Love Bites by Def Leppard

Def Leppard's "Love Bites" is an iconic power ballad that showcases masterful guitar work, combining emotional depth with technical precision. This guitar lesson focuses on capturing the essence of this classic track, breaking down each technique used in the song and highlighting how they contribute to its unforgettable sound. Whether you're an aspiring guitarist or a seasoned player, this lesson offers valuable insights to elevate your playing. Jamies Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind "Love Bites"

"Love Bites" features the brilliant guitar work of Phil Collen and Steve Clark, two legendary guitarists whose partnership defined Def Leppard’s signature sound. Phil Collen brought technical sophistication and a penchant for melodic solos, while Steve Clark added raw energy and creative rhythm work. Their complementary styles helped shape the lush, layered guitar parts that make "Love Bites" so captivating. Learning their techniques not only allows you to master this song but also gives you a deeper understanding of their influence on rock guitar.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The intro and verses of "Love Bites" utilise arpeggiated chord progressions, creating a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere. This technique involves playing the notes of a chord in succession rather than strumming them simultaneously.

Benefit: Practicing arpeggios improves finger independence and control, essential for creating fluid and expressive melodies.

Learn more about arpeggios.

String Bending

The song’s emotive solos rely heavily on string bending to infuse each note with vocal-like expressiveness. This technique involves pushing a string to raise its pitch, often achieving subtle nuances or dramatic leaps.

Benefit: Mastering string bending helps you develop pitch accuracy and adds emotional depth to your solos.

Explore string bending techniques.

Vibrato

Throughout the track, vibrato is employed to sustain and embellish key notes, adding richness and dimension to the guitar parts.

Benefit: Vibrato enhances your playing by giving notes a singing quality, perfect for conveying emotion.

Discover vibrato techniques.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Phil Collen's smooth transitions between notes often include hammer-ons and pull-offs, which contribute to the song’s flowing and seamless melodies.

Benefit: These techniques increase finger agility and create fluidity in your playing.

Master hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Slides

Sliding between notes adds a sleek and polished touch to the lead guitar parts, enhancing the song’s overall texture.

Benefit: Practicing slides builds precision and helps you transition smoothly between fretboard positions.

Learn more about slides.

Double-Stop Bends

The chorus and solos feature double-stop bends, where two strings are bent simultaneously to create harmonic tension.

Benefit: This technique enriches your solos with powerful and layered harmonies.

Explore double-stop bends.

Palm Muting

The rhythm guitar sections make use of palm muting to create dynamic contrast and maintain the song's driving pulse.

Benefit: Palm muting enhances rhythm playing by allowing for tight, percussive sounds and dynamic control.

Learn about palm muting.

Power Chords

The bridge and chorus sections are built around power chords, delivering a punchy and anthemic sound that is quintessentially Def Leppard.

Benefit: Power chords are essential for building a strong rhythmic foundation in rock music.

Get started with power chords.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

A hallmark of Def Leppard’s style, dual guitar harmonies are used to create rich, interwoven melodies in "Love Bites."

Benefit: Learning dual harmonies improves your ear for melody and harmony while introducing the concept of collaborative guitar arrangements.

Explore dual guitar harmonies.

Summary of Techniques in This Lesson

• Arpeggios
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Double-Stop Bends
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Dual Guitar Harmonies

By mastering these techniques, you'll not only recreate the magic of "Love Bites" but also enhance your overall guitar-playing skill set. Start your journey with this comprehensive lesson and unlock the secrets behind one of Def Leppard’s most beloved tracks.