Fool For Your Lovin’ by Whitesnake

Learn how to play Fool For Your Lovin’ by Whitesnake with this in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com. Perfect for intermediate to advanced players, this tutorial walks you through every lick, riff, and solo, capturing the spirit and fire of one of Whitesnake’s most iconic tracks. Originally released in 1980 and re-recorded in 1989, this powerhouse track combines melodic hooks with gritty hard rock guitar work — a perfect study for guitarists looking to add fire and finesse to their playing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitarists

“Fool For Your Lovin’” showcases the signature sound of Whitesnake, blending blues-infused hard rock with polished melodic elements. Depending on the version you're learning, you'll encounter different guitar heroes. The 1980 version featured the bluesy mastery of Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, while the 1989 re-recording brought in Steve Vai, whose virtuosic playing injected a more aggressive, technical flair to the track.

Bernie Marsden is known for his expressive blues phrasing, melodic sensibilities, and tight, riff-based rhythms. His playing represents a bridge between blues tradition and hard rock aggression. Steve Vai, on the other hand, is a technical innovator, combining otherworldly technique with emotional depth, pushing the limits of rock guitar with techniques like whammy bar dives, two-handed tapping, and intricate harmonics. This lesson incorporates stylistic elements from both versions to give you a comprehensive study of the song.

Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Vibrato

Vibrato is one of the most expressive techniques in a guitarist’s arsenal. By adding vibrato to sustained notes, you can inject character, emotion, and sustain into your playing. This lesson shows you how to use vibrato tastefully, especially in the solo sections.

Alternate Picking

Precision and speed come from efficient picking. This lesson highlights the use of alternate picking in the rhythm and lead passages, helping you develop tighter, cleaner runs — a must for hard rock and metal styles.

String Bending

You’ll master both subtle bends and dramatic, vocal-like pitch shifts throughout this song. String bending is crucial for expressive soloing, and this track offers many chances to perfect your intonation and control.

Pinched Harmonics

Steve Vai’s version of this track makes great use of pinched harmonics to add aggression and squeal to certain lead phrases. Learn how to hit these squeals precisely and apply them tastefully in your own solos.

Double Stop Bends

The song features double stop bends, especially in the lead guitar parts. These add a harmonised, blues-rock edge that thickens your solos and delivers a classic Whitesnake punch.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used throughout the rhythm guitar sections to add tightness and aggression. You’ll learn how to control your muting to create dynamics and rhythmic clarity.

Power Chords

The song’s driving rhythm is powered by crunchy power chords, which are essential for any rock guitarist. This lesson walks you through how to play them cleanly and shift between them smoothly.

Slides

Slides are used in riffs and transitions throughout the song, adding fluidity and a bluesy flair to the performance. Learning to slide accurately will help you maintain flow in your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Many of the lead licks incorporate hammer-ons and pull-offs, allowing for fast, fluid runs and giving your solos a more legato feel. These techniques help in building both speed and smooth articulation.

Whammy Bar Tricks

In the Vai version especially, you’ll explore whammy bar tricks like dive bombs and pitch manipulation. These techniques give your playing a wild, expressive character that stands out.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

• Expressive playing: Techniques like vibrato, string bending, and pinched harmonics add personality to your solos.
• Improved control and accuracy: Palm muting and alternate picking develop discipline and precision.
• Creative freedom: Whammy bar tricks and double stop bends allow you to experiment with sound and emotion.
• Fluid lead work: Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides make your leads flow effortlessly.
• Essential rhythm skills: Mastering power chords and palm muting improves your tightness and groove in a band setting.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Dive into this detailed breakdown of Fool For Your Lovin’ today at Licklibrary and level up your technique while learning one of hard rock’s most electrifying guitar tracks.