Nightrain - Guns N' Roses

Learn to Play "Nightrain" Note for Note

"Nightrain" is one of the standout tracks from Guns N’ Roses’ legendary debut album Appetite for Destruction. This song is packed with high-energy riffs, soaring solos, and classic rock attitude. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com teaches you how to master every detail of this iconic track, breaking down each section carefully so you can play it just like Slash and Izzy Stradlin. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind "Nightrain"

Slash and Izzy Stradlin created the unforgettable guitar parts in "Nightrain." Slash’s blues-infused, fiery lead playing is complemented perfectly by Izzy Stradlin’s tight, riff-driven rhythm guitar work. Together, they crafted an aggressive yet melodic sound that became a staple of Guns N’ Roses’ signature style. Slash's influence on rock guitar is immense, inspiring generations of players with his expressive bends, fluid legato, and powerful riffing. Izzy Stradlin, on the other hand, brought a punk-infused rhythm approach that solidified the band's raw and dangerous energy.

Techniques You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our "Nightrain" guitar lesson focuses on a variety of essential rock guitar techniques. By mastering these techniques, you’ll enhance your playing ability, improve your overall guitar skills, and add more versatility to your playing.

Power Chords

Power chords form the foundation of the main riff in "Nightrain." These simple yet effective two-note chords provide the song with its driving rock sound. Learning power chords helps guitarists develop their rhythm playing and chord transitions while building hand strength.

Palm Muting

The tight, aggressive rhythm of "Nightrain" is achieved using palm muting. This technique allows you to control the sustain of each note, adding dynamics and punch to your playing. Palm muting is an essential skill for any rock or metal guitarist looking to create powerful, articulate riffs.

Slides

Slash frequently uses slides in his lead work to transition smoothly between notes and create a fluid, expressive feel. Learning to incorporate slides into your playing will help you connect different phrases more naturally and add a professional touch to your solos.

String Bending

One of Slash’s signature techniques, string bending, is used extensively in "Nightrain’s" solos. This technique allows you to raise the pitch of a note for a singing, vocal-like quality. Practicing bends will strengthen your fingers and help improve pitch accuracy.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another crucial technique found in Slash's lead playing. This technique adds sustain and emotion to long notes, making them stand out. Developing your vibrato will significantly enhance the expressiveness of your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

In the song’s faster lead passages, hammer-ons and pull-offs create smooth, flowing lines without excessive picking. Mastering these will help you play faster, more fluid runs while improving finger coordination and speed.

Alternate Picking

Some of "Nightrain’s" faster riffs and lead licks require precise alternate picking to maintain clarity and speed. Learning this technique will improve your overall picking efficiency, allowing you to play faster and cleaner.

Bluesy Bends

Slash’s blues-inspired bends add plenty of attitude to "Nightrain’s" lead guitar sections. These bends, often combined with vibrato, bring a vocal-like expressiveness to your playing, making your solos sound more emotional and dynamic.

Pick Slides

An iconic element of "Nightrain's" raw energy comes from well-executed pick slides. This simple but effective technique produces a gritty, screaming sound that adds to the song’s overall aggression.

Rakes

Slash often uses rakes to create percussive, dramatic lead-ins to notes. This technique involves muting the strings while striking them, creating a punchy, aggressive attack before the actual note rings out. It adds a professional polish to your solos and enhances articulation.

Master "Nightrain" and Take Your Guitar Skills to the Next Level

By learning "Nightrain" note for note, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of rock guitar techniques, improve your phrasing, and develop greater control over your playing. Whether you’re a Guns N’ Roses fan or simply looking to expand your repertoire, this lesson will provide valuable skills that you can apply to many other rock and blues songs.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Alternate Picking
• Bluesy Bends
• Pick Slides
• Rakes