Guitar & Bass Tabs
Bon Jovi
Learn Bon Jovi's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Bon Jovi developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Bon Jovi formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey, quickly rising from basement clubs to stadium-sized superstardom, driven by Jon Bon Jovi’s raspy vocals and a knack for catchy melodies. Their breakthrough arrived with Slippery When Wet (1986), a hard-rock throne room that spawned 'You Give Love a Bad Name' and 'Livin' on a Prayer' and helped redefine how rock could blend pop hooks with massive guitar riffs. With global album sales surpassing 130 million and a 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Bon Jovi established a legacy of enduring anthems, fearless live shows, and a catalog that continues to influence generations of players. On DadRock Tabs, we feature 41 Bon Jovi lessons that distill their signature riffs and solos into approachable tabs for players of all levels.
🎸 Want to know what gear Bon Jovi used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Bon Jovi
Raise Your Hands
Bon Jovi
You Give Love A Bad Name
Bon Jovi
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Bon Jovi
You Give Love A Bad Name
Bon Jovi
Runaway
Bon Jovi
She Don't Know Me
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Shot Through The Heart
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Love Lies
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Breakout
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Burning For Love
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Get Ready
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In And Out Of Love
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Only Lonely
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King Of The Mountain
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Silent Night
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Tokyo Road
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The Hardest Part Is The Night
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Always Run To You
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To The Fire
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Secret Dreams
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Let It Rock
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Livin' On A Prayer
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Social Disease
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I'd Die For You
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Never Say Goodbye
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Lay Your Hands On Me
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Born To Be My Baby
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Bad Medicine
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Living In Sin
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I'll Be There For You
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I Believe
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Keep The Faith
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I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
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In These Arms
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Bed Of Roses
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If I Was Your Mother
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Woman In Love
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Wanted Dead Or Alive
Bon Jovi
Playing Style
Bon Jovi’s sound sits at the crossroads of arena-rock and radio-friendly hard rock. Richie Sambora’s rhythm guitar delivers punchy, palm-muted power chords and crisp chugging passages, while his lead work blends bluesy pentatonic lines with expressive bends and tasteful fills that lift the chorus. The band pairs tight, driving grooves with soaring, sing-along choruses, creating music that is simultaneously technically approachable and dramatically impactful. The bass locks in with the drums to provide a relentless backbone, allowing the guitar parts to cut through with memorable hooks, hooks that are perfect for developing rhythm, phrasing, and dynamic control.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Bon Jovi’s iconic tone has long been associated with a guitar arsenal that includes Gibson Les Paul–style and Fender Telecaster-type guitars, paired with powerful tube amps from Marshall and Mesa/Boogie-esque families. Expect chorus, delay, and reverb to widen the guitar textures for arena-sized choruses and epic solos, with compression and subtle overdrive shaping the rhythm parts. While gear has evolved over the years, the core idea remains: big, upfront guitar sounds that sit perfectly in a rock band mix.
Why Learn Bon Jovi Songs?
Learning Bon Jovi tunes is a practical sprint course in essential rock skills. You’ll build solid rhythm chops with tight power-chord work, timing, and groove, then branch into melodic lead lines and expressive phrasing on solos. The catalog spans beginner-friendly riffs to more challenging sections, offering a clear progression that strengthens technique while delivering the satisfaction of playing instantly recognizable anthems. These songs teach dynamic storytelling in music—verses that pull back, choruses that lift, and bridges that push the peak of the arrangement—great for building stage-ready confidence.
Did You Know?
- 1Jon Bon Jovi's birth name is John Francis Bongiovi Jr.
- 2Bon Jovi established the Soul Foundation in 2006 to fight homelessness and support affordable housing.
- 3Slippery When Wet (1986) ranks among the best-selling rock albums of all time, fueling arena-ready anthems.
- 4They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
39 Bon Jovi lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Bon Jovi Guitar
Explore Bon Jovi 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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