How To Play Photograph By Def Leppard - Def Leppard Guitar Lesson - Photograph Full Song

In this video I demonstrate how to play Photograph by Def Leppard. This is an amazing song from the album Pyromania and features some amazing guitar work from Steve Clark and Phil Collen. There is a lot to learn from these chord voicings, guitar textures and the guitar solo. It's a good example of blending major and minor pentatonic licks in a guitar solo that gives texture and an interesting quality to the music. Steve Clark and Phil Collen were one of the greatest guitar duos in rock n roll history and this song demonstrates why. I hope you enjoy the lesson. Please subscribe!
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PJO guitar designed by Phil Orisek. Please check out his instagram!

[@gokhanersan8561]

This is the first song I learned from start to finish - thanks to your picture-in-picture presentation, effective breakdowns and repetitions. Well done. And, what a beautiful composition Photograph is.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're very welcome. Agreed, it's a gorgeous song! Top to bottom.

[@yannedekuro3506]

в детсве играл в гта5 и на рок радио была эта песня выучил ее. сколько воспоминаний с этой песней Марти спасибо тебе и переводчику ютуба благадоря кому я это выучил

[@tacomaken15]

Phil played the riff in the lower position. I was fortunate to see him play this song.

[@rtoccaraga7136]

thank you for sharing sir MArty...God bless you always

[@coregeek]

My first time trying one of your lessons. Great job, I find your pace and explanations easy to follow. Thanks for creating this. It’s one of my favorites.

[@The_Macaroon]

Always a treat Marty. And the tone !

[@jamesalcock3060]

Amazing song predominantly written by Steve. The solo was by Phil, absolutely brilliant solo, done in like first take

[@fallingdunes]

No, Steve only wrote the opening riff.

[@rvk5150]

My wife's favorite Def Leppard song...thanks for the great lesson Marty!!!

[@luvmuppets]

Pete Willis was fired during the early stages of recording Pyromania and was replaced by Phil Collen. It’s anyones guess as to what parts were played by Pete, Phil or Steve.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeh. Poor dude. I don't think it's ever been broken down in an interview.

[@muleblues71]

Fired for his drinking, couldn't pull it off in the studio. But Steve Clarke died from alcohol poisoning years later. Sad

[@frasiercraine1776]

Basic rhythm tracks Pete played.

[@jyejye1077]

@@muleblues71 it is very sad, I think Phil did most of the guitar work when it came to leads and the riffs after pyromania

[@nicholasives8816]

That what recording labels do, they try to put studio players in, causes tension and bands crap out. Bands need to stick together , and stop soiing the badass writing that makes the band from the get go

[@garyslash7552]

Great channel, great playing, great song - ugliest headstock ever 🙂

[@jtbranman]

I think it is neck-n-neck with a Tyler.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It grows in ya! Lol. Thanks for the compliment man!! And for watching! 😁🎵

[@vmathias2023]

AWESOME VIDEO. thanks man!

[@joelarsenault5615]

Great lesson really enjoyed that one.

[@fasterman3]

I spent all last week scanning, touching up and editing photos I took on the Pyromania Tour for my agents

[@cerclesvicieux]

Very nice. Thank you. Alayws loved this album. And thanks for the tab. That's always a +.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're most welcome Charles !

[@robertallen3133]

Fantastic video

[@willip66]

Top stuff Marty. Always loved this song, and you've captured it perfectly.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks so much man! 😎🎵🎵

[@Terrysoddy]

Great tutorial man, sounds very spot on

[@finaljesus]

that was so bad ass holy smoke i love this lesson and this song thank you so much

[@travissimmons3333]

This was great man. You've earned a subscriber.

[@Liesaward]

You are a very very good teacher, thanks for your lessons and congratulations. Play guitar is very difficult, and the next step is teach how to play big rock songs, that's required a superior skills and knowledge.

[@airspeedaudio]

great video!!!!!!

[@keithcourneyea1609]

Thanks Marty. Really enjoyed this video. Keep DeF Lep coming

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're welcome man!!

[@DeputyVanHalen5150]

Thanks for sharing this. Awesome

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're welcome 😎🥂

[@kg4st]

Enjoyed it..thank you

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for watching man!

[@jtbranman]

Thank you for the lesson. Great video!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're welcome ! 🎵😎

[@papablue3015]

Thanks for the lesson, Marty!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're very welcome!!

[@bmac5085]

Thanks Marty. I remember Pyromania was a hudge album over there in the states. Not so much here on this side of the pond. But I loved this album and this song in particular. One of the best produced albums that I have heard. That is a really nice guitar by the way 👌 😍

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Interesting to know! I think myv here really pushed that tube into outer space!

[@johnmcnairy]

Marty, watching your lessons makes me want to play my Telecaster more and more cause you pick out some of the coolest songs. Peace Out Man 😊

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Wonderful! Glad to inspire with the videos, it means a lot to hear these things. Keep jamming man!

[@leswadley6792]

Great song; had the songbook back in the day and learned most of the album☺️! As always I learned a few things ☺️! Thanks for posting🤪

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Awesome man. Glad to help a little bit! 😎🤟🏻

[@muleblues71]

The same book that had excerpts with high and dry? Yeah, that was terrible tab.

[@geoffreylowery9730]

Thanks Marty! Anytime you have a progression that has an ringing open string that is doubled on another string at its end just sounds cool to me. I remember riding my bike to the store and buying Pyro with my saved up coinage.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I totally agree! 🎵🎵🎵🤟🏻

[@truthtobehonest]

Excellent lesson Marty!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Barry! Glad ya liked it!! 😎🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

[@thestrum71]

Great song from a great album!! Good job on understanding the tuning issue! :)

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! It drives me nuts tuning to recordings and they're a few cents off. I'm like... they sped the tape up!

[@ultragroove1]

I was mouthing the gated drum parts while you were playing the intro to this iconic song! Thanks for the awesome lesson Marty! (I saw Def Leppard in 1983 Pyromania tour as a sophomore in hs 😆🤘🎸)

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Hard not to lol! I never had the chance to see them until the mid 90's. You're very lucky!

[@gregorycornelius2686]

Love all the lessons! Especially the KISS ones. Would like to get a lesson for the song "She".

[@eddiebratley8243]

Im slowly learning this and i like your teaching style, it is right where i am. I have learnt the major scales and now trying see the relative minor within it aswell as remembering the notes etc etc you telling me things like bend the 15th up to a E is so helpful for me learning right now. I have a fender frontman amp and a delay pedal..any tips to achieve the best sounds i can for this? Im struggling getting it right

[@texasred7806]

Your tone is perfect I love it

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks so much! 😎🤟🏻

[@TenMinutesLyne]

Cool stuff. Steve wrote the opening riff, Pete composed the rest including the chorus. Pete turned it round with the softer chorus, a nice touch.

[@jimmyz2098]

Awesome, Marty! My second favorite band..... and definitely Top 2 or 3 song by those guys. Def Leppard is still awesome. Seen a bunch of times, and always such a treat. Love this song, and as always - Bro you smoked it. Killer tone, and tutorial. You are THE BEST! Edit: Marty - We're about the same age. I turned 13 end of 83. End of that year... my Mom and Dad took me out to Mothers Records, at our local Mall. Their colors were orange in that store - signage and everything. I think it was s decent size chain. Anyway - that night.... and I think it was a Friday night... I got VH 1984 and this one - Pyromania. The 84 record had JUST come out that week I think. Although Jump was already everywhere - Friday night Videos and just everywhere. But I had been wanting Pyromania, as it had been out for at least a few months if I remember that correctly. Got them both that night!!! Epic!!! Mind. Freaking. BLOWN!!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Great story man! I love how me memories like this get locked in so strong for us! I Remember summer of 84 at a carnival and winning a white Pyromania painters hat. I thought I was so cool! And I only had a cassette I recorded from the radio waiting for photograph to come on!

[@bhollyfanhardin9627]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Steve Clarke played lead guitar Pete Willis played rhythm guitar and Phil Collin played the solo on this song......

[@jimmyz2098]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Yes! So cool, Marty! I remember when painters hats were a thing! And man I bet you loved that thing!! How could you not? A Pyromania painters hat! Sweeeet! Yeah. You get it Bro. We get it. We lived it.

[@geoffreylowery9730]

Oh!! 12k! Congrats! 🎉

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yes!!! Woohoo 🎉 😎 thanks 😊

[@joxyjoxyjoxy1]

That's a killer headstock.

[@jwcjrcpa]

Tone here is perfect 👍

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! 😎🤟🏻

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

I believe it was Phil that played the solo. I know he and Steve both had Kahler trem systems on their guitars, but Steve didn't get heavy into using the bar until Hysteria. I have no idea how I know or even remember that piece of information, but I believe it came from a Def Lep book from the 80s where they were talking about their gear.

[@wjewell63]

Very cool bud.....✌️👍

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks!! 🤟🏻

[@porknbeans7420]

I guess I was making this harder than it needed to be - I always did 740 for the last arpeggio in the chorus!

[@gus4u2c]

Phil Collen only played a couple of guitar solos and sang backup vocals. Pete Willis and Steve Clark did all the rhythm guitars on Pyromania

[@timkoontz7370]

Thanks, man!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks, I appreciate you watching and for the support. 😎🍺

[@CB-st6wm]

Phil started on this album. He played all the leads as far as I've heard from interviews of him and Mutt Lang.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeh, I thought I had read that before. 😎👍👍

[@frasiercraine1776]

Rock rock, foolin, stage fright, rock of ages and photograph are Phil's solos

[@jamesalcock3060]

@@frasiercraine1776 yep unbelievably good solos, Phil is a master

[@KarenBasset]

Love these lessons! Would be nice to know how you dial in the appropriate guitar tones.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

For KZbin I use a fractal ax8. I have a Friedman BE patch I really like on there that I have edited just a a little with eq. I actually run my delay and chorus through protools in post just so I can mix it better if I think there's too much or little. I run stereo Friedman IR's in the ax8 and record in stereo to make it super fat.

[@musashimiamoto9792]

you should tab that killer opening lick! nice one

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man, just a pre noodle sound test. It's one of my go to licks I've played for a long time. 🤟🏻😎

[@willfletch5871]

Bloody brilliant

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the support and for watching!! 😁🥂

[@willfletch5871]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker any plans to cover some whitesnake?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@willfletch5871 great idea! Yes 🙌

[@diegolopezlira3267]

Great lesson. Learning this song will be my weekend goal. Thank you Marty 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Have a blast man!

[@RobinDale50]

7:08 the C/G notes there at the start of the pre-chorus always sounded better/more right to me when played 3 times. Could be the Bass is filling in that middle note on the recording, but it sounds like 3 distinct notes on the record.

[@ronmorey3475]

Great lesson Marty! Your friend built a very nice guitar. Unlike some folks, I like that headstock! However, I think it would fit better on a different body style; something totally original. The strat body is too iconic. Perhaps something more angular and "space age". It looks like a flying saucer with six chrome alien heads sticking out of the top. I love Aliens!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! I like it to. It grows on ya! It's a really nice guitar, very versatile. 😃

[@bigdognance]

What is Your amp setup, Marty as Your sound is Dead On...Thanks!! Great Video!

[@RobinDale50]

On the recording, the main/intro lick is played both ways, on 2 guitars, and blended together, so you can't actually quite get it right on a single guitar, technically. In concert, Phil plays it at the 5/4 position, but it always sounded best to me on a single guitar at 8/9 fret positions.

[@30pitchcleaver]

Awesome, now you got me wondering so I pulled-up a live video. Steve played the bad-ass rhythm & Phil played the lead's (kinda what I figured). Oh, in the video Steve played a Les Paul (like the 1 you showed lately) and Phil had an Explorer.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Very cool man. I kinda figured! 😎

[@muleblues71]

Ibanez destroyer Phil Collins model

[@frankcottone8381]

What effects settings are you using on this?

[@craigwolf4908]

Hi craig again, great def lep lessons, i’ve been able to use youre solo breakdowns in lots of other applications. u telling key in scale helps with ear training n improving. Switch 625?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Craig! I appreciate the feedback, glad it helps man. 625 would be a good one for sure. 🎵🎵🎵🤟🏻

[@joepolito4569]

What amp were you playing through, sounded like a Friedman or 5150, sounds great!

[@kylemartinez9713]

Great lesson! Would you consider doing the outro solo?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Awe man. I totally forgot about that!!

[@Jaxisagod5]

I always learned the chorus slightly different, but this is really close.

[@BasedGuitarist07]

Good lesson, but for future reference, it might be better to just tune to E-flat or a common tuning to give the lesson bc alot of us are sitting here with floyd roses in E-flat and want to learn this song, and its a pain to tune to a wonky tuning.

[@retropyro]

I think Steve played the opening riff the 1st way and Phil played it the 2nd way. Live today I believe both Phil and Viv play it the 2nd way.

[@BusterRoonie]

👍🏼

[@rockarolla9054]

Pretty sure this was the first song Mutt had Phil have a go at. Had him lay down this solo and Mutt said Phil nailed it in his first take.

[@ABN-wi5nk]

Where is the Outro solo?

[@lovehategoddie]

What is with that head stock, like it.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It's unique for sure. This is a custom build from Phil Orisek. Great guy!

[@JoeR203]

"How TWO play Photograph"? 🙂 Again, I will suggest using a headband mounted camera so we can see finger placements from your POV. Maybe it's just me, but it's hard to tell if a finger is pressing a string, or just hovering over it.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Dude. Good catch. Hahahaha. I totally missed the autocorrect. Hahahah. I'll fix it. Camera. I don't have that capacity yet. Channel is growing so maybe down the line soon!

[@CavemankilemallProductions]

Phil is one of those players who talks about guitars it like it's some hard-core crack addiction he has. I dig those kinda guys!! Has anyone seen the ugly old grandma they got singing for them now.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Holy smokes you ain't kidding. Elliot looks rough man. I hate to poke fun like that... but sheesh.

[@liarschair10]

You're forgetting the open a string on the second phrase on the Nero.

[@DashRiprock513]

✌😎👍

[@markarita3]

1:57-3:33 Tab is wrong, but you're playing it right! lol 1st E diads are played 3X (not twice) in intro - before vocals kick in. 9/9 - 9/9 - 9/9 - 8/9 - 8/9....not 9/9 - 9/9 - 8/9 - 8/9 - 8/9... Proper tone though ;-)

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks. I wrote my tabs around 1am so sometimes human error ensues lol. I need an editor. 😂😂

[@youren8]

How much of this album did original lead guitarist Pete Willis play on this before he was fired from the band? He had some great stuff on their first album, and High And Dry.

[@muleblues71]

Pete was like, an example, the dave mustaine of the group. They were all hard drinkers, but Pete couldn't handle his liquor like the other guys.

[@frasiercraine1776]

Rhythm tracks are Pete.

[@TenMinutesLyne]

Pete did 90% of all the guitar work on Pyro, Steve the rest, Mutt had him do it, whilst Steve was either in the control room sitting around or with his new girlfriend. Mutt wanted Pete he was more precise, that's a fact, the solo's were Steve and Phil, except for a small solo section on Billy's Got a Gun which was Pete.

[@dorfsteen]

I don't understand almost E-flat how do you do that?🤔 I have one of my guitars tuned to e flat but how do you go almost E-flat LOL what do you just put it in the red somewhere and just leave it I would think that would be like out of tune? And it would sound funny I don't know I'm a rookie😁

[@luvmuppets]

Get a tuner and tune to E. Change the tuner setting to Eb. You notice you’ll have to turn the peg to loosen the string somewhat to get from E to Eb. If you then tighten the string, but not enough to get you back to the pitch of E, you’ll be in between.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It's just lies close to eflat. Like a few cents sharp if eflat. I guess showing my digital tuber would have helped explain it. I bet they tuned to eflat then sped the tape up in mixing just a little.

[@buffdaddy2032]

Just tune to e flat . No one will no otherwise

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@buffdaddy2032 unless you're playing to the track working on it, and you're 3 cents off. I can't stand that! Lol My biggest gripe about teaching lessons is when you have to tune to the record and the band is somewhere in between standard and e flat. Van Halen was easy because Eddie (Roth era) was pretty much spot on in the middle. Easy to tune to him!

[@wizaxed]

Good Lord, what the hell is that "growth" on the headstock of that guitar!?!?!? It looks ridiculous!! It's like a trainwreck - I can't stop staring at it, but want to look away. Sorry - bustin' your balls (but it is fugly). Sounds killer though!! Love me some Def Leppard!! Rock on Marty!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Lol. Check out my last video. It's a guitar a friend built me

[@RobinDale50]

Also historically, Phil did not play or compose the riffs on this. He was brought in very late in recording and essentially mostly did solos on about half the songs, including this one. Famously, he did the solo to Stagefright as his first one in 2 takes, and Mutt was overjoyed at how fast and good it came out. Given Mutt's penchant for taking 40 years and a thousand takes (only slightly exaggerated) to get things "just right," 2 takes is a miracle of economy. Phil also did some fill-in riffs here and there, apparently, but nothing on the order of any major song-structure level stuff, as well as additional vocals. The bulk of the riffs in all the songs on Pyro were Steve and Pete.

[@frasiercraine1776]

Phil did come up with that part that is the ride out on in the round. But you are right, he added additional rhythm parts to songs and played over Pete's stuff to rough it up. While he wasn't a main writer, his influence is definitely felt

[@RobinDale50]

@@frasiercraine1776 For sure. He definitely had noticeable contributions to Pyro, but it was more like shading, backup vocals and solos.

[@davidbaca7853]

After watching a live performance video, it looks to me like he is using the second method.

[@southernboycookin5383]

Am I wrong? You haven't broken down any RUSH man. What's up with that? If I missed any, apologies. :D

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

No rush yet but great suggestion man. I can add to the list. I kinda gravitate to stuff I am super familiar with since it makes content a little smoother in the creative process. 😎🤟🏻

[@knowwhey7559]

Your intro is slightly off. On the G and B strings, it starts with 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/4 4/4 for the first 2 times. ie, 3 times in the first dyad and 2 on the second.

[@reeceb798]

as a newbie that 2nd to 5th fret stretch hurts lol

[@frasiercraine1776]

The intro is two guitars.

[@frasiercraine1776]

The majority of the guitar parts, not all but the majority even the rhythm were created by Steve Clark.

[@kevinmiracle8233]

just watch Phil Collen explain it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKnVdo2Vgtt3r8k

[@frasiercraine1776]

If I'm not mistaken, Phil actually came up with the chorus.

[@TenMinutesLyne]

You are very mistaken, Pete wrote the chorus, Steve wrote the opening riff, the rest was joint.

[@tylerbensdad]

Being picky here. When you said 'that's pretty much it except for the guitar solo" you forgot about the outro. It is a work of genius that concludes the song in an amazing way coupled with the vocal. But you are a great player and teacher and my jealousy of you is real.

[@divebomb99]

You have a Wiggy. Respect. 🙂

[@muleblues71]

That headstock is giving me anxiety

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Lol! 😂😂😂😂

[@frasiercraine1776]

If it's rhythm it's pete.

[@comptonmccairo8591]

Do not like that headstock at all ! I changed that thing

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Lol. 😂 it grows on ya man.

[@buffdaddy2032]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker grows on you like tumor Marty 🤣

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@buffdaddy2032 we have meds for that has ranch5150skinwalker lol.

[@johnhelems721]

That’s got to be the ugliest headstock I have ever seen

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

lol! It's ok man. It is a tad polarizing. 😁

[@buffdaddy2032]

I would love that guitar but that headstock is God awful !!!!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Lol. It grows on ya man! 😁

[@buffdaddy2032]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker lol