Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

Practice Studio

Def Leppard - Photograph - Chords/Riffs - Guitar Lesson

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key E major
Def Leppard - Photograph - Chords/Riffs guitar lesson video
Guitar 365
Guitar 365 Top Contributor
YouTube: 1.6Msubs
Creator Page →
PLAY WITH BACKING TRACK
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Listen on Spotify
Def Leppard Hard Rock E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

About Photograph - Chords/Riffs

Few Hard Rock chords land with quite the authority of the opening riff to "Photograph." Built around a driving E major groove at 92 BPM in E Standard tuning, the song sits in a comfortable range on the neck but rewards players who lock in tight with both hands rather than rushing through changes. The signature riff leans on palm-muted low E string chugging paired with clean chord stabs, so getting that contrast right is the real challenge. Sloppy muting will muddy the whole thing, so take it slow in isolation first. Def Leppard layered multiple guitar tracks in the studio, meaning any single guitar part needs to carry its weight with precise rhythm and attack. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the main riff passage at a reduced speed until your right-hand muting is consistent, then gradually bring the tempo back up to the full 92 BPM. Once the riff feels automatic, shift focus to the chord transitions in the verse and chorus, keeping your strumming even and controlled throughout.

  • The signature riff is built on palm-muted low E string chugging combined with sharp chord stabs, making right-hand muting control the key technical challenge.
  • Played in E Standard tuning at 92 BPM, the tempo is moderate enough to focus on clean articulation before building up to full speed.
  • Multiple layered guitar tracks define the studio sound, so a single guitar player needs especially solid rhythm technique to replicate the song's density.

How to Play Photograph - Chords/Riffs

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E major · Tempo: 92 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 92 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

The most iconic electric guitar ever made. Its three single-coil pickups, contoured body and versatile tone make it the go-to for blues, rock, funk and everything in between. Players from Hendrix to Gilmour to Clapton built their sound on it.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

The original solid-body electric guitar. Its snappy bridge pickup and no-nonsense construction deliver a sharp, cutting tone perfect for country, rock and blues. Favored by Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen and countless session players.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

The definitive rock guitar. Its mahogany body, maple top and PAF-style humbuckers deliver warm, thick sustain with natural compression. From Slash to Jimmy Page, the Les Paul Standard is the backbone of hard rock tone.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The 'Black Beauty' - Gibson's premium Les Paul with bound neck, multi-ply binding and upgraded hardware. Its ebony fingerboard and heavier construction give it a darker, more refined tone compared to the Standard.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The definitive rock amp of the 1980s. The JCM800's single-channel, all-tube design produces a natural, harmonically rich overdrive at high volumes. Every hard rock and metal guitar sound from that era ran through one of these.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The amp that invented Rock. The original Marshall 100-watt Plexi's cranked power tubes deliver a dynamic, touch-sensitive breakup that no modern amp has fully replicated. Hendrix, Clapton and Page all recorded through one.

Recommended for You

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)