Headed For A Heartbreak by Winger
Headed For A Heartbreak was released in 1990 as part of Winger's self-titled debut album, a track that helped define the band's early hard rock sound with big hooks and technical guitar work. The song features Kip Winger's soaring vocal melody paired with Reb Beach's melodic guitar lines, delivering a mid-tempo groove that feels both punchy and tuneful. Its memorable riff and radio-friendly chorus made it a staple on MTV and rock radio, cementing Winger's place in the era's guitar-centric rock landscape. The recording captures a craft-focused approach—tight rhythm, crisp harmonies, and a sense of drama that fans still recognize today.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this guitar-focused lesson, you'll learn the core riff that drives Headed For A Heartbreak, the verse progression built on power chords and melodic echoes, the dynamics of the chorus, and the transition into the bridge. We'll break down technique essentials such as palm muting, alternate picking, and clean string bends to shape the iconic sound. You'll also work on timing the changes with the groove and locking in tone to emulate the original feel while staying practical for a student level. Expect some tricky rhythm shifts and a few melodic fills that require precise fretting and hand coordination.
Intermediate; prior skills in power chords, basic barre chords, and accurate alternate picking will be especially helpful.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Practice the main riff at a slow tempo with a metronome, then gradually increase to the track's pace to lock in rhythm and note accuracy.
- 💡Break the song into sections (intro, verse, chorus, bridge) and drill each part separately before combining them for a full-speed run.
- 💡Aim for clean muting on strings that are not played and use a balanced picking hand attack to avoid extra noise or chatter.
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