Here’s a great SRV riff. It’s a challenge to play it up to speed at first, so I’ve included an audio sample of it somewhat slower than the recorded version. You may need to start off even slower. There’s nothing wrong with that, just take your time. Like I said, it’s pretty hard. The main riff is played as an intro to the song and after each transition after the verse and chorus.
Ok, we got that opening lick out of the way, so it’s all easier from here on out.
After the opening lick, we’ll spend two measures to establish the rhythm before the vocals come in.
It’s a slow shuffle pattern in the key of A.
“Bad to the Bone” is a song by George Thorogood and the Destroyers released in 1982. It was not a major hit on initial release, but later the video for the song made recurrent appearances on the MTV. Licensing for films, television, and commercials has since has helped make “Bad to the Bone” a staple of classic rock.
Note: This song is in open G tuning and uses a slide.
For open G tuning you will tune your guitar to D-G-D-G-B-D. I’ll show you how to tune to it in the following video.
Bad To The Bone (Complete Tab PDF)
