"Social Disease" by Bon Jovi - Guitar Lesson Overview

"Social Disease" by Bon Jovi is a hard-hitting, riff-driven track from their iconic Slippery When Wet album. Known for its infectious energy, the song features a variety of essential rock guitar techniques that define Richie Sambora’s powerful playing style. Our note-for-note guitar lesson on "Social Disease" covers key techniques such as pinched harmonics, alternate picking, vibrato, and power chords. Learning these techniques will not only help you nail this Bon Jovi classic, but also enhance your guitar skills across a wide range of rock genres. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Key Techniques in "Social Disease"

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics are one of the standout techniques in Sambora’s playing on "Social Disease." This technique involves striking the string in such a way that your thumb slightly touches it immediately after the pick strikes, producing a high-pitched squeal. Pinched harmonics add aggression and flair to your playing, especially in rock and metal.

Mastering pinched harmonics will allow you to add another layer of excitement to your solos and riffs. In this lesson, we break down Sambora’s use of pinched harmonics, showing you how to get those sharp, harmonic tones that make certain notes leap out. Once you’ve got a handle on this technique, you can incorporate it into your own playing to give your solos a distinctive edge.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking, the process of alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, is a foundational technique for any guitar player. In "Social Disease," alternate picking is crucial for maintaining the fast-paced, rhythmic flow of the song. Sambora uses it to keep the riffs tight and efficient, giving the song its driving, energetic feel.

Learning alternate picking will increase your speed and accuracy on the guitar. This lesson walks you through Sambora’s alternate picking patterns, helping you improve your technique while keeping your picking hand relaxed. By mastering alternate picking, you’ll be able to tackle fast riffs and leads with precision and fluidity.

Vibrato

Vibrato is a key element in Sambora’s expressive playing style. It involves bending the pitch of a note slightly up and down to give it more sustain and emotional depth. In "Social Disease," Sambora applies vibrato to add feel and nuance to the lead sections, giving certain notes more emphasis and character.

Learning vibrato is essential for developing a unique, expressive sound. Our lesson will guide you through the use of vibrato in this song, showing you how to apply it with control and finesse. With practice, you’ll be able to add emotional intensity to your playing, making your solos and melodies stand out.

Power Chords

Power chords are the backbone of many rock songs, and "Social Disease" is no exception. Sambora uses power chords to drive the rhythm and create the heavy, punchy sound that defines the track’s hard rock aesthetic. Power chords consist of the root and fifth note of a chord, producing a strong, open sound that’s easy to move around the fretboard.

Mastering power chords will give you the ability to play countless rock songs with confidence and precision. This lesson breaks down the power chord progressions in "Social Disease," helping you understand their role in the song’s structure. Once you’ve nailed the power chords, you’ll be equipped to tackle a wide variety of classic rock and metal riffs.

About the Guitarist: Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora is one of the defining guitarists of the 1980s rock scene. His work with Bon Jovi is a masterclass in combining melody, technical prowess, and showmanship. Known for his soulful use of techniques like pinched harmonics and vibrato, Sambora's playing on "Social Disease" brings intensity and excitement to the song’s dynamic structure. His influence stretches far beyond Bon Jovi, as his innovative style has inspired countless guitarists across various genres of rock and blues. Sambora’s ability to blend technical precision with emotional expression makes learning his riffs a rewarding challenge for guitarists at any level.

Conclusion

"Social Disease" by Bon Jovi is a perfect song to refine your rock guitar skills. By focusing on techniques like pinched harmonics, alternate picking, vibrato, and power chords, you’ll gain more control and precision over your guitar playing. These techniques are foundational for any rock guitarist, and learning to apply them in a dynamic song like "Social Disease" will give you the confidence to tackle more complex material in the future.

Richie Sambora’s playing style is both technical and soulful, and studying his work on this track will deepen your understanding of rock guitar techniques. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build your foundation or an intermediate player seeking to expand your repertoire, our note-for-note lesson on "Social Disease" will help you master the song and improve your overall guitar skills.

By learning these core techniques, you’ll not only be able to play this classic Bon Jovi track but also elevate your own playing, whether you're jamming with friends or performing live. Dive into our lesson, and let our expert instruction guide you toward mastering this iconic song.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Pinched Harmonics
• Alternate Picking
• Vibrato
• Power Chords