Nothing Else Matters By Metallica: The Best Guitar Tutorials

Do you want to learn a Metallica song, have beginner knowledge, and have a pulse?

Well, Kirk Hammet and I have you covered!

The beginning of “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica is so easy that all you need to do is pick up the guitar, make sure it’s tuned correctly and it has strings. We have searched the internet and found three of the easiest tutorials for you!

Let’s begin!

JustinGuitar: Justin Sandercoe is known for his detailed and beginner-friendly tutorials. He covers a wide range of songs, including classics like “Nothing Else Matters”.

Marty Music: Marty Schwartz is another well-known figure in the online guitar tutorial community. He breaks down songs into manageable sections and provides clear instructions.

GuitarLessons365Song: This channel offers in-depth tutorials for a variety of songs, and “Nothing Else Matters” is likely among them.

“Nothing Else Matters” is one of the band’s more melodic and less aggressive tracks making the headbangers of the day slightly disappointed in the band’s new direction. This song’s difficulty made it a popular choice for guitarists of various skill levels. Here’s a breakdown of the song’s difficulty:

• Tuning: The song is played in standard tuning (E A D G B e).
• Intro & Verses:
  • Fingerpicking Pattern: The song begins with a distinct fingerpicking pattern. While it might seem complex at first, with practice, it becomes manageable, even for intermediate players.
  • Chords: The chords used in the intro and verses are open chords, which are relatively easy to play. These include Em, D, Cadd9, and G.
• Chorus:
  • The chorus involves strumming basic open chords such as G, D, Am, and C. These chords are fundamental and are usually among the first chords beginners learn.
• Bridge:
  • The bridge has slightly more complex chords, including Fmaj7 and a few barre chords. Barre chords can be challenging for beginners because they require pressing down multiple strings with one finger.
• Solo:
  • Difficulty: James Hetfield takes the solo for  “Nothing Else Matters”. It’s one of the few times he takes center stage and it is melodic and not as fast-paced as some other Metallica solos. However, it requires good finger dexterity, bending techniques, and vibrato. This part is more suited for intermediate to advanced players.
• Song Structure: The song has a clear and repetitive structure, making it easier to memorize and play along.
• Tempo: The song’s tempo is slow to moderate, which allows players to focus on finger placement and picking patterns without feeling rushed.
• Techniques:
  • Fingerpicking: The song requires fingerpicking skills, especially in the intro and verses. This technique might be a bit challenging for absolute beginners but is manageable for those with some experience.
  • Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: Used occasionally throughout the song, these techniques add flavor to the melody.

Overall Difficulty:

• For beginners, the fingerpicking pattern, the solo, and some of the bridge chords might pose challenges. However, the chorus and the majority of the verses are quite approachable.
• For intermediate players, the song is a great piece to practice fingerpicking, play a melodic solo, and work on dynamics.
• For advanced players, while the song might not be technically demanding, it offers an opportunity to focus on expressiveness and musicality.

“Nothing Else Matters” is a versatile song that can be approached by players of different skill levels, with each finding aspects to challenge and improve upon.

Author: Daniel Powers Jr, the founder of Real Brave™, serves as the chief inspiration to thousands of students in the Real Brave music instruction program. He’s also the visionary behind PracticePad™, an online platform for live one-on-one online music lessons, lesson tracking, and scheduling. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Daniel leads a non-profit organization that provides formerly homeless children with access to music education, making a profound impact on their lives. His unwavering dedication to music, innovation, and education continues to inspire individuals to reach their fullest potential while creating positive change in communities. Follow Real Brave on all the socials:

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