Guitar & Bass Tabs
Winger
Learn Winger's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Winger developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Winger burst onto the late-80s hard rock scene with a polished blend of soaring melodies and muscular guitar hooks. The band formed in Los Angeles in 1987, founded by Kip Winger (vocals and bass) and virtuoso guitarist Reb Beach, joined by Paul Taylor and Rod Morgenstein. Their self-titled debut, released in 1988, became a defining moment for American hard rock as MTV rotated the big single Seventeen and other tracks like Without the Night and Madalaine. The album's success helped Winger achieve multi-platinum status and established the band as one of the era's most influential acts, known for its tight musicianship, strong hooks, and ambitious guitar-driven songs. The band followed with additional records and extensive touring, building a reputation for melodic precision that bridged radio-friendly rock and virtuosic guitar work.
🎸 Want to know what gear Winger used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Blind Revolution Mad
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You Are The Saint, I Am The Sinner
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Little Dirty Blond
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Easy Come Easy Go
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Can't Get Enough
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Headed For A Heartbreak
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Hangin On
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Poison Angel
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Madalaine
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Seventeen
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Hungry
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Without The Night
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Purple Haze
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State Of Emergency
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Time To Surrender
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Winger's playing blends melodic hard rock with bold twin-guitar harmonies. Reb Beach and Paul Taylor crafted crisp, high-energy riffs and soaring lead lines that sit over Rod Morgenstein's pinpoint drumming, while Kip Winger anchors the band with solid bass and distinctive vocals. Common techniques you’ll hear include powerful palm-muted riffing, tight alternate picking for fast passages, arpeggiated leads, and neoclassical-inspired runs that flavor the solos. The signature sound leans on memorable chorus hooks and shimmering lead tones, often shaped with chorus and delay effects to create anthemic, radio-ready lines that still reward precise technique.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic Winger tones come from a classic late-80s rig philosophy: guitar work that loves thick, sustaining tones paired with chorus and delay. Expect to hear heavy use of Les Paul-style and fast-shredders through tube amps like Marshall-style platforms or Mesa/Boogie meals, with the players employing treble-rich pickups and expressive whammy/whirl effects. Lead tones are often topped with chorus, flange, and subtle delay to widen the rhythm guitar’s harmony and bring the double-guitar textures to life in live and studio settings.
Why Learn Winger Songs?
Learning Winger tunes builds solid rock fundamentals: tight rhythm guitar, memorable melodic phrasing, and effective lead-writing techniques. These songs typically sit at an approachable intermediate level, offering great entry points for power-chord grooves, clean arpeggios, and melodic solos that emphasize phrasing over sheer speed. Working through the 10 lessons will improve timing, groove, and the coordination required for playing twin-guitar parts, while also expanding your dynamic control and articulation for classic rock anthems.
Did You Know?
- 1The band name Winger comes from founder Kip Winger's surname, which they adopted as their group name.
- 2Seventeen became a defining 80s rock hit and MTV staple, helping propel the debut album to widespread commercial success.
- 3Guitarist Reb Beach has played with several renowned acts, including Dokken and Whitesnake, in addition to his work with Winger.
- 4Winger has continued to perform and release music across decades, maintaining a dedicated fanbase and influence on aspiring players.
15 Winger lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn to Play Winger Guitar
Explore Winger 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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