Learn to Play Metallica: The Ultimate Guide for Every Guitarist

With Licklibrary's "Learn to Play Metallica," you're just a strum away from mastering the legendary riffs and powerful solos that define the iconic sound of Metallica. Dive into the depths of the band's discography, starting from the ground up with detailed breakdowns of some of their most famous songs. Join Lick Library's very own Jamie Humphries as he takes you through these iconic metal songs.

Enter Sandman

The opening track of the seminal 1991 album, "Metallica" (also known as the Black Album), "Enter Sandman" is a cornerstone of heavy metal guitar work. The signature clean-tone riff, played using an E minor scale, forms the bedrock of the song, transitioning seamlessly into a dynamic, crunching main riff.

What stands out most in "Enter Sandman" is the slick guitar solo, which is a masterclass in both technical proficiency and melodic sensibility. The solo kicks off with a sequence of rapid sixteenth notes, highlighting the use of alternate picking and slides. The phrase ends with an expressive, high-pitched bend, showing the importance of vibrato in adding emotional depth to your solos.

Sad But True

"Sad But True" is a beast of a song, built on a monstrous, down-tuned riff that rings out with a thunderous roar. The riff, based in D minor, is a fine example of Metallica's use of power chords and palm muting to create a heavy, rhythmic sound.

The solo in "Sad But True" is more subdued than most of Metallica's, but no less impressive. It starts with a slow, melodic passage that uses a mixture of slides and vibrato to great effect, before moving into a faster section that features a series of quick hammer-ons and pull-offs.

The Unforgiven

"The Unforgiven" demonstrates a contrast between clean, arpeggiated chord progressions and powerful, distorted riffs. The opening clean section is based around an E minor chord progression, with the chords played as arpeggios, creating a haunting atmosphere.

The song's solo showcases Hammett's command of the minor pentatonic scale, starting with a blistering ascending run. The solo also makes use of legato techniques, with fast hammer-ons and pull-offs adding a fluid, seamless quality to the playing.

Fade to Black

"Fade to Black" is a showcase of Metallica's more melodic side, beginning with a beautiful clean arpeggio sequence in B minor. The song steadily builds in intensity, culminating in one of Kirk Hammett's most emotive solos. The solo takes advantage of the entire fretboard, starting in a low register and gradually climbing higher and higher. There's a healthy mix of techniques involved, including slides, string bending, and vibrato.

Battery

"Battery" is a relentless, fast-paced thrasher that serves as a testament to Metallica's thrash metal roots. The song is based on an E minor scale, with the main riff making use of rapid alternate picking and palm muting to deliver a percussive, aggressive sound.

Hammett's solo in "Battery" is a tour de force, packed with rapid alternate picking, sweeping arpeggios, and an array of harmonics. It's a prime example of Hammett's incredible speed and precision, and the use of a whammy bar adds a dramatic flair to the solo.

The Lead Guitarist: Kirk Hammett

The force behind these impressive guitar works is Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist of Metallica. Known for his fast, intricate solos and heavy riffing, Hammett's contribution to Metallica's sound cannot be understated. He incorporates a variety of guitar techniques into his playing, including two-handed tapping, string bending, and sweep picking, often within the same song. Hammett's proficiency and diversity as a guitarist make him a joy to learn from, and an inspiration to guitarists around the world.

Techniques Used in the Lessons

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• String Bending
• Arpeggios
• Two-handed Tapping
• Sweep Picking
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Licklibrary's "Learn to Play Metallica" is an incredible resource for any guitarist looking to broaden their musical vocabulary, improve their technique, and delve into the intricate guitar work of one of the world's most influential metal bands.