Let's Explore The 2nd Solo of "Sweet Child O Mine"!

Slash's build on the first Solo with loads of tasty guitar techniques going on.

This lesson continues our Sweet Child O Mine Series (links below!). We'll focus on playing Slash's second Solo in Sweet Child O Mine, the classic Guns n Roses.

🚨 New to these Guns n Roses series? You'll need to tune your guitar to E flat tuning to play along with the original recording (and with me!)

Before getting stuck in and learning how to play this bit of the song, make sure you get that first Solo down first! We explored a couple of twists in that lesson that will be useful here.

This tutorial is particularly great if you're a Grade 6+ guitarist. We're about to get into some serious advancing Intermediate stuff!

Now grab your guitar, and let's get stuck in. :)

How To Play Sweet Child O Mine Second Solo

Let's tackle this solo one riff at a time. The first part is very similar to the first Solo - if you learned it already - you shouldn't have to spend too much time on it. Then, it will start getting considerably different with some flicks and ghost semitone bends.

We've got this riff which sounds like an overdub - slightly different guitar sound. There is a couple of approach to playing it - check it out on the video's close-up. There are some semitones ghost bends in there.

💡 Choose your finger placement the way it works best for you. Even if it's different from what you see in the video or what Slash plays!

Use one of your fingers and touch the strings to mute when needed. Otherwise - you get a little noise as the little finger lifts off. Resting your finger on the strings will help them stay quiet.

Sweet Child O Mine Guitar Techniques

String muting with your picking hand will help keep those notes from ringing out altogether. This is a big deal, particularly on the thicker strings. When Slash plays this lick, it looks a lot easier! It might feel a bit awkward a first if you're trying to play it like the original recording.

Once we're back to the melody - some tasty things are going on. Use your ear training and listen in for those slides. They're subtle, but they make this solo sound awesome.

When you play along with the original recordings, it's essential to get all those string bends in tune. Focus on getting the timing right, the feel right, and the vibrato right. This comes as you play along, so take your time & don't give up!

Break it up and approach the solo in chunks. Rework the parts that you find tricky and that don't sound right. Then, work on the whole Solo altogether. This way, you'll absorb more than just the notes.

Extra Advanced Guitar Solo Tips

There's something else human in the expression of solos. A specific expression can come through the music if you're passionate about it. By repeatedly playing with an original recording, you can absorb that stuff!

🔑 You'll capture those nuances by being aware of the little things. This all starts with studying and listening to the original recording.

You got to get the notes right and get the technical stuff. But beyond that, there's a stage as well - and it's something worth paying attention to! Especially when you're working on an absolute masterpiece.

Songs like Sweet Child O' Mine are as famous as rock guitar goes - there's a reason for that! It's worth studying these kinds of tunes if you want to grow as a musician.

Spend a bit of time on time, study it, and your musicianship will feel more enriched.

JUSTINGUITAR - SWEET CHILD O MINE GUITAR SERIES

My Sweet Child Series has seven guitar lessons. Learn all the parts of this mega rock hit here:

The Intro

Chords & Arrangements

First Solo

The Chorus Riff

Second Solo (this lesson)

The Main Solo - Part 1

The Main Solo - Part 2

Want chords, tabs, and lyrics to follow with my Sweet Child tutorials? Check out JustinGuitar Tabs!