Hangar 18 by Megadeth

Learn to master one of thrash metal’s most iconic songs with LickLibrary’s in-depth guitar lesson for “Hangar 18” by Megadeth. This track is a benchmark in high-octane lead and rhythm playing, featuring blistering solos, complex riffs, and tight, aggressive guitar work that showcases the technical brilliance of Megadeth guitarists Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman.

This lesson is designed to take you through every note of the song, breaking down the complex sections and helping you understand the techniques that make “Hangar 18” a metal masterpiece. Whether you’re an intermediate player looking to level up or an advanced player wanting to challenge yourself, this lesson will refine your skills, build speed, and improve your musical vocabulary. Andy James breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists: Dave Mustaine & Marty Friedman

“Hangar 18” features the legendary pairing of Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman, a duo that redefined metal guitar playing in the early ’90s. Mustaine’s razor-sharp rhythm work and aggressive down-picking form the foundation of the band’s signature sound. His precise, riff-heavy style is the bedrock of Megadeth’s tight musical architecture.

Marty Friedman brings a contrasting and complementary approach, blending exotic scales, expressive phrasing, and unique note choices. His solos in “Hangar 18” are highly melodic yet technically demanding, demonstrating his fluid legato and inventive use of harmony. Together, these two guitarists created a dynamic interplay that remains one of the most celebrated in metal history.

Song Structure and Techniques Explored

“Hangar 18” opens with a clean arpeggiated section that quickly escalates into a barrage of crushing riffs and a series of fast, evolving solos. Our lesson walks you through each part of the song, focusing on the key techniques that define its sound.

Alternate Picking

From the opening riff to the intense solo sections, alternate picking is vital in this track. This technique is all about precision and efficiency, allowing you to pick notes rapidly and cleanly. Mastering this will help build speed and stamina—essential for playing fast metal riffs and solos with accuracy.

Legato

Friedman’s solos are rich in legato phrasing, featuring rapid hammer-ons and pull-offs that create smooth, flowing lines. Practicing legato improves finger strength and coordination, giving your solos a fluid, connected sound.

Two-Handed Tapping

One of the solos features blazing fast two-handed tapping, a technique that extends your range and allows for lightning-fast note sequences. Learning this technique expands your soloing vocabulary and adds flair to your playing.

Sweep Picking

You’ll also find examples of sweep picking in “Hangar 18,” particularly in the neo-classical influenced solo sections. This technique allows you to play arpeggios cleanly and quickly by using a single, continuous picking motion. It's a must-have skill for advanced soloing.

Pinched Harmonics

Dave Mustaine’s rhythm guitar work incorporates aggressive pinched harmonics, adding bite and attitude to the riffs. Learning this technique improves your tone control and helps you inject character into your rhythm parts.

Palm Muting

The song’s galloping rhythm sections make heavy use of palm muting, especially during the verses and transitions. Mastering palm muting tightens your playing and adds definition to your rhythm work.

Whammy Bar Tricks & Dive Bombs

Friedman and Mustaine both use expressive whammy bar tricks and dive bombs, giving certain sections a wild, chaotic feel. Learning these techniques adds drama and intensity to your leads.

Arpeggios

The intro features arpeggios played cleanly, setting a moody and mysterious tone. This section is excellent for improving picking accuracy and fretboard visualisation.

String Bending & Unison Bends

Both string bending and unison bends appear throughout the solos, showcasing the expressive power of bending. Practicing these techniques refines your pitch control and gives your solos emotional depth.

Why Learn “Hangar 18”?

Learning to play “Hangar 18” is more than just learning a song—it’s a guitar workout that touches on nearly every essential technique in metal and rock guitar. It forces you to be disciplined in your picking, precise in your rhythm, and creative in your lead playing.

Breaking down this song note-for-note not only helps you build speed and control, but also deepens your understanding of phrasing, tone, and song structure. With our LickLibrary lesson, you’ll get expert guidance to help you conquer each section with clarity and confidence.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Sweep Picking
• Pinched Harmonics
• Palm Muting
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Dive Bombs
• Arpeggios
• String Bending
• Unison Bends
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs

Dive into this intense, technique-packed track with LickLibrary and take your guitar playing to the next level with one of metal’s most legendary songs.