"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
Discover the expressive guitar parts behind one of the most defining alternative rock hits of the early '90s with LickLibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson for “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. This in-depth lesson unpacks the song’s intricate melodic textures and rhythmic subtleties, showing you how to authentically recreate them on guitar. Whether you're an intermediate player or a seasoned guitarist looking to refine your skills, this tutorial offers a blend of practical techniques and musical insight. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song
Released in 1991 on R.E.M.’s Grammy-winning album Out of Time, “Losing My Religion” stood out with its haunting atmosphere and unconventional instrumentation. While the original track was famously built around a mandolin riff, this guitar adaptation captures the essence of the song’s emotive progressions and intricate picking patterns, giving you the tools to deliver a faithful and expressive guitar version.
This lesson teaches you how to translate the mandolin-driven parts to the guitar effectively, focusing on key techniques that build both accuracy and emotion into your playing.
Guitarist Spotlight: Peter Buck
The core of R.E.M.'s sound lies in the unique guitar work of Peter Buck. Known for his jangly, clean tones and minimalist style, Buck's playing often favoured melodic motifs and carefully structured arpeggios over flashy solos. “Losing My Religion” is a textbook example of Buck’s signature approach—subtle, melodic, and deeply tied to the song’s emotional arc.
Learning his parts not only provides insight into alternative rock guitar but also highlights the value of restraint, tone, and arrangement in creating a compelling performance.
Techniques Featured in the Lesson
Capo Use
In keeping with the original mandolin arrangement, this lesson uses a capo to shift the guitar into the proper key. This allows you to play open chord voicings that mirror the brightness and resonance of the mandolin, maintaining the song’s character and atmosphere.
Why Learn This: Understanding how to use a capo expands your ability to play in different keys, adapt to vocal ranges, and access fresh chord voicings.
Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
Instead of strumming full chords, the guitar parts rely heavily on arpeggiated patterns—picking individual notes in a chord to create a cascading, melodic texture. This technique is central to capturing the hypnotic feel of the original song.
Why Learn This: Playing arpeggios improves your picking accuracy and hand coordination, and it enhances your ability to play rhythm parts that sound melodic and intricate.
Chord Progressions
The song’s chord changes are deceptively simple but incredibly effective. The lesson explores how Buck’s use of descending and ascending patterns helps create emotional tension, even with familiar chord shapes.
Why Learn This: Mastering chord progressions improves your understanding of harmony and gives you essential tools for songwriting and arranging.
Slides
Slides are used throughout the lesson to connect melodic ideas and add fluidity between chord positions. They mimic the glissando effect of a mandolin and help the guitar parts feel more vocal and lyrical.
Why Learn This: Slides add expression and smooth transitions to your playing, building phrasing skills and expanding your creative palette.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
The lesson incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs to recreate the flow of the original melody. These techniques help replicate the mandolin’s legato feel on guitar, especially in the verse and intro sections.
Why Learn This: Mastering these techniques sharpens your finger dexterity, helps with playing speed, and adds dynamics to both rhythm and lead parts.
Open String Riffs
Open strings are strategically used to sustain notes and create resonance while transitioning between chord shapes. This approach preserves the droning, folk-inspired quality that defines the original track.
Why Learn This: Open string riffs add texture and fullness to your playing without complexity, making them ideal for solo performers and acoustic adaptations.
Benefits of Learning “Losing My Religion”
- Develop Dynamic Control: Learn how to use light and shade in your playing for emotional effect.
- Enhance Timing and Rhythm: Arpeggiated patterns challenge your internal timing and finger independence.
- Build Chord Vocabulary: Explore new voicings and fingerings that expand your chordal knowledge.
- Improve Musical Expression: Every technique used supports the song’s mood and message.
- Apply to Multiple Styles: The skills learned translate seamlessly into folk, pop, rock, and acoustic settings.
This lesson offers a unique opportunity to build core skills while learning a song that’s musically rich and emotionally resonant. It’s an essential addition to any guitarist’s repertoire.
Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson
Learn “Losing My Religion” with confidence and bring depth and nuance to your playing with this expertly guided LickLibrary guitar lesson.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...