Sonne by Rammstein – Guitar Lesson
Experience the crushing weight and cinematic grandeur of one of Rammstein’s most iconic songs with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Sonne”. Released as the lead single from the 2001 album Mutter, “Sonne” is a towering example of industrial metal at its finest. Combining mechanical riffing, thunderous rhythm, and orchestral atmosphere, the track is instantly recognisable for its massive tone and disciplined arrangement.
In this in-depth LickLibrary lesson, we break down every section of the song with laser precision. You’ll learn how to accurately replicate Rammstein’s unique guitar sound while mastering a set of essential playing techniques: power chords, altered tunings, palm muting, and slides. This lesson is perfect for players looking to solidify their rhythm skills while building tone and control. This lesson is taught by Stuart Shields.
Technique Focus
Power Chords
The core of “Sonne” lies in its crushing, slow-moving power chords. These chords are played with accuracy and force, serving as the rhythmic foundation throughout the song. Kruspe uses these chords to accentuate the massive low end and support the orchestral synth textures.
Learning benefit: Practicing power chords helps build strength and accuracy in your fretting hand. These foundational shapes are essential for maintaining clarity and punch in high-gain playing and are a cornerstone of heavy rhythm guitar.
Altered Tunings
Like many Rammstein tracks, “Sonne” is performed in a drop tuning, giving it that deep, aggressive tone and allowing for simplified, powerful chord shapes. This tuning is essential to achieving the song’s massive impact and lends itself perfectly to heavy riffing.
Learning benefit: Working in altered tunings expands your tonal palette and helps you discover new shapes and sounds. Drop tunings also teach you how to adapt familiar patterns and add variety to your riff vocabulary.
Palm Muting
Palm muting is used with surgical precision in the verses and pre-chorus, delivering the song’s signature mechanical, percussive sound. Kruspe employs this technique to create space and rhythmic drive, providing contrast with the open, sustaining chords of the chorus.
Learning benefit: Developing your palm muting technique sharpens right-hand control and teaches you to control dynamics and note length. It’s a crucial skill for producing tight, punchy rhythm guitar parts, especially in metal.
Slides
Slides are used throughout the track to add drama and transition between sections. These sliding movements create a sense of momentum and aggression without requiring excessive note movement.
Learning benefit: Practicing slides improves fretting-hand coordination and phrasing. Slides help add expressiveness to your rhythm playing and can enhance transitions in riffs and leads.
Why Learn This Song?
“Sonne” is a masterclass in heavy rhythm playing. It shows how minimal parts, when performed with precision and control, can become monumental. The song teaches players the importance of tone shaping, dynamic contrast, and rhythmic discipline—all while delivering some of the most iconic riffs in modern metal.
By learning this track, you’ll not only improve your technique but also develop the ability to play with greater authority and impact. Whether you’re a Rammstein fan or simply looking to take your rhythm guitar skills to the next level, this lesson is a powerful and rewarding addition to your practice routine.
About the Guitarist and Their Influence
“Sonne” features the precise and punishing guitar work of Richard Z. Kruspe, Rammstein’s founding guitarist and principal sonic architect. Kruspe’s approach to guitar playing is rooted in tight, repetitive riffing and massive tone—favoring rhythm over lead and focusing on groove, dynamics, and minimalism.
Kruspe has been instrumental in defining the modern industrial metal sound. His integration of heavy drop tunings, surgical palm muting, and synth-layered arrangements has influenced a generation of metal guitarists. Studying his parts on “Sonne” gives players a clear view into the discipline and focus required to make heavy music sound enormous and controlled.
What You’ll Learn in This Lesson
Our guitar lesson for Sonne covers every section of the song—from the commanding intro riff to the palm-muted verses and melodic, sliding transitions. You’ll gain insight into how Kruspe builds and releases tension using tight rhythms and dynamic contrast. The lesson not only covers the mechanics of each riff but also dives into tone production, muting technique, and timing—helping you sound authentic and powerful.
This lesson is best suited for intermediate players or any guitarist looking to explore industrial metal rhythm work and strengthen their technical foundation.
Techniques Used in This Lesson
Crank up your tone, tighten your rhythm chops, and experience the raw power of Sonne with LickLibrary’s full breakdown—bringing you one step closer to mastering the sound of modern metal.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Stuart Shields
Learning his craft as Senior Guitar Instructor and teacher trainer for Yamaha Music Europe, Stuart Shields is largely regarded as one of Europe's best exponents of modern teaching approaches for guitar. He has contributed to a number of guitar courses, recordings and publications and covered playing in the style of...