Learn to Play "Love Bites" by Def Leppard | Guitar Lesson

Dive into the rich, melodic textures of one of Def Leppard’s most iconic ballads with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Love Bites”. A highlight of the Hysteria album, this emotionally powerful track combines atmospheric guitar work, soaring melodies, and tasteful lead phrasing that perfectly capture the song’s haunting mood. With its layered arrangements and dynamic shifts, “Love Bites” is a fantastic study for guitarists looking to develop both technical ability and musical expression.

In this detailed lesson from LickLibrary, we’ll walk you through every guitar part from the track, breaking down the signature tones and techniques used by Phil Collen and Steve Clark. This tutorial focuses on four essential guitar techniques that drive the song’s sound: barre chords, arpeggiated chord progressions, vibrato, and whammy bar tricks. These techniques not only shape the mood of the piece, but they also offer guitarists valuable tools for improving their control, expression, and tone across both rhythm and lead playing. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Song Breakdown & Techniques Covered

Barre Chords

The use of barre chords throughout “Love Bites” provides a solid harmonic foundation for the song’s quieter verses and dynamic build-ups. Barre chords allow guitarists to play full voicings and move them around the neck to support the song’s chord progressions. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to form and transition between barre chords cleanly, control your dynamics through strumming technique, and maintain tonal clarity even when playing sustained or softly picked chords—perfect for adding emotional depth to your rhythm playing.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The intro and verse sections feature beautifully arranged arpeggiated chord progressions that create an open, ethereal texture. By picking out individual notes of a chord instead of strumming them, the guitar creates a more spacious and melodic atmosphere. This lesson breaks down the picking patterns and fretting positions used in the track, helping you build precision, finger independence, and an understanding of chord shapes across the fretboard. Mastering arpeggios will also enhance your timing and control—crucial for any ballad-style guitar performance.

Vibrato

One of the most expressive techniques in this song is vibrato. From sustained melodic notes to lead guitar fills, vibrato is used to add emotional intensity and personality. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to apply vibrato with control, consistency, and style—an essential skill for creating vocal-like phrasing and enhancing your soloing. We’ll cover vibrato on different string types and in both slow and fast applications, helping you shape every sustained note with greater feeling.

Whammy Bar Tricks

Subtle whammy bar tricks appear in “Love Bites” to add movement and atmosphere, particularly in lead fills and transitions. These techniques—such as controlled dips, warbles, and ambient swells—add tension and drama without overpowering the track’s ballad structure. In this tutorial, you’ll explore how to use the whammy bar musically rather than as a gimmick, adding depth to your expressive playing while improving your hand coordination and control over pitch modulation.

Why Learn “Love Bites”?

“Love Bites” is a masterclass in emotional guitar playing. From rich chordal textures to delicate lead lines, it teaches you how to support a vocal melody with tasteful parts that add space and drama. The techniques in this track help you focus on dynamic control, timing, and melodic awareness—making it a fantastic study for intermediate and advanced players alike. Whether you’re looking to refine your rhythm work or add subtle lead embellishments to your playing, this song gives you the tools to play with greater depth and expression.

With LickLibrary’s in-depth lesson, you’ll be guided through every section of the track with slow demos, on-screen tab, and practical insights on tone, technique, and articulation. Perfect for both Def Leppard fans and players looking to broaden their dynamic range.

About the Guitarists: Steve Clark and Phil Collen

The dual-guitar work of Steve Clark and Phil Collen defined the polished, layered sound that made Hysteria a groundbreaking album in rock history. In “Love Bites,” the emotional intensity of the track is carried by Steve Clark’s expressive rhythm work and melodic instincts, while Phil Collen’s technical clarity and sharp lead phrasing add a refined edge. Together, they showcase how guitar can serve a song with both power and sensitivity. Studying their playing gives you insight into crafting parts that are tasteful, emotionally resonant, and sonically rich.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Barre Chords
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Vibrato
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Capture the emotion, tone, and depth of one of Def Leppard’s greatest ballads with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Love Bites.” Learn to blend technique with feel and elevate your playing with some of rock’s most expressive and beautifully arranged guitar parts.