Keep Yourself Alive by QUEEN
Keep Yourself Alive was released on Queen's self-titled debut album in 1973. Written by Brian May, the track kicks off with one of rock’s most famous guitar riffs and showcases May’s virtuosic, multi-tracked guitar work that helped define Queen’s early sound. The studio beds are thick with energy—from the tight rhythm section to the layered guitar parts that give the song its anthemic, larger-than-life feel. Its cultural impact grew as it became a crowd-pleasing live opener that captured the band’s fearless, high-octane approach to rock, laying the groundwork for Queen’s reputation as spellbinding performers and studio innovators.
In the recording, May used his iconic Red Special guitar and a crisp, bright tone with plenty of treble and delay to create the song’s signature bite. The result is a powerful blend of riff-driven rock and melodic hooks, with a soaring guitar solo that capped the track and left a lasting impression on listeners. Over the years, the song has endured as a staple of classic rock radio and a rite of passage for guitar players chasing the classic-Queen tone and swagger.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you’ll learn the iconic opening riff and the driving power-chord verse progression that propel Keep Yourself Alive, along with the chant-like chorus and a mid-section solo approach. We’ll break down picking accuracy, palm muting for punch, and the lead-tones that mimic Brian May’s delayed, sustained phrasing. You’ll also get tips for transitioning from riff to verse, building speed at a comfortable tempo, and capturing the song’s high-energy feel without sacrificing cleanliness.
Intermediate level; helpful prior skills include clean power-chord rhythm, basic barre chords, and solid alternate picking.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Break the riff into small phrases and practice each at a slower tempo with a metronome before joining the sections.
- 💡Aim for a tight, punchy attack with controlled palm muting and a touch of treble to emulate the original tone.
- 💡When you reach the solo/lead phrasing, focus on clean bends and expressive vibrato to capture the feel of the recording.
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