Guitar & Bass Tabs
38 Special
Learn 38 Special's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how 38 Special developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
38 Special formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1974, born from the Southern rock tradition that helped define American guitar-driven music. Fronted by Don Barnes on guitar and vocals alongside Donnie Van Zant, the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant, the band carved out a muscular, arena-ready sound that paired bluesy hooks with big, sing-along choruses.
Through the late 70s and into the 80s, 38 Special became FM radio staples and MTV favorites, delivering a string of enduring hits. Songs like Rockin' Into The Night, Caught Up In You, If I'd Been The One, Robin Hood, and Fantasy Girl showcased twin guitar harmonies, driving riffs, and choruses designed to fill arenas and car speakers alike.
Today, the band continues to tour and record, maintaining a loyal fan base and influencing generations of players who grew up with their blend of bluesy swagger and pop-hook accessibility. Their legacy sits at the crossroads of Southern rock and 80s arena rock, a blueprint for punchy riffs and singable melodies.
🎸 Want to know what gear 38 Special used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Fantasy Girl
38 Special
Rockin Into The Night
38 Special
Robin Hood
38 Special
If I'd Been The One
38 Special
Caught Up In You
38 Special
Playing Style
38 Special's playing style blends blues-infused Southern rock with arena-ready hooks. They rely on tight, groove-heavy rhythm guitar—often built from punchy power chords and palm-muted chugs—balanced by melodic lead lines and harmonized guitar parts that define their sound. Their solos favor bluesy bends, concise phrases, and memorable motifs rather than technical fireworks. The result is a bright, driving tone and an instantly recognizable, chorus-driven groove that works equally well on stage and in the studio.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear includes Gibson Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters used by the band's guitarists, run through Marshall-style stacks and Fender-style amps for a punchy, mid-forward Southern rock tone. On stage and in the studio, they used chorus and phase effects (think MXR Phase 90) to widen the twin-guitar harmonies and add shimmer to 80s productions, helping their riffs cut through the mix with clarity.
Why Learn 38 Special Songs?
Learning 38 Special songs helps guitarists lock in solid rhythm, master punchy 80s guitar tones, and develop melodic phrasing. The tracks are accessible for intermediate players, offering straightforward power-chord riffs, memorable hooks, and dual-guitar harmonies that teach timing, groove, and how to build a chorus-driven arrangement. By working through these tunes you'll gain confidence in tone shaping, endurance, and the feel of classic Southern rock crossed with arena rock.
Did You Know?
- 1The band name is believed to reference a .38 Special pistol, adding a bite to their hard-rocking image.
- 2Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant led the group, with Donnie being the brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant.
- 3Their 'Rockin' Into The Night' video and radio hits helped push Southern rock into MTV-era mainstream rock in the early 80s.
- 4Their sound popularized high-energy, chant-along choruses and twin-guitar lines that remain a template for classic hard rock.
5 38 Special lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play 38 Special Guitar
Explore 38 Special guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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