Guitar & Bass Tabs
Quiet Riot
Learn Quiet Riot's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Quiet Riot developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Quiet Riot emerged from the Los Angeles club scene in the mid-1970s, co-founded by Kevin DuBrow (vocals) and guitarist Randy Rhoads. They welded a raw LA metal attack to catchy hooks, helping lay groundwork for the late-70s/early-80s metal wave. With a shifting lineup and relentless live shows, the band built a reputation for high-energy riffs and bold, anthemic tunes.
Their main breakthrough came in 1983 with the album Metal Health—the first heavy metal album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200—powered by the smash singles Cum On Feel the Noize (a Slade cover) and Metal Health (Bang Your Head). This achievement brought metal into the mainstream spotlight and inspired a generation of guitarists to chase big, arena-ready riffs. Throughout the 80s they continued to release records like Condition Critical and QR III, cementing Quiet Riot's legacy as a catalyst for the clean, potent sound that defined 80s hard rock.
Over the years the band endured lineup changes and Kevin DuBrow's charismatic, sometimes controversial, stage persona; the torch has been carried forward by new singers and ongoing touring, keeping the flame of classic metal alive for new generations of players.
🎸 Want to know what gear Quiet Riot used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Cum On Feel The Noize
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Slick Black Cadillac
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Love's A Bitch
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Breathless
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Run For Cover
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Sign Of The Times
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Stomp Your Hands Clap Your Feet
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Condition Critical
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Bad Boy
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Playing Style
Quiet Riot’s playing style centers on big, palm-muted power chords, tight down-picked chugs, and melodic, soaring lead lines. Their riffs sit in a direct, high-gain space that favors punchy rhythm parts and memorable hooks, with occasional dual-guitar sections that hint at the harmonized metal anthems to come. Expect straightforward, riff-first constructs—efficient, energetic rhythm parts supported by precise alternate picking for faster passages. The blend of aggressive rhythm and melodic accessibility gives their sound anthemic drive while remaining approachable for players building foundational rock technique.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
The band’s classic tone lives on through guitar setups that emphasize a strong, high-gain core. Expect rugged Marshall-style amp tones driving solid-body guitars—guitars range from iconic Les Paul-style models to Fender-schemed workhorses—paired with 4x12 cabs for that big arena punch. Effects are typically used subtly to shape crunch, with distortion pedals and light modulation (like chorus) shaping solos and chorus-laden hooks. The result is a sturdy, workmanlike metal sound that remains instantly recognizable to 80s rock fans.
Why Learn Quiet Riot Songs?
Learning Quiet Riot songs gives you a practical path to building solid rhythm technique, precise palm muting, and memorable riff writing. These tunes emphasize straightforward power-chord progressions, tight timing, and dynamic chorus sections—perfect for transitioning from basic rock playing to more confident, arena-ready technique. Whether you’re chasing speed on lead lines or wanting to nail big-guitar grooves, Quiet Riot’s catalog provides approachable challenges that reinforce essential rock fundamentals.
Did You Know?
- 1Quiet Riot's 1983 album Metal Health became the first heavy metal album to top the Billboard 200, signaling metal's breakout mainstream moment.
- 2Their cover of Slade's Cum On Feel the Noize became a massive hit and helped bring arena-ready metal riffs to a wide audience.
- 3Randy Rhoads' early work with Quiet Riot helped launch his career, leading to his iconic tenure with Ozzy Osbourne and setting a standard for metal guitar shredding.
- 4Quiet Riot helped catalyze the LA metal scene that would birth many 80s rock acts and anthemic riffs that defined the era.
9 Quiet Riot lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Quiet Riot Guitar
Explore Quiet Riot 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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