Ich Will by Rammstein – Guitar Lesson
Explore the bold and commanding sound of Rammstein with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Ich Will”, one of the band’s most iconic tracks from their 2001 album Mutter. A perfect blend of power, precision, and theatricality, “Ich Will” delivers everything fans expect from the German industrial metal titans—tight riffs, immense tone, and military-grade rhythm.
This LickLibrary lesson takes you through every detail of the song, with a focus on essential techniques that form the backbone of Rammstein’s guitar style: power chords, altered tunings, palm muting, and arpeggios. Each section is broken down in a clear and accessible way, helping you not only play the parts accurately but also understand the subtleties that make this track so powerful and effective. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.
Technique Focus
Power Chords
As with many Rammstein songs, power chords form the backbone of “Ich Will.” Played with surgical precision, these chords provide the driving force behind the song’s anthemic choruses and rhythm sections. Their tight attack and bold tone are essential to achieving the band’s trademark wall of sound.
Learning benefit: Mastering power chords boosts your rhythmic accuracy and helps you develop strength in your fretting hand. These chords are the cornerstone of metal guitar and provide clarity even under extreme gain.
Altered Tunings
“Ich Will” uses altered tunings, allowing the guitars to hit deeper, more resonant low-end tones. This tuning contributes to the track’s heavy atmosphere and makes it easier to execute Kruspe’s chord shapes and single-note riffs.
Learning benefit: Exploring altered tunings opens up new tonal options and expands your musical vocabulary. It’s particularly useful for achieving that low, aggressive sound that defines modern metal.
Palm Muting
Palm muting is a key ingredient in “Ich Will,” giving the verses their tight, chugging feel. Kruspe uses this technique to great effect, muting the strings just enough to create a percussive, machine-like rhythm without losing clarity.
Learning benefit: Practicing palm muting strengthens your picking-hand control and enhances your ability to add dynamic contrast to your rhythm parts. It’s essential for producing tight, articulate riffs in a high-gain setting.
Arpeggios
One of the unique features in “Ich Will” is the use of clean, precise arpeggios in the intro and verse sections. These provide a haunting, melodic counterpoint to the otherwise aggressive rhythm parts and show another side of Kruspe’s playing.
Learning benefit: Developing your arpeggios technique improves fretboard knowledge and picking accuracy. It also teaches you to play rhythm parts that blend melodic content with harmonic structure—a skill that adds musical depth to your playing.
Why Learn This Song?
Ich Will is a brilliant example of how minimalistic playing, when executed with precision and power, can carry tremendous emotional and sonic weight. This lesson is a great opportunity to refine your tone, timing, and control while learning a song that’s both accessible and commanding.
From the haunting clean arpeggios to the massive chorus riffs, Ich Will is a masterclass in dynamic contrast and rhythm guitar discipline. Perfect for any guitarist wanting to delve into the world of industrial metal, this song offers valuable lessons in restraint, tone shaping, and performance intensity.
About the Guitarist and Their Influence
“Ich Will” features the meticulous rhythm guitar work of Richard Z. Kruspe, Rammstein’s co-founder and primary guitarist. Known for his heavily compressed, rhythm-driven approach, Kruspe has become one of the most influential guitarists in the industrial metal scene. He relies on tone shaping, groove precision, and mechanical accuracy to deliver a unique sound that’s instantly recognisable.
Kruspe’s style focuses less on technical flash and more on sonic impact. His riffs are designed to sit perfectly within the band’s rich, layered sound—balancing electronic elements, orchestral textures, and brutal heaviness. By learning a song like Ich Will, guitarists can experience firsthand how minimalistic parts, when executed with control and precision, can carry massive weight.
What You’ll Learn in This Lesson
This lesson walks you through each section of “Ich Will”, from the ominous intro and arpeggiated verse textures to the crushing choruses and tight rhythmic breakdowns. You’ll learn how to articulate muted riffs with clarity, lock in with programmed drums, and play with authority in lower tunings.
Whether you're an intermediate player looking to tighten your rhythm playing or an advanced guitarist wanting to fine-tune your tone and dynamics, this lesson is packed with value. By the end, you’ll not only be playing one of Rammstein’s most memorable songs—you’ll be doing it with power and conviction.
Techniques Used in This Lesson
Join us at LickLibrary to learn how to channel the full force of Ich Will—with detailed instruction and powerful performance guidance that brings Rammstein’s intensity to your fingertips.
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...