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Sweet Child O' Mine

Master Guns N' Roses' Iconic Rock Anthem

🎸 Intermediate Level

Quick Navigation

• 📋 Overview
• 🎵 Chords
• 🎸 Intro Riff
• 📝 Verse
• 🎤 Chorus
• 🎯 Solo
• ⚡ Techniques
• 🎯 Practice Tips

Song Overview

"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses is one of the most recognizable rock songs of all time. Released in 1988, this track showcases Slash's incredible guitar work and remains a favorite among guitarists worldwide. The song features a memorable intro riff, powerful chord progressions, and an iconic guitar solo that has inspired countless musicians.

🎵 Key Information

• Tuning: Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E)
• Capo: None required
• Tempo: 125 BPM
• Key: D Major
• Time Signature: 4/4

🎸 Song Structure

• Intro: Iconic fingerpicked riff
• Verse 1: Clean guitar with chord progression
• Chorus: Power chords with distortion
• Verse 2: Similar to verse 1
• Guitar Solo: Melodic lead guitar work
• Outro: Extended jam section

🎸 Guitar Setup Image
Electric Guitar with Humbuckers

🎵 Sheet Music Preview
First 8 Bars of the Song

Essential Chords

Before diving into the song, let's master the essential chords you'll need:

D Major

D Major
-------
e|---2---
B|---3---
G|---2---
D|---0---
A|---x---
E|---x---

Fingering:
1: 2nd fret, G string
2: 2nd fret, E string
3: 3rd fret, B string

C Major

C Major
-------
e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|---x---

Fingering:
1: 1st fret, B string
2: 2nd fret, D string
3: 3rd fret, A string

G Major

G Major
-------
e|---3---
B|---0---
G|---0---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---3---

Fingering:
1: 2nd fret, A string
2: 3rd fret, low E
3: 3rd fret, high E

A Major

A Major
-------
e|---0---
B|---2---
G|---2---
D|---2---
A|---0---
E|---x---

Fingering:
1: 2nd fret, D string
2: 2nd fret, G string
3: 2nd fret, B string

The Iconic Intro Riff

The intro to "Sweet Child O' Mine" is one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history. It's played using a fingerpicking technique that creates a cascading, melodic sound.

🎸 Intro Riff Tablature

Intro Riff (Play 2x):
e|---2---3---2-------2---3---2-------2---3---2-------2---3---5---3---2---
B|-----3-------3-------3-------3-------3-------3-------3---3-------3-----
G|---------2-------2-------2-------0-------0-------0---------------------
D|-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------

e|---2---3---2-------2---3---2-------2---3---2-------2---3---5---3---2---
B|-----3-------3-------3-------3-------3-------3-------3---3-------3-----
G|---------2-------2-------2-------0-------0-------0---------------------
D|-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------

💡 Pro Tip

Use your thumb for the bass notes and your index, middle, and ring fingers for the higher strings. This fingerpicking pattern creates the signature cascading sound of the intro.

🎯 Technique Focus: Fingerpicking

• Use a light touch - don't press too hard on the strings
• Keep your wrist relaxed and curved
• Practice the pattern slowly before increasing tempo
• Focus on clean note separation

👆 Fingerpicking Hand Position
Proper Technique Demonstration

Verse Section

The verse uses a simple but effective chord progression that provides a solid foundation for the vocals.

🎵 Verse Chord Progression

D - C - G - D

Each chord is played for 4 beats (1 full measure)

🎸 Verse Strumming Pattern

D                C                G                D
|D-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-|C-c-u-c-u-c-u-c-|G-g-u-g-u-g-u-g-|D-d-u-d-u-d-u-d-|
|1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&-|1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&-|1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&-|1-&-2-&-3-&-4-&-|

Legend:
D/C/G = Downstroke (capital letters)
d/c/g = Downstroke (lowercase for clarity)
u = Upstroke
& = And count

⚠️ Common Mistake

Many beginners rush through the chord changes. Take your time and ensure each chord rings clearly before moving to the next one.

Chorus Section

The chorus features power chords with distortion, creating a heavier, more aggressive sound that contrasts beautifully with the melodic verse.

🎵 Chorus Chord Progression

G - A - C - D

Each chord is played for 2 beats (half measure)

🎸 Chorus Power Chords

G5 Power Chord:        A5 Power Chord:        C5 Power Chord:        D5 Power Chord:
e|---x---              e|---x---              e|---x---              e|---x---
B|---x---              B|---x---              B|---x---              B|---x---
G|---x---              G|---x---              G|---5---              G|---7---
D|---5---              D|---7---              D|---5---              D|---7---
A|---5---              A|---7---              A|---3---              A|---5---
E|---3---              E|---5---              E|---x---              E|---x---

⚡ Power Chord Technique

• Use heavy distortion for the chorus sections
• Palm mute lightly for a tighter sound
• Use downstrokes for maximum power
• Keep chord changes sharp and precise

🎸 Power Chord Formation
Hand Position Guide

Guitar Solo

The guitar solo in "Sweet Child O' Mine" is considered one of the greatest rock solos ever recorded. It showcases Slash's melodic phrasing and technical skill.

🎸 Solo