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

Discover the beauty and subtlety of one of Def Leppard’s most melodic and iconic tracks with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Hysteria”. As the title track from the band’s multi-platinum 1987 album, Hysteria showcases Def Leppard’s softer, more atmospheric side while retaining the band’s tight rhythmic focus and layered guitar approach. Known for its lush textures, soaring melodies, and emotional depth, “Hysteria” is a masterclass in restraint, tone, and tasteful phrasing—making it an essential study for guitarists interested in rock ballads, ambient textures, and melodic lead playing.

This LickLibrary lesson offers a complete breakdown of the track, guiding you through its intricate arpeggiated chord progressions, tasteful slides, supportive power chords, and clean, articulate alternate picking. Each section is carefully taught to ensure you fully capture the nuance and feel of this studio masterpiece, helping you develop the expressive control and technical accuracy required to play it with confidence and style. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Song Breakdown & Techniques Covered

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The clean, dreamy intro and verse sections of “Hysteria” are built around arpeggiated chord progressions, where notes of a chord are played individually in sequence rather than strummed. This technique adds space and clarity to the music, making it ideal for ballads and ambient rock arrangements. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to execute arpeggios cleanly using both fretting and picking hand control, improving your timing, dynamics, and overall finesse when playing chord-based passages.

Alternate Picking

To maintain a smooth, even flow when playing arpeggios and melodic lines, alternate picking is key. This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, allowing for greater speed and precision. It’s especially important when playing consistent, clean patterns over longer phrases like those found in “Hysteria.” Our lesson focuses on improving picking hand efficiency and rhythmic consistency, which in turn enhances your articulation and endurance during both rhythm and lead passages.

Slides

Slides are used throughout the song to add smooth transitions between notes and to connect melodic phrases with a vocal-like quality. Whether used subtly in lead fills or more prominently in transitions between chord positions, slides contribute to the song’s expressive character. You’ll learn how to execute slides with accurate timing, consistent pressure, and dynamic control—crucial for creating seamless, flowing movement across the fretboard.

Power Chords

While much of the song relies on clean, melodic textures, the choruses and bridge sections introduce power chords to add drive and emotional intensity. These chords form the rhythmic and harmonic anchor of the heavier sections and give the arrangement its classic rock punch. In this lesson, we’ll show you how to play power chords with tight muting and accurate fretting, helping you lock into the groove and support the vocal melodies with confidence.

Why Learn “Hysteria”?

“Hysteria” is a shining example of how rock guitar can be emotional, atmospheric, and restrained—without sacrificing musical depth or technical skill. It’s the perfect song for players who want to focus on tone, phrasing, and feel. The use of arpeggios, ambient lead work, and dynamic shifts offers a comprehensive look at how to build a compelling guitar performance that serves the song.

With LickLibrary’s in-depth tutorial, you’ll not only master each part of the track, but also develop the techniques to apply similar ideas to your own playing. From timing and tone to articulation and control, this lesson will elevate your rhythm and lead playing with skills that go far beyond the song itself.

Whether you're a fan of Def Leppard, a rock ballad enthusiast, or a guitarist working on expressive dynamics and clean phrasing, this is a must-learn track that will enrich your musical vocabulary and performance technique.

About the Guitarists: Phil Collen and Steve Clark

The guitar work on “Hysteria” is the result of the incredible partnership between Phil Collen and Steve Clark. These two guitarists brought contrasting yet complementary styles to the band: Steve’s playing was grounded in emotive, bluesy phrasing, while Phil added precision, speed, and technical flair. Together, they created a guitar sound that was as polished as it was powerful. On “Hysteria,” they shine by layering clean arpeggios, swelling leads, and harmonically rich progressions, demonstrating how guitars can carry both the emotional weight and structural foundation of a song. Learning their parts offers valuable insight into building atmosphere, tone layering, and melodic phrasing.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Alternate Picking
• Slides
• Power Chords

Master the emotion, tone, and phrasing of one of Def Leppard’s most beloved tracks with our “Hysteria” note-for-note guitar lesson. Learn every section in full detail and elevate your playing with techniques that define a generation of rock guitar.