Steve Morse explains how to play Smoke On The Water properly

Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse demonstrates how to play the riff from Smoke On The Water

[AN-edqq]

I love watching great guitarists show how to do fundamental things. There is a lot to unpack from this short and apparently simple video.

[gitarmats]

Steve Morse is a guitar legend! At least now we know he can play Smoke on the Water as well.

[joebloggs]

You can hear it's played in fourths!! I figured that out while playing along with the Made In Japan live album when it came out in the 70s!! My fav purple album of all time...!! What a guitar sound...what a band...!!!

[MrSourbastard]

Steve nailed it. I watched Ritchie in an interview many many years ago telling the viewers to pluck the notes in that riff exactly like Steve played it.

[danadnauseam]

Ritchie Backmore has confirmed that it is intended to be in fourths

[thejuiceweasel]

Look at all those guitarists not playing in Deep Purple giving the guy playing guitar in Deep Purple for 20 years shit for not playing Deep Purple songs "correctly".

[oldneo]

Brings it all back, Saw this awesome fellow playing in Birmingham UK quite a while ago Still got the white Ernie Ball pick from the night. Smoke on any way you like I could listen to you for ever Cheers Steve.

[nato]

correct sir - this is how Ritchie himself explains it

[peterking]

What a pleasant interview, Steve you're da man.

[bonesc]

I trust Steve Morris' opinion...lol Steve, you were with the first band I ever worked with while mixing monitors for the Dixie Dregs on a transformered splitter snake (Jenson BTW). (I came in mixing for club bands using AUX sends from FOH)... I walked in blind not knowing who the band was that evening... then you guys showed up I was scared shitless...lol you guys required very little Monitor and the only vocal was Andy West with the song Disco Sucks and in-between speaking to the audience...lmao thank you guys for being so respectful and I respect you like you would not believe... here I am in 2022 age 62 still doing audio, mainly repairing audio and cabling loving all you guys and just spoke with Mark O'Connor while I was recording at Merlefest 2021... God bless all you guys...!!! 👍❤🙏

[carloslaboy]

Wow! it sounds so much better.Thanks, now I know how it's meant to be played.Now on to that killer solo most beginners never mess with.

[GetzGoth]

Im going with Stevie on this one. Man, I cant wait til Sat. My ass is headed for Morrell Music to crank this one up! Thank you Mr. Morse!

[johnnyrocksable]

Thanks Steve! I was playing it right and I have seen it played wrong several different ways. Got the solo down 2. I play a hot rod Tele so the tone is good also.

[sfcmp]

When I first learned Smoke on the Water, I actually hadn't learned anything about guitar yet. That was back in the mid 1980's. Fast forward to 2018ish, and I started to actually learn. I stumbled on a different video a few years back, and whoever it was on the video, was teaching the plucking method. I tried it, and it seemed better but then I stepped on my overdrive pedal, and was knocked out of my socks! It sounded fantastic. So yes plucking is definitely the right way to play this song. Like someone else mentioned, who are we to argue with Steve here. I mean if anyone knows he certainly does, right!

[benjaminsambol]

But the real question is can he play smoke on the water?

[bobthebear]

I saw him do this song with the band 20 years ago. And I am even more amazed watching this 20 years later.

[samuelllgui]

For 6 years, I've been playing this song the right way! hahah can't believe it!

[salatieljyrustumanan]

Yes, I played it right! Thanks for the confirmation!

[jimicrack]

steve is just awsome y thanks you for sharing steve

[wilrodzslayer]

now i have to re-learn the first riff i ever learned 30 years ago!!!