The Most Difficult Rolling Stones Song to play On Guitar?

Exploring the hardest Rolling Stones songs to play on guitar, from the easiest like "Satisfaction" to technically challenging pieces. I demonstrate the sweep picking solo from "Sympathy for the Devil," Mick Taylor's improvised jam on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," rhythm-lead weaving in open G tuning, swampy open E tuning songs, and the fast directional picking in "Paint It Black."

The Hardest: "Sympathy for the Devil" Solo

The hardest Rolling Stones song technically is the solo from "Sympathy for the Devil." While the chords remain basic open chords and bar chords, the solo requires sweep picking at speed. Interestingly, Keith Richards doesn't play this solo live - he improvises using Chuck Berry licks instead, proving even he finds the original studio version challenging.

"Can't You Hear Me Knocking" - Mick Taylor's Spontaneous Jam

The ending solo of "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" features Mick Taylor's incredible improvised jam session using D minor pentatonic with insane phrasing and creamy Les Paul neck pickup tone. The difficulty isn't just technical - it's about being able to create that spontaneous magic under pressure, something traditional guitar grading systems often fail to capture.

Rhythm and Lead Weaving in Open G Tuning

The rhythm-lead weaving technique combines standard tuning knowledge with open G tuning. "Start Me Up" is actually in the key of F using open G tuning, requiring understanding of bar chord shapes with major pentatonic improvisation. This intricate interplay of one guitar playing the riff while another weaves lead lines over it represents advanced knowledge of open tunings that intermediate players typically don't have.

Open E Tuning: "Gimme Shelter" and "Jumping Jack Flash"

"Gimme Shelter" uses open E tuning with tremolo effects, creating that swampy tone reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival. "Jumping Jack Flash" in the original recording uses simple one-finger chords in open E, but the knowledge required to navigate these tunings and create the right feel makes these songs deceptively advanced.

Fast Picking: "Paint It Black"

"Paint It Black" features some of the fastest picking in the Rolling Stones catalog, based around D minor to A chord changes. The technique requires anchoring with your little finger and using directional picking - always moving in the direction of the next string you're going to hit. This combination of alternate picking and directional picking is essential for getting up to speed.