Dr. Feelgood – Mötley Crüe Guitar Lesson

Learn to play “Dr. Feelgood” by Mötley Crüe with our note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. This track is an iconic slice of late '80s hard rock, showcasing the high-octane, razor-sharp guitar work that made Mötley Crüe legends of the glam metal scene. Our detailed guitar lesson breaks down each riff, lead part, and solo passage with precision, helping you master the exact style and attitude that defines this classic track. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist – Mick Mars

The guitar work on "Dr. Feelgood" is performed by Mick Mars, the lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe. Known for his gritty tone, creative riffing, and aggressive technique, Mars brings a dark, bluesy flavour to the otherwise flamboyant LA metal sound. His playing on this track is both tight and inventive, incorporating classic rock influences with modern shred elements. Mars has been hugely influential on generations of hard rock and metal guitarists, thanks to his signature sound and unapologetic attitude.

Song Overview

“Dr. Feelgood” is a masterclass in tight, aggressive rhythm playing and searing lead guitar work. From its unforgettable opening riff to the fiery guitar solo, this track offers a wide range of guitar techniques that are essential for any serious rock player. Our lesson dives into every element, breaking it down so that intermediate to advanced guitarists can follow along and absorb both the technical skills and stylistic nuances.

Key Guitar Techniques Covered

Palm Muting

This track makes heavy use of palm muting, giving the rhythm parts a chunky, percussive edge that drives the song forward. Palm muting helps tighten up your rhythm playing, allowing for more dynamic control and groove in your riffs.

Power Chords

Power chords are the backbone of "Dr. Feelgood." These simple yet powerful shapes allow for thick, punchy rhythm guitar that forms the foundation of most rock and metal songs. Mastering power chords is key to nailing the heavy rhythm guitar tone of the track.

String Bending

String bending adds vocal-like expression to the lead lines and solo sections of the song. In this lesson, we look at both full and half-step bends, helping you develop control and intonation for that expressive bluesy flair.

Vibrato

Vibrato is used throughout the solo sections to add sustain and emotion to held notes. A controlled vibrato gives your bends and sustained notes a professional edge, making your playing sound more confident and polished.

Slides

Guitar slides are used to transition between notes smoothly and with attitude. Learning slides will help you connect phrases fluidly, making your lead playing more expressive.

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics are used to add aggressive squeals and bite to certain riffs and lead lines. Learning how to control these harmonics brings a whole new dimension to your tone and style.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

The solo and melodic licks in “Dr. Feelgood” incorporate a mix of hammer-ons and pull-offs for fluid legato phrasing. These techniques help develop speed and smoothness in your lead work.

Whammy Bar Tricks

A few tasteful whammy bar tricks are sprinkled in the solo, providing dramatic flair and pitch variation. Mastering this technique adds creativity to your lead playing and can make simple licks sound far more exciting.

Trills

There are fast finger trills in some licks to add speed and intensity. Trills are excellent for building finger strength and agility.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each of the techniques featured in our “Dr. Feelgood” guitar lesson is a core element of rock and metal guitar playing. By studying this song, guitarists can improve:

• Rhythm precision and tightness through palm muting and power chord accuracy.
• Lead expression and tone via string bending, vibrato, and pinched harmonics.
• Speed and smoothness from practicing hammer-ons, pull-offs, and trills.
• Stylistic flair with whammy bar tricks and slides.
• Overall musicality, learning how to phrase and connect licks tastefully.

This lesson not only teaches you how to play “Dr. Feelgood” accurately but also helps build a strong technical foundation for tackling other songs in the glam metal and hard rock genre.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Trills
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Ready to bring the heat of Sunset Strip into your playing? Dive into our Dr. Feelgood guitar lesson and level up your rock chops today!