Metallica's "One" Guitar Lesson: A Comprehensive Breakdown "One" by Metallica is a iconic song that features a powerful and aggressive guitar riff, making it a staple of heavy metal music. In this guitar lesson, we'll break down the song's intro, verse, and chorus sections, providing you with a step-by-step guide on how to play this legendary track. Song Background "One" is the closing track from Metallica's 1988 album "...And Justice for All". The song was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett, and it's based on the novel "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo. The song's lyrics describe the experiences of a soldier who is severely injured in combat and left for dead on the battlefield. Guitar Tuning and Equipment Before we dive into the lesson, make sure you're using the right equipment and tuning:
Guitar: 6-string electric guitar (preferably with humbucker pickups) Tuning: Standard tuning (EADGBE) Amp: High-gain amp with a bit of distortion and reverb
Intro Section (0:00-0:30) The intro section features a haunting guitar riff played by James Hetfield. To play this section:
Start with a clean tone and play a simple, repetitive pattern: metallica one guitar lesson
e|---------0-----| B|-----3-----2---| G|---2-----2-----| D|-2-----2-----0-| A|-----0-----2---| E|-----0-----0---|
As the intro progresses, add some palm muting to give it a percussive feel. At 0:15, switch to a distorted tone and play a chromatic run:
e|---------5-----7-----5-----| B|-----7-----5-----7-----5---| G|---7-----5-----7-----5-----| D|-7-----5-----7-----5-----7-| A|-----5-----7-----5-----7---| E|-----5-----5-----5-----5---| The song was written by James Hetfield, Lars
Verse Section (0:30-1:00) The verse section features a driving rhythm with a mix of downstrokes and upstrokes:
Play a simple, heavy riff:
e|---------0-----2-----| B|-----3-----2-----3---| G|---2-----2-----2-----| D|-2-----2-----0-----2-| A|-----0-----2-----0---| E|-----0-----0-----0---| To play this section: Start with a clean
Emphasize the downbeats and play with a strong, aggressive feel.
Chorus Section (1:00-1:30) The chorus section features a catchy, harmonized riff: