UCL2 - WEEK 5
​"SWEET CHILD  O MINE"

This week you will explore a 1980s rock classic, Sweet Child O Mine created by Guns N Roses and released back in 1987. This song contains just 4 chords and a mixture of strumming patterns. This will be the grande finale song at the UCL Spring event taking place on Thursday 28th March where you will join the level 2 .2 and 3 groups to perform it, should you wish.  

SWEET CHILD O MINE

SWEET CHILD O MINE was originally written as a poem by Axl Rose, lead singer of the band. Slash came up with the riff when he was playing around on his guitar. He thought it was silly and wanted nothing to do with it, but Axl loved it and had him keep playing it. Izzy Stradlin added some chords, and the song came together. 

The chords contained in this song are all open chords as follows: 
Download the song sheet by clicking the button below:

STRUMMING PATTERNS

There are a few interchangeable strumming patterns within this song arrangement including the calypso strum, some singe strums and a rhythmic intro.

Download the song structure PDF for a more detailed analysis:

INtro Section

There are 8 bars of the intro that you don't need to play anything for. This is where the riff is played by the level 3 group. You will come in just before the next round of 8 bars starts as follows:

VERSE & SOLO SECTIONS

The verse sections are mostly played with the calypso strum until you get to bar 8:

CHORUS & OUTRO SECTIONS

in these sections, the chord sequence changes to begin with G and uses some single strums before coming back in with the calypso on C. 

AUDIO TRACKS

​The audio play along tracks are a great way to help with home practice. 
SWEET CHILD O MINE: Level 2 part with level 2.2 riff for the intro w/click track @ 120BPM
Download MP3 to help with offline practice:
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