Guitar & Bass Tabs
The Vapors
Learn The Vapors's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how The Vapors developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Their debut album New Clear Days (1980) yielded Turning Japanese, a track that became a defining moment of the era and propelled the band to the UK Top 3 single. The Vapors' jangly guitars, punchy bass lines, and tight arrangements became a blueprint for catchy, radio-friendly rock. Although their initial run was brief, with activity primarily through the early 80s and a few later reunions, their music continues to resonate with players who love sharp riffs and memorable choruses.
🎸 Want to know what gear The Vapors used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Turning Japanese
The Vapors
View Tab →Playing Style
The Vapors’ playing style centers on bright, jangly guitar parts and tight, hook-driven rhythm work. Expect concise verse-chorus structures, prominent power chords, and palm-muted driving riffs fused with melodic arpeggios. The bass lines are punchy and melodic, locking in with a solid drum pattern to create a crisp, radio-friendly rock feel. A touch of chorus or tremolo on guitar helps craft the shimmering early-80s tone that makes Turning Japanese instantly recognizable.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
The Vapors’ sound is defined by bright, jangly electric guitars run through clean, punchy amps, with tasteful use of effects to add shimmer. Expect crisp, melodic guitar tones and tight rhythm parts, often layered with subtle chorus or tremolo to evoke that classic early 80s glow. The bass parts are tight and melodic, supporting punchy, concise arrangements typical of their power-pop approach.
Why Learn The Vapors Songs?
Learning The Vapors teaches you how to craft instantly memorable hooks with tight rhythm work and clear melodic identity. Their songs emphasize clean tone, precise timing, and economical arrangements that still deliver impact. The guitar parts are approachable for intermediate players, offering solid building blocks for pop-punk and early new wave techniques while honing your sense of groove and song construction.
Did You Know?
- 1Turning Japanese helped The Vapors achieve international recognition and is still a defining track of the early 80s UK pop-rock scene.
- 2New Clear Days, their debut album, is celebrated as a quintessential example of early 80s British pop-rock.
- 3The Vapors’ tight, hook-heavy writing influenced many later indie and guitar-pop acts.
- 4The band name 'Vapors' captures the atom-age vibe that characterized much of late-70s British music.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn to Play The Vapors Guitar
Explore The Vapors 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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