Get In The Ring by Guns N’ Roses – Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Learn to play “Get In The Ring” by Guns N’ Roses with this in-depth, note-for-note video lesson from LickLibrary. This hard-hitting track from the Use Your Illusion II album is Guns N’ Roses at their most aggressive and confrontational. With its punchy rhythm parts, snarling solos, and no-holds-barred vocal delivery, “Get In The Ring” is a showcase of raw rock energy and attitude. In this lesson, we take you through every section of the song with a focus on the guitar techniques that drive its sound: power chords, altered tunings, string bending, and vibrato.

Whether you’re honing your rhythm skills or looking to add more personality to your lead playing, this lesson will equip you with the tools to play this track just like the original recording. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques Used

Power Chords

The song’s aggressive, no-nonsense sound is powered by tight, driving power chords. Found throughout the verse and chorus sections, these chords form the backbone of the rhythm guitar parts. Power chords are a fundamental skill for rock guitarists, and this track provides an excellent opportunity to practice clean, articulate chord changes at speed. Learning to play them with accuracy helps develop strength and stamina in your fretting hand while improving timing and consistency in your picking.

Altered Tunings

Like much of the Use Your Illusion material, “Get In The Ring” is performed in altered tunings—with the guitars tuned down a half-step. This tuning contributes to the darker, heavier tone that defines the track and helps bring a more aggressive edge to the riffs. Playing in altered tunings opens up new tonal textures and forces you to think differently about familiar shapes and positions on the fretboard. It’s an essential skill for any guitarist looking to broaden their sonic palette and play classic Guns N’ Roses material accurately.

String Bending

Slash’s solos in “Get In The Ring” are laced with expressive string bending, showcasing his ability to make the guitar sing with attitude and emotion. From subtle micro-bends to full-blown screaming pitches, these techniques are integral to capturing the fire and energy of the original performance. This lesson teaches you how to execute bends with precision, helping you improve pitch accuracy, finger strength, and dynamic control. It's a must-learn for anyone wanting to add character and emotion to their lead playing.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another cornerstone of Slash’s lead technique and plays a key role in giving his solos their unmistakable personality. In “Get In The Ring,” vibrato is used to sustain and embellish held notes, adding depth and emotion to each phrase. This lesson will help you develop a controlled vibrato technique, showing you how to vary speed and width for different musical effects. Mastering vibrato allows you to deliver solos that are not just technically accurate, but also emotionally compelling.

Why Learn “Get In The Ring”?

“Get In The Ring” is more than just a confrontational anthem—it’s a brilliant example of how technique and attitude combine to create unforgettable guitar parts. From aggressive riffing to soaring solos, the song demands tight rhythm execution, confident lead playing, and a feel for dynamics. It’s a great opportunity to study how Guns N’ Roses built songs with groove, energy, and personality.

By learning this song with our step-by-step lesson, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to use core techniques like power chords and vibrato in a musical context. Plus, you’ll improve your tone, timing, and phrasing—all while playing one of the band’s most in-your-face tracks.

About the Guitarists: Slash & Izzy Stradlin

The guitar work on “Get In The Ring” comes courtesy of Slash and Izzy Stradlin, the iconic duo responsible for some of the most memorable guitar tones in rock history. Slash delivers the solos and lead fills with his signature blues-infused style, bringing expressive phrasing, rich tone, and explosive emotion. Izzy provides the rock-solid rhythmic foundation, his punk-influenced style adding grit and urgency to the riffs. Together, they embody the essence of dual guitar harmony—balancing flair with form—and their interplay on this track makes it a valuable lesson in both rhythm and lead guitar roles.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Altered Tunings
• String Bending
• Vibrato

Channel the raw power of Guns N’ Roses with our full breakdown of “Get In The Ring.” With its biting riffs and blistering solos, this track offers a thrilling challenge for any guitarist ready to step into the ring and bring some serious attitude to their playing.