"Tooth and Nail" by George Lynch

“Tooth and Nail” by Dokken is a true masterclass in 1980s shred guitar, a fast-paced, aggressive rock anthem loaded with challenging guitar parts that demand precision, feel, and flair. In this Licklibrary guitar lesson, you'll learn this iconic song note-for-note, guided by one of our expert tutors, breaking down every riff, solo, and embellishment with detailed instruction. This tutorial is not just about learning a great track—it's about unlocking a toolkit of advanced techniques used by one of rock’s most expressive guitarists, George Lynch. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: George Lynch

George Lynch, known for his work with Dokken and Lynch Mob, is one of the most revered guitarists to emerge from the glam metal era. His style blends aggressive picking, melodic phrasing, and lightning-fast legato runs with wild whammy bar tricks and harmonic textures. Lynch's influence spans generations—his command of both technique and phrasing places him among the greats like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Warren DeMartini. On Tooth and Nail, Lynch’s guitar work is a statement of intent—flashy, melodic, and brutally efficient.

Breakdown of Techniques in "Tooth and Nail"

Alternate Picking

The song opens with blistering runs that rely heavily on precise alternate picking. This technique involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes to maximise speed and accuracy. Mastering alternate picking helps build right-hand coordination and endurance, vital for executing fast riffs and solos cleanly.

Legato

George Lynch is known for his fluid legato lines, and “Tooth and Nail” showcases this through hammer-ons and pull-offs that allow phrases to glide smoothly. Practicing legato improves left-hand strength and enables seamless transitions between notes, enhancing your soloing technique.

Whammy Bar Tricks

One of the hallmarks of Lynch’s style is his use of whammy bar tricks, particularly dive bombs and warbles that add chaos and colour to solos. Learning these will deepen your expressive palette and add dramatic flair to your playing.

Tapped Harmonics

This song also incorporates tapped harmonics, a technique where the picking hand taps specific frets to create bell-like tones. It’s an advanced method that introduces harmonic overtones and makes your lead playing sound otherworldly.

Vibrato

George Lynch’s signature vibrato is wide and vocal-like, adding emotional depth to sustained notes. Developing a strong vibrato gives your solos character and helps distinguish your voice on the instrument.

Pinched Harmonics

You'll encounter numerous pinched harmonics in the song, which produce high-pitched squeals by catching the string with the thumb or side of the pick. This aggressive technique gives riffs and solos an extra edge and is a staple in rock and metal lead playing.

Trills

A number of rapid trills appear throughout the lead work, especially in Lynch’s fast, tension-building runs. Trills strengthen finger independence and add intensity to solos and fills.

Dive Bombs

The solo section features dramatic dive bombs, created with the whammy bar to produce a falling pitch. This technique injects wild, aggressive expression into your playing—perfect for building intensity in solos.

Double Stop Bends

You'll also work through double stop bends, where two notes are bent simultaneously. This blues-inspired technique thickens your lead lines and enhances your bending control.

Unison Bends

Classic rock stylings appear in the form of unison bends, producing a harmonically rich, wailing sound. These are excellent for improving pitch accuracy and developing strength in your fretting hand.

Why Learn “Tooth and Nail”?

This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced guitarists looking to expand their technical range while learning an iconic rock song. You’ll not only learn to play the track exactly as George Lynch performed it, but also absorb a wealth of techniques that will boost your confidence, creativity, and command of the guitar.

Whether you're aiming to perform on stage, compose solos, or just challenge yourself with high-energy material, “Tooth and Nail” is an essential addition to your practice routine. It’s a powerhouse of speed, dynamics, and expression—all taught in an accessible, structured way.

Techniques Covered

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Tapped Harmonics
• Vibrato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Dive Bombs
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends