Learn To Play Sex Pistols

Guitar Lesson Course Overview

The Sex Pistols, undeniably one of the most influential punk rock bands of the 1970s, drove the British punk movement and left an indelible mark on the music scene. The band's raw energy, coupled with their aggressive style and defiant lyrics, captured a sense of rebellion characteristic of the era. Central to their sound was the guitar work, known for its raucous tones and primal simplicity that inspired guitarists worldwide. The "Learn To Play Sex Pistols" product from LickLibrary.com is an exhaustive resource designed to dive guitarists into the techniques and styles used in five of the Sex Pistols' most iconic tracks. This course is taught by Danny Gill.

Guitar Lessons Include:

 Anarchy In The UK

Problems

Holiday In The Sun 

Pretty Vacant 

God Save The Queen

Lesson Performance Notes

Anarchy In The UK

"Anarchy in the UK" is a quintessential punk anthem, characterized by its driving riffs and anti-establishment lyrics. The song primarily employs the E minor scale, providing a perfect bedrock for beginners to understand the fundamentals of punk rock guitar. The main riff is an excellent example of power chord transitions coupled with aggressive strumming patterns. There's also a brief, but poignant, solo that uses a mix of the minor pentatonic scale and blues scale, perfect for practicing bending techniques and fast-paced picking.

Problems

"Problems" is another classic, its immediacy and urgency encapsulated by rapid chord changes and an almost relentless rhythm guitar section. The song's riffing, based around the A minor scale, involves quick shifts between power chords, demanding precision and speed from the player. The solo section, while not overly complex in terms of technique, requires a good ear for melody and a strong sense of timing to replicate the feel of the original recording.

Holiday In The Sun

"Holiday in the Sun" starts with a distinctive bass intro, leading into a high-energy song powered by fast chord progressions and a driving rhythm, representative of the band's raw sound. The guitar work is primarily centered around the E minor scale. This song is excellent for learning how to maintain consistent energy with strumming while changing between chords quickly, ensuring the aggressive pace of the song is kept alive.

Pretty Vacant

"Pretty Vacant" features one of the most recognizable riffs in punk history. It’s an excellent study in how to use simplicity effectively, focusing on open chords and common barre chord shapes. The A major scale drives this song, providing a bright contrast to the otherwise gritty sound of the Sex Pistols. The lead guitar, while more subdued, uses subtle string bending and vibrato to add emotion to the song.

God Save The Queen

Perhaps one of the most controversial and yet iconic songs, "God Save the Queen," features aggressive guitar riffs mixed with melodic solos. The song is based in the G major scale, and the solo incorporates a mix of scales, including the minor scale, for a bluesy feel. It's a fantastic piece for understanding how to mix rhythm and lead guitar, as the song includes sections requiring tight rhythm guitar playing along with more free-form, expressive solos.

Lead Guitarist: Steve Jones

Steve Jones's guitar playing with the Sex Pistols was far from the technical proficiency admired in rock guitarists of the time. Instead, Jones became known for his raw, aggressive style of play, characterized by rapid down-stroked power chords, and a crunchy guitar tone achieved by cranking up his amplifier's gain. His contribution to these songs, and indeed the sound of the Sex Pistols, cannot be overstated. Jones used relatively simple chord progressions and scales, but his energy, attitude, and timing were impeccable. His sound, both unrefined and powerful, became a defining characteristic of punk rock guitar.

Guitar Techniques in These Lessons

Each of these songs incorporates a range of guitar techniques that players must master to authentically capture the Sex Pistols' sound. Here's a list of techniques used across these lessons, each linking to a detailed explanation:

• Power Chords
• Barre Chords
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Double-stops

Learning to play the Sex Pistols' songs can be a rewarding experience, offering both a history lesson in punk culture and a skill lesson in the essence of punk rock guitar. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, each track offers unique challenges and the opportunity to master techniques that are fundamental to rock and punk music. So grab your guitar, crank up the gain, and start playing with the raw energy and passion that the Sex Pistols embodied.