“Think About You” by Guns N’ Roses

Step into the raw, high-energy world of Guns N’ Roses with our in-depth guitar lesson on “Think About You”, one of the standout tracks from the legendary Appetite for Destruction album. This lesson from Licklibrary.com takes you note for note through every riff, lick, and solo, capturing the attitude and technique that defined late ’80s rock guitar.

“Think About You” is a fast-paced rocker drenched in gritty rhythm parts and expressive lead work. With its combination of punk urgency and bluesy swagger, the song is a fantastic case study in blending feel, technique, and attitude into a cohesive performance. Our expert tutors break down each section to help guitarists of all levels get under the skin of this classic. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques in “Think About You”

This lesson focuses on a range of essential rock guitar techniques that will improve your playing and add depth to your musical vocabulary.

String Bending

Bending strings is a staple of expressive lead guitar playing. In “Think About You,” you’ll find multiple types of bends – from subtle quarter-tone pushes to full-step bends that scream with emotion. Practicing string bending enhances your pitch control and adds vocal-like expressiveness to your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These legato techniques are found throughout the riffs and solo sections. Hammer-ons and pull-offs help build fluidity and speed, enabling smoother, more connected phrases without constant picking.

Slides

Sliding between notes creates smooth transitions and adds a dynamic, bluesy feel. The intro riff and various fills in the song make great use of slides, teaching players how to move around the fretboard efficiently and musically.

Palm Muting

Palm muting provides the percussive, chugging feel in the rhythm guitar parts. It tightens the sound and emphasises groove. Palm-muting helps develop control over tone and dynamics—critical for any rock rhythm guitarist.

Power Chords

A Guns N’ Roses staple, power chords drive the core of this song. They’re foundational for rock guitar, providing a thick, aggressive tone. This lesson helps players refine their attack and clarity when using distortion-heavy tones.

Vibrato

Used sparingly but effectively, vibrato brings life to held notes, especially during solo phrases. Learning to apply vibrato well is a major step toward a more professional and emotive sound.

Alternate Picking

Some of the faster licks and riffs in “Think About You” benefit from efficient alternate picking. This technique builds speed, precision, and stamina, crucial for fast rock and metal playing.

Double Stops

The lesson also introduces double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously. They’re used for both rhythm and lead applications in this song and add harmonic thickness and bluesy grit to solos.

The Guitarists Behind the Song

“Think About You” features the iconic guitar duo of Slash and Izzy Stradlin. Slash handles lead guitar duties with his signature blend of blues phrasing, fiery runs, and soaring bends, while Izzy provides the rock-solid rhythmic foundation. Izzy’s punk-influenced strumming and chord work perfectly complement Slash’s melodic flair.

Slash’s influence on rock guitar is immense—his phrasing, tone, and vibrato set a benchmark for expressive lead playing. Izzy, on the other hand, is often underrated but essential, with his tight, swaggering rhythm parts helping shape the classic Guns N’ Roses sound. Together, their dual guitar approach in this song creates a dynamic interplay that every aspiring rock guitarist can learn from.

Why Learn “Think About You”?

Studying “Think About You” is more than just learning a song—it’s a gateway into the core techniques of hard rock guitar. By mastering the parts, you’re building your skills in alternate picking, rhythm precision, expressive soloing, and dynamic control. It also enhances your ability to play with feel, not just accuracy—a vital component of any great performance.

This lesson gives players the opportunity to internalise the stylistic elements that made Guns N’ Roses one of the most iconic bands of the era. Whether you’re prepping for a cover band setlist or improving your general rock guitar chops, this track is an essential addition to your practice routine.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Palm-Muting
• Power Chords
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Double Stops