'4 Words (To Choke Upon)' by Bullet For My Valentine

Overview of the Lesson

Dive into the thrilling world of heavy metal guitar playing with our note-for-note guitar lesson on "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" by Bullet For My Valentine. This track, a quintessential piece from the band's early catalog, showcases their signature blend of blistering riffs, melodic interludes, and technical prowess. Whether you're an intermediate guitarist looking to sharpen your skills or an advanced player eager to master a modern metal classic, this lesson breaks down every detail with precision.

Our expert-led lesson emphasises key techniques used in the song, offering you insights into the mechanics of metal guitar playing. Alongside honing your technique, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these elements come together to create the driving energy and emotion synonymous with Bullet For My Valentine. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Players Behind the Song

"4 Words (To Choke Upon)" features the dynamic duo of Matt Tuck and Michael “Padge” Paget, whose guitar work is integral to the band’s sound. Tuck's rhythm prowess lays the foundation, blending chugging riffs with melodic hooks, while Paget’s soaring leads and intricate solos showcase his technical brilliance. Both guitarists have been instrumental in shaping modern metal-core, drawing inspiration from thrash metal, melodic death metal, and classic heavy metal. Their dual-guitar harmonies and razor-sharp precision have inspired countless guitarists to explore the genre.

Breakdown of Techniques in the Song

Palm Muting and Power Chords

At the heart of "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" is its powerful rhythm guitar section. Palm muting provides a percussive quality, driving the song’s relentless energy. Combined with the iconic power chords, this technique establishes the track's crushing metal-core sound.

Benefit: Learning palm muting and power chords enhances your rhythm guitar skills, enabling you to deliver tight, controlled riffs with impact and precision.

Alternate Picking

The song features fast alternate picking, especially during its galloping riffs and melodic passages. This technique is crucial for maintaining speed and articulation in high-tempo sections.

Benefit: Alternate picking improves your speed and accuracy, making it an essential skill for mastering complex metal riffs.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

One of the standout features of the song is the use of dual guitar harmonies during key melodic sections. These harmonies add depth and emotion to the composition, a hallmark of Bullet For My Valentine’s style.

Benefit: Mastering dual guitar harmonies enhances your understanding of melody and harmony, equipping you to play lead and rhythm guitar in a cohesive, musical way.

String Bending and Vibrato

The lead guitar parts feature expressive techniques like string bending and vibrato, bringing life and emotion to the solos. These techniques are pivotal for adding character to your playing.

Benefit: Learning string bending and vibrato refines your ability to convey emotion through the guitar, making your solos more impactful and memorable.

Pinched Harmonics

Paget’s signature pinched harmonics add a sharp, aggressive edge to the song’s riffs, contributing to its unmistakable metalcore tone.

Benefit: Pinched harmonics enhance your tonal palette, allowing you to create piercing, dramatic accents in your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The track also incorporates fluid hammer-ons and pull-offs in its lead guitar sections, enabling smooth transitions and adding speed to melodic phrases.

Benefit: These techniques improve finger strength and dexterity, essential for fluid and dynamic lead guitar work.

Galloping Rhythms

The rhythm guitar employs galloping patterns that propel the track forward with unrelenting energy, demanding precise timing and stamina.

Benefit: Mastering galloping rhythms enhances your rhythmic control and stamina, essential for playing high-energy metal music.

Why Learn This Song?

"4 Words (To Choke Upon)" is more than just a song—it’s a masterclass in modern metal guitar techniques. By studying this track, you’ll not only add a thrilling piece to your repertoire but also develop a wide array of essential skills that can be applied across genres. From the rhythmic intensity of palm muting to the expressive artistry of string bending, this lesson covers everything you need to elevate your playing.

List of Techniques Covered

Here’s a breakdown of the key techniques you’ll master in this lesson. Click the links to learn more about each technique:

1. Palm Muting
2. Power Chords
3. Alternate Picking
4. Dual Guitar Harmonies
5. String Bending
6. Vibrato
7. Pinched Harmonics
8. Hammer-Ons
9. Pull-Offs
10. Galloping Rhythms

Master these techniques and transform your guitar playing with our in-depth lesson on "4 Words (To Choke Upon)". Get ready to shred!