Guitar & Bass Tabs
Velvet Revolver
About Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver burst onto the scene in 2002 when guitar icon Slash (from Guns N' Roses), bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Matt Sorum joined forces with guitarist Dave Kushner and vocalist Scott Weiland. The lineup blended the swaggering hard rock of late 70s and 80s with the snarling edge of 90s alt rock, creating a sound that felt both familiar and fresh.
Their debut album Contraband (2004) became a global hit, delivering stadium-ready anthems like Slither and Do It for the Kids and earning multi platinum sales. Libertad (2007) followed, widening their palette with harder riffs and more melodic hooks. After Weiland left the group and the band paused in the late 2000s, Velvet Revolver left an indelible mark on the era's rock landscape, influencing a new generation of players who crave clean, tight rhythm work and searing guitar tones. DadRock Tabs now proudly hosts 12 Velvet Revolver lessons to help players learn these iconic tracks.
Beyond the riffs, Velvet Revolver captured a moment when veteran rock powerhouses reunited to create something urgent and visceral. Their music bridged the gap between classic hard rock and the post‑grunge era, and Slash's guitar tone and the band's chunky grooves continue to inspire players chasing that big, timeless guitar sound.
🎸 Want to know what gear Velvet Revolver used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Slither
Velvet Revolver
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Sucker Train Blues
Velvet Revolver
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Do It For The Kids
Velvet Revolver
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Big Machine
Velvet Revolver
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Illegal I Song
Velvet Revolver
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Spectacle
Velvet Revolver
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Fall To Pieces
Velvet Revolver
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Headspace
Velvet Revolver
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Superhuman
Velvet Revolver
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Set Me Free
Velvet Revolver
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Dirty Little Thing
Velvet Revolver
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Bodies
Velvet Revolver
View Tab →Playing Style
Velvet Revolver's playing style sits at the intersection of bluesy hard rock and modern riff-driven rock. Slash's guitar work is instantly recognizable: catchy melodic lines, blues-infused bends, and aggressive but musical phrasing. The rhythm guitar is tight and punchy, often using power chords, palm muting, and aggressive downstrokes to lock in with Duff McKagan's bass and Matt Sorum's drums. The solos ride on expressive bends and vibrato rather than formulaic shredding, blending with compact vocal melodies. The band uses straightforward, groove-heavy riffs built around the minor pentatonic scale and modal flavors, with occasional slide licks that add color. Overall the sound is big, riff-first with memorable hooks and a strong sense of groove that makes the songs instantly air-guitarable.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear for Velvet Revolver centers on Slash's Gibson Les Paul Standard, often seen with a glossy black finish and his signature tone from a Marshall amp stack. Duff McKagan is known for his deep, punchy bass tone from a Fender Jazz Bass through Ampeg SVT heads and 8x10 cabinets. The band's live tone relied on a combination of Marshall and other tube amps, plus wah pedals and analog delays for expressive solos. In the studio, expect beefy rhythm parts, tight palm-muted chugs, and bluesy leads that sit right in the mix.
Why Learn Velvet Revolver Songs?
Learning Velvet Revolver's songs gives players a strong footing in classic hard rock: riff-driven rhythm, tight palm muting, precise alternate picking, and expressive bends in melodic lines. The 12 tunes on DadRock Tabs span from hard-hitting anthems like Do It for the Kids to more melodic pieces like Fall to Pieces, offering hands-on practice with chord shapes, string skipping, and dynamic phrasing. These tracks balance accessibility and challenge, building confidence with every riff and helping players develop timing, tone, and groove that are essential to any rock guitarist.
Did You Know?
- 1Velvet Revolver formed in 2002 when Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum teamed with Dave Kushner and Scott Weiland, blending GN'R swagger with STP's edge.
- 2Their debut Contraband (2004) spawned the hit Slither and helped establish Velvet Revolver as a major force in early 2000s hard rock.
- 3The band name Velvet Revolver was chosen to evoke a blend of smooth groove and explosive energy, matching their riff-driven, melodic rock.
- 4Scott Weiland's presence linked Velvet Revolver to the Stone Temple Pilots fanbase while still keeping the project rooted in straightforward, radio-ready rock.
12 Velvet Revolver lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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