Guitar & Bass Tabs
Queen
Learn Queen's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Queen developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Queen emerged from London's vibrant rock scene in 1970 when Freddie Mercury joined Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. They fused hard-rock swagger with art-rock ambition, piano-driven passages, and daring studio experimentation. From the outset they pushed boundaries in arrangement and production, laying the groundwork for the stadium-sized, harmonically rich sound that would become their signature.
With prolific releases and a string of anthems, Queen became one of rock's most enduring powerhouses. Bohemian Rhapsody (their 1975 masterpiece) showcased their appetite for operatic scope and studio trickery, while Live Aid 1985 cemented their reputation as one of the greatest live acts in history. The band has sold hundreds of millions of records, earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and left an indelible mark on guitar-centric rock through Brian May's soaring leads, cathedral-like harmonies, and fearless experimentation. Their influence continues to inspire players across generations.
Today, DadRock Tabs celebrates Queen's legacy with 63 lessons that cover a spectrum from punchy riffs and rhythm parts to lush lead lines and harmonized guitar melodies. Whether you're chasing that chimey chording, touring the falsetto-laced harmonies, or digging into the iconic solos, learning Queen on guitar is a powerful workout in precision, dynamics, and musical storytelling.
🎸 Want to know what gear Queen used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
More Of That Jazz
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Let Me Entertain You
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Too Much Love Will Kill You
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If You Can't Beat Them
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Bicycle Race
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Fight From The Inside
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Spread Your Wings
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We Are The Champions
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Somebody To Love
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The Millionaire Waltz
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The Lady Wore Black
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Anybody Listening
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Best I Can
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Hammer To Fall
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Keep Yourself Alive
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Silent Lucidity
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I Want It All
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Tie Your Mother Down
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Stone Cold Crazy
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Fat Bottomed Girls
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It's Late
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Sleeping On The Sidewalk
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Dead On Time
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Revolution Calling
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Operation Mindcrime
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Speak
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Spreading The Disease
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The Mission
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The Needle Lies
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Breaking The Silence
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I Don't Believe In Love
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Sheer Heart Attack
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Eyes Of A Stranger
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Best I Can
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Jet City Woman
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Killer Queen
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Empire
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Resistance
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I Am I
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Death On Two Legs
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I Want It All
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Killer Queen
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Great King Rat
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Mad The Swine
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My Fairy King
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Liar
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The Night Comes Down
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Modern Times Rock N Roll
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Jesus
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Father And Son
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Son And Daughter
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Some Day One Day
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Loser In The End
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Ogre Battle
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The March Of The Black Queen
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Seven Seas Of Rhye
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Brighton Rock
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Tenement Funster
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Flick Of The Wrist
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Now I'm Here
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In The Lap Of The Gods
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Misfire
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I'm In Love With My Car
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You're My Best Friend
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39
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Sweet Lady
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The Prophet's Song
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Long Away
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Playing Style
Queen's playing style centers on Brian May's distinctive, melodic guitar work layered with harmonies and bold rhythm figures. May favors clear, bright tone with energetic pick attack, combining heavy power-chord rhythms with soaring, lyric solos and multi-tracked guitar lines. Expect to encounter palm-muted riffs, open chord chugging, octave-leap lead lines, and tuneful bends that sit on top of tight drum and vocal arrangements. The band's guitar work often supports epic song structures with call-and-response harmonies and dynamic shifts—perfect for practicing phrasing, timing, and layering.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Queen's iconic gear centers on Brian May's Red Special guitar, a self-built instrument that defines his signature bite and sustain, often driving through Vox AC30 amps to deliver a bright, cutting tone. In the studio and on stage, they used layering and a range of effects, including treble boosters, phase shifters, and occasional delay to create their expansive textures. These gear choices, combined with tight rhythm sections, contributed to Queen's instantly recognizable sound.
Why Learn Queen Songs?
Learning Queen songs on guitar builds solid rock fundamentals: rhythm power chords, precise alternate picking, dynamic phrasing, and lead-work with melodic hooks. Many tracks feature memorable chord progressions and call-and-response harmonies, though difficulty ranges from approachable rhythm parts to advanced, multi-part guitar lines. Working through these tunes helps players develop tone control, timing, and the art of crafting a compelling arrangement—skills that translate to any classic-rock repertoire.
Did You Know?
- 1Bohemian Rhapsody's promotional video helped launch the modern music video era.
- 2Brian May earned a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London.
- 3Freddie Mercury possessed a four-octave vocal range and a legendary stage persona.
- 4Queen's Live Aid 1985 performance is widely regarded as one of the greatest live shows in rock history.
68 Queen lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Queen Guitar
Explore Queen 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.
Similar Artists to Queen
If you're learning Queen on guitar or bass, these related artists use similar riffs, tunings, playing styles, and classic rock techniques.