‘80s Rock Guitar Primer
Lessons Included in this Course
Course Content Overview
This course provides a deep dive into the essential techniques and song structures that defined ‘80s rock guitar. You will learn to master the art of crafting powerful riffs and memorable solos through a series of practical, hands-on lessons. The curriculum is designed to build your skills progressively, ensuring you can apply what you learn to your own playing immediately.
Here’s a breakdown of the lesson contents:
- Motley Crue - ‘Looks That Kill’: Master the driving force of pedal tone riffs and learn how to use accented notes and power chords to create an aggressive, punchy sound.
- Van Halen - ‘Running with the Devil’: Unlock the genius of Eddie Van Halen by exploring triad riffing, chord hammer-ons, and muted strumming for dynamic, rhythmic playing.
- Journey - ‘Don’t Stop Believing’: Develop your melodic intuition with the E major scale and master the art of emotional expression through string bending and pre-bends.
- Whitesnake - ‘Still of the Night’: Get to grips with the F# Blues scale and learn how to execute fluid, fast-paced solos using pull-offs and string skipping.
- Bon Jovi - ‘Living on a Prayer’ Solo: Learn to create high-energy, emotive solos using the E minor scale, string bending, double stops, and speed bursts.
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is ideal for a wide range of guitarists, from those taking their first steps into the world of rock to more experienced players looking to refine their technique. If you are a guitarist who wants to understand the secrets behind the sounds of your favorite ‘80s rock heroes, this course is for you. It is perfect for players who want to move beyond simply learning songs and start to understand the techniques and theory that will allow them to develop their own unique voice on the guitar. Whether you want to join a band, write your own music, or simply master the art of ‘80s rock for your own enjoyment, this course will provide you with the tools you need to succeed.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
This course is more than just a collection of lessons; it is a structured learning path designed to give you a deep understanding of ‘80s rock guitar. Sam Bell’s engaging teaching style and meticulous attention to detail ensure that you will not only learn what to play but also why it works. Each lesson is accompanied by high-quality video demonstrations, detailed tablature, and backing tracks to practice along with. The course focuses on practical application, with each technique and concept demonstrated in the context of a classic ‘80s rock track. This approach ensures that you will not only develop your technical skills but also your musicality and understanding of the genre. By the end of this course, you will have the confidence and ability to tackle any ‘80s rock classic and the skills to incorporate the techniques you have learned into your own playing.
WE CAN HELP...
1-ON-1 COACHING
Access to thousands of lessons is great, but without a plan you can feel like you’re practicing in circles. Book your FREE 1-on-1 video call with a Licklibrary pro to fix your technique, build a practice plan, get motivated, or overcome any challenge. It's all included in your membership!
** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with any of the artists featured, nor do they perform or appear on this course.*
'80s Rock Guitar Primer by Sam Bell
Immerse yourself in the electrifying world of '80s rock guitar with the comprehensive online course, '80s Rock Guitar Primer, meticulously crafted by Sam Bell. This course offers detailed, note-for-note explorations of some of the decade's most iconic riffs and solos, encompassing a wide range of techniques that defined the era. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the basics or an intermediate player looking to refine your skills, this course is tailored to elevate your guitar prowess through structured lessons and hands-on practice.
Motley Crue's 'Looks That Kill'
Learn the quintessential elements of hard rock with Motley Crue’s 'Looks That Kill'. This lesson focuses on pedal tone riffs, where a constant bass note underpins the riff, providing a driving rhythm. Accented notes and power chords add a punchy, aggressive sound that captures the essence of the '80s rock scene. Mastering these techniques enhances your rhythmic precision and chordal power, essential for any rock guitarist.
Van Halen's 'Running with the Devil'
Dive into the innovative guitar style of Eddie Van Halen with 'Running with the Devil'. This lesson covers triad riffing, which involves playing three-note chords that are foundational in rock music. Chord hammer-ons and muted strumming introduce dynamic and rhythmic variety, while position shifting across the fretboard improves your agility and fretboard navigation. These techniques are vital for adding expressiveness and complexity to your playing.
Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing'
Journey’s anthem, 'Don’t Stop Believing', is explored through its use of the E major scale, perfect for developing melodic intuition. The lesson also enhances technique development, string bending, and pre-bends; essential for emotional expression in solos. Learning these techniques will help you create more expressive and impactful guitar solos, mirroring the soul-stirring leads of classic rock.
Whitesnake's 'Still of the Night'
Get gritty with the F# Blues scale through Whitesnake's 'Still of the Night'. This lesson focuses on pull-offs and string skipping, which are crucial for fluid, fast-paced solos. Isolating difficulties in tricky passages helps in mastering complex riffs. These skills are invaluable for adding speed and precision to your playing, giving you the tools to tackle advanced solos and improvisations.
Bon Jovi's 'Living on a Prayer' Solo
The iconic solo from Bon Jovi's 'Living on a Prayer' highlights the E minor scale, string bending, double stops, and speed bursts. These techniques are key to creating the high-energy, emotive solos typical of '80s rock hits. By mastering these, you’ll be able to inject spontaneity and flair into your solos, making them both powerful and memorable.
The Benefit of Performance Context
Each lesson in the '80s Rock Guitar Primer not only teaches you the techniques but also culminates in a full performance by tutor Sam Bell. Watching these performances allows you to see how each technique is applied in a real musical context, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the music. It also provides a clear example of how to integrate these techniques fluidly into your playing, offering inspiration and a model for performance.
List of Guitar Techniques Used
By learning through the '80s Rock Guitar Primer, you not only gain technical skills but also develop a deeper connection with the music, enabling you to play with more feeling, accuracy, and confidence. Sign up today and start your journey to mastering the guitar like your rock heroes of the 1980s!
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Sam Bell
Sam Bell has been playing guitar from the age of 4, since then he has played many styles from Funky Blues to screaming Metal/Fusion on 8 string guitar. A member of UK tech metal band ‘Mask of Judas’, he is also currently writing his own solo instrumental album. He also...