Teenagers – My Chemical Romance

“Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance is a standout track from their critically acclaimed album The Black Parade. Known for its rebellious energy, sing-along chorus, and gritty garage rock attitude, the song showcases a simpler, yet highly effective approach to guitar playing that’s rooted in punk rock, classic hard rock, and early glam influences. At Licklibrary, our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Teenagers” is designed to break down each section of the track, helping guitarists of all levels master the tones, riffs, and techniques that make this anthem so iconic.

Whether you're a beginner looking for a high-energy introduction to power chords or an intermediate player wanting to improve rhythmic accuracy and phrasing, this lesson will give you valuable tools to level up your playing. Let’s dive into what you’ll learn. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists

“Teenagers” features the playing of Ray Toro and Frank Iero, the dual guitar force behind My Chemical Romance’s signature sound. Ray Toro, the band’s lead guitarist, is known for his melodic solos, tight harmonies, and technical proficiency, often bringing a classic rock edge to MCR’s post-hardcore and emo foundations. Frank Iero, on rhythm guitar, adds raw power and punk grit with his aggressive strumming and energetic stage presence. Together, they create a dynamic interplay of lead and rhythm parts that are simple yet sonically impactful.

Both guitarists are praised for blending intensity with precision, and their work on “Teenagers” is a perfect example of how stripped-back playing can still carry massive emotional weight.

Lesson Breakdown & Guitar Techniques

Intro & Verse – Power Chord Riffing and Palm Muting

The track opens with a gritty, driving power chord riff that anchors the entire song. This part of the lesson focuses on chord transitions, rhythm, and articulation. Players will also learn how to use palm muting effectively to control dynamics and add punch to the verse sections.

Why Learn This: Power chords and palm muting are essential for rock rhythm playing. Mastering these gives you the ability to play countless punk, rock, and metal songs with clarity and control.

Chorus – Open String Riffs and Syncopated Rhythms

The chorus opens up with wider chord voicings and ringing open-string riffs that contrast beautifully with the tighter verse sections. The rhythm here becomes more syncopated, driving the energy forward and demanding a solid sense of timing and feel.

Why Learn This: Understanding syncopated rhythms will help you improve your internal timing and rhythmic precision, a vital skill for performing in a band or recording environment.

Bridge – Barre Chords and Slides

The bridge brings a change in texture and mood, utilizing barre chords and expressive slides to create tension and movement. This section of the lesson breaks down the fingering, movement across the neck, and the subtle control needed to slide accurately between chords.

Why Learn This: Barre chords increase finger strength and mobility, while slides help you connect chord shapes more fluidly and add style to your rhythm playing.

Guitar Solo – Bluesy Bends and String Bending

Though “Teenagers” doesn't feature a long, flashy solo, the lead lines that do appear involve expressive string bending and bluesy bends that mirror vocal phrasing. These bends are crucial to capturing the attitude and emotion of the track.

Why Learn This: Learning how to bend notes with control adds soul and emotion to your lead playing. It’s also a foundational skill for lead guitar in virtually every genre.

Outro – Sustained Notes and Vibrato

The song ends with a strong repeat of its main motifs, but players will learn to add flair using vibrato and sustain techniques to let notes ring out powerfully and with expression.

Why Learn This: Vibrato and sustain are key to developing a vocal-like, expressive sound on guitar. These techniques will elevate even the simplest melodies and riffs.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Open-String Riffs
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Barre Chords
• Slides
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Vibrato
• Sustain

Whether you're working on foundational rhythm skills or diving into expressive lead techniques, our Teenagers guitar lesson delivers everything you need to nail the track and improve your overall playing. Explore more songs like this and take your guitar journey further with Licklibrary’s huge catalog of in-depth, player-focused lessons.