Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf

Introduction to "Born To Be Wild"

Dive into one of rock's most iconic anthems with our note-for-note guitar lesson on Steppenwolf's Born To Be Wild. Known for its raw energy and rebellious spirit, this classic track defined the sound of the late 1960s and became an enduring symbol of freedom and adventure. Perfectly crafted for intermediate to advanced players, our lesson covers every nuance of this rock classic, from its driving riffs to its blazing solo work. Let’s explore the techniques featured in the song, the benefits of mastering them, and the influence of Steppenwolf’s legendary guitarists. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist and Song's Influence

The guitar work on Born To Be Wild was brought to life by Michael Monarch, Steppenwolf’s lead guitarist at the time. Monarch’s style was a quintessential blend of blues-inspired rock, incorporating heavy riffs and melodic solos that set the tone for countless rock guitarists who followed. His playing on Born To Be Wild is both accessible and challenging, making it an ideal study piece for developing guitarists. Monarch's ability to balance rhythm and lead elements in a single song remains a hallmark of classic rock guitar.

Techniques Explored in the Lesson

Power Chords

The foundation of Born To Be Wild lies in its aggressive, driving power chords. These simplified chords provide the backbone of the song, delivering a punchy, rhythmic energy. Learning power chords is essential for any guitarist looking to play rock or punk, as they allow for maximum impact with minimal finger movement.

Benefit: Improves your rhythm playing and gives you a solid foundation for countless rock songs.

Palm Muting

The iconic riffs of Born To Be Wild come alive with the use of palm muting. This technique involves lightly resting the palm of your picking hand near the bridge to create a percussive, muted sound.

Benefit: Enhances rhythmic precision and dynamic control, a must-have skill for tight, groove-heavy playing.

String Bending

Michael Monarch’s lead lines feature expressive string bending, which adds emotion and flair to the solos. Whether it’s a subtle bend or a soaring, full-step push, bending strings is key to capturing the soul of rock guitar.

Benefit: Develops finger strength and intonation while expanding your expressive range.

Vibrato

A smooth, controlled vibrato is used in the solos to sustain notes and add personality to the melodies. Vibrato is one of the most expressive tools in a guitarist’s arsenal, and mastering it can elevate even the simplest phrases.

Benefit: Improves control and expressiveness, giving your playing a professional edge.

Slides

The song’s transitions and licks often employ slides to move between notes fluidly, creating a seamless flow in the solos and riffs.

Benefit: Enhances smoothness and phrasing while improving finger dexterity and positioning.

Bluesy Bends

Born To Be Wild incorporates bluesy bends to give its lead guitar parts a gritty, soulful feel. These bends highlight the song’s blues-rock roots.

Benefit: Helps connect blues techniques with rock phrasing, expanding your stylistic versatility.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Fast licks in the solo utilise hammer-ons and pull-offs to create smooth, legato passages.

Benefit: Improves speed and fluidity while adding dynamic interest to your playing.

Open-String Riffs

The driving main riff makes use of open-string riffs for added resonance and impact. Open strings bring a fuller sound to rock riffs and are a key component of this track’s raw energy.

Benefit: Enhances awareness of open string usage and improves coordination between fretting and picking hands.

Benefits of Learning "Born To Be Wild"

Learning this song equips you with a wealth of essential guitar techniques, all of which can be applied to countless other tracks in the rock genre. By breaking down Born To Be Wild, you'll improve your rhythm, lead playing, and overall musicality while gaining insights into the artistry of classic rock guitarists like Michael Monarch.

Guitar Techniques List

Here’s a complete list of guitar techniques used in our lesson, with helpful links for further exploration:

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Open-String Riffs

Mastering these techniques will not only help you play Born To Be Wild note for note but also enrich your overall guitar skills, making you a more versatile and confident musician.