Learn to Play Bad Company - A Deep Dive

Guitar Lesson Course Overview

If you're a guitarist with a penchant for classic rock sounds and intricate, timeless guitar work, Licklibrary's "Learn to Play Bad Company" is an essential addition to your tutorial collection. Let's journey through this comprehensive lesson series by Michael Casswell, focusing on five iconic tracks and the influential guitar style of the band's lead guitarist, Mick Ralphs.

Guitar Lessons Include:

Can't Get Enough

Ready for Love

Deal With The Preacher

Feel Like Makin' Love

Shooting Star

Lesson Performance Notes

1. Can't Get Enough

Derived from the blues scale in A, "Can't Get Enough" offers an infectious mix of rock and blues. The main riff revolves around power chords, lending the song its signature rhythm. The song's guitar solo is a testament to Ralphs' ability to combine simplicity with expressiveness, employing a mix of string bending and vibrato. It's a lesson in how a few notes, played with the right feel, can make a world of difference.

2. Ready For Love

Originally penned by Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs, "Ready For Love" beautifully encapsulates his masterful use of chord progressions. The arpeggiated chord progressions in the verses add an atmospheric touch, while the choruses burst into life with power chords that drive the rhythm. The solo sections make use of the minor pentatonic scale, with tasteful slides and bends that add an extra layer of emotion.

3. Deal With The Preacher

With its syncopated rhythms, "Deal With The Preacher" is a lesson in groove and feel. The intro and main riff utilize octaves and power chords, providing a solid foundation for the vocals. The solo section sees Ralphs diving deep into the pentatonic scale, experimenting with trills, legato, and harmonics to craft an expressive lead line that speaks volumes.

4. Feel Like Makin' Love

Perhaps one of the most iconic tracks by Bad Company, this song is a blend of gentle, finger-picked acoustic verses and electrifying, overdriven choruses. The dynamics in this song are a masterclass, with Ralphs making use of open string riffs in the verses, transitioning seamlessly into power chords in the chorus. The guitar solo in this track is heartfelt, with a perfect blend of hammer-ons, pull-offs, and string bending that resonates deeply with listeners.

5. Shooting Star

Telling the tale of a rockstar's rise and tragic fall, "Shooting Star" is poignant and musically rich. The use of barre chords combined with arpeggios gives the verses a flowing rhythm. The chorus, built on power chords, has an anthemic quality. The song's guitar solo showcases Ralphs' blues influences, with a mix of bluesy bends, slides, and vibrato painting a vivid picture.

Mick Ralphs - The Man Behind The Strings

Mick Ralphs, the chief architect of these tracks, brought a blend of rock and blues that set Bad Company apart from their peers. His playing was not just about speed or technical prowess; it was about feel, dynamics, and soul. Ralphs had the unique ability to craft solos that told stories, drawing from scales and techniques but always adding his own distinctive touch. His contribution to Bad Company and to the world of rock music is immeasurable, and his guitar work remains a benchmark for aspiring guitarists.

Techniques Covered in These Lessons:

• Vibrato
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Arpeggios
• Slides
• Barre Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open String Riffs
• Bluesy Bends
• Legato
• Chord Progressions
• Harmonics
• Trills

With "Learn to Play Bad Company," you're not just learning songs; you're absorbing a piece of rock history and the legacy of one of the genre's most influential guitarists. Dive in, immerse yourself in the world of Mick Ralphs, and let your guitar do the talking.