Guitar & Bass Tabs
Ratt
Learn Ratt's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Ratt developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
RATT burst out of the Los Angeles metal scene in the late 1970s, evolving from the San Diego-origin group Mickey Ratt into a polished, radio-ready hard rock powerhouse. Frontman Stephen Pearcy joined as they refined twin guitar harmonies and punchy rhythm parts, teaming with Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini on guitars, Juan Croucier on bass, and Bobby Blotzer on drums. Their early energy fused street-smart hooks with stadium-sized riffs, setting the template for American glam metal and live high-energy performances.
In the mid-80s, Out of the Cellar (1984) propelled RATT into the mainstream, aided by the MTV era and hits like Round and Round. Invasion of Your Privacy (1985) built on that momentum with more combustible riffs and chorus-driven anthems. The band became one of the era's defining acts, known for their dual guitar harmonies, tight rhythm sections, and flamboyant style. Over the years, they have experienced lineup changes and hiatuses, but Pearcy's vocal presence and their signature sound endured, influencing countless hard rock and metal players and leaving a lasting imprint on the glam metal landscape.
🎸 Want to know what gear Ratt used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Scene Of The Crime
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Body Talk
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Give It All
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I'm Insane
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Lay It Down
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You're In Love
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Way Cool Jr
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Slip Of The Lip
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Round And Round
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What You Give Is What You Get
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Morning After
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Wanted Man
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Back For More
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You're In Trouble
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In Your Direction
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Lack Of Communication
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She Wants Money
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Between The Eyes
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Closer To My Heart
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Got Me On The Line
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One Good Lover
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Dance
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Looking For Love
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Take A Chance
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I Want A Woman
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City To City
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Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You
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Chain Reaction
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Bottom Line
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What I'm After
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Shame Shame Shame
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Lovin' You's A Dirty Job
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Scratch That Itch
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One Step Away
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Hard Time
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Heads I Win Tails You Lose
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All Or Nothing
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Can't Wait On Love
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Top Secret
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Givin' Yourself Away
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Lack Of Communication
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Playing Style
RATT's playing blends crunchy rhythm riffs with bright melodic leads. The twin-guitar approach creates soaring harmonies that ride atop tight, palm-muted chugging and propulsive power chords. Lead lines feature rapid alternate picking, bending, and tasteful sustain, while the bass underpins the groove with a locked-in pocket. The band's sound is defined by high-energy tempos, sing-along hooks, and shimmering mid- to high-gain tones that cut through the mix, making their songs instantly recognizable in any rock setting.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear for RATT fans centers on two-guitar harmony rigs, often running through loud Marshall-style amp stacks, with a mix of Strat-style and superstrat guitars. Players like Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini favored bright, cutting tones, aided by chorus and delay pedals for shimmering leads. A solid rhythm foundation and tight, driving bass lines completed the classic late-80s sound that defined glam metal.
Why Learn Ratt Songs?
Learning RATT songs builds solid rock fundamentals: tight rhythm, power-chord progressions, palm muting, precise picking, and memorable hooks. With 47 lessons, you’ll explore riffs ranging from straightforward to brisk, developing technique, speed, and accuracy while embracing dynamic, stage-ready phrasing. These tracks offer a clear path from foundational rock skills to lead-work confidence, perfect for players aiming to capture that quintessential glam-metal bite on guitar.
Did You Know?
- 1The band started as Mickey Ratt in the San Diego scene before adopting the name RATT when they hit LA.
- 2Round and Round's video was a defining MTV anthem of the mid-80s.
- 3Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini were famous for their blazing twin-lead harmonies.
- 4Stephen Pearcy has been the enduring frontman through multiple lineup changes.
41 Ratt lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Ratt Guitar
Explore Ratt 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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