Learn to Play "Mary Jane’s Last Dance" by Tom Petty

"Mary Jane’s Last Dance" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is a timeless rock classic featuring bluesy, melodic guitar work and essential rock techniques. This LickLibrary note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every riff and lick, ensuring you can master the song exactly as played. From its hypnotic riff to expressive bends, this lesson is perfect for guitarists looking to expand their skills while learning an iconic track. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind the Song

The song features the legendary Mike Campbell on lead guitar, one of the most tasteful and underrated players in rock history. His playing style is known for its impeccable phrasing, melodic sensibility, and expressive bends. Campbell’s influence extends beyond Tom Petty’s catalog, as he has worked with artists like Fleetwood Mac and Johnny Cash. His ability to blend subtle blues influences with rock dynamics makes this track a fantastic study in expressive guitar playing.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Open String Riffs

The signature riff of "Mary Jane’s Last Dance" makes use of open string riffs, creating a flowing, rhythmic groove. This technique enhances your ability to integrate open strings into lead and rhythm playing, adding depth and fluidity to your sound.

Slides

Slides are used throughout the main riff and lead lines to create smooth transitions between notes. Mastering slides helps develop finger control and improves your ability to connect phrases with a natural feel.

String Bending

The expressive lead guitar parts in this song feature string bending to create soulful, vocal-like phrasing. Learning bends correctly is crucial for adding expression and emotion to your playing, improving pitch control and vibrato technique.

Vibrato

Mike Campbell’s use of vibrato gives the lead notes a singing quality. Vibrato is one of the most important aspects of great guitar playing, allowing you to add sustain and emotion to held notes.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The song incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs to make phrases sound smoother and more connected. These techniques are essential for improving legato playing, reducing pick attack, and increasing speed without losing clarity.

Double Stops

Double stops are a staple in blues and rock, and they feature prominently in this song’s lead sections. Playing two notes simultaneously adds harmonic richness and a fuller sound to your solos.

Palm Muting

The rhythm guitar parts in "Mary Jane’s Last Dance" utilise palm muting to create dynamic contrast. This technique is great for adding percussive elements to your playing and enhancing rhythmic precision.

Chord Progressions

The song’s chord progression is simple yet effective, providing a great opportunity to study rock and blues chord movement. Understanding chord progressions helps in songwriting and improvisation, giving you a stronger grasp of musical structure.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Open String Riffs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Double Stops
• Palm Muting
• Chord Progressions

By mastering these techniques, you'll not only be able to play "Mary Jane’s Last Dance" with authenticity but also improve your overall guitar playing skills. Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your technique or an experienced player refining your expression, this lesson offers valuable insights into rock guitar playing.