Learn to Play "Them Bones" by Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains’ Them Bones is a grunge-metal masterpiece packed with aggressive riffs, unconventional time signatures, and haunting melodies. This Licklibrary lesson offers a note-for-note breakdown of the song, teaching you how to replicate Jerry Cantrell’s signature tone and phrasing with precision. The lesson also delves into essential guitar techniques that define this track, helping you build your skills in riff construction, power chords, alternate picking, and more.

By mastering Them Bones, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of grunge-era guitar playing, strengthening your technique and improving your ability to tackle complex, high-energy riffs with confidence. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Jerry Cantrell and His Influence

Jerry Cantrell is the creative force behind Alice In Chains’ distinctive sound. His riff-driven, blues-influenced metal style is instantly recognisable, blending dark harmonic choices with crushing rhythms and soaring leads.

Cantrell’s playing in Them Bones showcases his mastery of heavy riffing and melodic tension, blending alternative rock with metal in a way that defined Seattle’s grunge movement. His use of chromaticism, palm-muted chugging, and unusual rhythmic phrasing set him apart as one of the most innovative rock guitarists of the '90s.

Key Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Power Chords

The song’s intro and chorus rely heavily on power chords, giving it a thick and aggressive sound. Power chords form the backbone of many rock and metal songs, providing a full, punchy tone while being easy to move around the fretboard. Mastering them improves rhythmic accuracy and hand strength.

Palm Muting

The tight, chugging riffs in Them Bones are driven by palm muting, which helps create dynamic contrast. This technique allows you to control note articulation, making your playing sound precise and percussive. Learning palm muting is essential for building a tight rhythm-hand technique.

Alternate Picking

Cantrell’s fast-picked phrases demand alternate picking for smooth execution. This technique involves toggling between upstrokes and downstrokes, ensuring speed, efficiency, and precision. Practicing alternate picking will enhance your dexterity and stamina, crucial for playing high-energy riffs.

Slides

Throughout the song, Cantrell uses slides to seamlessly transition between notes, adding fluidity to the riffs and leads. Slides enhance phrasing and expression, helping you play smoother, more connected passages.

Chromaticism

The eerie, unsettling nature of Them Bones comes from Cantrell’s use of chromaticism in the main riff. This technique involves playing consecutive half-step notes, creating tension and dissonance—a hallmark of grunge and metal guitar playing.

String Bending

Cantrell’s lead sections include string bending, adding expressiveness and sustain to his licks. Bends allow you to hit microtonal pitches, mimicking vocal-like phrasing and enhancing lead guitar articulation.

Syncopated Rhythms

The irregular rhythmic patterns in Them Bones give it a distinctive groove. Learning these syncopated rhythms will help you tighten your timing and develop a better feel for complex rhythmic structures.

Octave Melodies

The haunting lead lines in the track are built around octave melodies, a technique where notes are played one octave apart to thicken the sound while keeping clarity. Octave playing is a great way to enhance your lead work and create a fuller sound.

Unison Bends

The song’s lead sections also feature unison bends, where one string is bent while another stays static, creating a powerful, wailing effect. This technique is great for enhancing expression and adding intensity to solos.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• Slides
• Chromaticism
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Octave Melodies
• Unison Bends

This lesson is perfect for anyone looking to capture Jerry Cantrell’s unique playing style and improve their rock and metal guitar techniques. Whether you’re a fan of Alice In Chains or simply want to expand your riffing and lead-playing skills, learning Them Bones will elevate your guitar game.