The WRONG Way to Play "Lay it Down" By RATT - How to Embrace Mistakes

[@LeonTodd]

For everyone interested in my modern rip off, here's "Break You" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iILZqoeufqearq8

[@Bjoran77]

Great song with a badass riff 😎👍

[@OnfloorAudio]

one of the first songs from you guys i heard. Great song !!

[@OTCRock4one]

Leon Todd, agree Warren has had killer riffs and was underrated.

[@SB-my7lm]

Any chance you could write a tab man? I wanna learn that riff! 😭

[@straty5598]

The guy in Ratt shirt would be saying that's not how it's played dude... If anyone's gonna take the time to learn the riff, learn it right. BUT you're right, by doing it wrong you really can invent something you didn't see coming at all

[@allendaleguitars.stpetersb4528]

Dude, I don't care how it's played, I can't stretch my fingers the wide. So it's plenty close to me. Plus my wife can't tell. Awesome bro.

[@L33CHW33D]

My wife can't tell. HAHA!

[@triumph9044]

I also have short finger and can not play it. It freaking hurts after about 2 minutes of over stretching. But you wrong way is the right way for those with no rubber stretchy fingers. Awesome.

[@elijahcorbett7476]

Its cold but it will help, its a lie you were told ,till you told it to yourself play it right or just lay it down.

[@JTTTTT850]

I have large hands but i play 25.5” scale ibanez 7 strings so I definitely can not play it without a ton of horrible hand and wrist pain.

[@BRO77TX]

Work smart, not hard!!! That’s what my Dad would tell me!!

[@HiredGoonage]

best 80's hair metal riff of all time

[@jrwhitnah]

I don't play guitar or anything else but that opening riff literally has gone through my mind at least once per week for the last 35 years. I still love it.

[@duncanmathers76]

1. That works perfectly well for me. 2. Major respect for steering people to Ben Eller's video. Few would do that. 3. That Les Paul is effing beautiful 4. Your rhythm sound is bloody orgasmic! Have a sub.

[@tonymichaels5592]

Love Warren DiMartini but please don't forget King. Robbin Crosby was a beast on guitar as well. the two together are criminally underrated

[@49russman]

DiMartini had chunks of Crosby in his shit.

[@tonymichaels5592]

@@49russman Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine? I'll bet you're just the life of the party and everybody gravitates to your pleasant disposition.

[@shack8110]

Still sounded funny. XD I don't know about Crosby's greatness, but I know DiMartini is awesome.

[@tonymichaels5592]

@@shack8110 He absolutely is! But Crosby was the primary author of not only "Lay it Down", but many of their biggest hits. Not taking anything from Warren, just saying Crosby held his own as well.

[@shack8110]

Right on.

[@T0n3zon3]

The way you played it was the exact way I learned it by ear from Invasion when it came out. We never had access to TAB and KZbin back then so your ears were it. It wasn't until about 10 years ago I saw some live Ratt footage I wondered what Warren was playing and found the "proper" way. I think Robbin's parts have a considerable effect on the riff as he plays chords that work off of Warren's part. Stellar tune from stellar players and an awesome band back in the day.

[@luvyesmusic]

Warren was a bad-ass guitarist. One of the best. One of the strongest I had seen back in the day just below Vito Bratta.

[@nt3523]

Yes! I was into heavier stuff but my sister's favorite bands were Ratt and White Lion and we were always swapping tapes, so I was kind of a closet Vito fan. So smooth. Sabo and Scotti Hill, Nuno, Reb Beach, all good. These days, I can't get enough of any 80's music.

[@luvyesmusic]

@@nt3523 Yes, let it be known that I'm a fan of pop, disco and funk, etc., etc., I'm a huge 80's metalhead. Black Sabbath, Priest, Iron Madden, Dio; etc. Michael Schenker is my second favorite guitarist after Steve Howe of YES. Michael Angelo Batio might be the best technically. Cheers!

[@dsvet]

One of the most underrated bands and albums were Howe II with Greg Howe on guitar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5DCYWRml5p-nq8

[@srdjanbosnjak7413]

Once upon a time I was reading interview with Frank Zappa in my favorite music magazine and when he was asked who is his favorite guitar player,he said "that guy from Ratt". That speaks for itself.

[@jrgilbert]

80s bands get so walked on by Rolling Stone critics and those 50 and older. It's acceptable to like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, even Black Sabbath. Van Halen is about the end of the acceptance, but they had their start in the 70s so they don't really count. It's cool to see Zappa give a shout out to, likely, DeMartini. I think there was insanely excellent music that deserves to be counted with the 'acceptable' critical darlings. Hopefully as my generation and younger start to write history that will change. I know Eddie Trunk fiercely fights for 80 bands credibility.

[@srdjanbosnjak7413]

@@jrgilbert There you go.While it for sure was some hilarious and exaggerated things in 80'ties hair metal,the whole scene kind of was projecting some positive"its good to be alive" vibe that makes you feel good.Zappa liked that and without any snobbery put it out.As far as critics go,I would not take that to seriously.

[@shack8110]

When I heard Out of the Cellar, I didn't want to hear anything that didn't have a screeching electric guitar in it for the next 10 years.

[@jrgilbert]

@@shack8110 I am sure you meant your comment in the most sincere way, just know that using 'screeching' implies 'mindless and noise' something lovers of 80s hard Rock and metal should cringe when they hear such an adjective. Just a thought. However, much like you, Out of the Cellar was my first 80s style hard rock band I bought at 13 years old. My room had posters of Ratt all over my walls.

[@shack8110]

Yes, screeching, wailing, loud. Looking back I was pretty obnoxious about how 80s metal was the zenith of musical art. XD

[@jonathanpirkle1344]

Dude, "your" way is the way I"ve been playing it since about an hour after "Invasion" came out. Played it that way in every band, every weekend. Never had a complaint. Except from Randy. Randy played it the other way. Randy never got the girl, though. Poor Randy.

[@alexdelgado9315]

Same with our group of guitar players I grew up with. We all had very good ears back in the 80s. A great time to be learning guitar.

[@ralphshaw9758]

Fkn Randy....

[@stricknine8623]

It's one of those things where if you play it the right way with the big stretch chord rooted on 5th feet of A (D) and then hold that root and make that next stretch even further, ect. It is so much more satisfying to your ears,..Once you get it right, train your hands and discover the "trick" you wont ever look back...There is a very special dissonance in those chords. I played it like in the video also for about 6-8 years...But I always thought it wasn't right to my ears..Then later watched video of Warren and knew it was wrong.. Learned it from another guitarist. Learning this, helped my playing in general.

[@JacksonPlant]

Moral of the story don’t be a Randy lol

[@sheraborden4191]

I'm crushed because that's the way I've been playing it for 9,000 years, since the tab first came out when God was a boy and I was a tadpole guitarist. Now at 53 and knowing the correct way, my arthritis prevents me from playing the big stretch...so, I guess my frozen joints will keep me frozen in time. I'm just glad I can bang out riffs still, and I'm grateful for this great channel that keeps me inspired as I grow ever longer in the tooth, haha.

[@Scubasgamecorner]

I love you man !!!! I have (Ben) trying to learn this riff and can't seem to get that stretch and now I see this video... I am ok playing it the wrong way... life is short and so are my fingers. ROCK ON !!!!

[@thereallantesh]

I'm not a musician, but I found this really interesting. Ratt is one of my favorites bands from my youth. So it was cool to see you explain the different ways one might go about playing this riff. It also explains why sometimes when I hear a cover it sounds different. As a non-musician it never occurred to me that someone might actually be playing it different/incorrectly.

[@Bsquared1972]

Believe it or not, the way Warren starts the song isn't so different...watch the official vid...you only get a flash, but the way Ben shows is the way Robbin plays when he comes in. It also changes in the song, they don't do it the same way every time. Give yourself some credit. :) great tones. I always loved the way DeMartini and Lynch had similar styles...must have crossed paths in LA at some point. Subscribed

[@steveoverdrive55]

Phew...most of my playing career consists of getting it not quite right ! ✌️

[@LeonTodd]

Me too :D

[@charlesm8482]

Same

[@zenmaster1752]

Same too

[@commentfreely5443]

people can always go to original CDs if they want exact. all bands and players should interpret something for themselves.

[@zenmaster1752]

The best is to easily play the song that you like and Leon is the best !

[@thecamocanoe]

2:56 When Warren wrote an Alice in Chains style Riff in '83. LOVE THAT RIFF!!

[@dinagsengupta7941]

Great video Todd! Thanks a bunch

[@randytritt4610]

Like Dimebag said whose to say if its right or wrong if it works blow that mfker up!! I think you got it bro thats all that matters!! Keep rocking!!!🤘🎸🤘

[@pikehunter23750]

Getcha PULL brother!

[@GalenIRL]

Hell yea!

[@robertspicer3716]

Back 35 years ago when we learned everything by ear that's the way I learned it too. kind of the same thing with most Jake E Lee riffs everyone plays his shit wrong but you can still sound like Jake. Its the attitude!

[@thunderknuckles3623]

Not even Jake E. Lee can play Jake E. Lee from 35 years ago. That stretch on the "Bark at the Moon" solo is insane. Not sure I ever bought into the argument about "tone". You sure there wasn't a little ego and showmanship involved in that? It's all moot to me anyway. These 50 year old hands and ears can't tell the difference anyway. Might as well save myself the pain and leave it to my 15 ear old son who can actually play the damn thing correctly...that little shit! :)

[@WolfHeavyMetal]

Leon, I love what you said here. That trying to learn an established riff by ear can lead you into inventing a new riff of your own!

[@billwarner213]

I've NEVER been able to play this in the proper "bar chord pulling-off-with-the-little-finger" way - it's just absolutely beyond me. And I'm with you - some of my best riffs have come about by "mis-playing" other riffs. Great video, and great player - thanks for the tutorial!

[@keithrenford7568]

Nice. That’s how we had to do it before KZbin. Helps you create your own style.

[@hailepeep]

Leon you had me cracking up! I watched Ben's video when it came out and I was depressed too LOL. I realized he was right, but there was no way I could execute it. I've played it exactly like you do for years. I feel much better now, thanks!

[@rangerdoc1029]

I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for you to make this vid. The way you play it seems so much more relaxed & natural than the correct way.

[@davidwillis1617]

You are by far my favorite instruction and gear channel Leon and I just got discovered your band. Thank you

[@LeonTodd]

Awesome, thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to check the band out too

[@FunkymetalBL]

Awesome! Been playing it the way warren does for years and my hands are big and I still hate the stretch. I never thought to do it this way, but now I can’t stop doing it your way. Just discovered your channel- great stuff, I’m subscribed 👍

[@satinwhip]

I like your way better. I'm stealing it.

[@1972bacosta]

This was the best! I wasn’t certain what I’d get, then I thought “maybe I did a video of how I play it, put it on KZbin and you learned it from me!”, seriously, that’s the way I learned it by ear and still play it.. I’ve watched videos on the “correct way” and prefer this way. Music is all about interpreting what you hear and translating it to the instrument. Warren is my #1 80’s player, less tapping, great bends, tasty leads, great tone. Thanks

[@LeonTodd]

His bends and vibrato - MAN!

[@garynicol1059]

Loved that! Back in the day everything was learned by ear or records/ cassettes. It's one of the main reasons there were so many amazing guitarists from that era. Original music stemmed from that. And Ben Eller is awesome

[@LeonTodd]

Well said!

[@Vutsman1]

I agree. Playing accurately and mechanically is not always better than stream-lining the riff and adding attitude and feeling into the riff. I don't feel alone. Thx.

[@letsrok713]

That's my all time favorite opening riff's ever!!

[@imthesameboyiusetobe]

This is awesome! I hadn’t play this song in a while and always thought the regular way wasn’t much fun thanks for making this riff so much more enjoyable!!

[@LeonTodd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vetteal]

Man tu as des riffs de tueur ,trop fort !

[@seanmulligan2608]

Dude! I've been wanting to learn that riff for 30 years but have been too lazy to figure it out. If your version isn't quite right, so be it. Now I know it. Cheers!

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

you mean you sucked and your chops are sub standard,i know i was there 20-30 years ago....

[@GerryRocks64]

Hahahaha lol!

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Thank you! I've been struggling to play the riff fluently. This sounds great and is much easier. I'll keep practicing the right way, but I think that it's often overlooked that hitting the pocket and attack is as important than the notes themselves. Thanks again!

[@dougeakle777]

Love this Leon! Amazingly, that’s the way I learned to play the tune.

[@jeffbeck3770]

That's how I play it, too. Love Ratt and Warren. Was lucky enough to see them on their first tour in Carbondale, Illinois when Bon Jovi opened for them!

[@taekhyunlee1790]

I like your portrait back on the wall, colors match PERFECT with real one.

[@wayney.387]

Thanks for sharing, I never knew how to play it right or wrong, but now I do. The tone again was great.

[@plaidman67]

This is really great! I would love to play stuff the right way but my hands are as small as a young child's. I'm often having to find alternative ways of playing stuff because I just can't physically pull off doing it right. Your tone and playing and your take on stuff is always really great. Love the videos. Cheers! 🤘

[@RonTimmonsM1]

Amen amen amen you hit the nail on the head on how to write amazing songs! Nice guitar btw...

[@low_e_music]

Great video Leon! That is one of my go-to riffs as well, it just sounds SOOOOO good with and 80s amp/gain structure. The main riff from "Never use love" is another go-to that's almost as good.

[@jamiefischer7494]

Man that's brilliant. I have been trying to play that riff for years and could not do it the right way because of my short stubby fingers. Now I can play the riff and sound credible, at least, as opposed to a sloppy mess. Thanks.

[@nicktrierweiler3690]

My whole life has been "ahh that's close enough". Love you man! Stay safe!

[@chadrwguitar]

I really enjoy how you just go! You are fun and have tought me so much about my gear. Thank You!...back to my FM3

[@headstockharem4]

Very cool lesson! I really like your riff that was born from a "mistake" So neat to get inspiration and come up with your own stuff! Should always be recording!

[@brianpeter7139]

You're awesome Leon! I love your channel and the open, frank way you do reviews and give advice. Cheers from Canada! BTW, your "Break You" riff also reminds me a lot of Seventeen by Winger.

[@LeonTodd]

It's definitely got some Reb in there - Reb, Warren, George Lynch and John Sykes are the 4 horsemen of the shredpocalypse for me

[@markthomas5030]

Brilliant video Leon, and moral of it ,love it

[@benatvinateaelorrieta7968]

This is the result of superb song writing. You can't play it wrong even when playing it wrong, still sounds like the best 80s riff ever.

[@LocoDirewolf]

Nothing wrong with the way you play it! It's sounds chunkier! (I play it the same way) (AND great original riff too!!!)

[@irmaztamal21]

Thank you Leon Todd Very useful for those who has small hand, short finger & hard to stretch hand . You rock 🤘

[@ozzytributehouston]

Love that riff. One of the first hard rock riffs I learned how to play on guitar and when I first learned about drop D tuning. And Warren is such a bad ass. Totally underrated.

[@TrevorM1992]

This is how I've always played this riff, I also use a similar lazy version for Round and Round. Same base notes, just less work. Work smarter, not harder!

[@toddstevens7944]

Damn...just what I've been looking for. Saving lots pain and cramps...doing your way, thanks

[@marviosantos]

Ha ha! Awesome man! I couldn't tell you which video to point to, but I've seen Nuno, Fuggin NUNO!! Talking about how he learned to play the guitar and started coming up with his own riffs by learning how to play other people's riffs the WRONG way, he goes on to say that by learning them incorrectly actually opened up his mind to thinking about "riffage" in a completely, and unique to himself, way

[@stevebahr7782]

Intonation on that Gibson is beautiful. Ive never been able to get my Charvel to sound like that.

[@scottwallace1]

Start with the positive…thanks for taking the time. Great content. Sorry, here comes the ‘but’….the biggest thing this and most other tutorials miss is that the opening chord is a straight up power chord that NEVER repeats when the phrase repeats. That lower anchor note is what gives that first second of the song such power. Thanks again for the great video!

[@markbarboza1407]

I have been playing this right for ever, basically since it first came out, but your version is 97% correct and sounds great. There are much worse than this, as I have witnessed in Guitar Centers in the past! Cheers!

[@TheGuitaristFrom1984]

As long as it sounds good, that's all that matters! Thanks for sharing!

[@flameshift9716]

This was cool! Thanks for the inspiration and I’m going to play it ‘the wrong way’ and try it out!

[@MoonMission_FX]

that riff is awesome! Well done mate

[@Easystreet208]

This is how my Guitar teacher taught me back in 86 how to play. However I do a slide from fret 5 to 7 on the A string. Not a hammer on! Nice job and thanks for the upload!

[@Possum880]

Man I love your philosophy and have lived by it myself ever since I started playing over a decade ago. As someone who’s self taught and just learned tunes by ear, if I was playing it “wrong” but sounded good playing it my way, that’s how I’d play it! You also encapsulated it perfectly, it’s more Rock n roll that way

[@JamesFrancesca-x9r]

I have a disability in my fretting hand and can't play it the proper way so this is great!

[@whiskey11niner]

I like yours a lot, it’s way more percussive

[@Nig6tWalker]

Warren Demartini was mi first guitar heroe back in the 80's,love this song,thank you Leon.

[@LeonTodd]

I love everything about his playing

[@Nig6tWalker]

@@LeonTodd me too brother,awesome player

[@johnny8771]

Nicely done...gonna be adding this to the setlist and was wondering if i could get around those stretches

[@LeonTodd]

Have fun!

[@milamo]

Wow thanks for this, that stretch was killing me and I knew there had to be an easier way!

[@stephentoback]

Best instructional video I've ever seen on KZbin - hell ya! Wrong is always best!

[@TheEric2k6]

Yeah, I'm gonna play this the way you do. I've been trying to learn the song, but yeah, my fingers aren't cooperating.

[@jpslaym0936]

Sounds just as rad and looks like its way more fun to play like this Thanks man!

[@johnnyguitar65]

Vito Bratta ...along with Warren...is another very underrated 80’s guitarist.

[@markd3641]

So many !!!!! Andy Timmons was another

[@jasoncohran7265]

I hadn't played Lay it Down in literally 20 years until I heard LT play it. I remembered it was a pain in the ass to play "correctly" when I was young and arthritis free, which is probably why I hadnt played it in so many years. So when I saw you play it like that I was super excited because it really is one of the coolest riffs ever written in rock/hard rock and now i can play it again and with authority..so thanks LT from me and im sure many others like me for making that riff a possibility again. I absolutely love it and I never get tired of hearing you play it. It gives me a clearer perspective on whatever amp or pedal you are demoing because I know how it is supposed to sound...also, I mean it when I say you always have THE best tone, feel and vibrato for rock of anyone I have ever heard on YT..I am serious when I say I would rather hear Leon play Lay it Down wrong than Ben (who I love) play it right.

[@LeonTodd]

You're too kind mate, thanks so much!

[@medicman5278]

Wow man! Great video. I too tried the more authentic way and it felt very awkward. I also tried to map out a different way to play the same notes but it wasn't working either. I had your version down in about two minutes. Thank you!

[@LeonTodd]

great to hear :D

[@jcb355]

I never really bothered to test myself by double-checking official TAB to find out if I was playing it right. But now, so many years later, this confirms that I *actually did* learn to play 'Lay It Down' correctly -- by ear. (patting myself on the back) Being a guitar instructor & working musician, my ear was so good back then. NOT ANYMORE.... it's all gone.

[@thelonelypamphleteer5722]

Damn dude, Is love to see you play live! You play the way I love to hear

[@marcus_mayhem]

Nice!!!!! What a great lesson and an amazing attitude!!!! Angus Young said that if you're doing an AC DC song and it's hard to play, you're doing it wrong. Occam's Razor. Sometimes the easiest answer or way, is the correct answer.

[@gazbaker6803]

Hey.... @Leon Todd, Just wanted to say, I had never really listened to Ratt in the 80s and then recently, after watching you play I thought I'd check them out. I love their stuff. Bottom line is, you've inspired me to take my playing in another direction and I just wanted to say thanks man. Your version fucking rocks!

[@LeonTodd]

I'm humbled to have helped turn you onto some fresh riffs!

[@johnblack2427]

I learned it Ben Eller's way 30 years ago when I could stretch my fingers but I like your method better given my fingers are not as flexible as they used to be.

[@johnnyrokkit]

really appreciate this! from a dude that just wants to jam in the bedroom, this is way more enjoyable way to play it! I gave up on learning the real way!

[@Vortex-fw9fg]

You deserve more attention man! Nice performance also 👍🏻🎸

[@Olaverda]

You beauty. I just knew there had to be another way for us mere short span mortals. Sounds more than accurate to me. Cheers. Favourited and front of the queue for my guitar sesh 🎸👍

[@acw2237]

If the crowd knows the song the way the guitarist interprets it, it's all good. Nobody sets out to clone 100%

[@Noitpure]

I have tiny hands and as much as I love this riff, it’s next to impossible for me to do those huge stretches. What you’re doing in this video-I can do! Never occurred to me to try it this way. Thank you!

[@fatherof3kidz]

I just became a subscriber because you can admit if something is incorrect you've previously done. I liked your attitude about. So many people want to point out that a video plays it wrong but there's none of their videos posted to exhibit their talent! If I can't play it note for note I get it as close as I can.

[@LeonTodd]

That's the idea! Thanks so much for the sub

[@SDH2023]

Yup, I play it a lot like that, with a little slide in that last bit. Such a great riff.

[@robtech341]

@ 4:56 you can hear where Akira Takasaki got his inspiration for "Let It Go"

[@brentbellrose1223]

OHH YOURE last riff was SUPER!!

[@sixpenske1940]

love this i actually play it a mix of yours and uncle bens all my life.

[@canadianshadowrider]

PERFECTLY put... I always laugh inside when I see an interview with Ace Frehely .. he's like .. "I have no fuckin idea what I'm doing. I just do this (plays some sloppy riff on guitar)" .. then he says "don't ask me what the fuck that is. It just sounds cool" ... and for anyone that wants to slam Ace's playing... I ask you this... How many of your songs made it to the radio? How much money did you make? .. .cheers Leon... keep up the vids

[@slikkarl]

My favorite Warren tune to play believe it or not is Shame shame shame with the intro. Killer hook

[@LeonTodd]

One of my fave Ratt songs, so good

[@drumrboi72]

I listened 2 Warren a LOT more than Eddie V, (And MANY others)...His style is just SO hypnotic!

[@trofas9945]

Dude I love it. You don’t know how long I have wanted play this but couldn’t.

[@brettshawver2983]

Back in the day Jake E Lee & Warren seemed to be in a who can come up with the best licks requiring that you stretch at least 6 frets to get them. They were crazy good at it!

[@wayneanderson5127]

The King came up with that Riff.

[@randallfloyd4476]

then why didn't he play it?

[@sampettit1172]

Thanks I’ve always wanted to play that rif but when I saw the right way to play it I was so discouraged. Your way is the bomb that even a newby like me could pick it up.

[@LeonTodd]

Great to hear - crank it!

[@zenmaster1752]

WOW just discovered your channel and the way you play this song is very very cool and i think it sounds very nice ! I don't care if Warren (that i love very much as a guitarist) does not play this song like you. Your result is very good and allows me to play a song i always loved. Pleas, please play easy "Round and Round" by Ratt. It would be a pleasure.

[@msudragon91]

Thank you! Someone after my own heart! Close enough!

[@stevepaulson3838]

This is exactly how I've played this since the 80's. Brilliant video!

[@LeonTodd]

Cheers!

[@garysoutham8746]

You have a beautiiful axe. Nice flame job. Great 80's classic

[@208414]

Ben Eller is great. Learning how to play something the "correct" way is cool, but music is music.