There are few songs that capture the “unplugged” spirit of the 80s better than Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience.” Released on the G N’ R Lies album, it traded the band’s signature Marshall-stack roar for three acoustic guitars and a whistle. Explore how to play Patience by Guns n’ Roses with Kevin McClain of McMusic Lessons & Performances.
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Scroll down to view a short video and learn more about the best ways to approach learning the song.
Whether you’re sitting around a campfire or performing solo, “Patience” is a must-know. In this guide, we’ll break down the tuning, the iconic chords, and those subtle Slash-style flourishes.
1. The Setup: Tuning is Key
To play along with the studio recording, you must tune your guitar down a half-step (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb).
If you stay in standard tuning, the shapes remain the same, but you’ll sound a bit “brighter” than Axl and the boys.
2. The Core Chord Progression
The beauty of “Patience” lies in its simplicity. Most of the song revolves around four open chords: C Major, G Major, A Major, and D Major.
The Verse
The verse follows a circular, laid-back pattern:
C — G — A — D
C — G — A — D
C — G — C — Em — C — G — D
The Chorus
The chorus brings in that longing, melodic feel:
C — G — C — G
C — G — D
3. The “Slash” Factor: Embellishments
If you just strum the chords, it sounds okay—but to make it sound like GNR, you need the “flourishes.”
- The D-Chord Dance: While holding the D Major shape, use your pinky to hammer on the 3rd fret of the high E string (Dsus4) and pull off to let the open E string ring (Dsus2).
- The C to G Walk-down: When transitioning from C to G, play the 2nd fret of the A string (a B note) to create a smooth melodic bridge between the chords.
4. That Iconic Strumming Pattern
The rhythm is a steady 8th-note flow. The key is to keep your picking hand moving like a pendulum.
Pattern: D — D — U — U — D — U
Pro Tip: On the first “Down” stroke of each chord change, aim for the bass strings (E, A, and D) to give the song its “thumping” heartbeat.
5. The Outro: “Just a Little Patience…”
The song shifts gears for the big finale. The tempo stays the same, but the energy builds. The chords change to:
D — D/F# — G (repeatedly)
The D/F\# is played by using your thumb to wrap around the neck and grab the 2nd fret of the Low E string. This adds a deep, growling bass note that leads perfectly into the G Major.
Summary Checklist
- [ ] Tune to Eb (Half-step down).
- [ ] Master the C-G-A-D rotation.
- [ ] Practice the Dsus4 and Dsus2 finger movements.
- [ ] Keep your strumming hand loose and rhythmic.
Ready to see these techniques in action? Register for guitar lessons with Kevin McClain of McMusic Lessons & Performances at https://mcmusiclessons.mymusicstaff.com/Register
