No More Mr. Nice Guy - Alice Cooper
Master the Classic Rock Riffs and Techniques of "No More Mr. Nice Guy"
Alice Cooper’s “No More Mr. Nice Guy” is a timeless rock anthem that features infectious riffs, melodic guitar lines, and dynamic rhythms. Originally released in 1973 on the album Billion Dollar Babies, the song showcases the signature rock style of Alice Cooper’s band, with a blend of catchy power chords and articulate lead playing. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com takes you through every detail of this track, ensuring you master its techniques and nuances with precision. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
The Guitarists Behind the Song
The guitar work on “No More Mr. Nice Guy” was performed by Glen Buxton and Michael Bruce, two of the original members of Alice Cooper’s band. Buxton was known for his raw, bluesy playing style, while Bruce brought strong rhythm work and complementary lead lines. Together, they created the driving, riff-heavy sound that became a staple of Alice Cooper’s music. Their influence can be heard in the work of later hard rock and metal guitarists, inspiring a generation of players to blend rhythmic precision with expressive lead guitar work.
Key Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson
Power Chords
One of the foundational techniques in “No More Mr. Nice Guy” is the use of power chords. These simple, yet powerful two-note shapes drive the song’s main riff and give it a punchy, anthemic feel. Mastering power chords will help you play countless rock and metal songs, improving both your left-hand strength and picking accuracy.
Alternate Picking
The song’s riffs feature alternate picking, a technique that allows for greater speed and efficiency in playing. By alternating up and down strokes, you develop cleaner articulation and a more controlled picking hand. This is especially useful for tight, rhythmic passages and is a key skill for any aspiring rock guitarist.
Palm Muting
The muted chugging in sections of the song adds dynamic contrast and rhythmic tightness. Palm muting gives your playing a percussive and controlled tone, essential for achieving that classic rock crunch. This technique is widely used in rock and metal to create tension and drive within a riff.
String Bending
Throughout the song, the lead guitar licks incorporate string bending, an expressive technique that allows notes to glide into each other smoothly. String bending helps add emotion and sustain to your solos, making your playing sound more vocal-like and fluid.
Double Stops
A hallmark of rock and blues-based playing, double stops are heard in the song’s lead sections. This technique involves playing two notes at once, creating a fuller and harmonised sound. Learning double stops helps you add texture and thickness to your solos and fills.
Slides
Connecting notes smoothly with slides is a technique used in the main riffs and lead lines of the song. Slides enhance your legato playing, making transitions between notes feel seamless and expressive.
Barre Chords
The song also employs barre chords, which are essential for rhythm guitarists. Learning barre chords improves finger strength and fretboard knowledge, allowing you to play more complex chord shapes across the neck.
Why Learn "No More Mr. Nice Guy"?
- Builds Rock Rhythm Skills: The combination of power chords, palm muting, and alternate picking strengthens your rhythmic precision.
- Improves Lead Playing: Incorporating techniques like bends, slides, and double stops enhances your soloing ability.
- Expands Fretboard Knowledge: Learning the chord progressions and lead lines helps you understand common rock song structures.
- Great for Performance: The song’s catchy riffs and energetic vibe make it a great addition to any setlist, perfect for jamming and live shows.
Techniques Used in This Lesson
Join LickLibrary.com today and take your guitar skills to the next level with our note-for-note lesson on “No More Mr. Nice Guy”!
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...