Suffragette City - David Bowie

David Bowie's Suffragette City is an electrifying rock anthem that captures the essence of 1970s glam rock. Originally featured on the iconic The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the song is filled with driving guitar riffs, punchy rhythms, and a high-energy groove that keeps listeners hooked. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com breaks down every element of the song, allowing players to master the key techniques and gain a deeper understanding of classic rock guitar playing. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Work on Suffragette City

The guitar on Suffragette City is performed by Mick Ronson, Bowie's legendary guitarist and right-hand man during the Ziggy Stardust era. Ronson's playing style blends hard-hitting rock energy with melodic sensibilities, giving the song its raw and infectious feel. His influence extends beyond Bowie’s work, inspiring countless guitarists with his signature use of overdriven tones, tight rhythms, and dynamic lead lines. Learning Suffragette City offers an excellent opportunity to study Ronson’s distinctive style and apply it to your own playing.

Guitar Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Power Chords

Power chords form the foundation of the Suffragette City riff, giving it a punchy and aggressive sound. By mastering power chords, players can build strength in their fretting hand and improve their ability to move across the fretboard efficiently.

Palm Muting

The song’s rhythm section features palm-muted sections that add dynamics and drive to the main riff. Palm muting enhances articulation and control, making your playing sound tighter and more professional.

String Bending

Ronson's lead work in Suffragette City includes expressive string bending to add tension and emotion to his solos. Practicing bends improves finger strength and pitch control, helping guitarists add more character to their playing.

Slides

Slides are a key feature in the song's rhythm and lead parts, providing a smooth, flowing transition between notes. Learning slides enhances fretboard navigation and makes soloing more fluid and expressive.

Barre Chords

The song incorporates barre chords to add harmonic depth and variety to its chord progressions. Mastering barre chords increases finger dexterity and allows players to expand their chord vocabulary.

Syncopated Rhythms

Suffragette City is known for its driving, syncopated rhythm patterns that create a groovy, infectious energy. Practicing syncopation helps players develop better timing and rhythmic accuracy, which are essential for rock and funk-inspired styles.

Open String Riffs

The interplay between fretted notes and open strings adds a bright and resonant quality to the song's main riff. Open string riffs improve picking accuracy and help develop a more dynamic and expressive playing style.

Mastering Suffragette City

By studying Suffragette City through our detailed lesson, players will gain a deeper understanding of Mick Ronson’s rock guitar techniques. This lesson is perfect for guitarists looking to improve their rhythm playing, master essential rock techniques, and add more energy to their performances. Whether you’re a beginner eager to develop solid rock fundamentals or an experienced player looking to refine your skills, this lesson provides valuable insights into one of rock's most iconic songs.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Barre Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open String Riffs

Start learning Suffragette City today and bring the legendary energy of David Bowie’s music to your playing!