Play With Me – Extreme

“Play With Me” by Extreme is a true shredder’s delight and a high-octane tour de force that blends technical proficiency with wild musical flair. At LickLibrary.com, we’ve created a detailed note-for-note guitar lesson that breaks down this iconic track, allowing guitarists to dive deep into the virtuosic playing of Nuno Bettencourt. Known for its explosive solos, rapid-fire riffs, and flashy techniques, “Play With Me” is a must-learn for any guitarist looking to push their skills to the next level. Sam Bell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song & Guitarist

Released in 1989 on Extreme’s debut album, “Play With Me” quickly gained cult status, especially after being featured in the movie Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. But beyond the pop-culture connection, this song stands as a benchmark in advanced rock guitar playing.

At the helm of this guitar storm is Nuno Bettencourt, whose playing style is a perfect blend of funk grooves, metal shred, and classical phrasing. Nuno is widely recognised as one of the most technically proficient and musically inventive guitarists of his era. His playing is not just about speed – it's about articulation, tone, and groove. Learning his approach provides valuable insights into both technical mastery and musical expression.

What You’ll Learn in the “Play With Me” Guitar Lesson

This lesson breaks down every riff, lick, and solo section of the song, making it accessible even if the full-speed version feels intimidating. You'll be guided through each part with a focus on developing both accuracy and speed, while gaining a deeper understanding of the stylistic techniques that make Nuno’s playing so unique.

Alternate Picking

This song is a clinic in fast alternate picking. Many of the main riffs and solo passages demand flawless alternate picking control. Working through these sections will improve your right-hand precision and stamina, essential for executing fast, clean runs.

Two-Handed Tapping

Several of Nuno’s licks incorporate aggressive and melodic two-handed tapping. This flashy technique adds a dramatic, piano-like sound to your solos. Mastering it expands your fretboard reach and enhances your creative soloing options.

Legato Phrasing

The solos are loaded with smooth legato lines, combining hammer-ons and pull-offs to deliver rapid fluid phrases. Practicing these licks will help you develop a more flowing, vocal-like approach to lead guitar.

Whammy Bar Tricks & Dive Bombs

Nuno’s use of whammy bar tricks and dive bombs injects explosive dynamics into his solos. Learning these techniques adds flair to your playing and deepens your control over pitch and texture.

String Bending & Unison Bends

The song showcases tasteful string bending, including powerful unison bends. These bends are expressive and require precise pitch control, making them perfect for developing emotional soloing.

Tapped Harmonics

Nuno incorporates tapped harmonics for ear-catching, bell-like tones. This technique not only adds sparkle to your solos but also enhances your touch sensitivity and timing.

Sweep Picking

To execute some of the more advanced arpeggios in the solo, sweep picking is essential. This technique allows you to play fast, smooth arpeggio runs with minimal effort once mastered, adding neoclassical flair to your playing.

Pinched Harmonics

For added aggression and colour, the track features well-placed pinched harmonics. These give a snarling, expressive quality to your phrasing and are key for rock and metal guitarists.

Tremolo Picking

Fast tremolo picking sections test your speed and endurance, offering a great workout for right-hand synchronisation and rhythmic consistency.

Why Learn “Play With Me”?

Learning this track is more than just learning a song—it’s a masterclass in modern rock guitar. Every section is packed with high-level techniques that will improve your dexterity, coordination, tone control, and musicality. By studying this lesson, you'll not only be able to play a killer Extreme song but also gain the tools to create exciting and dynamic guitar solos of your own.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Legato
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Dive Bombs
• String Bending
• Unison Bends
• Tapped Harmonics
• Sweep Picking
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tremolo Picking

Whether you're an aspiring shredder or a rock guitarist looking to level up, the “Play With Me” lesson at LickLibrary is a goldmine of skills, tricks, and stylistic firepower. Prepare to challenge yourself—and have a ton of fun in the process.