Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer Guitar Lesson


In these lessons we will take a look at Bon Jovi's smash hit "Livin' On A Prayer" in it's entirety note-for-note.

Released in 1986 on their insanely successful Slippery When Wet album, "Livin' On A Prayer" has gone on to become their signature song and consistently tops greatest songs of the 80's lists.

It's enduring quality isn't only the great singalong chorus', but also the infectious talk-box inflected guitar riff that is heard throughout the song's intro and other times in the song as well.

"Livin' On A Prayer" would be great to learn for just about any level of guitarist. The riffs and chords are very basic with nothing to out of the ordinary. The solo on the other hand does have a couple quick licks that are more in an intermediate category.

In this Livin' On A Prayer guitar lesson I will demonstrate all of the guitar riffs and even transcribe the keyboard parts in the verse so you can play along when there is no guitar on the original recording.

I have another recommendation for you as well. If you are ever in any type of a band that plays covers this is quite definitely the one song that will get everyone up and moving. Well perhaps this and "Sweet Child O' Mine".

Regardless, "Livin' On A Prayer" is one of the most beloved songs of all time and still gets tons of radio airplay and downloads almost 30 years after it's initial release. You definitely need to have this song in your bag of tricks!

As I mentioned before, there is nothing very difficult with the riffs you will be required to play. The solo does contain a liberal amount of 80's rock guitar techniques including pinch harmonics, bends, rakes, doublestops and a fast sextuplet lick to finish out the solo.

I suggest learning the solo phrase by phrase like I teach it in the video lesson and you shouldn't have much trouble getting it under your fingers. Pay close attention to how I pick the fast lick at the end of the solo. Picking it the correct way can make it much easier to learn. 🙂

OK guys, Enjoy!!

Carl...

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Livin' On A Prayer Guitar Lesson Pt.1 - All The Riffs

Livin' On A Prayer Guitar Lesson Pt.2 - Guitar Solo

4 Comments

  1. Jimmy F on October 13, 2014 at 12:54 am

    you’re lessons are awesome they have definatly boosted my playing up a level can’t wait to learn more

    • Carl Brown on October 14, 2014 at 10:38 am

      Awesome! Thanks Jimmy! I will keep them coming then. 🙂

      Carl…

  2. Stefan White on August 14, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Karl, loving these song lessons, they are great! Any chance you could do a lesson for Dry County by Bon Jovi ? It’s got a tough solo but it’s great. I will happily send you a donation. Many thanks.

  3. Stefan White on August 16, 2017 at 3:45 am

    Carl even! oops

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