Hit Me with Your Best Shot
by Pat Benatar
Album: Crimes of Passion
Released: 1980
Genre: Arena Rock
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding E major:
E major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Ionian (Major) with bright, confident energy mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Pro Tip: These keys utilize open strings on guitar, making them ideal for powerful, ringing chords. The open strings add natural sustain and harmonic richness.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E major
E major
Notes: E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E
Application: Primary harmonic framework for all chord progressions and vocal melody
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
Classic rock chord progression with the familiar I-IV-vi-V movement that gives the verse its confident, driving feel. The C#m adds emotional depth before the dominant B chord pushes back to the tonic.
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
E
A
C#m
B
Harmonic Functions:
- E (I):Bright, confident tonic establishing the anthemic major key
- A (IV):Subdominant providing harmonic motion and warmth
- C#m (vi):Relative minor adding a touch of tension and emotional depth
Key Techniques
Power Chord Anthem Strumming
IntermediateDriving rhythm guitar using a mix of open chords and power chords with aggressive downstroke strumming that defines the anthemic arena rock sound
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E - A - C#m - B (verse) / E - A - B (chorus)
Tips:
- • Use mostly downstrokes for the driving, punchy feel
- • Add slight palm muting between chord changes for tightness
- • The transition from C#m to B is the trickiest - practice this change in isolation
- • Open E and A shapes sound fuller than power chord versions for the verse
Neil Giraldo Lead Fills
IntermediateMelodic lead guitar fills between vocal phrases using the E major pentatonic scale, featuring double stops and sustain-heavy bends
Progression:
Lead fills over E - A - C#m - B progression
Tips:
- • Giraldo's style emphasizes melody over speed - every note should sing
- • Use the neck pickup for warmer lead tones on fills
- • Wide vibrato is essential - practice shaking from the wrist, not the fingers
- • Listen to the vocal melody and make your fills complement it
Barre Chord Transitions
IntermediateMoving between open position chords and barre chords at the 2nd and 4th frets, a fundamental intermediate guitar skill showcased in this song
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E(open) - A(open) - C#m(barre) - B(barre)
Tips:
- • Think of barre chords as movable open chord shapes
- • Keep your thumb behind the neck center for barre chord leverage
- • Start transitioning slowly - speed comes from accuracy, not force
- • If barre chords are too difficult, use power chord substitutions
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E major. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro
0:00-0:18Power Chord Movement Exercise
Neil Giraldo's signature guitar riff establishing the bright E major tonality with a melodic lead line over power chords
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Clean guitar riff with slight overdrive on the intro melody
- • The riff outlines the chord progression melodically
- • Second guitar enters with power chords on the repeat
Verse
0:18-0:52Power Chord Movement Exercise
Driving rhythm guitar supporting Pat Benatar's powerful verse vocal with the four-chord progression and lead fills between phrases
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Rhythm guitar locks in with steady eighth-note strumming
- • Lead guitar adds melodic fills between vocal phrases
- • Dynamics stay controlled, saving energy for the chorus
Chorus
0:52-1:15Power Chord Movement Exercise
The iconic singalong chorus simplified to three chords for maximum anthemic impact with full band intensity
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Full volume power chord strumming for anthem effect
- • The three-chord simplicity is part of the hook's brilliance
- • Emphasize the B chord with a harder strum before resolving to E
Guitar Solo
1:40-2:05Major Pentatonic Scale Exercise
Neil Giraldo's melodic guitar solo featuring bends, double stops, and E major pentatonic runs with singing sustain
Major Pentatonic Scale Exercise
- • Solo is melodic and singable, built around the E major pentatonic scale
- • Features signature double-stop bends on the B and G strings
- • Wide vibrato on sustained notes is essential for the Giraldo sound
Outro
2:20-2:52Power Chord Movement Exercise
Repeated chorus with building energy and lead guitar embellishments driving to the final E major resolution
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Repeated chorus progression with full band intensity
- • Lead guitar adds increasingly flashy fills over the rhythm
- • Build to the final climactic hit on E major
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Pickup Type:
Bridge humbucker for rhythm, neck humbucker for melodic lead fills
Alternatives:
- • Gibson Les Paul Custom
- • Epiphone Les Paul Standard
- • PRS Custom 24
- • Any dual-humbucker guitar
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 5-6 (warm crunch, not heavily distorted)
Treble: 7 (bright and present)
Middle: 6 (full midrange for chord definition)
Bass: 5 (solid low end without mud)
Presence: 7 (sparkle and clarity)
Effects
Distortion:
Natural amp overdrive with slight boost for solos (MXR Distortion+ or similar)
Reverb:
Moderate plate reverb for spacious arena sound
Other:
No whammy bar needed. Wireless system optional for stage presence.
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks for basic chord progression
- • Master E and A open chord shapes with clean transitions
- • Learn a simplified C#m (using power chord X-4-6-6-X-X)
- • Learn a simplified B (using power chord X-2-4-4-X-X)
- • Practice the basic I-IV-vi-V progression at 80 BPM
Time Estimate: 2-4 weeks for confident full performance
- • Master C#m and B as full barre chords
- • Practice the strumming pattern with proper accents at 130 BPM
- • Add dynamic contrast between verse (moderate) and chorus (full)
- • Learn the basic melodic fills between vocal phrases
Time Estimate: 4-6 weeks for full performance with solo
- • Map out the E major pentatonic positions used in the solo
- • Learn the signature double-stop fills and bends
- • Practice the full solo at half speed, building to tempo
- • Combine rhythm and lead parts for a complete guitar performance
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Struggling with the C#m barre chord - use power chord substitute until barre is solid
- • Playing verse and chorus at the same volume - dynamics are crucial
- • Rushing through the B to E transition at the end of the chorus
- • Over-distorting the tone - this song needs clear, defined crunch, not heavy gain
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with E-A-B open chord transitions for 3 minutes
- • Practice C#m and B barre chords individually until they ring clean
- • Run through the verse progression (E-A-C#m-B) at 100 BPM for 5 minutes
- • Practice the chorus (E-A-B) with accented strumming for 5 minutes
- • Play through the complete song structure at gradually increasing tempo
Focus Areas
- • Clean barre chord voicings at the 2nd and 4th frets
- • Dynamic control between verse restraint and chorus intensity
- • Tight rhythm guitar locked with the drum pattern
- • Smooth transitions between open and barre chord positions
Metronome Work
- • Start at 90 BPM with the full four-chord verse progression
- • Increase by 10 BPM per session until reaching 130 BPM
- • Practice chord changes landing precisely on beat 1
- • Use metronome clicks on beats 2 and 4 for rock backbeat feel