Guitar & Bass Tabs
Def Leppard
Learn Def Leppard's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Def Leppard developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Def Leppard emerged from the steel city of Sheffield, England in 1977, formed by Pete Willis and Rick Savage with Joe Elliott, soon joined by Steve Clark. They evolved from early raw NWOBHM to a polished, harmony-rich sound that would define 1980s arena rock, combining razor-sharp riffs with big, memorable vocal melodies. With a lineup that eventually settled around Joe Elliott (vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar), and Steve Clark (guitar), the band built a reputation for meticulous studio craft and relentlessly punchy live performance.\n\nPyromania (1983) became a watershed, pairing precise guitar hooks with glossy production and video-driven appeal. Hysteria (1987) followed, exploding into superstardom—producing seven Top 20 hits and selling tens of millions of copies worldwide. Over the years Def Leppard has moved millions of records (well over 100 million) and earned a place in music history, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, cementing their status as one of rock’s enduring powerhouses.\n\nThe band weathered tragedy and change: guitarist Steve Clark’s passing in 1991; Vivian Campbell joining in 1992; and drummer Rick Allen’s courageous return after his 1984 accident, proving their resilience. Across decades, their layered guitar textures, soaring melodies, and infectious punch have influenced countless players and helped shape the sound of modern hard rock.
🎸 Want to know what gear Def Leppard used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Rock Brigade
Def Leppard
Let's Get Rocked
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Photograph
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Don't Shoot Shotgun
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Make Love Like A Man
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Rocket
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Rock Of Ages
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Gods Of War
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Two Steps Behind
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Pour Some Sugar On Me
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Animal
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Women
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Armageddon It
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Run Riot
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Wasted
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Bringin' On The Heartbreak
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Love Bites
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Hysteria
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Another Hit And Run
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Let It Go
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Switch 625
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You Got Me Runnin'
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Lady Strange
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On Through The Night
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No No No
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Stagefright
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Too Late For Love
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Die Hard The Hunter
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Foolin'
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Comin' Under Fire
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Action Not Words
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Billy's Got A Gun
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Love And Affection
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White Lightning
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Heaven Is
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Tonight
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Personal Property
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I Wanna Touch U
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Tear It Down
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Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
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It Could Be You
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Rocks Off
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It Don't Mattet
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Answer To The Master
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Promises
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Paper Sun
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Playing Style
Def Leppard's playing centers on soaring dual-guitar harmonies, tight rhythm, and big, melodic chorus hooks. Their approach blends punchy, palm-muted power-chord progressions with precise alternate picking and tasteful arpeggios, creating riffs that bite yet sing. The basslock and drum foundation provide a rock-solid backbone for rapid verses and expansive choruses, while layered guitar parts deliver the signature shimmering, stadium-ready texture. The result is a sound that feels both deliberately crafted and instantaneously memorable, perfect for players aiming to balance rhythm grit with melodic lead work.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic Def Leppard gear includes Phil Collen’s Jackson PC-1 signature guitar (a key component of their late-80s tone) paired with Marshall-style tube amps for that aggressive yet clear crunch. Steve Clark’s era leaned on Gibson Les Paul Customs for thick rhythm tones and soaring leads, with Vivian Campbell later adding his own Strat/PRS-flavored textures to the palette. Live rigs often relied on reliable tube amps (Marshall, Mesa/Boogie) and rack-based effects to reproduce the big, chorus-drenched textures heard on Hysteria and beyond, including chorus, delay, and tasteful reverb to flesh out layered harmonies.
Why Learn Def Leppard Songs?
Learning Def Leppard tunes is a fast track to core rock guitar skills. Expect solid rhythm fundamentals: precise timing, palm-muted chugging, and power-chord work, plus the art of crafting and balancing harmonized leads with bass and drums. Their catalog offers approachable tracks that build confidence (Photograph, Animal) and increasingly intricate, chorus-forward arrangements (Hysteria-era cuts, Pour Some Sugar On Me) that train your ear for melody, texture, and dynamics. With 62 lessons, you can progress from tight rhythm parts to expressive lead lines and harmonic layering—essentials for any serious rock guitarist.
Did You Know?
- 1Def Leppard formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the NWOBHM movement.
- 2Drummer Rick Allen continued to perform after losing his left arm in a 1984 car accident, using a customized kit.
- 3They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
- 4Hysteria (1987) remains one of the best-selling rock albums of all time, with worldwide sales in the tens of millions.
46 Def Leppard lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Def Leppard Guitar
Explore Def Leppard 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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