Guns N’ Roses may have risen to fame on equal parts controversy and some of the greatest rock songs of all time, but easily the most instantly recognisable and beloved figure from the core band is guitarist Slash. With his colossal mane and black leather top hat, the axeman from Stoke-on-Trent, England, remains one of the faces of the genre, and is often ranked top or second only to Jimi Hendrix among the best electric guitarists of all time.
So, of course, he serves as a tremendous inspiration to any guitar aspirants. While his skill with an electric guitar to hand has earned Slash his legendary status, it’s not just his riffs that make him such a prime role model. He’s always remained grounded, worked hard at his craft, and unlocked the power of merchandising with GNR and as a solo artist. So, these are the elements that we’re going to delve into.
Hands-on guitar tips learnt from Slash’s unique style
A good place to start if you wish to emulate the style and mindset of any artist is to look to their own influences. For Slash, this came in the form of Led Zeppelin and Cream being played by teachers, but especially Rocks by Aerosmith. This is the song that he says he listened to on repeat and got him onto the track to really push into being a guitarist.
You could also attempt to pick up the same tricks and methods as Slash did by starting with the same tools as he once did. To do this, you’ll need the famous ‘one-string wonder.’ It’s certainly not the most rock ‘n’ roll guitar in the world, but the Spanish instrument with a single string was Slash’s first, and on it, he learned how to position his fingers to discover recognisable sounds. He then shifted to working out chords on the top three strings of a real electric guitar, and despite his mastery, Slash is still a self-conscious and insecure guitar player.
Now, as a bona fide legend of rock, several people study Slash’s work to try to home in on exactly what makes him great. One such technique that he has mastered is the claw grip, which Steve Vai and Jimi Hendrix also used. Along with this, as detailed in the video below, Slash has a unique method of bending that involves shifting a whole step before then adding the vibrato.
While Slash’s trademark and distinctive style can still be found in his latest studio album that we reviewed, 4, he has always said that practising excessively is the key to finding success and the new notes that go above the norm. The mystique around Slash greatly comes from his attire, and while some underlying talent is often needed to get started, it’s clear that hard work and absolute dedication are how Slash rose to the top of the genre.
Making the most of potential revenue streams
If there’s one thing that Guns N’ Roses have always consistently done incredibly well, it’s selling merchandise. The band may have capitulated relatively early into its run, and it may have taken decades for the core to reunite, but throughout the band’s original run to now, it’s never failed to sell stacks of merchandise. Fans love merchandise and memorabilia, and GNR and Slash as a solo artist have been more than happy to oblige.
The band has sold well over 40 million records over its time, but it’s also made over $15 million in merchandise sales. To achieve this, the band and its management have been very careful about only deploying quality products. They continue to do so to this day, with one of the more recent steps being to release an officially licensed game into real-money slots online.
Featuring the three original band , the slot from one of the most popular real-money providers for UK players, NetEnt, also runs a booming soundtrack of their GNR’s greatest hits. VSO has compiled a list of these recommended operators where you can play the game based on a variety of factors such as player safety, great games, timely payouts, and 24/7 service. Of course, Slash features heavily in the slot found at many highly rated online casinos, particularly as a shirtless expanded wild in Legend Spins. Naturally, just as gig T-shirts were the hallmark of merchandise in the 80s and 90s, Slash also has his own Funko Pop! figure, which is very tough to find at its original RRP of £9.99 now.
So, some key elements to draw from Slash and his almighty career are his influences, his techniques, and, once you’ve got the band together, offering high-quality merchandise to any and all fans in attendance.
