Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Tutorials
  2. Guitar Lessons & Tutorials

Quick licks: easy #13

News
By Guitar Techniques published 5 April 2012

The Clash and Bon Jovi style

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Easy lick one: Clash style riff

Easy lick one: Clash style riff

This tribute to those monsters of British punk, The Clash, features broken barre chords typical of the band's late '70s work. Use all downstrokes with the pick and just a touch of distortion and amp reverb for best results. This is all about attitude!

Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
Easy lick two: Bon Jovi rhythm

Easy lick two: Bon Jovi rhythm

These chords, courtesy of the New Jersey rockers, can be a bit tricky at first, so start slowly and pay close attention to the fingerings and the pick strokes. Add a little chorus and digital delay for that '80s hair band touch!

Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
Guitar Techniques
Read more
The Clash
Artists “On the spur of the moment I said, ‘I’m going to do the backing vocals in Spanish’”: How The Clash created their biggest hit
 
 
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Chrissie Hynde
Artists “I was working on this song which he liked, and then he died, and it turned into a tribute to him”: The tragedy behind a classic Pretenders hit
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
San Diego, CA - April 22: Charlie Puth performs live during his Whatever's Clever! World Tour at Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University on April 22, 2026 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Artists Charlie Puth joins the dots between Metallica, Bon Jovi… and Phil Collins
 
 
Human League
Artists Replicate the sonic magic of the Human League’s defining synth-pop anthem
 
 
Latest in Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Guitar maintenance
Guitars "There isn't one correct answer": 6 things you need you need know about how to clean and condition your guitar fretboard
 
 
Tom Morello
Artists How Tom Morello used his guitar to drill into the off-limits domain of the turntablist
 
 
Close up of a person playing guitar
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
 
 
Close up of a person holding an acoustic guitar bathed sunlight
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Ignite your inner guitar god for just 27 cents a day with TrueFire’s July 4th sale - save 60% on online lessons
 
 
Latest in News
Johnny Marr
Guitarists “This is the record that’s been the most cathartic”: A new Johnny Marr album is on the way
 
 
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 05: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Keith Urban performs onstage at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2026 day two on June 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Artists "That's when all the cool stuff starts happening”: Keith Urban on the lost art of the song fade-out
 
 
Amanda Seyfried
Singers & Songwriters Amanda Seyfried reflects on her viral Joni Mitchell moment – and the Joni biopic that never was
 
 
Brian Jones and Mick Jagger in 1966
Artists “What a weird song”: Mick Jagger on The Rolling Stones’ deathless classic
 
 
Boy George render
Singles And Albums “You should release your humanly-written unreleased stuff instead”: Boy George has recorded AI version of Karma Chameleon
 
 
studio
Music Theory And Songwriting How to beat writer's block: 11 tips to help you finish that track today
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...