Chordplay - The Chords of Ratt

Here's the next episode of Chordplay with The Chords of Ratt.
I've received several requests to create this lesson and this episode is a direct result from the countless messages and comments I've received at LNL - THANK YOU!

This episode is a tribute to the late Robbin Crosby and the interesting riffs and rhythms he penned while playing with Ratt. Robbin really had a unique way of putting chords and ideas together and this lesson provides a glimpse into his genius.
This includes twisted chord progressions, loads of sus chords, partial chords, controlled dissonance, and much more.

This episode includes several famous songs such as 'Round and Round' and 'Lay It Down,' but there are some lesser-known songs and ideas being shared along with the hits.

Give this episode a view, leave some comments and feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

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[timothyholmes]

Warren was so good at soloing. his riffs are clever as hell but he had a different thing than all the other guys his technique was just smoother than the others

[tonyeckman]

R.I.P Robbin. Your unique chord patterns and musical creation lives on.

[acmichaels]

2 years later and I STILL reference this video. Not many people my age (25) appreciate Ratt or any of the 80’s LA bands. Fuck hair metal, this is pure rock n roll. Thank you for showing me what my hero’s played.

[RomeroRomero-lofq]

Not enough Ratt lessons on YouTube! I want to thank you for covering a little Ratt! There are so many great songs by these guys! Warren and Robin were a great duo! Thanks Man, please do more Ratt single song lessons! Loved the vid!

[imagep]

This makes me smile. I never realized that Robin wrote all those great riffs. At least I finally see his genius now. Awesome lesson!

[slpgspnsp]

Thanks for this, takes me back.
I actually got to jam with Robin at a private party when I lived on Kauai. He was there vacationing with his wife, and he had some relatives there. We went through some standard blues jams and a few classics, and being a huge 80's metal guy I was all smiles!
Great hidden talent and a beautiful human.

[drockny]

Huge Ratt fan. Thanks for this fantastic lesson. DeMartini is just such an underrated guitar player it's criminal. His riff writing and soloing in minor pent with major 3rds, flat 5ths, switching minor to major and even throwing in some mixolydian and diminished runs are bad ass. I'd put him in the same category as Lynch/Jake E Lee/EVH in terms of originality and technique. Rock on!

[johnnyb]

Kids do not know how easy they have it with an awesome guide like your self...luv you man!!!

[chris-thumper]

Love some Ratt!!!! Shame Shame Shame is a really fun one to play (once you get that quick change down).

[stcenturymetal]

Your lessons are bringing me back to my youth. Love it.
It's good to hear these being taught on your channel.
Everything for the most part on youtube is all shred and extreme styles.
Which is cool but this is refreshing. Thanks

[HeartbeatDrumbeat]

"The Morning After" and "Lay It Down"! Yes!! Awesome lesson man!

[sethchrisman]

Just got heavy into Ratt recently, never realized how amazing the riffs and jams are. Love your videos, man, thanks for talking about the greats!

[Zwopper]

Ratt ruled the fleshy intricate riffs of the eighties.
Lay it down is phenomenal!
🤘😎🤘

[michaeld]

Thank you so much. 'Lay it Down' that moving from C to E always sounded so cool. Now I can start bringing in that idea. Thanks again.

[jongotheridge]

So glad you took the time to talk about Robbin's playing, everybody talks about what a cool person he was but forget about what a great player he also was.

[chuckgrob]

"King" had those Phrygian scale exercises disguised as three chord crunches. Robbin and Warren were definitely the proven formula together and sadly missed. Great video and comments from all🤘!!!

[raywideman]

I love how your just so nonchalant about playing and describing these chords that give me hand cramps just watching you do them, and your playing this really intricate stuff like it’s the easiest thing in the world, like oh yea this one has kind of a nasty stretch (makes it look effortless) lol!

[Jeremy-yryg]

Rat was my #1 band back in the day. Demartini my favorite guitar hero!! I spent hours sitting in front of a tape player trying to learn these songs by ear! Now there’s YouTube. If only we’d had YouTube! We had guitar for the practicing musician and that was it!

[luisvillarreal]

Hey David. This is the badassery of the Metal era chords. As you stated; "An interesting sequence of chords." All these type of chord sequences is what made Metal music so awesome. They worked harder to give their fan their best. After the metal era, It seemed like the bands that followed got too lazy and just stuck to basic barre chords and didn't care if they were in tune or not. Not going to drop names, but I'm sure everyone knows who "THEY" are. I like your riff analogy. "I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS RIFFS." I'm going to use that from now on. LOL. Enjoying your Late Night Lessons David. Thanks.

[jrp]

Another great instructional video! I was from a local band in CT in the early 2000's and had the chance to open for Ratt and meet DeMartini. He is such a great player, underrated. The dude is a monster on guitar.