Slice Of Your Pie - Mötley Crüe

Learn to Play “Slice Of Your Pie” by Mötley Crüe

Step into the sleazy, blues-infused world of late-‘80s glam metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson of "Slice Of Your Pie" by Mötley Crüe. This powerful track from their 1989 album Dr. Feelgood showcases guitarist Mick Mars at his gritty best, blending raw bluesy tones with slick metal attitude. At LickLibrary, our professional instructor breaks down every lick and riff in granular detail, helping you master the distinctive techniques that make this track a fan-favourite and a valuable study for any rock guitarist.

Whether you’re a fan of Mötley Crüe, a guitarist looking to sharpen your chops, or just love learning iconic hard rock songs, this lesson dives deep into the DNA of classic metal playing — with all the flair, attitude, and tone that defines the era. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Mick Mars

Mick Mars, the lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe, is often the unsung hero of '80s and '90s hard rock. Known for his aggressive yet articulate playing, Mars brought a gritty blues-rock influence to the band’s sound, contrasting perfectly with their glam-metal image. His tone is thick and biting, and his solos often prioritise feel over flash — though he’s no stranger to blistering technical passages. In "Slice Of Your Pie", his playing perfectly blends sleaze-rock grooves with bluesy phrasing, making it an ideal study in expressive, melodic soloing. Mars’s influence can be heard in countless guitarists who blend traditional blues phrasing with modern rock tones.

Techniques Featured in the Lesson

Bluesy Bends & Vibrato

The track features numerous bluesy bends and expressive vibrato, especially in the solo section. Learning these techniques will improve your emotional expression on the guitar, allowing your notes to ‘speak’ and sing rather than sounding static.

Pinched Harmonics

Mars adds aggression and attitude with pinched harmonics, particularly during lead breaks and accents. Mastering this will help you add sharp, screaming tones to your solos — a hallmark of ‘80s rock guitar.

Double Stop Bends

There are multiple double stop bends used throughout the song to create thick, harmonised licks. These are great for building finger strength and improving pitch control across two strings simultaneously.

String Bending

Classic string bending is a key part of the solo phrasing in this song. Accurate bending helps develop ear training and fretboard control, essential for replicating vocal-like licks.

Slides and Hammer-Ons

Mick’s phrasing is peppered with smooth slides and dynamic hammer-ons, giving his licks a flowing, fluid quality. These foundational techniques are critical for crafting seamless solos and building speed without sacrificing clarity.

Palm Muting & Power Chords

The rhythm parts in "Slice Of Your Pie" are grounded in chunky palm muting and hard-hitting power chords. These rhythm techniques are essential tools for any rock or metal player, tightening up your timing and adding aggression to your riffs.

Chromatic Runs

Some of the riffs involve tasteful use of chromaticism, adding tension and movement between key notes. This technique is invaluable for developing your ear and injecting unpredictability into your solos.

Whammy Bar Tricks

True to Mars’s flamboyant style, there are moments where the whammy bar is used for dive-bombs and expressive pitch effects. These techniques help bring drama and attitude to your lead playing.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning "Slice Of Your Pie" offers more than just the satisfaction of playing a killer Mötley Crüe track. It’s a masterclass in combining blues-rock fundamentals with metal edge. You'll develop a well-rounded rock vocabulary, from expressive vibrato and bending to gritty riffing and harmonics. Plus, by breaking down Mars’s solos note-for-note, you’ll gain valuable insight into phrasing, tone control, and how to construct melodic yet aggressive solos.

This lesson also offers a great opportunity to explore tone shaping and dynamics — core elements of Mars’s sound that are often overlooked but critical for expressive guitar playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Pinched Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Chromaticism
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Bluesy Bends

Get ready to plug in, turn up, and bring the swagger and bite of Mötley Crüe to your playing. Our Slice Of Your Pie guitar lesson will elevate your technique, refine your phrasing, and add some serious rock ’n’ roll attitude to your arsenal.