"Never Say Goodbye" by Bon Jovi - Guitar Lesson Overview

"Never Say Goodbye" by Bon Jovi is a timeless ballad that showcases Richie Sambora’s soulful and emotional guitar work. This song, from the iconic Slippery When Wet album, features some essential rock techniques such as string bending, vibrato, two-hand tapping, and slides. These techniques give the song its melodic intensity, allowing Sambora to create a beautiful interplay between his lead lines and the song’s emotional core. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, we break down these essential techniques, giving you the tools you need to master this classic. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Key Techniques in "Never Say Goodbye"

String Bending

String bending is a cornerstone of expressive guitar playing, and Sambora uses it masterfully throughout "Never Say Goodbye." String bending involves pushing or pulling the string to alter its pitch, allowing you to hit notes that are not directly under your fingers. This technique creates a vocal-like quality in the guitar, adding emotion and tension to your playing.

In this lesson, we focus on Sambora’s use of string bending to enhance his solos. By learning how to control your bends, you’ll be able to add more depth and character to your playing. Whether you’re playing blues, rock, or ballads, mastering string bending will allow you to express emotion through your guitar like never before.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another essential technique that Sambora uses to great effect in "Never Say Goodbye." Vibrato involves slightly oscillating the pitch of a note by moving your fretting hand in a controlled manner, adding sustain and emotional intensity. This technique can turn a single note into a powerful statement, and Sambora’s application of vibrato in this song enhances its heartfelt feel.

Learning vibrato will help you add nuance to your playing, giving your solos more expression and personality. This lesson breaks down the subtleties of Sambora’s vibrato, showing you how to apply it tastefully in both slow ballads and more energetic tracks.

Two-Hand Tapping

Two-hand tapping is a technique that involves using both hands on the fretboard to create fast, fluid note sequences. Richie Sambora uses this technique in "Never Say Goodbye" to create smooth transitions between notes, adding a modern flair to his melodic runs. By tapping with the picking hand, you can reach higher notes and play faster passages with ease.

Mastering two-hand tapping will expand your technical ability and open up new possibilities for your solos. In this lesson, we’ll guide you through Sambora’s use of tapping in the song, helping you integrate it into your own playing. Once you’ve got the basics down, two-hand tapping can become a powerful tool in your lead guitar arsenal.

Slides

Slides are another technique that Sambora employs to great effect in "Never Say Goodbye." Sliding involves moving your finger along the fretboard to transition between notes smoothly, adding fluidity to your playing. This technique can make your solos feel more connected, allowing notes to flow seamlessly into one another.

In this lesson, we focus on how Sambora uses slides to enhance the melodic lines in the song. Mastering slides will improve your phrasing and allow you to move around the fretboard with more freedom. Whether you’re playing a slow ballad or a fast-paced solo, slides can add an expressive quality to your playing.

About the Guitarist: Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora is widely regarded as one of the most influential rock guitarists of the 1980s and 1990s. His partnership with Jon Bon Jovi helped define the sound of stadium rock, blending powerful riffs, memorable solos, and soulful ballads. On "Never Say Goodbye," Sambora's playing is particularly poignant, displaying a balance of technical precision and heartfelt expression. His use of techniques like vibrato and two-hand tapping in this song sets a perfect mood, elevating the emotional weight of the track. Sambora’s versatility as a guitarist makes this lesson both challenging and rewarding for players of all skill levels.

Conclusion

"Never Say Goodbye" by Bon Jovi is a power ballad that requires a combination of emotional expression and technical precision. Richie Sambora’s guitar work on this track is a masterclass in creating mood and emotion through the guitar, with techniques like string bending, vibrato, two-hand tapping, and slides playing a central role. By studying this song in detail, you’ll not only improve your technical skills but also learn how to apply these techniques with feeling and intention.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to develop core techniques or an experienced guitarist seeking to refine your soloing abilities, our lesson on "Never Say Goodbye" offers invaluable insights into the art of expressive guitar playing. Dive into the lesson and unlock the secrets behind one of Bon Jovi’s most iconic ballads, mastering both the technical and emotional aspects of the song.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to integrate these essential techniques into your playing, making you a more versatile and expressive guitarist. Start your journey with "Never Say Goodbye" and elevate your guitar playing to new heights!

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Two-Hand Tapping
• Slides