Ride the Lightning by Metallica

The song "Ride the Lightning" by Metallica stands as a classic in the heavy metal genre, with its electrifying riffs, intricate solos, and powerful rhythm work. Our Licklibrary.com guitar lesson for "Ride the Lightning" offers note-for-note guidance, capturing the essence of the song while focusing on the guitar techniques that define its powerful sound. This lesson is perfect for players who want to dive deep into Metallica's unique approach to heavy metal guitar playing, and the various techniques featured in this lesson will enhance both technical skill and stylistic knowledge. Danny Gill breaks down this classic Metallica track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitar Players and Their Influence

"Ride the Lightning" features the renowned guitar work of Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. Hetfield’s role as the rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter drives the band's powerful riffs and aggressive energy, while Hammett’s lead work brings a melodic edge to Metallica’s sound, blending thrash with harmonic sophistication. Together, they’ve influenced generations of guitarists, creating a signature sound that blends power and precision. This combination is an essential study for guitarists looking to develop both tight rhythm skills and expressive lead playing.

Guitar Techniques Featured in "Ride the Lightning"

Power Chords

Power chords are the backbone of "Ride the Lightning," forming the foundation of its iconic riffs. This simple yet powerful technique involves playing the root and fifth notes, producing a strong and defined sound that drives the song’s rhythm. Learning power chords will help players master the fundamentals of rock and metal, offering a way to deliver impactful riffs with clarity and aggression.

Galloping Rhythms

A staple in Metallica’s music, galloping rhythms involve a quick triplet or sixteenth-note pattern often used in the song’s rhythm sections. This technique creates a sense of urgency and aggression, adding complexity and depth to the riff. By practicing galloping rhythms, guitarists will improve their timing, pick control, and ability to maintain rhythm at high tempos—skills essential for heavy metal playing.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is heavily utilized in "Ride the Lightning" to create a percussive, tight sound. This technique involves lightly resting the edge of the picking hand on the strings, damping them to produce a more controlled sound. Mastering palm muting will allow players to add dynamics to their playing, enhancing both rhythm and tone control.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is critical for achieving the speed and precision heard in "Ride the Lightning." This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, allowing for faster and more efficient playing. Practicing alternate picking not only increases speed but also builds coordination and consistency, making it a crucial skill for fast, aggressive playing.

String Bending

In the solos, string bending is used to add expressiveness and intensity. This technique involves pushing the string up or down to alter the pitch, creating a unique sound and feel. String bending helps develop finger strength and accuracy, while also adding a soulful, emotional element to solos, as seen in Hammett’s lead work.

Vibrato

Vibrato is applied to many of the bends in the solos, enhancing the sustain and depth of each note. This technique involves subtly oscillating the pitch by moving the finger up and down, adding a vocal quality to the playing. Vibrato is essential for expressing emotion, and mastering it will help players bring more personality to their solos.

Trills

Trills, rapid alternations between two notes, are a key feature in the song’s solo sections, adding speed and flair. Trills build finger strength and dexterity, offering a way to enhance the technical complexity of solos. Incorporating trills into your playing will improve finger independence and help you tackle fast-paced lead sections with ease.

Pull-Offs and Hammer-Ons

Pull-offs and hammer-ons are essential for achieving the fluid, fast runs that appear in Hammett’s solo work. These techniques involve either “pulling off” a finger to sound a lower note or “hammering on” a finger to produce a higher note without picking. Learning pull-offs and hammer-ons will improve legato playing and enhance the smoothness and flow of complex phrases.

Slides

Slides are used in various sections of the song to transition smoothly between notes, creating a flowing, connected feel. This technique involves sliding the finger up or down the fretboard to reach the next note without lifting it. Practicing slides will develop coordination and add a more melodic quality to your playing.

Tapped Harmonics

In the song's solos, tapped harmonics bring an ethereal, bell-like quality to specific notes. This technique involves tapping directly above a fret to produce a harmonic, rather than fretting it traditionally. Tapped harmonics require precision and add a unique tonal colour, which can be an impressive addition to solos.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking is used to sustain rapid picking at high speeds, creating an intense, fast-paced sound. This technique is achieved by alternating picks on a single note or riff. Tremolo picking builds stamina and picking accuracy, which are crucial for achieving the relentless pace often required in metal music.

Guitar Techniques in "Ride the Lightning"

For further insight into the techniques covered in this lesson, explore the following resources on Licklibrary.com:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Tapped Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Galloping Rhythms

Through mastering these techniques, guitarists can capture the essence of Metallica’s style and build a versatile skill set that applies to many forms of rock and metal music. Dive into our lesson to experience the full power of "Ride the Lightning" and take your playing to new heights.