Feel Like Makin' Love

Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love" is a rock classic that showcases a unique blend of soulful acoustic rhythms and heavy, electrifying guitar riffs. This song, originally released in 1975 on the album Straight Shooter, stands as a testament to the power of melody, groove, and catchy guitar lines. In this note-for-note guitar lesson from Licklibrary.com, you will master the techniques used in this iconic track and learn how to apply them in your own playing. Danny Gill breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques in "Feel Like Makin' Love"

Power Chords

One of the main foundations of the song lies in its use of power chords. These chords, stripped of complex harmonies, provide a solid and punchy sound that makes them ideal for rock music. Learning power chords helps beginners and seasoned guitarists alike with building finger strength and accuracy when transitioning between chords.

The benefits of mastering power chords include being able to easily navigate various songs in rock and blues genres, as well as providing a simple but effective tool to create your own rhythm guitar parts.

Open String Riffs

The intro and verses of "Feel Like Makin' Love" feature delicate open string riffs on the acoustic guitar. This technique allows the natural resonance of open strings to create a rich, full sound. It's perfect for creating a sense of space and atmosphere in a song.

Working with open string riffs improves your ability to mix open and fretted notes, giving your playing a more dynamic and melodic quality. It also trains your ear to listen to tonal differences and nuances that come from blending open strings with fretted ones.

String Bending

String bending plays a significant role in adding emotion and expressiveness to the guitar solo sections in "Feel Like Makin' Love." Guitarist Mick Ralphs uses this technique to create those iconic, singing lead guitar lines that elevate the song's feel.

String bending helps develop finger strength and accuracy, allowing you to add expression and personality to your solos. It is a must-learn for players interested in blues, rock, or any genre where expressive leads are key.

Slides

Throughout the track, both the acoustic and electric guitar parts incorporate slides, transitioning smoothly between notes to create a fluid, connected sound. Whether you're moving between power chords or individual notes, sliding adds a natural flow and emphasizes legato playing.

Learning slides improves finger dexterity and helps with seamless movement across the fretboard, which is essential for playing solos or chord progressions that need smooth transitions.

Arpeggios

The soft, melodic sections of the song utilize arpeggios, where the notes of a chord are played individually rather than strummed together. This technique is most prominent in the breakdown section, adding depth and texture to the arrangement.

Practicing arpeggios improves your picking accuracy and coordination between both hands. It also helps with understanding chord shapes across the fretboard and can be a powerful tool for improvisation and composing melodic lines.

Vibrato

Mick Ralphs is known for his tasteful use of vibrato in his solos. In "Feel Like Makin' Love," vibrato adds sustain and expressiveness to the lead guitar phrases, making them stand out with an extra touch of emotion.

Mastering vibrato is essential for any guitarist looking to inject more feeling into their playing. It enhances your ability to control the sustain and pitch of notes, making your solos sound more professional and polished.

Barre Chords

The chorus of "Feel Like Makin' Love" makes use of barre chords, requiring you to press down multiple strings across the fretboard with a single finger. This technique is key to achieving a fuller, richer chord sound, especially when playing rhythm parts on electric guitar.

Learning barre chords helps guitarists play more complex chord shapes, unlock the entire fretboard, and gain the ability to perform a wide variety of songs across genres.

The Guitarists of "Feel Like Makin' Love"

The guitar work in "Feel Like Makin' Love" is largely credited to Mick Ralphs, a founding member of Bad Company. Known for his distinctive mix of blues-inspired leads and powerful rock riffs, Ralphs had an undeniable influence on the development of 1970s hard rock. His playing style is a perfect example of how simplicity, taste, and technique can be combined to create memorable music.

Paul Rodgers, another founding member and lead vocalist, occasionally contributed to the rhythm guitar work, adding to the song's layered structure. Together, Ralphs and Rodgers created a timeless sound that has influenced generations of guitarists in the rock genre. Mick Ralphs' ability to mix acoustic and electric elements seamlessly has made him a prominent figure in rock guitar history, influencing players like Slash and Joe Bonamassa.

Guitar Techniques Used in These Lessons

Below is a list of guitar techniques that are covered in the "Feel Like Makin' Love" lesson:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Power Chords
• Slides
• Arpeggios
• Barre Chords
• Open String Riffs

By diving into this guitar lesson, you'll not only learn how to play "Feel Like Makin' Love" note for note, but you'll also develop critical guitar techniques that are essential for playing in the rock genre. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced guitarist, these techniques will add power and precision to your playing while enhancing your overall musicality.