Wanted Dead Or Alive - Solo by Bon Jovi

Licklibrary.com presents the "Wanted Dead or Alive - Solo" guitar lesson, a comprehensive note-for-note tutorial of one of the most iconic solos in rock music. This song, featuring remarkable guitar work by Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, captures the energy and emotion of '80s rock, with the solo serving as a masterclass in technique, precision, and expressiveness. Our lesson breaks down each part of the solo, demonstrating the nuances of Sambora’s playing style while focusing on techniques like vibrato, alternate picking, legato, string bending, and more. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic solo in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Richie Sambora and His Influence

Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi’s legendary guitarist, is known for his soulful, melodic solos and distinct blend of rock and blues influences. His work on "Wanted Dead or Alive" showcases his deep musicality and technical prowess, and his solos are renowned for their emotional expressiveness and impeccable phrasing. Sambora’s playing has influenced countless guitarists with his ability to seamlessly blend rock and blues, introducing harmonic and melodic complexity that set Bon Jovi’s music apart in the rock scene. His use of techniques like alternate picking, vibrato, and string bending in this solo is a great study for guitarists looking to capture the expressive rock style.

Guitar Techniques Covered in "Wanted Dead or Alive - Solo"

Vibrato

Vibrato is one of the key techniques in the solo, providing a rich, vocal-like quality to sustained notes. By slightly varying the pitch of a note, vibrato adds emotion and depth, allowing the player to connect more deeply with the listener. Practicing vibrato improves control over pitch and enhances the expressive quality of your playing, which is essential for mastering blues and rock solos.

Alternate Picking

This lesson emphasizes alternate picking, which Sambora uses to bring speed and precision to his solo. By alternating between upstrokes and downstrokes, alternate picking enables fluid and efficient movement across the fretboard. Mastering alternate picking increases your speed and control, allowing you to play complex runs with clarity.

Legato

Legato playing is another critical component of Sambora's style, allowing him to play fast, smooth note sequences with minimal pick noise. In the solo, legato techniques, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, are used to maintain flow. Practicing legato improves finger strength and smoothness, enabling you to play with more fluidity and sustain, which is ideal for creating melodic lines in solos.

String Bending

String bending is integral to the "Wanted Dead or Alive" solo, adding emotion to notes by bending them to achieve different pitches. Sambora uses both subtle bends and powerful, bluesy bends to add expression. Learning string bending is essential for rock guitarists, as it builds finger strength and enhances your ability to create vocal-like sounds on the guitar.

Double Stops

In this solo, Sambora also uses double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously to create a fuller sound. This technique adds harmonic depth and is a staple in rock and blues. Practicing double stops improves finger independence and allows you to add rich textures to your playing, making solos sound more robust and interesting.

Slides

Slides allow Sambora to smoothly transition between notes, enhancing the phrasing and fluidity of the solo. This technique connects different parts of the fretboard without interrupting the flow of sound. Mastering slides improves coordination and gives your playing a seamless quality, making your solos sound more professional and polished.

Sustain

Sustain is another critical aspect of Sambora's style in this solo. By allowing notes to resonate, sustain adds power and drama, creating space and giving each note greater presence. Focusing on sustain techniques, such as proper hand positioning and finger pressure, helps build control, allowing notes to carry emotional weight and power in your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are key components in Sambora’s legato phrases, helping to build smooth, connected note sequences. These techniques create a flowing sound without constant picking, which enhances speed and smoothness. Practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs builds finger strength and dexterity, essential for executing fast, fluid passages in solos.

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics, which add a high-pitched “squeal” to notes, are used sparingly in this solo but add flair when they appear. By lightly grazing the string with the thumb after a pick attack, pinched harmonics bring out a resonant overtone that can add excitement to solos. Mastering pinched harmonics gives you the ability to add this unique tonal color to your playing, making solos more dynamic.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Each technique featured in this lesson offers specific benefits to guitarists:

1. Vibrato: Enhances expressive capability by adding depth and emotion.
2. Alternate Picking: Builds speed, accuracy, and efficiency for complex passages.
3. Legato: Improves fluidity and smoothness in note sequences.
4. String Bending: Allows expressive control for vocal-like note transitions.
5. Double Stops: Adds harmonic depth and richness to solos.
6. Slides: Enhances phrasing by connecting notes seamlessly.
7. Sustain: Creates emotional impact and resonance.
8. Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs: Builds finger strength for fluid, connected phrases.
9. Pinched Harmonics: Adds unique tonal flair to your playing.

These techniques collectively enable guitarists to build control, speed, and expressiveness, key components in developing a personal soloing style. Mastering these elements will enhance your ability to perform rock solos with confidence, precision, and feeling.

List of Guitar Techniques Used

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• String Bending
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Sustain
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Pinched Harmonics

This "Wanted Dead or Alive - Solo" guitar lesson will give you a deep dive into these essential techniques, equipping you to bring out the nuances of Sambora’s iconic solo and enrich your own guitar playing style.