"Raise Your Hands" by Bon Jovi - Guitar Lesson Overview

"Raise Your Hands" by Bon Jovi is a high-energy anthem that showcases the band’s signature sound with powerful riffs, dynamic rhythms, and soaring solos. The track is a quintessential example of 80s rock, featuring power chords, palm muting, alternate picking, and harmonics. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, you’ll get an in-depth breakdown of these core techniques, which will help you recreate the driving force behind the song and enhance your overall guitar skills. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Key Techniques in "Raise Your Hands"

Power Chords

Power chords form the backbone of the rhythm sections in "Raise Your Hands." These simple, yet powerful chord shapes are made up of two or three notes: the root and the fifth (sometimes with the octave). Sambora uses power chords to deliver the song’s punchy, driving rhythm, providing the foundation for the track’s energetic vibe.

Learning to master power chords is crucial for any guitarist, especially in rock and metal genres. They are easy to play but offer immense versatility, allowing you to quickly transition between chords while maintaining a strong, full sound. In this lesson, we’ll explore the power chord shapes used in the song, helping you understand how to incorporate them into your own playing.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is another essential technique used throughout "Raise Your Hands." Palm muting involves lightly resting the edge of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge while you play, creating a muted, percussive sound. Sambora uses this technique during the verses and transitions, helping to build tension before exploding into the full, open power chords of the chorus.

This technique is invaluable for adding dynamics and control to your playing. Whether you’re creating tight, choppy rhythms or adding texture to open chord progressions, palm muting allows you to manipulate the intensity of your sound. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to effectively apply palm muting in the context of this song and beyond.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a core picking technique used by rock guitarists to play faster, more precise passages. In "Raise Your Hands," alternate picking is utilized during the lead sections and fills, helping Sambora deliver fluid, speedy runs. Alternate picking involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, which is essential for maintaining speed and accuracy, particularly in more complex passages.

Mastering alternate picking will significantly improve your ability to play fast, technical passages with precision. This lesson will guide you through the picking patterns used in the song, helping you build the muscle memory needed for clean, efficient picking.

Harmonics

Harmonics add a bright, bell-like sound to your playing, and Sambora incorporates them in key moments of "Raise Your Hands" to add flair and tonal variation. Harmonics are produced by lightly touching the string at certain points along the fretboard (usually at the 5th, 7th, or 12th frets) while plucking the string, creating a ringing, harmonic overtone. In this song, natural harmonics help Sambora add a bit of sparkle to the intro and bridge sections.

Learning how to execute harmonics will give you the ability to add a unique, shimmering quality to your playing. Whether you’re incorporating them into solos or adding them as accents in rhythm parts, harmonics offer an expressive tool for expanding your sonic palette.

About the Guitarist: Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi’s long-time lead guitarist, is widely regarded for his blend of technical ability and melodic sensibility. His guitar work helped define Bon Jovi’s signature sound, blending rock, blues, and a touch of metal to create memorable riffs and iconic solos. Sambora’s style in "Raise Your Hands" is a perfect example of his ability to seamlessly combine rhythm and lead guitar, using a mix of aggressive techniques like power chords and palm muting along with expressive ones like harmonics and alternate picking.

Sambora’s influence on rock guitar is undeniable, and by learning his parts in this track, you’ll not only improve your technical chops but also gain insight into how to create dynamic, melodic guitar lines that stand out in any rock context.

Conclusion

"Raise Your Hands" by Bon Jovi is an anthem of rock energy, and Richie Sambora’s guitar work is a key element in bringing that energy to life. The combination of power chords, palm muting, alternate picking, and harmonics creates a dynamic, engaging guitar part that balances both rhythm and lead playing. By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play the song authentically but also enhance your overall guitar skills and confidence as a player.

This lesson is ideal for guitarists looking to expand their technique and dive deeper into the mechanics of rock guitar. From the tight, controlled rhythm sections to the expressive lead parts, "Raise Your Hands" offers a complete picture of what it takes to play in the style of Richie Sambora. Grab your guitar and let’s get started—your rock journey begins here!

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• Harmonics