That’s mainly because the tempo of this song is not fast In this example, downpicking is not that hard to handle. Along with simple power chord strumming patterns, here are the two main techniques used:ĭownpicking is a technique you just have to know if you plan to play any Metallica songs on your guitar. Here are the basic techniques you need to know in order to master this song. The tempo is slow and technically, this is not a complex song. It is perhaps one of the easiest song by Metallica. How hard is it to play For Whom the Bell Tolls on a guitar?įor Whom The Bell Tolls is definitely easy to play on a guitar. To play a solo of Ride the Lightning, you have to master the following techniques: So, in short: Practice alternate picking. It is because you have to perform alternate picking technique on a low string, at fast tempo. It is a bit harder to play it on a guitar. These are the techniques used in it:Īfter the second chorus, there comes a bridge part. It is not fast, that’s why it takes a little repetition to handle it. The Riff, Verse and Chorusįirst riff, verse part and chorus are also not hard to play. Basically, you’re picking two notes on higher strings. The opening part is a two-guitar harmonized section. With exercise and repetition, you can manage to play it flawlessly and confidently. The tempo of the song is slow enough for anyone with intermediate guitar skills to catch on. Ride the Lightning is not that hard to play. How hard is it to play Ride The Lightning on a guitar? With it, your guitar will sound almost exactly like the one on original recording.Ĭheck it out on Amazon for more info. I like it particularly because you sound chuggy, explosive, and yet not messy and muddy. I advise you to check out Abasi Pathos distortion pedal.

That’s why it is crucial to master palm muting technique before + alternate picking.Īlso, play with the settings on your amp in order to find a perfect combination of knobs and pickup settings. It is so easy to sound sloppy and muddy when playing this. It demands a high skill of alternate picking, downpicking, and palm muting. Is Hybrid Picking Hard? Is It Worth Learning? Heavy RiffĪfter the clean part, heavy, distorted riff comes. Here, take a look at this article about hybrid picking if you’re interested. I like hybrid picking, so I prefer this option.Īnyway, with some level of dexterity needed to play this, you can handle this part with some practice and repetition. You can play it fingerstyle, but you can also play it in hybrid picking style. Why? You have to be familiar with finger picking, and also with hybrid picking. Acoustic PartĪcoustic part at the beginning is on the intermediate level of playing. IMO, it is the hardest song to play on the album. It is fast, and it demands a high level of accuracy and stamina to play it right. How hard is it to play Fight Fire With Fire on a guitar?įight Fire With Fire is hard to play. Ride The Lightning paved the way to the new, more harmonized and heavier Metallica. It was, of course, different from Kill ’em All, in terms of sound, music and arrangements.

10 Conclusion Ride The Lightning – The AlbumĪfter it’s debut, Kill ’em All, Metallica released its second album, Ride The Lightning in 1984.

Metallica ride the lightning guitar