Guitar Lesson: Sex Pistols 'God Save The Queen' -- Part Five -- Solo (TG214)

Just in time for the royal wedding... Learn the Pistols' anarchic punk classic, which showed Steve Jones' raw talent as an expert rhythm guitar man.
Pick up Total Guitar issue 214 (on sale 15 April - 12 May 2011) for a backing track and a guide to nailing the guitar tones from the song.
In addition to at least three full tabs of classic and contemporary songs from your favourite artists, every issue of TG features three full-song Video Lessons and a Riff Of The Month for the more visually orientated learners among you.
The Video Lessons are hosted online through www.totalguitar..., but you'll need to buy the mag to get the most out of them.
Each issue includes the story behind the songs, clearly explained amp and effects settings and backing tracks for all of our Video Lessons and tabs.
Composed by Glen Matlock, Stephen Philip Jones, Johnny Rotten, Paul Thomas Cook
Tutor: James Uings
Audio: Simon Young
Videographer: Martin Holmes

[@MENSFORTHHILL99]

For someone who supposedly could not play, Steve Jones had impeccably advanced timing and strumming technique.
Note: I like the teachers quote 'remember not to get caught up in the detail, and try to catch the spirit of the performance' - classic punk rock comment ! :-)

[@Monchi2006]

its a lie that they couldnt play. sid vicious maybe cause he got caught up in heroin while he was still learning to play bass but he could play drums

[@drago6769]

Sid blew chunks as a bassist. Glen Matlock was the original bass player and he could actually write songs and play bass whereas Sid couldnt

[@John--]

I recently watched the show on Hulu and decided to learn their songs on my Les Paul. I agree lol

[@drago6769]

Everyone complaing about its too fast, just pause and rewind even if you have to do it a hundred times. It helps develop your guitar playing skills rather than it being spoon fed to you. I'm speaking from experiene thats why I say that

[@John--]

Now TH-cam let's you slow down videos. Added bonus for us guitar enthusiasts 😂

[@BandwannaMcGunner]

Why are people nit picking? With something like this it doesn't matter that it's not exactly note for note, it would kind of defeat the point of the song to put loads of effort into getting it completely perfect, just the main idea is fine.

[@josephplatania5593]

Spot on mate. Now to learn it. Thanks. I've been playing it wrong. Now to fix it proper

[@Monchi2006]

thank you for the tutorial im having a blast learning how to play it

[@douglasfreeman3229]

Doesn't sound quite right, but I like it.

[@Wulf425]

Thanks for these God Save the Queen tutorials, I taught myself the song as best I could by playing along with the record, but it's great to see this solo explained by an experienced guitarist. I hear a little Keith Richards in this riffing too!

[@drago6769]

yes you should but you should hear Johnny Thunders/Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers/New York Dolls the most because that was one of if not the biggest influence on Steve Jones guitar playing. He talked about Johnny Thunders and said that he was so influenced by him that it was embarrasing. Fun fact Steve Jones and Paul Cook played on Johnny Thunders first solo album "So Alone" and they also played with him/toured with him. Anyways if you listen to the Sex Pistols record and you listen to Johnny Thunders stuff with the Heartbreakers/Dolls/his solo stuff you will be able to smell the JT influence on the Sex Pistols record

[@klauswigsmith]

I always knew Steve was a much better guitar player than he let on, but this solo is way harder than I expected.

[@fabiopunk1661]

2:15 "remember not to be cougth up in the details" - that's why I struggle since almost a year!

[@John--]

Sick intro! I've got half the solo down so far!

[@josephplatania5593]

It's all chuck berry. The man was the cause.

[@MENSFORTHHILL99]

Steve Jones meets Chuck Berrry

[@tatethompson1234]

Wrong but close man!

[@cesarcrash]

Damn, this was supposed to be easy!

[@roxieheidrich5410]

Thanks Mate good job

[@martincattell7039]

Found confusing with saying what to play and seeing what he played was different. Try the posting with rolling tab.

[@barryoneill1703]

Where are the the other 4 parts? I checked your page. Not there?

[@WebSprocket]

Great playing but it sounds more like the Rolling Stones than The Sex Pistols to my ear ...

[@dannysquirrel]

I think it sounds a little off in rhythm and the end isn't quite so accurate but maybe that's just me.

[@IrishStewGuitar]

nice one man. have you had some work done to the nut? peace

[@marcupson]

It's a Earvana compensated nut. I have those on my newer guitars, it makes them easier to tune and relieves a lot of harmonic tension...

[@handadalek]

It's well played but I don't think it's very good for teaching, unless you're experienced I suppose. It could do with being slowed down a bit and broken up more. I found myself having to pause it quite a lot. I decided to write the tabs down because this was just too fast.

[@Rawpower1995]

@MENSFORTHHILL99
Steve Jones copied Johnny Thunders.
Johnny Thunders copied Keith Richards.
Keith Richards copied Chuck Berry.

[@ignaciocordovadonoso8662]

Chuck Berry copied T-Bone Walker.

[@TheBootywest]

nice tutorial but the voice sounds too much like a safety announcement before take off on a plane. Thanks for the tutorial though.

[@KiKikkiRik]

You should explain a little bit slower... i can't follow you ;) but great job!

[@drago6769]

pause and rewind then if you cant figure it out

[@StreetBoi69uk]

I don't think this is bad guitar playing at all

[@crapple009]

Those open strings are a bitch.

[@dakielster]

You need to slow down man!!

[@darrylskeavington1347]

B

[@Widaggs]

did he really play it like that?

[@rooctherooc2418]

Widaggs no

[@markedwards2005]

all wrong imo