Guitar & Bass Tabs
Michael Schenker
About Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker's journey began in Scorpions as a teenage guitarist, then moved to UFO in the early 1970s, laying the groundwork for his influential solo career. He formed the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) in 1979, a powerhouse of melodic hard rock that fused soaring leads with tight, riff-driven songs. Across UFO, MSG, and his solo projects, his playing helped redefine rock guitar, inspiring generations with blistering runs, expressive bends, and instantly recognizable melodies.
Schenker's legacy extends beyond the studio: his live tones and precise phrasing created a template for melodic shred and twin-guitar harmonies. On DadRock Tabs, we break down 16 Michael Schenker lessons featuring tracks that fans know by heart—Searching For A Reason, Broken Promises, Desert Song, Samurai, Dancer, Rock You To The Ground, Looking For Love, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, On And On, Attack Of The Mad Axeman, and more.
🎸 Want to know what gear Michael Schenker used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Captain Nemo
Michael Schenker
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Armed And Ready
Michael Schenker
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Cry For The Nations
Michael Schenker
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Victim Of Illusion
Michael Schenker
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Into The Arena
Michael Schenker
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Lost Horizons
Michael Schenker
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Attack Of The Mad Axeman
Michael Schenker
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On And On
Michael Schenker
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Michael Schenker
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Looking For Love
Michael Schenker
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Rock You To The Ground
Michael Schenker
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Dancer
Michael Schenker
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Samurai
Michael Schenker
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Desert Song
Michael Schenker
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Broken Promises
Michael Schenker
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Searching For A Reason
Michael Schenker
View Tab →Playing Style
Michael Schenker's playing style blends soaring, legato-flavored melodic leads with tough, riff-driven rhythm parts. His lines are built from tight scalar runs, expressive bends, and arpeggio figures that weave through the harmony. Expect precise alternate picking, blazing speed when needed, and tasteful use of vibrato and dynamics to turn a simple phrase into an anthem. His sound often sits on a strong humbucker tone with bright, singing upper-register solos and a touch of chorus-like shimmer on the leads.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic guitars and amps: Michael is closely associated with Gibson Les Paul Customs and other Les Paul-family instruments, paired with Marshall amplifiers (notably in the JCM800 era) to deliver that punchy, sustaining riff tone. His lead tone is often shaped with a classic chorus/delay setup and a few well-placed pedals such as a Phase 90 for movement and a delay for space in longer lines.
Why Learn Michael Schenker Songs?
Learning Schenker's material builds core rock skills: tight alternate picking, string skipping, fast scalar runs, and melodic phrasing that sits between rhythm and lead guitar. The 16 lessons span from mid-level to more challenging passages, offering a clear path to bigger bends, vibrato, and arpeggios. These songs become a foundation for rock guitar, teaching how to craft memorable lead lines that still lock in with the groove.
Did You Know?
- 1He started his professional career with the Scorpions as a teenager before joining UFO.
- 2The Michael Schenker Group (MSG) formed in 1979 and unleashed a string of influential hard rock albums.
- 3Desert Song is one of his most enduring guitar anthems, a staple of live sets and fan favorites.
- 4His melodic solos and twin-guitar harmonies helped shape 80s rock guitar tone and inspired countless players.
16 Michael Schenker lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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