"Let It Rock" by Bon Jovi - Guitar Lesson Overview

"Let It Rock," the opening track on Bon Jovi's hit album Slippery When Wet, is a high-energy rock anthem that showcases some of the most essential guitar techniques used in 80s rock music. The combination of driving power chords, dynamic palm muting, expressive vibrato, and melodic double stops make this song an excellent choice for guitarists looking to sharpen their rock guitar skills. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, we’ll walk you through the key techniques used by Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi’s lead guitarist, in this classic track, helping you not only master the song but also improve your overall technique. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Key Techniques in "Let It Rock"

Power Chords

Power chords are a staple in rock and metal, and they are used extensively throughout "Let It Rock." In the intro, verses, and choruses, Sambora employs power chords to create the song's driving, rhythmic foundation. Power chords consist of two or three notes, usually played on the lower strings, and they produce a full, punchy sound ideal for rock music. These chords are easy to move around the fretboard, allowing for fast changes between positions, which adds energy to the song's structure.

For guitarists, mastering power chords is essential. They form the backbone of countless rock songs, and learning to play them fluently allows you to tackle a wide range of music. In this lesson, we’ll cover how to move between power chords quickly and accurately, focusing on timing and chord changes.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is another critical technique used throughout the song, especially during the verses. This technique involves resting the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge to mute the sound, creating a percussive, controlled tone. Palm muting adds rhythmic precision and tightness to your playing, allowing for greater dynamic control. In "Let It Rock," Sambora uses palm muting to emphasize the song's punchy, rhythmic drive, contrasting the muted sections with the more open-sounding choruses.

Learning palm muting will give you better control over your playing and allow you to add variety and dynamics to your music. It’s a key technique in many genres beyond rock, including metal and punk, making it an essential skill for any guitarist.

Vibrato

Vibrato is an expressive technique used in lead guitar playing that involves rapidly bending and releasing the pitch of a note, creating a rich, singing tone. In "Let It Rock," Sambora applies vibrato during the song’s solo and melodic lead parts, giving the notes a more vocal-like quality and adding emotion to the performance. Vibrato is a subtle yet powerful technique that separates good guitarists from great ones by adding depth and personality to your playing.

In this lesson, we’ll cover different types of vibrato, including wide and narrow vibrato, and how to apply them to your lead playing. Mastering vibrato will improve your soloing skills and allow you to bring more emotion and expression into your music.

Double Stops

A double stop is when you play two notes simultaneously, creating a fuller, more harmonic sound. Double stops are used in "Let It Rock" to add melody and texture to the guitar parts, especially in the song’s solos and licks. This technique is commonly used in blues and rock music and can be applied in various ways, from sliding into double stops to bending one note while keeping the other stationary.

For guitarists, learning to incorporate double stops into your playing can add richness to both your rhythm and lead parts. It’s a versatile technique that works in a wide range of genres and can help fill out your sound when playing with a band or solo.

About the Guitarist: Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora’s guitar work is an essential component of Bon Jovi’s sound, blending technical proficiency with a deep sense of melody. His playing on "Let It Rock" is no exception, featuring a combination of rhythm and lead guitar parts that are both powerful and intricate. Sambora's signature style includes fast, fluid solos, strong riff-based playing, and a mastery of the blues-rock tradition, all of which are present in this song. His influence extends far beyond Bon Jovi, inspiring a generation of rock guitarists with his ability to combine flashy techniques with soulful playing.

Conclusion

"Let It Rock" is a classic Bon Jovi track that showcases the best of Richie Sambora's guitar work. From the powerful rhythm playing that drives the song to the expressive lead parts in the solo, this song offers a great balance of techniques that every guitarist should master. In our note-for-note guitar lesson, you’ll learn these techniques in detail, breaking down each part of the song so you can play it with confidence and precision.

Whether you're a fan of Bon Jovi or just looking to improve your rock guitar skills, this lesson will help you develop key techniques that are essential for playing rock music at a high level. Dive into the lesson and start mastering the song today!

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Vibrato
• Double Stops