“Lay Your Hands On Me” by Bon Jovi

Step into the powerful arena rock world of Bon Jovi with our detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson for “Lay Your Hands On Me.” This LickLibrary exclusive takes you deep into the riff-driven energy and expressive solo work that define this 1989 anthem. Designed for guitarists looking to capture the stadium-filling sound of one of rock’s most iconic bands, this lesson breaks down every riff, rhythm, and solo with expert tuition.

Whether you're working on improving your technique or expanding your stylistic range, this lesson offers a wealth of guitar skills that will benefit players at an intermediate to advanced level. From the dynamic intro riff to the melodic lead breaks, this song showcases a range of techniques that not only sound great but build serious skill and control on the fretboard. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Power Chords

The main riff of “Lay Your Hands On Me” is a thunderous example of classic power chords, forming the backbone of the track's aggressive sound. Learning to use these correctly boosts rhythmic accuracy and hand strength, crucial for mastering rock rhythm guitar.

Palm Muting

Throughout the intro and verses, palm muting adds a percussive bite and dynamic control. This technique enhances groove and tightness in your playing, essential for locking in with the rhythm section.

Slides

Slides are used to add fluid movement between notes in both rhythm and lead parts. This technique improves fretboard navigation and adds a vocal-like expression to your phrasing.

Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

These fundamental legato techniques (hammer-ons and pull-offs) are featured prominently in the solo. Mastering them helps create speed and smooth transitions, ideal for lead guitar development.

String Bending & Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends and expressive string bending are key to emulating the emotional phrasing in the solo. Practicing these helps develop pitch control and expressive playing.

Vibrato

No expressive lead playing is complete without strong vibrato. The lesson teaches how to execute and control this technique for maximum emotional impact.

Double Stops

You’ll also encounter double stops in melodic fills and transitional lines. Learning this adds harmonic depth to your soloing and rhythm fills.

Unison Bends

Unison bends are used for dramatic flair in solos, helping guitarists build strength and accuracy while emphasising key melodic notes.

Tapped Harmonics

The solo climaxes with some exciting tapped harmonics, giving your playing a flashy, professional edge. This technique introduces players to more advanced harmonic textures.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Each of these techniques builds important aspects of your guitar playing. For instance, vibrato and string bending teach emotional control and phrasing, while palm muting and power chords strengthen timing and rhythm. Together, they form a foundation for any guitarist looking to play not just rock, but to become a versatile and expressive musician.

About the Guitarists Behind the Song

The electrifying guitar work on “Lay Your Hands On Me” was performed by Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi’s longtime lead guitarist. Sambora’s style blends blues-infused lead playing with hard rock energy, combining melodic sensibility with show-stopping solos. Known for his use of whammy bar tricks, rich vibrato, and emotive bends, his influence helped define Bon Jovi’s arena-rock sound in the late ‘80s and beyond. Sambora’s guitar tone and approach on this track continue to inspire generations of guitarists for its balance of raw power and refined technique.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Unison Bends
• Tapped Harmonics

Ready to play with the fire and finesse of Richie Sambora? Dive into our full “Lay Your Hands On Me” guitar lesson today and bring that classic Bon Jovi sound roaring into your repertoire.