Plug In Baby by Muse

The song "Plug In Baby" by Muse is a guitar masterpiece, combining intricate melodic lines with powerful rock riffs. This detailed guitar lesson will teach you how to play the song note for note, focusing on the various guitar techniques that Matt Bellamy uses to create the track’s distinctive sound. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate player, this lesson will help you develop essential skills that will elevate your playing to the next level. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist and His Influence

Matt Bellamy, the frontman of Muse, is a guitarist known for his innovative style and mastery of both traditional and experimental techniques. His playing combines rock intensity with classical and progressive influences, and he has become a defining figure in modern guitar music. "Plug In Baby" showcases Bellamy’s technical prowess, using a variety of guitar techniques that create its signature sound. Learning this song is a great way to explore Bellamy's unique approach and understand the creativity behind his work.

Key Techniques in the Lesson

This lesson highlights some of the most important techniques that make "Plug In Baby" a challenging and exciting song to learn. Each technique is broken down to ensure that you can practice it effectively.

1. Alternate Picking

One of the main techniques used in "Plug In Baby" is alternate picking, particularly in the song's rapid-fire opening riff. This technique involves alternating between upstrokes and downstrokes, enabling faster and more precise playing.

Benefits: Mastering alternate picking will improve your speed and accuracy, making it essential for playing fast-paced riffs and solos.

2. Legato

Legato playing is employed throughout the song to create smooth transitions between notes. In "Plug In Baby", legato helps to maintain a fluid, connected sound, particularly in the lead lines.

Benefits: Practicing legato strengthens your fingers and enhances your ability to play faster, more connected runs without relying on constant picking.

3. Palm Muting

Palm muting is an essential part of the rhythm guitar sections in "Plug In Baby". It is used to give the power chords and riffs a tight, percussive sound, adding dynamics and punch to the song.

Benefits: Learning palm muting will give you better control over the tone and dynamics of your playing, a critical skill for rock and metal music.

4. Power Chords

The song’s chorus features heavy use of power chords, which form the foundation of the track’s rhythm section. Power chords provide a driving, aggressive sound that complements the song’s energy.

Benefits: Power chords are fundamental for any rock guitarist. Mastering them will allow you to create a thick, powerful sound while playing rhythm guitar.

5. String Bending

String bending is used to add emotion and expression to certain lead parts of "Plug In Baby". Bellamy frequently bends notes during solos to create a vocal-like quality, adding to the song’s intensity.

Benefits: String bending is key for developing your expressiveness as a guitarist, and it also improves your pitch control and finger strength.

6. Slides

Slides play a prominent role in the song, especially when transitioning between notes in the main riff and solo sections. Bellamy’s use of slides adds fluidity to the melody, making the song’s lead lines sound smooth and continuous.

Benefits: Practicing slides will help you transition between notes quickly and cleanly, adding a polished feel to your playing.

7. Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics add a sharp, squealing tone to certain parts of "Plug In Baby", giving the song its signature rock edge. This technique is used to accentuate specific notes in the riff and add extra bite to the guitar tone.

Benefits: Learning pinched harmonics will allow you to introduce unique, aggressive sounds to your playing, perfect for emphasising key notes in a song.

Conclusion

The "Plug In Baby" guitar lesson is an excellent opportunity to learn a variety of guitar techniques that will improve both your rhythm and lead playing. By mastering these techniques, you will not only be able to play this iconic song but also develop skills that will serve you across many musical genres. Whether you’re working on alternate picking, legato, or perfecting your power chords, this lesson is designed to help you grow as a guitarist.

Guitar Techniques in this Lesson

Here is a list of the guitar techniques used in "Plug In Baby". You can learn more about each technique by following the links below:

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics