Nita Strauss Lesson: How to Play Alice Cooper's 'I'm Eighteen'

In this new video, former Iron Maidens guitarist Nita Strauss, a new member of the Alice Cooper Band, shows you how to play Cooper's late-1970 hit, "I'm Eighteen" (also commonly known as "Eighteen").

As Strauss points out in the video, which you can check out below, Cooper's original studio version of the song doesn't offer much in the way of a solo section.

As a result, Strauss wrote her own parts and solo section for the tune; essentially, this is what she plays when Cooper and the band perform it live.

Strauss' lovely and talented guest stars in the video are courtesy of Ibanez and Blackstar.

For your viewing pleasure, we've included a fan-filmed 2014 clip of Strauss performing the song with Cooper at the Hollywood Bowl.

[TheMetalManiac_]

She's from The Iron Maidens, an all female tribute to Iron Maiden and she landed a sweet gig becoming Alice Cooper's guitar player...just for those who didn't know.

[allenorea]

Thanks for sharing this with me 🤠👍 you are the best Nita!!!

[EventHorizonPrdctns]

This is definitely the kind of lesson where you shouldn't pay attention and try to learn technique (for the most part) but really just learn WHY you learn/develop technique and HOW it should be used appropriately. Don't watch, just listen (at the end). The solo totally serves the song and sounds great. She can shred WAY faster than that but chose to play what she did because music isn't about impressing people, it's about moving the soul and rockin.

[morgy]

Grazie Nita, fai onore alle donne. Sto andando a lezione anche io🥰

[SireOfSeth]

Wow! That really sits nicely in the tone and feel of the original tune. Excellent stuff!

[TheMetalHeaD]

Clicked on this video simply because I saw my guitar in her hands haha.  Good to see other people using that underrated Ibanez.  I actually thought her playing fit the song very nicely.  Her demonstration sounded like they were using the camera's mic but the ending segment showing it all together sounded good to me.  She has ears and a knowledge of music, and she catered her skill to the song.  I don't know about y'all but when I go to an Alice Cooper concert, I want to hear stuff that sounds like Alice Cooper's band.  I don't want to hear Yngwie.

How many guitarists does it take to change a lightbulb? 1, 001. One guitarist to change the lightbulb, and 1000 more to tell him how they'd have done it better.

[BornRiffRock]

You are incredible girl. You play so fluid and smooth. I just love your style.

[TerryblePunPlays]

pretty lady, nice guitar chops, and a rebel emblem from star wars? this is all kinds of fantastic

[sjftech]

What the hell? Did someone screw up and use the camera audio by accident when editing?

[Gunners_Mate_Guns]

She's as good on guitar as she is beautiful.
Saw her two days ago just tearing it up for Alice Cooper on stage.
He hired a worthy gal for the job, that's for sure.

[diyvideoeditorcom]

Really guys! These videos are your presentation of yourselves to the world. You have an awesome guitarist lined up to play something a lot of people would be interested in then you totally screw the pooch on the audio. I can almost guarantee you those "dislikes" are because of that.

[kellysmithu]

Man that sounded good! Thanks Nita!! \m/ \m/

[williampiebenga]

Really wanted to see progression of whole song!

[bravedude]

That hammer on was cool, made it more modern

[Toddzilla]

Great song by Alice Cooper, and Nita does a great job with the solo.  But Hurricane (w/ Kelly Hansen) does a KILLER cover with a great solo (Robert Sarzo).

[isMike]

I LOVE the sound she UNDERSTAND that a lot of people DO NOT like her sound BUT I was wondering if anyone can tell me what she is using...pedal
I DON'T wanna sound like her but I DO like the sound she gets out of that Blackstar....can anyone help me out....is it help would be nice...
thanks....

[curtisaustin]

your a great guitarist nita and very beautiful

[Metalhead]

The solo actually fit the song very well, just a bit more badass than the original solo. Good job, but during the tutorial part it was a bit harsh on my ears, there's prolly been some bad mixing in the video

[Stefanie]

This chick rocks hard. Yeah keep it up

[HarvesterOfEyes]

A little too much fuzz for that tone, but nicely played towards the end. Talented for sure.