Lay It Down by Ratt

Our "Lay It Down" guitar lesson focuses on delivering an accurate, note-for-note breakdown of this iconic track by Ratt, perfect for guitarists who want to master 1980s hard rock guitar techniques. From fierce riffs and melodic solo lines to iconic lead phrasing, "Lay It Down" is packed with techniques that define the era's sound and style. This lesson will guide you through each section of the song, explaining and demonstrating essential techniques like vibrato, two-handed tapping, alternate picking, and string bending. These techniques aren’t just about learning the song—they’re about building the skills necessary to play with power, precision, and expressiveness. Danny Gill breaks down this 80s classic in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Players Behind the Song

The lead guitar work on "Lay It Down" was performed by Warren DeMartini, with rhythm support from Ratt’s guitarist Robbin Crosby. DeMartini’s style helped define the signature sound of Ratt and influenced many players in the glam metal scene and beyond. Known for his fluid, melodic lines, rhythmic control, and technical prowess, DeMartini’s guitar work combines rock attitude with articulate phrasing. Learning "Lay It Down" provides insight into his signature techniques and the approach he used to craft memorable riffs and solos that stand out in rock history.

Breaking Down the Techniques in "Lay It Down"

Vibrato

DeMartini's skilful vibrato is prominent throughout the song, adding sustain and intensity to held notes. Vibrato is achieved by subtly bending the string up and down, creating a rich and expressive sound. This technique is essential for any guitarist aiming to add feeling to their playing, making notes resonate and stand out in solos and lead passages.

Alternate Picking

In the faster, more intricate sections of "Lay It Down," alternate picking plays a vital role. By alternating the pick direction, you can achieve speed and accuracy in your playing, especially on quicker passages. Alternate picking improves hand coordination, enabling you to tackle fast riffs and passages with precision, crucial for achieving the clean, punchy sound in DeMartini’s riffs.

Legato Techniques: Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Legato passages in the solo feature fluid hammer-ons and pull-offs, adding smoothness and speed to the lines. Legato playing reduces the need for picking each note, allowing for a more connected sound and increased efficiency in fast passages. This technique is key to maintaining speed without sacrificing tonal quality, and it adds fluidity to lead lines, making them sound polished and professional.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

String bending is a significant element in DeMartini's soloing style, with bends that achieve a blues-inspired quality. String bending requires precision to reach the correct pitch, and it allows players to add an emotional, vocal-like quality to their playing. Mastering string bending enhances a guitarist’s expressiveness, enabling you to create dramatic shifts in tone and evoke emotion in your solos.

Two-Handed Tapping

The song includes sections where two-handed tapping is used to add speed and flair. This technique allows players to reach notes that would otherwise be challenging to play within a single hand position. It’s a powerful way to add intensity to solos, as it enables players to achieve fast, intricate runs across the fretboard. Two-handed tapping improves finger independence and dexterity, opening up new melodic possibilities.

Slides

Slides are frequently used to transition smoothly between notes or chords, lending a fluid and polished feel to riffs and lead lines. Slides are simple but add a dynamic element to playing, making transitions seamless and enhancing phrasing. Practicing slides will help with smooth finger movement across the fretboard, adding continuity to your playing.

Power Chords and Palm Muting

The core riff of "Lay It Down" relies on power chords combined with palm muting, a foundational technique for adding punch and clarity to rhythm guitar playing. Palm muting provides control over note resonance, allowing for a tight, rhythmic sound, ideal for hard rock and metal genres. Power chords, combined with palm muting, create a driving, energetic sound that's essential for rock rhythm playing.

Double Stop Bends

In the solo section, double stop bends create a harmonic, rich sound by bending two notes simultaneously. This technique enhances harmonic depth and adds intensity to solos, creating a powerful impact. Double stop bends improve finger strength and control, especially when bending both notes accurately to pitch, which is challenging but rewarding for dynamic lead playing.

Harmonics and Tapped Harmonics

DeMartini uses harmonics to add texture and variety to his playing, giving certain notes an ethereal, bell-like quality. Harmonics are produced by lightly touching a string at specific points, creating a chiming sound. Tapped harmonics add even more complexity by adding finger taps at harmonic points, producing higher pitches. Mastering harmonics and tapped harmonics can add a creative dimension to solos and riffs.

Trills

Trills involve rapid, repeated hammer-ons and pull-offs between two notes, often used as an expressive embellishment in solos. In "Lay It Down," trills provide an extra flourish to phrases, creating an engaging contrast. Practicing trills builds finger strength and dexterity, essential for fast playing and adding expressive vibrato-like movement to individual notes.

Guitar Techniques List

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• String Bending
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Harmonics
• Trills

This "Lay It Down" guitar lesson is perfect for guitarists looking to refine their technique and delve into the authentic 1980s hard rock sound. Whether you're aiming to improve soloing or tighten up rhythm playing, mastering these techniques will elevate your skills and give you insights into the playing style of one of rock’s most influential guitarists, Warren DeMartini. Dive into the lesson and start building your rock guitar chops today!