How to Play Guns N’ Roses Paradise City on Guitar
Paradise City is one of the most iconic rock songs of all time, and learning to play it on guitar is a challenge many musicians face. The song’s complex chord progression, intricate guitar solos, and memorable riffs make it a standout track in Guns N’ Roses’ discography. In this article, we’ll break down the song’s structure and provide a step-by-step guide on how to play Paradise City on guitar.
Understanding the Song Structure
Before diving into the guitar parts, it’s essential to understand the song’s structure. Paradise City is divided into three main sections:
- Verse 1-2: Chord progression (G – D – Em – C) repeated twice
- Chorus: Simple, iconic riff (E – B – G – D)
- Solo: Intricate guitar solo over a repeating chord progression (G – D – Em – C)
Chord Progression
The verse and chorus chords are the foundation of Paradise City. Here’s the chord progression:
| Verse 1-2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| G | D | Em | C |
| G | D | Em | C |
Tips:
- Use a slow, deliberate strumming pattern to emphasize the chord changes.
- Focus on clean, crisp chord changes, as the song’s chord progression is crucial to its overall sound.
- Experiment with different chord voicings to find the tone that suits your playing style.
Guitar Riffs and Chord Changes
Now that we’ve covered the chord progression, let’s focus on the iconic riff that opens the song.
Chorus Riff
| Chorus Riff | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| E | B | G | D |
| E | B | G | D |
Tips:
- Use a pick to play the riff, as it’s crucial to get the correct attack and tone.
- Focus on playing the riff cleanly, with a steady tempo.
- Experiment with palm muting to add dynamic range to the riff.
Verse Riffs and Chord Changes
The verse riffs are simple, yet effective. Focus on playing the chords cleanly and with a steady tempo.
| Verse Riffs and Chord Changes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| G | D | Em | C |
| G | D | Em | C |
Tips:
- Use a combination of downstrokes and upstrokes to play the chords.
- Focus on playing the chords cleanly, with a steady tempo.
- Experiment with different rhythms to add variety to the verse.
Guitar Solo
**Guitar Solo**
The guitar solo in Paradise City is one of the most iconic and challenging solos in rock music. Here’s a breakdown of the solo:
**Solo Structure**
The solo is divided into three main sections:
* **Section 1**: Repeat of the chorus riff (E – B – G – D)
* **Section 2**: Intricate melodic phrases over a repeating chord progression (G – D – Em – C)
* **Section 3**: Repeat of Section 1
**Tips:**
* Focus on playing the solo cleanly, with a steady tempo.
* Experiment with different vibrato and bending techniques to add expression to the solo.
* Practice the solo slowly, building up speed and accuracy as you become more comfortable.
**Solo Tablature**
Here’s a simplified version of the solo tablature:
| Solo |
| — |
| e|———5—–7—–5—–|
| B|—–7—–5—–7—–5—–|
| G|-3—–5—–3—–5—–3—–|
| D|-3—–5—–3—–5—–3—–|
| A|-0—–2—–0—–2—–0—–|
| E|-0—–0—–0—–0—–0—–|
**Tips:**
* Focus on playing the solo cleanly, with a steady tempo.
* Experiment with different vibrato and bending techniques to add expression to the solo.
* Practice the solo slowly, building up speed and accuracy as you become more comfortable.
**Conclusion**
Playing Paradise City on guitar requires a combination of technical skill, musicality, and practice. By breaking down the song’s structure and chord progression, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this iconic rock song. Remember to focus on clean chord changes, crisp riff playing, and intricate soloing techniques. With patience and dedication, you’ll be able to play Paradise City like a pro.
**Additional Tips and Resources**
* Practice slowly and build up speed and accuracy as you become more comfortable with the song’s structure and chord progression.
* Experiment with different tones and effects to find the sound that suits your playing style.
* Watch online tutorials and lessons to improve your technique and gain insights into the song’s nuances.
* Join online guitar communities and forums to connect with other guitarists and share tips and advice.
**Chord Progression Table**
| Chord | Fret |
| — | — |
| G | 320003 |
| D | 000232 |
| Em | 022030 |
| C | 032010 |
**Riff Table**
| Riff | Fret |
| — | — |
| Chorus Riff | E 022100, B 224232, G 320003, D 000232 |
| Verse Riff | G 320003, D 000232, Em 022030, C 032010 |
**Solo Tablature**
| Solo | Fret |
| — | — |
| e|———5—–7—–5—–| |
| B|—–7—–5—–7—–5—–| |
| G|-3—–5—–3—–5—–3—–| |
| D|-3—–5—–3—–5—–3—–| |
| A|-0—–2—–0—–2—–0—–| |
| E|-0—–0—–0—–0—–0—–| |
Remember to practice regularly and stay patient, and you’ll be playing Paradise City like a pro in no time!
