God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols

Overview

At Licklibrary.com, we're excited to bring you a detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson on "God Save The Queen" by the Sex Pistols. This lesson is perfect for players who want to dive deep into the rebellious spirit of punk guitar playing. In this course, we focus on replicating the aggressive, raw sound that defined a generation. You'll learn key punk techniques that are essential for anyone wanting to expand their rhythmic tightness, chord control, and dynamic playing. Whether you're a punk enthusiast or looking to tighten up your rhythm guitar chops, this lesson will help you master one of the most iconic anthems of the 70s. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists

The guitar work on "God Save The Queen" is performed by the legendary Steve Jones. As the guitarist for the Sex Pistols, Jones became a pivotal figure in punk rock history. Known for his thick, aggressive tone and tight, no-frills playing style, Jones’ approach to guitar was groundbreaking at the time. His playing rejected the elaborate solos and progressive influences of the early 70s, paving the way for a more visceral, attitude-driven sound. Learning his style offers valuable insight into how to deliver maximum impact with minimalistic techniques—an essential skill for any serious guitarist.

Techniques Featured in "God Save The Queen"

Power Chords

"God Save The Queen" relies heavily on the use of power chords, a hallmark of punk rock guitar. Mastering power chords is crucial because they offer a full, aggressive sound with simple, movable shapes. By learning power chords, players gain the ability to quickly shift across the fretboard, improving their chord transition speed and rhythm control.

Palm Muting

Throughout the song, palm muting is used to add a tight, percussive quality to the riffs. Practicing palm muting helps guitarists develop better dynamic control and rhythmic precision, essential for tight band performances and punchy riffs.

String Bending

String bending plays a subtle but important role in adding expression to Steve Jones’ phrasing. Focusing on string bending improves pitch accuracy and strengthens finger control, enabling guitarists to add a vocal-like quality to their solos and licks.

Slides

Slides are an important texture in the song’s riffing style. Learning to slide between notes smoothly can add expressiveness and fluidity to your playing, helping to create more emotional, connected phrases.

Sustained Chords

In the choruses, Jones uses sustained chords to create a wide, anthemic sound. Developing the ability to maintain sustain enhances a player’s control over dynamics and tone, crucial for playing slow, powerful passages effectively.

Alternate Picking

While not overly flashy, alternate picking is important to maintain the tempo and aggression of the song’s driving riffs. Working on alternate picking greatly boosts picking efficiency and stamina, allowing for faster, cleaner rhythmic playing.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each technique you’ll learn in this lesson builds fundamental skills that go far beyond punk rock:

• Power chords build your ability to quickly switch shapes and fret notes cleanly, which is critical for rock, metal, and punk styles.
• Palm muting enhances your precision, timing, and dynamic control, skills useful across almost all genres.
• String bending sharpens your ear for pitch and gives your solos more feeling and emotion.
• Slides teach you how to connect notes smoothly, improving phrasing and musicality.
• Sustain strengthens your control over your tone and allows you to hold the listener’s attention during slower passages.
• Alternate picking will make your picking hand faster and more accurate, a vital skill for playing tight, energetic riffs.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Sustain
• Alternate Picking