Du Hast by Rammstein – Guitar Lesson
Step into the world of industrial metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Du Hast” by Rammstein, one of the most recognizable and influential songs in modern heavy music. Released in 1997 on the band’s breakout album Sehnsucht, “Du Hast” became a defining anthem for Rammstein and the industrial metal genre, thanks to its crushing guitar tone, militant rhythm, and unforgettable hook.
With this detailed LickLibrary lesson, you’ll learn how to replicate the tone, timing, and technique that give Du Hast its uncompromising power. This lesson focuses on essential metal rhythm guitar techniques such as power chords, palm muting, and slides. Each section is broken down with precision to ensure you not only play the notes correctly but understand the stylistic elements that make this track so impactful. This lesson is taught by Stuart Shields.
Technique Focus
Power Chords
The backbone of Du Hast lies in its hard-hitting power chords, which are played with laser-sharp precision and massive tone. These chords dominate the chorus and verse sections, giving the track its signature punch and heaviness.
Learning benefit: Practicing power chords helps improve your fretting-hand strength and your ability to deliver rhythmically tight riffs. Power chords are a core element of rock and metal guitar, and learning to control them under distortion is key to sounding clean and aggressive.
Palm Muting
Kruspe uses palm muting throughout the song to create a tight, percussive feel—especially during the verse riffs. The chugging, staccato tone contrasts beautifully with the open power chord hits and adds to the track’s machine-like precision.
Learning benefit: Mastering palm muting enhances right-hand coordination and gives you the ability to control dynamics and note length. It’s essential for creating tight, articulate rhythms in high-gain settings.
Slides
The opening riff of Du Hast features distinct slides, which add motion and aggression to the otherwise minimalistic phrasing. These slides create tension and movement, giving the track a raw edge and visual flair in live settings.
Learning benefit: Working on slides improves your fretting-hand fluidity and phrasing control. Slides are also a great way to emphasize transitions and add expressive nuance to riffs without overcomplicating your playing.
Why Learn This Song?
Du Hast is a rhythm guitar masterclass in restraint, control, and tone. Its minimalistic nature makes it deceptively simple, but playing it correctly requires discipline, accuracy, and a good ear for tone. By learning this song, you’ll gain valuable experience in playing with intensity and precision while keeping things clean and musically focused.
Whether you’re building your industrial metal repertoire or looking to sharpen your rhythm skills, this lesson will guide you through the techniques and stylistic nuances that make Du Hast one of metal’s most iconic tracks.
About the Song and Rammstein’s Guitarist
“Du Hast” is powered by the rhythmically sharp and sonically massive guitar work of Richard Z. Kruspe, Rammstein’s founding guitarist and one of the most iconic figures in modern metal. Kruspe’s approach is minimalistic yet brutally effective—combining drop-tuned power riffs with carefully controlled dynamics and a highly polished tone.
Richard’s influence extends far beyond Rammstein’s discography. His tight, riff-driven style has helped shape industrial and alternative metal guitar playing for over two decades. By studying “Du Hast,” you’ll not only be playing one of metal’s most recognizable songs, but also learning from a master of tone, timing, and riff construction.
What You’ll Learn in This Lesson
This lesson covers every aspect of Du Hast, including the intro’s sliding riff, the crushing power chord rhythms of the verses and chorus, and the subtle shifts in dynamics that drive the song’s structure. You’ll work on your timing, precision, and tone control—all within the context of a heavy, groove-based arrangement.
The lesson is ideal for beginner to intermediate players looking to develop their rhythm guitar fundamentals, as well as advanced players wanting to tighten their technique and replicate Rammstein’s distinctive tone.
Techniques Used in This Lesson
Fuel your rhythm playing with the precision and power of Du Hast, and let this LickLibrary lesson take your metal guitar chops to the next level.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Stuart Shields
Learning his craft as Senior Guitar Instructor and teacher trainer for Yamaha Music Europe, Stuart Shields is largely regarded as one of Europe's best exponents of modern teaching approaches for guitar. He has contributed to a number of guitar courses, recordings and publications and covered playing in the style of...