Guns N Roses, Slash's Guitar Background and Style

Saul Hudson, aka Slash is probably one of my favorite guitarists of all time. The factthat he teamed up with the other members of "Guns N Roses" is what made them my favoriteband of all time. It was a combination of Axl's rough and raspy screams coupled with Slash's guitar style and a great rhythm section that made Guns N Roses a driving force. In addition Izzy Stradlin deserves more credit than he is ever awarded for being such an incredible song writer and the mastermind behind so many great "Guns N Roses" songs; however, I think I will take some time now to comment on Slash's guitar playing ability.Slash starting playing guitar at the age of fifteen when he received his first guitar from his mother, the guitar was old and worn and only had one string but it that guitar opened upthe door for one of the greatest guitarists to ever walk the earth. Slash plays blues-based hard rock, and he does it well. His early musical influences includemany hard rock and heavy metal bands from the mid seventies. Slash's favorite bands during histeen years included "Led Zeppelin," "The Rolling Stones," and "Van Halen." Bands with guitaristthat could really warrant their own page on this site. I could go on about Jimmy Page's searing licks and then graceful guitar playing, Mick Jagger's raunchy raw playing style, and Eddie Van Halen's incredibly innovative guitar playing that never seems to be left behind, but then again this is about Slash.I've read in numerous places that Slash apparently practiced guitar for hours on end and quiteoften twelve hours a day. Now I don't know how honest that figure is; however, I do knowplaying for even six hours a day is a feat in itself and something I have never been able toaccomplish. As an outcast in school he spent all the majority of his freetime playing guitar.Slash's style is undeniably unique. He has the ability to shred during guitar solos and playviciously fast with a thick driving sound that seems to carry the climax of a song higherthan ever imaginable. The solo "In Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" demonstrate this extremely well. In addition, Slash can bend a note until it just sounds right. I have never heard anyone that was ableto play the first solo to "November Rain" and get the perfect bends and tones out of it thatSlash does. I've been watching live concerts of the new "Guns N' Roses" lately and while RobinFinck, the new lead guitarist, is a master of his trade, he just can't get the sounds Slash can.My favorite solos though are the ones that combine these two elements, and the best example forthat is "Estranged." Often times I view "Estranged" as my all time favorite "Guns N' Roses" song.Its long extremely climatic and the guitar work leaves me in awe everytime I hear it. Slash is in a league of his ownwhen it comes to guitarists, his unique style is impossible to emulate accurately and hislicks are amazing. Get all the songs you can off the older "Guns N' Roses" albums and listento them, they are all great and there is always a great solo that you have not heard yet.

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