Learn to Play "Don't Shoot Shotgun" by Def Leppard | Guitar Lesson

Step into the polished and powerful world of Def Leppard with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Don’t Shoot Shotgun,” a riff-driven, high-energy track from their legendary Hysteria album. Known for its punchy guitars, arena-ready production, and infectious hooks, “Don’t Shoot Shotgun” delivers a rhythmic guitar performance packed with tight riffs and melodic flourishes. This song offers an excellent opportunity for guitarists to sharpen their rock rhythm skills while tapping into the signature Def Leppard sound.

In this detailed LickLibrary lesson, we break down every section of the song—from the intro riff and punchy verses to the high-impact choruses and lead fills. The guitar parts in “Don’t Shoot Shotgun” offer a balanced workout in foundational rock techniques such as power chords, palm muting, double stops, and alternate picking. Each technique is broken down with easy-to-follow explanations and demonstrations, allowing you to not only learn the song accurately but to develop the technique and tone that power this track. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Song Breakdown & Techniques Covered

Power Chords

One of the driving forces behind “Don’t Shoot Shotgun” is the use of power chords. These two-note shapes deliver punch, clarity, and a solid rhythmic base throughout the track. Whether in the tight verse riffs or the expansive choruses, power chords give the song its drive and attitude. This lesson teaches you how to play power chords cleanly, transition between them efficiently, and use them dynamically to maintain energy and groove throughout your performance.

Palm Muting

To give the riffs extra percussive bite and control, the song relies heavily on palm muting. Palm muting adds tightness and clarity to your rhythm playing, helping parts sit neatly in the mix without becoming overly aggressive. In this lesson, we’ll show you how to use this technique to enhance your rhythm tone, keep your riffs sounding professional, and maintain the balance between attack and sustain in different sections of the song.

Double Stops

Throughout the song, double stops are used to add thickness and harmonic interest to the guitar parts. These two-note phrases appear in lead fills and accent riffs, giving the guitar tone extra weight and a bluesy bite. You’ll learn how to incorporate double stops effectively into your rhythm and lead playing, which also helps improve your finger coordination and control of muting across multiple strings.

Alternate Picking

For the song’s tighter melodic runs and syncopated rhythms, alternate picking is essential. By alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, you can maintain speed and accuracy while keeping the rhythm tight. In this lesson, we break down the faster single-note passages and show you how to apply alternate picking to ensure every note rings clearly—even at high tempo. It’s a technique that boosts overall picking efficiency and rhythmic precision.

Why Learn “Don’t Shoot Shotgun”?

“Don’t Shoot Shotgun” is a textbook example of how a well-constructed rock song uses tight rhythm guitar, melodic elements, and studio polish to create lasting impact. It's not just about playing the notes—it's about locking in with the groove, controlling dynamics, and developing a keen sense of timing. This lesson provides the perfect opportunity to solidify your rhythm chops while exploring expressive lead fills and layered parts.

With LickLibrary’s comprehensive tutorial, you’ll be guided through every part of the track with on-screen tab, slow walkthroughs, and expert insights into technique, tone, and execution. Whether you're a Def Leppard fan or simply a guitarist looking to expand your skillset with a high-energy rock song, this lesson will help you build real-world technique and performance confidence.

About the Guitarists: Phil Collen and Steve Clark

The guitar duo of Phil Collen and Steve Clark brought contrasting but complementary styles to Def Leppard's sound. On Hysteria, and particularly in “Don’t Shoot Shotgun,” they showcased their ability to layer rhythm guitars with studio precision while maintaining a live, aggressive edge. Steve Clark’s blues-rock feel added depth to his riff writing and phrasing, while Phil Collen brought slick precision and technical articulation. This track is a great example of their chemistry—tight rhythm guitars laced with melodic lead lines and layered textures. Learning their parts helps you understand how to serve a song while still injecting personality and style into your playing.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Double Stops
• Alternate Picking

Take your rhythm and lead playing to the next level with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Don’t Shoot Shotgun” by Def Leppard. Learn to play every riff, chord, and fill with the energy and precision that defined one of rock’s most iconic bands.