"Money (In God We Trust)" by Extreme: A Guitar Teacher's Perspective

"Money (In God We Trust)"—a brilliant track by Extreme, a band most famous for their song "More Than Words". If you're a guitarist who appreciates virtuosic skills and keen attention to musicality, this track should be on your radar. Sam Bell digs into this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video lesson.

Guitar Chords & Scales

First off, the track is built around a driving riff that makes extensive use of power chords and palm-muted single-note lines, primarily in E minor. The chord progression for the verses predominantly uses E5, G5, and A5 power chords. The chorus, on the other hand, expands the harmonic palette with chords like Cmaj7 and Dsus4, providing a lush contrast to the gritty verses.

Nuno Bettencourt, the lead guitarist, is a master at blending scales into his solos and riffs. In this track, you can hear him incorporate the E minor pentatonic scale, along with hints of E Dorian and E Mixolydian. It gives that bluesy rock flavor but with a touch of sophistication.

Guitar Solo Analysis

Speaking of solos, Nuno Bettencourt's solo is a rollercoaster ride of technical finesse and emotional delivery. He starts off with a ferocious alternate-picked run that employs the E minor pentatonic scale. This is followed by a tasteful use of legato and tapped harmonics that makes the solo sound celestial for a moment. He then does a double-stop bend that’s simply sublime, hitting those sweet notes with precision.

He builds up tension with rapid unison bends, pinched harmonics, and trills before descending into a set of emotionally-charged notes that feature heavy vibrato. The end of the solo features tremolo picking and dive-bombs, courtesy of his whammy bar, which adds that final touch of chaos.

Nuno Bettencourt's Style

Nuno Bettencourt is a virtuoso who can shred with the best of them but also knows when to lay back and serve the song. In "Money (In God We Trust)," he showcases an encyclopeadia of techniques without ever seeming self-indulgent. His tone is impeccable, and you can tell he's got his amp and effects dialled in to perfectly complement his aggressive yet melodic playing style.

The brilliance of Nuno's playing isn’t just in his technical ability; it's in his phrasing and his understanding of tension and release. He knows just when to introduce a flurry of notes and when to let a single note sing. He has a unique way of integrating rhythm and melody, a skill honed through years of playing and a deep understanding of music theory.

List of Techniques Used:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Dive-Bombs

Whether you're a seasoned veteran looking to push your boundaries or a newcomer wanting to delve into the mechanics of a well-constructed rock song, "Money (In God We Trust)" offers a plethora of lessons. From its driving riffs to its exquisite solo, it’s a mini-masterclass in guitar virtuosity and song craft.