Bon Jovi - Bad Medicine - Guitar Lesson

New Jersey (Deluxe Edition)

1988 5:17

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About Bad Medicine

At 120 BPM in E minor, "Bad Medicine" sits in a comfortable tempo range, but the rhythm guitar work demands tight, consistent picking and solid muting to get that punchy, driving feel right. The song runs in E Standard tuning, so no retuning is needed, and the key keeps everything in a very guitar-friendly position on the neck. The signature riff is built around power chords with a swagger that comes from playing slightly behind the beat, and that feel is easy to rush without realising it. Getting the syncopation locked in is where most players struggle, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop the intro riff slowed down until the rhythmic pocket feels natural before bringing it back up to speed. Bon Jovi built the track around layers of Hard Rock rhythm guitar, so nailing the palm muting and the chord stabs as separate textures is what makes the arrangement sit properly. Clean up the transitions between the muted rhythm sections and the open chord hits, and the whole song clicks into place.

• The song runs in E Standard tuning and E minor, putting the core riffs and power chords in one of the most natural positions on the guitar neck.
• Palm muting technique is central to the rhythm part, and controlling the tightness of that mute is what separates a flat performance from one with real drive.
• At 120 BPM the tempo is approachable, but the syncopated chord stabs in the main riff are easy to rush, making slow looped practice essential.