Photograph by Def Leppard
Photograph was released in 1983 as a single from Pyromania, signaling Def Leppard's shift from raw hard rock to glossy arena rock. The track's hooky guitar figure, punchy drums, and soaring chorus helped define the album's signature sound and pushed the band into heavy rotation on MTV and classic rock radio.
Recorded with producer Mutt Lange, Pyromania's meticulous layering—tight rhythm guitars, harmonized leads, and precise performances—made Photograph one of the era's quintessential party-rock anthems. Its lasting cultural impact endures in 80s rock playlists and 'guitar hero' lore, where the Def Leppard riff remains instantly recognizable to new players and longtime fans alike.
🎸 Want to know the techniques, practice tips, and lesson details? Scroll below the lesson!
What You'll Learn
In this guitar lesson you will learn the iconic main riff built on driving power chords and a palm-muted groove, how to navigate the verse and chorus sections with solid alternate picking, and a compact lead lick that captures the song's melodic mood. We'll cover timing, dynamic accents, and how to recreate the studio-style tone that defines Pyromania-era Def Leppard, plus common tricky parts to watch for such as clean muting and staying in time with the doubled guitar texture.
Intermediate; useful to have solid rhythm-chord chops, palm muting, and some basic lead-work experience.
🎸 Techniques Used
Practice Tips
- 💡Break the riff into small phrases and practice each at a slower tempo with a metronome, then gradually speed up.
- 💡Keep palm muting tight by anchoring the edge of your picking hand near the bridge and using consistent attack.
- 💡Dial in a bright, crunchy tone and focus on clean transitions between riff, verse, and chorus to reproduce the track's punch.
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