Guitar & Bass Tabs
Vixen
About Vixen
Vixen are an American all-female hard rock band formed in the mid-1980s in Los Angeles, landing in the heart of the late-80s glam metal scene. They became one of the era's most visible female-fronted acts, known for melodic hooks, soaring vocal melodies, and guitar-driven anthems.
Their self-titled debut, released in 1988, and the follow-up Rev It Up (1990) helped push female musicians into the mainstream rock conversation, with MTV airplay and high-energy tours supporting major metal acts. Iconic tracks like Edge of a Broken Heart showcased punchy riffs and radio-ready choruses, influencing countless players and expanding the audience for female-led rock.
Although the scene shifted in the early 90s, Vixen's legacy endures in guitar curricula and fan memories. Over the years the band saw lineup changes and occasional reunions, but their impact on hard rock and on generations of women guitarists remains enduring.
🎸 Want to know what gear Vixen used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Playing Style
Vixen's playing style combines punchy, riff-driven rhythm with memorable melodic leads. The guitar parts lean on clean, tight chord chugs using power chords, palm-muted verses, and driving eighth-note rhythms that lock in with a solid bass/drum foundation. Lead lines are bright and vocal-friendly, often featuring bend-heavy phrases and tasteful vibrato that soar over the groove. The ensemble's sound benefits from a high-gain, gleaming tone and the occasional chorus or delay to widen space, a hallmark of late-80s/early-90s rock. The bass work is equally propulsive, anchoring the groove and responding to the drums to maintain the tight, four-on-the-floor foundation that fuels these anthems. The result is a sound that is unmistakably glam-metal-influenced but with a distinctive female-fronted energy and melodic sensibility.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear associated with Vixen-era rock includes versatile solid-body electrics such as Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul-style guitars, paired with common amplification from Marshall- or Mesa/Boogie-style amps. Effects like Boss chorus, MXR Phase 90, and delay pedals were typical to widen solos and create the glossy, arena-ready tone that defined late-80s rock. While gear choices varied by guitarist, the signature sound relied on bright, sustaining tones, tight distortion, and chorus-drenched textures that pushed hooks to the forefront.
Why Learn Vixen Songs?
Learning Vixen tunes helps players develop core rock skills: crisp power-chord rhythm, precise palm muting, economical yet emotive lead phrasing, and the ability to groove through pop-metal tempos. The tracks span accessible to intermediate levels, with room to push for more complex riffs and longer solos as you grow. Tackle Edge Of A Broken Heart to practice melodic hooks and punchy rhythm, then Rev It Up and How Much Love to build confidence in groove-based riffing and dynamic transitions. These songs reinforce timing, articulation, and tone shaping—foundational rock skills that translate to many classic-rock explorations.
Did You Know?
- 1Vixen was one of the earliest all-female hard rock bands to achieve major-label success in the late 80s.
- 2Their signature song Edge of a Broken Heart remains a staple of 80s rock radio and guitar education materials.
- 3The band helped pave the way for future generations of female musicians in rock and inspired countless players to pick up a guitar.
- 4Over the years Vixen has seen lineup changes and occasional reunions, keeping the legacy alive for new fans.
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