Dude Looks Like A Lady – Aerosmith

Master Aerosmith’s Signature Sound with LickLibrary

"Dude Looks Like A Lady" by Aerosmith is a powerhouse rock anthem packed with explosive guitar riffs, soaring solos, and unmistakable rock 'n' roll swagger. Our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every essential technique used in this track, helping you master the song just like Joe Perry and Brad Whitford played it. Whether you're a beginner looking to step up your lead guitar game or an advanced player refining your style, this lesson offers invaluable insights into rock guitar mastery. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists – Joe Perry and Brad Whitford

Joe Perry and Brad Whitford form one of the most iconic guitar duos in rock history, blending raw blues-inspired riffing with high-energy rock leads. Perry, known for his expressive phrasing and powerful tone, delivers fiery solos and catchy licks, while Whitford provides a solid rhythmic backbone that holds the song together. Their chemistry is a defining element of Aerosmith’s sound, influencing generations of guitarists across multiple genres.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Power Chords

Aerosmith’s hard rock foundation relies on powerful, punchy rhythm playing. Mastering power chords will help you add drive and authority to your rhythm guitar playing.

Slides

Joe Perry’s lead work incorporates slides to transition smoothly between notes, creating a fluid and expressive sound. Learning this technique enhances your ability to connect phrases seamlessly.

String Bending

Aerosmith’s lead guitar style features dynamic string bending, allowing for expressive note phrasing and vocal-like melodies. This technique is essential for injecting emotion into your solos.

Vibrato

Mastering vibrato will give your notes more sustain and character, a hallmark of Joe Perry’s blues-rock phrasing.

Double Stops

The song features double stops, a technique where two notes are played simultaneously, adding thickness and richness to your licks.

Palm Muting

To create tight and controlled rhythmic sections, the track employs palm muting. This technique is key to achieving a percussive, punchy tone in rock and metal playing.

Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs

The solos in "Dude Looks Like A Lady" utilise hammer-ons and pull-offs for rapid, smooth note transitions that build speed and fluidity.

Unison Bends

A defining technique in rock solos, unison bends create a thick, wailing sound that enhances the intensity of the lead guitar sections.

Pinched Harmonics

Adding an extra layer of aggression, pinched harmonics produce squealing high-pitched notes that cut through the mix with precision.

Tremolo Picking

Certain sections use tremolo picking for rapid-fire note repetition, giving the lead lines a sense of urgency and energy.

Syncopated Rhythms

The rhythm guitar parts showcase syncopated rhythms, adding a groove-heavy, dynamic feel to the track’s structure.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Slides
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tremolo Picking
• Syncopated Rhythms

By learning these techniques, you'll not only master "Dude Looks Like A Lady," but also enhance your overall guitar playing, giving you the skills to tackle other rock classics with confidence. Dive into this lesson and bring the signature Aerosmith sound to your playing!