"Rock Rock (Till You Drop)" by Def Leppard: Guitar Lesson

The Guitar Ensemble

Before Sam Bell delves into the nitty-gritty, let's acknowledge the ensemble work of Def Leppard's lead guitarists, Phil Collen and Steve Clark. These men revolutionised the glam metal genre with their aggressive yet melodic guitar techniques. In "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)," both guitarists bring a balanced combination of power and sophistication that's not just impressive but educational for anyone keen on studying the art of rock guitar.

The Core Chords

This song's backbone lies in its simple yet hard-hitting chords. The main riff revolves around E, A, and D power chords. These chords are played with a slightly palm-muted strumming technique, giving that percussive "chug" that's iconic in metal and hard rock.

The Scales

The song prominently features the minor pentatonic and the blues scale for its licks and solos. The E minor pentatonic is the key scale used, adding a bluesy vibe that spices up the hard-rock sound.

Solo Analysis

Ah, the moment we've all been waiting for: the solo. What makes the solo in "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)" stand out is not just its speed but its melodic sensibility. In typical Def Leppard style, the solo is a rollercoaster of pentatonic licks, legato techniques, and string bends that serve the song's emotional tone.

The first part of the solo integrates double-stop bends which have a bluesy tone. This progresses into a rapid alternate picking sequence. These alternate picking runs traverse through the blues scale, making it sound complex yet melodious. The solo closes with a dive-bomb executed using the whammy bar, offering a dramatic ending.

Lead Guitarists’ Impact

Steve Clark and Phil Collen were the wizards behind these memorable guitar parts. Clark, often referred to as the "riff master," had a knack for making simple power chords sound grand. Collen, on the other hand, was more of a shredder and brought a heavy dose of legato and alternate picking into the mix.

Both guitarists used high-gain amplification, but they had their unique timbre, thanks to their different choice of guitars. Clark was fond of Gibson Les Pauls, while Collen was more into Jackson and Ibanez guitars. This mix of different tonal characters brought a rich texture to the song.

Techniques Used in the Song

To sum up, here are the techniques prominently featured in "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)":

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double-Stop Bends
• Dive Bombs

Mastering these techniques would not just allow you to authentically cover this Def Leppard gem but also equip you with the skills needed to craft your anthems. So grab your axe, plug in, and "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)."