How to Play "SWEET CHILD O' MINE" by Guns N' Roses on Piano

Guns N' Roses · Shared by Emily · 111 bars

  • D major
  • 4/4
  • 120 BPM
  • Medium
  • Melody + piano

Your song map

0 / 10 parts learned

  1. Intro
  2. Verse 1
  3. Instrumental
  4. Verse 2
  5. Instrumental
  6. Chorus
  7. Verse 3
  8. Whole song
  • Learned
  • Selected
  • Now
  • To learn

What this song uses

Short warm-ups in the song's own key and chords. About a minute each, and you can skip them.

  1. The key

    D major

    Five-finger position on D, then the D major scale with both hands.

    About this scale
  2. The chord loop

    D, C, G · I, bVII, IV

    The loop the song goes round most. Play each chord as a block, one bar each.

    D: D, F#, A
    C: C, E, G
    G: G, B, D
    About this loop: Brave
  3. The left hand

    Pop heartbeat

    Root bass · Charleston push (1 · 2& · 3) · Beginner

    Long, short, long: the heartbeat under a thousand pop songs.

Verse 1, part 1 · bars 25 to 32

Up next
  1. Right hand
  2. Left hand
  3. Both hands

What you need to know

Read from the song's own notes: the key, the beat, the chords, and what each hand plays.

Key and scale

D major

2 sharps: F#, C#

DEF#GABC#

The D major scale

Time signature

4/4

4 beats in every bar, at 120 BPM

The chords you play

The song uses 12 chords, as the sheet music writes them.

More chords in the song

  • C5 bVII
  • G5 IV
  • Bb5 bVI
  • F#5 iii

Left hand

Chords and single notes

The piano's lower staff, as written: a mix of chords and single notes, about one a beat.

Range G1 to E4Step 2 on its ownStep 3 with the right hand

Right hand

The melody

The tune the singer sings, one note at a time, about one a beat.

Range G3 to E5Part by part

How to practice "SWEET CHILD O' MINE"

Learn "SWEET CHILD O' MINE" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 10 parts of a few bars. Each part has three steps: the right hand, the left hand (the right hand plays softly under it), then both hands. Every step plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down whenever you need. Press "I can play it" when you can play a step, and the next one opens.

Every step is free to play
  1. Start hereThe melody

    Step 1: Right hand

    Listen, then play the melody with your right hand, with finger numbers.

    Open this step
  2. Lower staff

    Step 2: Left hand

    Your left hand learns the piano's lower staff, note for note, while the right hand plays softly so you hear where you are.

    Open this step
  3. Both staves

    Step 3: Both hands

    Both hands together, as written. When you can play it, press "I can play it" and the part is learned.

    Open this step
  4. Then play the whole song

    When you can play every part, play the full sheet music with its backing track in the player.

    Play the full song

Frequently asked questions

How do I learn "SWEET CHILD O' MINE" on the piano?

Learn "SWEET CHILD O' MINE" one part at a time, with the song's real notes. The practice splits it into 10 parts of a few bars. Each part has three steps: the right hand, the left hand (the right hand plays softly under it), then both hands. Every step plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down whenever you need. Press "I can play it" when you can play a step, and the next one opens.

What key is "SWEET CHILD O' MINE" in?

"SWEET CHILD O' MINE" is in D major, which has 2 sharps: F# and C#. The D major scale is D, E, F#, G, A, B and C#.

The D major scale

What are the chords in "SWEET CHILD O' MINE"?

The sheet music uses 12 chords: D, C, G, A, A5, B5, D5, E5, C5, G5, Bb5 and F#5.

What does the left hand play in "SWEET CHILD O' MINE"?

The piano's lower staff: a mix of chords and single notes, about one a beat, from G1 to E4. You learn it on its own first, with the right hand playing softly underneath, then with both hands.

What tempo is "SWEET CHILD O' MINE"?

"SWEET CHILD O' MINE" plays at 120 BPM in 4/4. Every step of the practice plays at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.

Is "SWEET CHILD O' MINE" hard to play on piano?

It is rated Medium: a good next step once you can play a few easy songs. The melody goes from G3 up to E5. The practice splits it into parts of a few bars, one hand at a time, so you can learn it at your own pace.

How long should I practice each day?

A few minutes is enough. Choose 5, 10 or 15 minutes: the timer ends the session for you, and the next session picks up where you stopped.

Do I need to read sheet music?

No. The practice plays each part for you, one hand at a time, and shows its notes on the sheet and on a keyboard as they play, with finger numbers. Slow it down as much as you need.

Is it free?

Yes. Practicing is free. Sign in to keep your progress and your streak, and to get a daily reminder.

Where can I get the sheet music for "SWEET CHILD O' MINE"?

Play the full sheet music free in the interactive player, or download a printable PDF.

Sheet music in the playerDownload the PDF