"Use Your Illusion II": A guitarist's perspective

Guitar lessons by Danny Gill

"Use Your Illusion II," released in 1991, is the fourth studio album by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses. The album features a variety of styles and complex guitar work from lead guitarist Slash, making it a treasure trove for guitar enthusiasts. Use Your Illusion II represented a turning point in the sound of Guns N’ Roses, with the band incorporating elements of blues, classical music, heavy metal, punk rock, and classic rock and roll into their established aggressive style. 

In this guitar lesson course, LickLibrary veteran, Danny Gill takes you through the many highlights of each song from the rock giants one phrase at a time, including Slash’s legendary guitar riffs and solos from the tracks; “You Could Be Mine”, “Estranged”, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and many more. In this article, we'll dive into each song, providing a detailed analysis of guitar scales, solos, and techniques used by Slash. We'll also discuss Slash's contribution to the album, highlighting his unique skills as a guitarist.

1. "Civil War"

The album opens with "Civil War," a protest song with intricate guitar parts. The intro features finger-picking and open-string riffs, combining acoustic and electric guitars. The song uses the E minor pentatonic scale, with Slash employing techniques like string bending, vibrato, and slides throughout the solo.

2. "14 Years"

The second track, "14 Years," showcases Slash's bluesy playing style. The song is in the key of E major, primarily using the E major pentatonic and blues scales. The solo features a combination of double-stops, bends, and vibrato, creating a melodic and expressive sound.

3. "Yesterdays"

"Yesterdays" is a melodic ballad that showcases Slash's ability to create emotive solos. The song is in the key of G major and utilises the G major pentatonic and blues scales. The solo is characterised by smooth string bending, vibrato, and sustained notes, adding emotional depth to the song.

4. "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"

A cover of Bob Dylan's classic, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a highlight of the album. The song is in the key of G major, and the solo showcases Slash's tasteful phrasing using the G major pentatonic scale. Techniques such as string bending, vibrato, and slides are employed to create a soulful and melodic solo.

5. "Get in the Ring"

"Get in the Ring" features aggressive, hard-hitting guitar riffs, and a fast-paced solo. The song is in the key of E minor, and the solo uses the E minor pentatonic and blues scales. Slash's playing is characterised by alternate picking, legato, and fast slides, resulting in a high-energy solo.

6. "Shotgun Blues"

The sixth track, "Shotgun Blues," is a blues-based rocker with a gritty guitar tone. The song is in the key of A minor, with the solo using the A minor pentatonic and blues scales. Techniques such as string bending, vibrato, and double-stop bends give the solo a raw, bluesy feel.

7. "Breakdown"

"Breakdown" is a lengthy track that showcases Slash's versatility as a guitarist. The song is in the key of A major and features a variety of guitar techniques, including finger-picking, hybrid picking, and slide guitar. The solo uses the A major pentatonic scale, incorporating techniques like string bending, vibrato, and slides to create a dynamic, expressive sound.

8. "Pretty Tied Up"

"Pretty Tied Up" is a hard rock track that highlights Slash's aggressive playing style. The song is in the key of E minor and features a heavy, palm-muted riff. The solo, based on the E minor pentatonic scale, is characterised by fast legato runs, alternate picking, and two-handed tapping.

9. "Locomotive"

"Locomotive" is an epic track that features complex, syncopated rhythms and a powerful guitar riff. The song is in the key of E minor, and the solo uses the E minor pentatonic and blues scales. Slash's playing showcases a variety of techniques, including alternate picking, string bending, and legato. The solo also features intricate two-handed tapping sections, adding to the song's intensity.

10. "So Fine"

"So Fine" is a bluesy ballad that highlights Slash's melodic playing. The song is in the key of G major and primarily uses the G major pentatonic scale. The solo features a mix of string bending, vibrato, and double-stops, creating a soulful, expressive sound.

11. "Estranged"

"Estranged" is a progressive rock ballad that showcases Slash's ability to create emotional, melodic solos. The song is in the key of A minor, and the solo uses the A minor pentatonic and blues scales. Techniques such as string bending, vibrato, and sustained notes are employed to create a powerful, emotive solo.

12. "You Could Be Mine"

"You Could Be Mine" is a hard-hitting rock track with aggressive guitar riffs and a high-energy solo. The song is in the key of F# minor, and the solo uses the F# minor pentatonic and blues scales. Slash's playing is characterised by fast alternate picking, legato runs, and string bending, making the solo a thrilling ride.

13. "Don't Cry" (Alternate Lyrics)

The album closes with an alternate version of "Don't Cry," a heartfelt ballad. The song is in the key of A major and primarily uses the A major pentatonic scale. The solo features smooth string bending, vibrato, and sustained notes, adding emotional depth to the song.

Slash's Contribution to "Use Your Illusion II"

Throughout "Use Your Illusion II," Slash showcases his versatility as a guitarist, effortlessly moving between aggressive hard rock riffs, soulful blues solos, and intricate finger-picking. His unique playing style and ability to create memorable, emotive solos are critical to the album's success. Slash's contributions to "Use Your Illusion II" solidify his status as one of the most influential guitarists of his generation.

"Use Your Illusion II" showcases Guns N' Roses at their peak, with Slash's guitar work being a significant contributing factor to the album's success. The diversity of styles and techniques present in the songs, ranging from aggressive hard rock to soulful ballads, highlights Slash's mastery of the guitar. By examining the techniques and scales used throughout the album, guitarists can gain insight into Slash's playing style and learn valuable techniques that can be applied to their own playing. "Use Your Illusion II" remains a classic album and a must-listen for any guitarist looking to expand their knowledge and appreciation of rock guitar.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Album

Here is a list of guitar techniques used in "Use Your Illusion II," with links to their respective explanations:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double-stop Bends
• String Bending
• Slides
• Palm Muting
• Finger-picking
• Hybrid Picking
• Sustain
• Open-string Riffs
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Double-stops
• Power Chords
• Barre Chords
• Chord Progressions
• Harmonics
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Bluesy Bends
• Octave Melodies
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Chromaticism
• Altered Tunings