"Too Late For Love" by Def Leppard: Guitar Lesson

Intro

"Too Late For Love" by Def Leppard is a quintessential rock song from their 1983 album, "Pyromania," and it offers a plethora of techniques and elements that make it a treasure trove for guitarists. Def Leppard's guitarists Phil Collen and Steve Clark exhibited extraordinary guitar artistry in this track. Let's dive deep into this rock masterpiece, examining its chords, scales, and of course, that captivating guitar solo.

Guitar Chords

The song is set in the key of E minor and utilises basic chords like Em, C, D, and G, including their power chord versions (E5, C5, D5, G5). These are primarily played with heavy palm-muted downstrokes, which gives the rhythm section a beefy, powerful drive. For the pre-chorus and bridge, we see some A5 and B5 chords as well. The progression is relatively straightforward but effective in capturing the mood of the song.

Guitar Scales

The scales predominantly used in this song are the E minor pentatonic and E natural minor scales. The solo uses the E minor pentatonic scale almost exclusively, providing a bluesy flavour that's synonymous with classic rock. The choice of the minor pentatonic scale provides a "safe" landscape where almost every note feels resolved, making it easier to create emotive phrases.

Guitar Solo Analysis

The solo in "Too Late For Love" is an outstanding example of melodic soloing that serves the song. Steve Clark, known for his lyrical soloing style, captures the essence of the song beautifully. The solo is quite structured, beginning with a soulful E minor pentatonic phrase with some slow bends and vibratos. The mid-section picks up the pace with a mix of fast alternate picking and legato techniques before winding down to re-emphasise the main melody. The expression is full-bodied and complements the lyrics and vocal melodies impeccably.

Lead Guitarists & Their Playing

Phil Collen and Steve Clark were the driving forces behind Def Leppard's dual-guitar sound. Steve was more of a feel-based player who had a knack for coming up with melodic solos and riffs, while Phil was a more technical player, blending elements of glam metal and blues. In "Too Late For Love," it's Steve Clark's soulful playing that takes the limelight. His melodic sensibilities, coupled with his ability to blend with the song's overall structure, makes this track a classic example of rock guitar artistry.

Techniques Used:

Here are some techniques employed in this song:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Chord Progressions
• Harmonics

The song integrates these techniques smoothly into its structure, offering a lesson in how even simple elements can create a powerful musical narrative when used correctly.

"Too Late For Love" is a classic that gives us a glimpse into the kind of guitarist Steve Clark was: A musician who prioritised melody and feel over gratuitous technicality, proving that less can indeed be more. But let's not forget Phil Collen, whose technical prowess provided the perfect counterpoint to Steve's soulful artistry. Together, they created something truly timeless. Aspiring guitarists would do well to study this song and its various elements, as it encapsulates many core aspects of rock guitar playing. Lick Library tutor, Sam Bell, breaks down this underrated track from a truly classic album.