The Call of Ktulu: Guitar Lesson

"The Call of Ktulu", a legendary instrumental from Metallica's album 'Ride the Lightning', serves as a testament to the band's versatility and the prowess of their lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett. This track not only showcases Hammett's sublime soloing skills but also envelops the listener in a dark, mystical aura. Sam Bell delves deep into its guitar intricacies in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Chord Progressions and Scales

At its foundation, the song builds upon haunting clean arpeggios that give it an atmospheric and foreboding feel. The main progression revolves around the Em chord, transitioning through D and C chords, setting the foundation for the narrative. It's an eloquent reminder of the power of chord progressions to evoke emotion. The main scale that breathes life into the melody and solo sections is the E natural minor, interspersed with touches of the harmonic minor scale.

Solo Analysis

Kirk Hammett, a master of infusing raw emotion into his solos, shines brilliantly in this track. His command over the guitar's neck and understanding of scales allows him to craft solos that ebb and flow seamlessly with the rhythm. Kirk starts his solo journey with a melodic phrasing, moving towards more aggressive and faster runs. The beauty of this solo is how it integrates arpeggios, scale runs, and legato techniques.

He makes use of double stops and unison bends to add richness. Additionally, pinched harmonics peppered throughout the solo add that magical zest, giving it a slightly eerie feel, apt for the song's theme.

Kirk Hammett and His Signature Style

Kirk Hammett, influenced by greats like Jimi Hendrix and Uli Jon Roth, has always been known for his melodious solos. In "The Call of Ktulu", he showcases his inclination for playing that's both melodic and technically proficient. While his ability to shred is undeniable, it's his sense of melody and phrasing that sets him apart. His choice of notes, the spaces he leaves, and the techniques he employs, such as vibrato, all create a distinct voice that speaks volumes, even in an instrumental track.

Guitar Techniques in The Call of Ktulu

For budding guitarists and even seasoned players, this song is a treasure trove of techniques to dissect and learn. Let's break them down:

• Vibrato: Adds emotion and sustain to a note. Learn more
• Alternate Picking: A crucial technique for playing faster runs. Learn more
• Legato: Smooth transitions between notes using hammer-ons and pull-offs. Learn more
• Pinched Harmonics: Adding zest to notes by pinching the string. Learn more
• Double Stops: Playing two notes simultaneously. Learn more
• Unison Bends: Two notes played simultaneously, with one being bent to match the pitch of the other. Learn more
• Power Chords: The backbone of rock and metal rhythms. Learn more
• Palm Muting: Muted strums adding percussive quality. Learn more
• Slides: Shifting from one note to another. Learn more
• Hammer-Ons: Hammering a finger onto the fretboard to sound a note. Learn more
• Pull-Offs: Plucking a string by "pulling" a finger off the fretboard. Learn more

In conclusion, "The Call of Ktulu" is not just another instrumental track. It's an expedition into the heart of guitar techniques and melodic expressions. For those aiming to elevate their guitar playing, delving deep into this song, its techniques, and understanding Kirk Hammett's approach can be a game-changer. As with any piece of music, it's not just about the notes but how they're played, and in "The Call of Ktulu", they're played masterfully.