Teaching Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses is always a treat and the students really get into it. Once you get the feel for all the crashes and the overall beat, it is not as hard as it looks. Drum student Caden does a great job of showing us how to drum along to the song.
Here are the 3 Reasons to teach your drum students Sweet Child of Mine.
Exposure to Classic Rock - Let's be honest here. The music today it not quite the same. Classic rock has less synthesized sound and has more of a raw feel. Generally you would be able to replicate more classic music if you had a garage band of your own. This will give students and more natural experience and feel of what it would be like to play along to a band on stage
Crashes/Rides/Hi-Hats - This song uses the entire drum set including lots of crashes, and I mean LOTS! There are not many songs out there that can get a student as comfortable as this one jumping back and forth from the ride cymbal to the crashes crashes. To be honest, many of the newer songs don't use a lot of ride cymbal either so that is also a plus.
Cross Sticking - These are essentially soft rim shots on the snare drum to give a different sound and feel. Lots of class rock songs used this method in bridges to change up the tone of the song for a short period of time. Today this might never be learned if students are only sticking to newer songs.
Playing the drums along to "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses can be a fun and challenging experience. Here's a basic guide to get you started:
Listen to the Song: Start by listening to the song multiple times to familiarize yourself with the drum patterns, fills, and overall dynamics.
Basic Beat: The song has a standard rock beat. You can begin by playing a basic 4/4 rock groove with emphasis on the snare on beats 2 and 4 and the bass drum on beats 1 and 3.
Introduction: The song starts with an iconic guitar riff. As a drummer, you can add accents or drum fills during this part to build anticipation.
Verse: During the verses, maintain a steady rhythm. Use the hi-hat for a closed sound and incorporate the snare and bass drum to match the song's energy.
Chorus: The chorus is more energetic. Increase your dynamics by playing the drums with more power. You can add open hi-hat hits and fills to enhance the intensity.
Bridge and Solos: Pay attention to transitions between different sections, especially during the instrumental bridge and guitar solos. Use fills to complement these parts.
Builds and Fills: Guns N' Roses' songs often have dynamic builds. Pay attention to changes in intensity and add drum fills accordingly to enhance the musical dynamics.
Tempo Changes: "Sweet Child o' Mine" has tempo changes, particularly during the guitar solo. Practice maintaining a steady tempo and adjusting when needed.
Practice with a Metronome: To improve your timing, practice with a metronome. This will help you stay in sync with the song and improve your overall sense of rhythm.
Record Yourself: Record yourself playing along to the song and listen back. This will help you identify areas for improvement and refine your drumming.
Remember, feel free to add your own flair and style to make the drumming your own. It might take some practice, so be patient and enjoy the process!
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