Learn To Play David Bowie

David Bowie was the ultimate musical chameleon, effortlessly shifting between genres—from the raw energy of glam rock and punk to the sophisticated textures of soul and electronica. But behind the Starman stood an indispensable force: the late, great Mick Ronson. Ronson didn’t just play guitar; he provided the razor-sharp riffs, soaring solos, and orchestral textures that defined the sound of the Spiders from Mars era. This definitive course, Learn to Play David Bowie, is your roadmap to mastering Ronson’s innovative and multifaceted approach. You will learn to harness the power, precision, and emotional depth that made his playing legendary. Whether you are captivated by the raw aggression of “Rebel Rebel” or the theatrical flair of “Ziggy Stardust,” these Learn to Play David Bowie guitar lessons will transform your playing. Dive deep into the world of Glam rock, punk, soul, electronica guitar lessons and discover the technical brilliance required to execute Ronson’s signature licks. This is more than just learning songs; it’s about understanding the musical conversations Ronson had with Bowie, enhancing the emotional narrative of every track.
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Michael Casswell Tutor, Professional Guitarist
Image of tutor: Michael Casswell

Song Lessons in this Course

1 Introduction
2 Rebel Rebel
3 The Jean Genie
4 Ziggy Stardust
5 Moonage Daydream
6 Suffragette City
7 Outro

This Course is Ideal for Players Who...

This course is best suited for intermediate to advanced guitarists who have a solid understanding of basic chords and scales but are looking to significantly expand their stylistic vocabulary and soloing sophistication. If you want to move beyond standard pentatonics and inject true musicality into your leads, this is the course for you.

Perfect for Guitarists Who:

  • Want to master unforgettable, instantly recognisable rock riffs.
  • Are struggling to make their solos sound melodic and expressive rather than purely technical.
  • Admire guitarists who can seamlessly blend blues, classical, and hard rock influences.
  • Are ready to learn Mick Ronson’s guitar techniques that focus on musicality and responding to vocals.
  • Need comprehensive, high-quality online guitar lessons they can trust.

By focusing on the innovative approaches of Mick Ronson, you gain far more than just a handful of tabs. You gain a deeper understanding of musical arrangement, emotional phrasing, and how to write solos that truly serve the song. Join the thousands of musicians benefiting from Licklibrary.com guitar lessons and unlock the secrets to one of rock’s most influential guitarists with this essential Learn to Play David Bowie guitar course.

What will I achieve from completing this course?

Mick Ronson’s style was characterised by its dynamic range—from aggressive, simple power chords to sophisticated, multi-scale melodic solos. This course is designed to instil that versatility in your own playing.

Technical Skills You’ll Develop:

  • Expressive Vibrato Mastery: Learn to apply Ronson’s signature wide, emotional vibrato to give your sustained notes character and intensity.
  • Alternate Picking Precision: Develop the speed and accuracy required for sharp, clean delivery of fast licks and complex riff patterns.
  • Dynamic String Bending: Master bending techniques that add vocal-like expression and grit to your blues and rock phrasing.
  • Strategic Slides and Sustain: Understand how to use slides for smooth transitions and how to maximise sustain to achieve that iconic, soaring glam rock tone.
  • Chromaticism for Flair: Learn Ronson’s knack for incorporating chromatic notes to add tension, excitement, and unexpected musical twists to your solos.
  • Power Chord Authority: Solidify your rhythm foundation by mastering powerful, tight power chords essential for the Glam rock, punk, soul, electronica guitar lessons genres.
  • Double Stops for Texture: Utilise double stops to add rich, harmonic texture and punch to your riffs, a key element of Ronson’s sound.
  • Innovative Scale Application: Discover how Ronson deftly used different scales within a single song to create solos that feel like musical conversations rather than just scale runs.
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1-ON-1 COACHING

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** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with David Bowie nor does David Bowie perform or appear on this course.*

Learn to Play David Bowie

Welcome to our latest product: "Learn to Play David Bowie". This comprehensive guitar lesson series, taught by Michael Casswell, delves deep into the legendary catalog of one of the most influential artists in rock history, David Bowie. A genius of reinvention, Bowie's music ranges from glam rock, punk, soul to electronica. His long-time guitarist Mick Ronson was a pivotal figure in shaping the sound and style that defined Bowie's music. With our lessons, you'll not only learn to play these iconic songs but also understand the guitar scales, solos, and techniques that made them remarkable.

Rebel Rebel

"Rebel Rebel" is a classic rock anthem, characterized by its infectious guitar riff. You'll learn how to play this famous riff using a mix of the A major and D major pentatonic scales. The song has a rebellious energy that is accentuated by the use of power chords and its infectious main riff. Our analysis of the solo helps you grasp how it complements the driving rhythm of the song, leading to an exciting musical experience.

The Jean Genie

"The Jean Genie" is a fantastic blues-based rock tune. It showcases the use of the E major pentatonic scale, with its repetitive but compelling main riff that carries the tune. Our breakdown of the solo will help you understand how the use of double stops and chromaticism can add texture to a rock guitar solo, making it more dynamic and engaging.

Ziggy Stardust

"Ziggy Stardust" features an intricate chord progression that spans from A major to G major, D major, and E minor, giving the song a melodic richness that sets it apart. In this lesson, you'll learn to replicate Mick Ronson's masterful string bending and vibrant vibrato techniques. The solo is analyzed in detail to highlight the way it underscores the song's narrative and emotional intensity.

Moonage Daydream

"Moonage Daydream" is a tour-de-force of dynamic guitar playing. The song showcases a variety of scales including A Major, D Major, and E Major. Its solo is a testament to Mick Ronson's guitar prowess, using a combination of bends, slides, and sustain to create a sonic landscape that transports the listener to another dimension.

Suffragette City

"Suffragette City" is a high-energy track that involves rapid chord changes and lively rock rhythms. It mainly uses the A major pentatonic scale with the chord progression moving swiftly from F to E. The solo is a brilliant example of alternate picking, delivering a rapid-fire sequence of notes that elevates the energy of the song.

Mick Ronson's Contribution

Mick Ronson was instrumental in creating the vibrant and versatile soundscapes that define Bowie's music. His approach to guitar was innovative and multifaceted, using various techniques from string bending and vibrato to slides and alternate picking. His solos were musical conversations, responding to Bowie's vocal lines and enhancing the emotional depth of the songs. His ability to use different scales in one song and his knack for writing unforgettable riffs has left an indelible mark on rock music.

Techniques Utilized in these Lessons

With "Learn to Play David Bowie," we aim to offer an immersive learning experience that not only teaches you how to play the songs but also allows you to delve deep into the creative processes and techniques that gave these iconic songs their unique character. We hope that you'll find this product to be as enriching and inspiring as we do. Let's dive into the magic of Bowie's music together.

Michael Casswell playing the guitar.

About The Tutor

Tutor Profile

Michael Casswell

It is with great sadness that we post the news of Michael Casswell's tragic death in a swimming accident while on holiday in Spain. All of us at Licklibrary are shocked and saddened by MIke's passing, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this difficult time. Michael...

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