Good Lovin' Gone Bad by Bad Company

Bad Company's hit song "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" showcases the power of classic rock guitar playing at its finest. This song, featuring a punchy riff, tight chord progressions, and expressive lead work, makes it an ideal track for guitarists to learn and master key rock techniques. In this guitar lesson, we’ll dive deep into the techniques used in "Good Lovin' Gone Bad," breaking down every riff, lick, and chord with note-for-note accuracy. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve or an experienced player wanting to refine your skills, this lesson will help you unlock the secrets behind the iconic sounds of Bad Company. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitar Player

"Good Lovin' Gone Bad" features the incredible guitar work of Mick Ralphs, the lead guitarist for Bad Company. Ralphs was known for his bluesy, hard-hitting style and ability to blend simple yet powerful riffs with soulful lead playing. His contribution to the band’s sound helped solidify Bad Company as one of the greatest rock bands of the 1970s. Ralphs' playing in this song is rooted in rock and blues traditions, making use of string bending, power chords, and slides to create a raw yet melodic feel. His influence as a guitarist extends to many players in the classic rock and blues-rock scenes, making this lesson not only a chance to learn the song but also to understand the stylistic elements that shaped rock guitar for generations.

Key Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Power Chords

One of the most foundational elements of "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" is its use of power chords, which drive the song’s rhythm and give it a punchy, full sound. Power chords are simple yet powerful, consisting of just two or three notes, and are used extensively in rock and metal genres. Mastering power chords will improve your rhythm guitar skills, and provide the groundwork for learning more advanced chord progressions.

String Bending

Mick Ralphs uses string bending throughout the lead parts of "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" to add expression and emotion to the guitar lines. String bending allows you to raise the pitch of a note by pushing or pulling the string, simulating the feel of a vocal line. This technique is essential for any guitarist looking to develop their lead playing, as it adds both nuance and intensity to solos.

Slides

Another technique you’ll encounter is slides, which Ralphs uses to move between notes smoothly, creating a fluid and connected sound. Learning to slide properly between notes enhances your ability to transition between phrases seamlessly and can make your playing sound more polished. Slides are especially useful in rock and blues styles, where melodic movement is key.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

In the solo sections, hammer-ons and pull-offs are used to create smooth, fast passages without picking each note. These techniques are vital for speed and efficiency, allowing guitarists to play more fluid lines. They also help develop finger strength and coordination, which are essential for more advanced lead playing.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another important technique featured in this song. Ralphs applies vibrato to sustain notes, giving them character and depth. Vibrato involves bending the string back and forth to slightly vary the pitch of a note, adding emotion and intensity to your playing. This technique is crucial for bringing your lead guitar lines to life and is widely used across many musical genres.

Bluesy Bends

"Good Lovin' Gone Bad" makes use of bluesy bends, which are partial string bends used to add a more soulful, bluesy touch to the guitar lines. This type of bend is commonly found in blues and classic rock music and helps to express a wide range of emotions. Learning how to execute bluesy bends will improve your phrasing and make your solos sound more authentic and expressive.

Double Stops

Mick Ralphs also employs double stops in parts of the lead sections, where two notes are played simultaneously to create harmony. Double stops add a richer texture to your playing and can make solos sound fuller. Mastering this technique is useful for creating harmonized lead lines and is often used in rock, blues, and country music.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Learning the techniques featured in "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" will enhance several aspects of your guitar playing:

• Power chords strengthen your rhythm playing and form the backbone of many rock and metal songs.
• String bending improves your pitch control and adds expressiveness to your solos.
• Slides develop your ability to move smoothly between notes, improving your phrasing and melodic flow.
• Hammer-ons and pull-offs help increase your speed and dexterity, making fast passages easier to execute.
• Vibrato brings more life to sustained notes, allowing for emotional expression in your playing.
• Bluesy bends introduce classic blues phrasing, a staple for any guitarist looking to master rock and blues styles.
• Double stops expand your harmonic knowledge and add a fuller, richer sound to your solos and melodies.

By mastering these techniques, you'll not only be able to play "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" accurately but also gain valuable skills that can be applied to many other songs and genres. These techniques are foundational to developing your style and building a versatile toolkit as a guitarist.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Vibrato
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops

By mastering these techniques through this lesson, you'll not only be able to play "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" with confidence but also improve your overall guitar skills. Dive into the lesson today and bring these rock guitar techniques to life!