Learn to Play "Excitable" by Def Leppard | Guitar Lesson

Get ready to dive into the electrifying, high-energy world of Def Leppard with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Excitable”, one of the most adrenaline-fuelled tracks from the band’s monumental 1987 album Hysteria. Known for its pulsing groove, infectious hooks, and polished production, “Excitable” blends layered rhythm guitars with searing lead lines, creating a track that’s as much about precision as it is about raw rock ‘n’ roll excitement.

In this detailed LickLibrary tutorial, you’ll learn every part of the song exactly as recorded—from the punchy intro riff to the anthemic chorus and fiery lead breaks. This lesson focuses on developing essential guitar techniques including power chords, double stops, string bending, and barre chords. These techniques are the cornerstone of Def Leppard’s polished-yet-punchy guitar style and are broken down clearly to help you improve your rhythm and lead playing, build dynamic control, and nail that signature ‘80s arena-rock tone. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Song Breakdown & Techniques Covered

Power Chords

Power chords form the rhythmic backbone of “Excitable,” driving the track with force and consistency. From tight verse riffs to full-throttle choruses, these two-note shapes are used to maximum effect. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to voice power chords cleanly and deliver them with the energy and control needed for modern rock rhythm playing. Power chords are essential for any guitarist looking to build strong, accurate rhythm technique.

Double Stops

Phil and Steve often use double stops—two-note combinations that bring added grit and harmonic interest to lead phrases. In “Excitable,” these are used to punctuate melodic lines and reinforce key transitions. You’ll develop your muting control and finger independence as you learn how to apply double stops in both rhythmic and melodic contexts, giving your playing a fuller, more textured sound.

String Bending

Expressive string bending is a huge part of Steve Clark’s lead guitar vocabulary. On “Excitable,” bends are used not just for dramatic effect, but to create emotive phrasing that feels vocal and dynamic. Our lesson shows you how to execute controlled, pitch-accurate bends that sing—helping you improve finger strength, intonation, and your sense of melodic phrasing. This is a crucial skill for players looking to bring more expression to their solos and licks.

Barre Chords

Barre chords are used throughout the track to create movement and texture beyond simple open-position shapes. By learning how to shift barre chords smoothly across the neck and apply them rhythmically, you’ll improve your fretboard fluency and chordal control. These shapes allow you to cover a wide range of harmonic possibilities while maintaining a tight, polished tone—an essential part of the Def Leppard sound.

Why Learn “Excitable”?

“Excitable” is a prime example of how technical precision and rock energy can work hand-in-hand. It’s a song that keeps the guitarist engaged from start to finish, with a mix of aggressive riffing, melodic lead work, and tight rhythmic discipline. Learning this song is a great way to improve your timing, chord control, phrasing, and overall musicality.

With our LickLibrary step-by-step lesson, you’ll be guided through every section with on-screen tab, slow demos, and technique breakdowns to help you master each part. Whether you’re a Def Leppard fan or simply looking to expand your rock guitar toolkit, this lesson offers a powerful combination of technique development and performance-ready material.

About the Guitarists: Phil Collen and Steve Clark

“Excitable” features the distinctive dual-guitar attack of Phil Collen and Steve Clark, the legendary duo behind Def Leppard’s golden-era sound. Steve’s blues-influenced style brought soul and melody to the band’s leads and riffs, while Phil added razor-sharp rhythm precision and polished technique. Together, they helped define a sound that was both radio-friendly and guitar-driven. On “Excitable,” their interplay is on full display—with driving rhythm guitars supporting vibrant, expressive leads. Studying this track is a fantastic way to learn how two guitarists can create rich, layered textures while maintaining clarity and cohesion.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Double Stops
• String Bending
• Barre Chords

Bring the electrifying spirit of Hysteria to life with our note-for-note lesson on “Excitable” by Def Leppard. Learn every riff, chord, and lead line exactly as recorded—and develop the techniques that defined one of rock’s most iconic eras.