Learn to Play "Have A Nice Day" by Stereophonics

“Have A Nice Day” by Stereophonics is a modern rock anthem that blends catchy riffs, emotive guitar tones, and thoughtful songwriting. In this exclusive LickLibrary guitar lesson, we break down the entire track note-for-note, helping players of all levels capture the essence of this powerhouse song. With a focus on essential rhythm and lead techniques, this lesson is a fantastic opportunity to build your expressive playing and sharpen core skills. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Its Guitar Work

Released in 2001 as part of the band’s third album Just Enough Education to Perform, "Have A Nice Day" features an infectious groove driven by solid guitar work that balances melodic hooks with gritty, expressive textures. The track is underpinned by memorable riffs and dynamic shifts in tone, offering guitarists a platform to work on a broad set of fundamental rock techniques.

The Guitarist Behind the Sound: Kelly Jones

At the heart of this track is Kelly Jones, the lead singer and guitarist of Stereophonics. Known for his raspy vocals and emotive guitar playing, Jones’s style is rooted in classic rock and Britpop influences. His guitar work is characterised by melodic phrasing, tasteful bends, and a raw, emotive edge. In “Have A Nice Day,” Jones combines rhythmic strumming and melodic leads with a keen sense of dynamics, providing a great case study in songwriting-oriented guitar playing.

Kelly’s influence as a guitarist lies in his ability to serve the song while adding just the right amount of flair. For players learning this track, studying his playing can offer insights into how to create memorable riffs and develop a sense of phrasing that resonates with listeners.

Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

Power Chords

A cornerstone of many rock tracks, power chords form the rhythmic foundation of "Have A Nice Day." Learning how to play and move these shapes cleanly is vital for building your confidence in rhythm playing. Power chords offer punch and clarity, which is essential for driving a song's energy forward.

Chord Progressions

This song features a well-structured chord progression that reinforces its strong sense of musical storytelling. Studying these progressions helps guitarists understand how to support vocal melodies and create cohesive compositions.

Palm Muting

Palm muting adds dynamics and percussive interest to the rhythm parts in this track. Incorporating palm-muting into your playing allows for greater control over texture and tone, especially when alternating between open and muted strums.

Slides

Slides are used effectively to connect melody lines and riffs, giving a vocal-like fluidity to the guitar parts. They enhance phrasing and bring a smooth transition between notes, which is perfect for adding emotion and style to solos or fills.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These essential techniques are featured throughout the melodic elements of the track. Practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs helps develop finger strength and fluidity, essential for legato playing and expressive lead work.

Vibrato

Vibrato brings sustain and emotion to held notes, giving them character and depth. In this lesson, you'll explore how vibrato is used tastefully to elevate single notes and bring a more vocal quality to lead lines.

String Bending

The use of string bending in "Have A Nice Day" contributes to its expressive lead moments. This technique lets guitarists reach in-between pitches and adds tension and release, which is perfect for solos and expressive fills.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

• Power chords build strength in your fretting hand and help you develop rock-solid rhythm skills.
• Chord progressions boost your songwriting awareness and rhythm vocabulary.
• Palm muting refines your picking hand control, essential for clean and dynamic rhythm playing.
• Slides enhance musical phrasing and help your solos sound smoother and more connected.
• Hammer-ons and pull-offs improve your dexterity and speed, especially in melodic passages.
• Vibrato adds richness to your sound and allows you to convey more emotion in your playing.
• String bending helps train your ear and improves pitch control while adding expression.

Conclusion

Whether you're a fan of Stereophonics or just looking to refine your classic rock guitar chops, this LickLibrary lesson on "Have A Nice Day" delivers the tools to grow your technique and musicality. From tight rhythm work to expressive lead licks, this track has it all. With clear, note-for-note instruction, you’ll be playing along with confidence while building a solid technical foundation.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Chord Progressions
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Vibrato