chord on the upbeat of beat 2
- •Accentuate the dynamic swing feel of the rhythm section
Verse 1 Groove
Verse Accompaniment & Call-Response Fills
Hendrix sings while interweaving blues licks, thumb chords, and wah swells between vocal lines
- •Leave space for vocals by rolling back guitar volume to around 7
- •Punctuate vocal lines with stinging pentatonic fills in the 12th position
- •Use the wah pedal to vocalize responses to your singing
Guitar Solo Climax
Lead Solo Climax Phrasing
A scorching clinic in high-energy fuzz and octave soloing, featuring screeching overbends and dive-bomb tremolo vibrato
- •Engage Fuzz Face and Octavia for harmonic-rich octave screaming highs
- •Use pick hand palm to damp unplayed lower strings during furious high-register runs
- •Dig deep with wide, expressive vibrato at the 15th and 17th frets
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Neck pickup for warm throaty blues; Bridge pickup with Fuzz Face for soaring solos
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 9
Treble: 7
Middle: 7
Bass: 6
Presence: 6
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face (Germanium or Silicon NKT275 / BC108)
Reverb / Delay:
Natural room acoustics or subtle vintage spring reverb
Recommended Learning Path
Rhythm Foundation & The Hendrix Chord
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Tune your guitar down one half-step to Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
- •Master the E7#9 chord grip (7th fret A, 6th fret D, 7th fret G, 8th fret B)
- •Practice transitioning smoothly between the open low E string and the E7#9 chord
- •Learn the G5 (3rd fret) and A5 (5th fret) power chord shifts
Wah-Wah Synchronization & Riff Dynamics
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Coordinate your picking hand muted scratching with the heel-toe motion of a wah-wah pedal
- •Integrate low E microtonal quarter-step curls on the 3rd fret into the main riff
- •Learn the Box 1 E Minor Pentatonic scale in the 12th position (frets 12-15)
- •Practice executing 1-step unison bends on the B and G strings
Complete Solo Transcription & Microtonal Articulation
⏱️ 4-6 weeks
- •Master Kirk Hammett and Stevie Ray Vaughan's interpretations alongside Hendrix's original recording
- •Incorporate intense, wide blues vibrato without slipping out of pitch
- •Use guitar volume knob dynamically (7 for rhythm chime, 10 for fuzz solo saturation)
- •Improvise fluently using E Blues and E Mixolydian across the entire neck
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Pressing too hard during the muted wah-wah intro, causing unwanted pitched fret notes to ring out
- •Rushing the tempo: the groove is deep, relaxed, and laid-back at 84 BPM, not rushed
- •Muting the high E or B string accidentally during the E7#9 chord grip
- •Bending out of tune on the 1.5-step overbends in the solo section
⏱️ Targeted Practice Routine
- •5 mins: Right-hand wah-wah scratching with muted strings to a drum beat
- •10 mins: Slow transition between open E bass notes and the E7#9 chord voicing
- •15 mins: Practicing the main riff with the signature 3rd fret microtonal blues curl
- •15 mins: 12th-position E blues scale bends and vibrato drills with metronome
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Rhythmic pocket and laid-back groove feel
- •Clean separation between low E pedal bass and upper chord stabs
- •Accurate pitch control on aggressive high-string bends
- •Dynamic expression using guitar volume and pick velocity
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Start with metronome clicking on beats 2 and 4 at 70 BPM to build groove independence
- •Gradually increase tempo to recording speed of 84 BPM
- •Practice intro rakes at 60 BPM ensuring even 16th-note subdivision