10 Quick Tips for Playing MASTER OF PUPPETS on Guitar!

-10 Quick Tips for Playing MASTER OF PUPPETS on Guitar!
Check out all my lesson vids at: www.the-art-of-guitar.com
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Thanks!!!

[@NelderGuitar]

First learned this song over 20 years ago, and it’s been like a crazy journey from first learning it with horrible tabs to now where we can dissect hundreds of live versions and slow down the original isolated tracks to really figure it out. Great video!

[@CyberScorps]

Those Cherry Lane tab books have a special place in Hell.

[@kiezersosay49]

Seriously...im 34, but the shit we have today would have blown my mind back in the day...like the quality of solid state amps and SS frets and budget guitar quality...and really good hash.

[@roadrunnerplaying]

I got back to playing guitar 3 years ago, after a 20 years break, and I was blown away by how easy it is to find good enough information and tools to learn.

[@uncletiny4842]

I'm learning this song after one year of guitar practice very crazy

[@666meatballs]

@@uncletiny4842 im 1 week into learning guitar and already learning it…. Only the opening riff of course lmfao

[@sam.fridayyy]

I've been wanting to learn guitar for a while now, but Eddie's solo pushed me to finally try it and now I got a guitar and I'm teaching myself.

[@andrewzambrano5672]

same

[@goth9160]

so happy to read this, good luck on your journey bro!!

[@mickel2784]

good luck man, I've been playing for about 2 years and the only advise I can give you is that you must not leave musical theory appart, it makes everything a lot easier

[@jaimequezada7088]

I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but the beginning seemed so slow and frustrating

[@buck-mq3qo]

Keep at it man it'll be frustrating to learn especially when teaching yourself. However some of the greatest guitarists taught themselves. I've been playing for 30 years and sometimes I'll have to go back and relearn things, or I'll come on here and see different ways to do stuff Just like life you'll never stop learning when playing a instrument. I hope you're still sticking with it after 4 months!

[@TheBranDingo]

One thing that helped me with the first two riffs is really getting your timing locked in with a metronome. This is difficult to do because the accents are all over the place. However, once you get it locked in you'll find that there's a lot less tension that builds up in the right hand and you'll go faster.

[@KevinKoolx]

I remember multiple people told me that the decimal harmonic was Kirk pulling the string off the fret and I just knew it didn't sound right. Since it was a tab book people took it as gospel but I knew they were wrong haha. I've played this song a million times but there are so many little things that get looked over. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@johnfritzjerald4535]

I always saw that guitar in the background of your videos! Figured you were capable of shredding! Love your content too!

[@mahmud1019]

Glad I learned James' solo by watching him. Every lesson on KZbin showed it the *wrong way* and jt just felt awkward for me. Another great video, Mike. Keep it up. We love you

[@Dr_Grape]

0:28 Tip 1: Palm Muting Bounces 1:20 Tip 2: Descend w/Middle Finger ..I.. 2:15 Tip 3: Downpicking Mastery 3:20 Tip 4: Don't Skip the In-Betweens 3:48 Chorus example 4:20 Tip 5: Use Chord Shapes 5:22 Tip 6: No Fancy Stuff 6:06 Tip 7: Assume the Correct Position 6:54 Tip 8: The "Squeal Technique" 7:28 Tip 9: Falling Off the Fretboard (NOT THE SAME AS TIP 8!) 8:20 Tip 10: The "Scream" Note Good: Really choke up on your tiny prick. Make it small and tight. Bad: Don't let that extra floppy pick hang out, you will lose control.

[@SirHeadly84]

Make sure you're using a decent thickness pick as well. Probably .70 something minimum. Using smaller picks they won't get the hell out of the way fast enough. Too floppy. James black fang ultex set has .73 ,.94, 1.14 thickness. I usually play it with a 1.0 mm. I don't know which one je James uses for MOP. But use the one that works for you.

[@EBAN207]

@@SirHeadly84 james used a .88mm tortex

[@meungawa]

Thank you for the time stamps! I wish the authors would always include these.

[@sebastianmataobando4897]

I started playing guitar 3 years ago, and some months later learned some of the main riffs, now I'm practicing and trying to perfect the 2nd half of the solo, hope I get it soon, these helped me a lot!

[@totizic8144]

I love how everyone's trying to learn this right now, it's awesome !!

[@eiras_1999]

I had no idea about any of this! Just picked it up since I feel more comfortable now to start learning harder songs and was having a lot of trouble figuring it all out. Thanks a bunch, I'll be following what you have covered from now on!

[@Nateb521]

The Art of Guitar has became my favorite guitar channel! Everything is relatable, informative, and fun... Without being super goofy lol. I also appreciate that he Mike always has a guitar and isn't afraid to show (and break down)what he is talking about. 🎸

[@LunaFaye17]

This is one of those songs that you never stop learning something new about. Every time you think you've got it 100% replicated, you learn something new. To me, that's part of what makes this song timeless! Great call out on using chords shapes for the arpeggios! That's something many self taught guitarists overlook early on. From experience, my focus was on playing the right notes without considering how to play them more efficiently. It wasn't until I tried learning Fade to Black that it clicked to position my fingers as I would for chords. It makes a huge difference!

[@aini9027]

I remember more than 10 or so years ago you did the tutorial for MoP intro and that got me into metal. Forever grateful to you man

[@ibanezplayer13]

Probably one of the best videos you've ever uploaded, and you always upload amazing content. 👏

[@obijuano]

I’ve been playing this song for about 30 years now and I learned a new way to play James solo. Thanks!

[@obuffma]

after a few months of practicing these techniques, i'm playing this song perfectly at (almost) the same tempo as them. Truly, you are one of my guitar sensei's. thank you.

[@idiotburns]

I cant stop playing MOP since watching Stranger Things!

[@idiotburns]

Its having an influence on all my writing ✍️

[@TTV_Spectre0]

Dude same!

[@Cosmefulanito2812]

You earned my sub bro👌

[@TheImaginaryGuy]

Awesome vid, thanks man. I’ve been trying to learn this song all week and have been watching all of your other videos too.

[@jasonfallena7x]

I learned this song probably my 2nd year learning guitar as a teen. this video would've helped me out alot back then. now since I haven't been practicing as much it is a good refresher to get back into shape. Thanks for the video!

[@zzzhuh]

Great job as always, your tone sounds incredible.

[@tomperic5450]

Wow! Thanks man. 46 years old and I first started learning from the Cherry Lane tab books when I was 16. You made some great points. Thank you!

[@gentelmanjunkie542]

I wish you would do a complete lesson for this song so I'd know it would be right the 1st time & I wouldn't have re-learn/re-train my muscle memory later, and also I just like your teaching style. I never have any questions I have to go to another video or live performance for. Plaese do it!!

[@DirkRadloff]

Never tried to learn it, though I had the infamous TAB-book in my collection, but now I am feeling motivated again.

[@JoshPendergrassFilms]

bro you were the og tips master for this song, you taught me so many nuances that i never woulda have picked up on when i first learned this, saved me so many headaches, just checking in to say thanks!

[@wally_g5192]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks, man

[@williamhurrelbrink3324]

Very good tips man. Thanks. Several years ago I had to teach myself “James parts” because my wife’s little brother wanted me to teach him the song and man… did I have a time finding the right stuff. Anyways I wish I would have had this kinda thing to help me along back then. He’s probably still playing it wrong 😂

[@Dylan_Pearson]

One of the things that helped me Leanred this song was to learn it with alternate picking first, this allowed me to learn what the fretting hand was doing and and actually learn the parts at full speed. This also helped me stay motivated to build it the speed to downpick it after learning it

[@berylmgage09]

The comment on knowing the chord shapes is SO HELPFUL. When I was beginning I did the same exact thing, I just blindly followed the tab without thinking about it.

[@rahanvey1995]

I love your lessons man!

[@trinerd]

Excellent video, awesome tips.

[@DeweyJHall1]

Great video, with a ton of useful information on how to play MOP. Well done!

[@palanthis]

Spent a month working my way through the intro. First building accuracy, then building speed. Finally happy with it, moved on to the main riff. Then I realized that I had learned the intro (descending notes) without the mute, mute, ring, mute, mute ring. Now it sounds right! Thank you!

[@frapsy9516]

Great video brother! Thanks!

[@NelsLindahl]

Great video! I did not mean to watch the whole thing, but sure enough I made it to the end and was still wanting to hear more!

[@ck2106]

Nicely done, Covered a lot in a short period!

[@thomase4464]

Really good tips! Thx 🙏

[@alexlrnz4236]

Hey Mike I'm a huge fan of your videos I was wondering if there was any videos of you showing an in depth look of your collection if not i think that would be very good content for the channel! Anyways you da man and keep up the great videos !

[@LazyPerezoso]

I thought I knew how to play the James's solo but I guess there is always something to learn !!

[@Bacachu]

That was good stuff man!!

[@40fit38]

My fav guitar channel on KZbin hands down 🙌

[@Lowfe]

Who Wrote Holden Caulfield by Green Day is also another good song to practice the mute mute open pattern

[@killjoy9431]

lemme add basket case and when i come around to that list

[@whatever6406]

I remember when learning this song - your tip 5 hits home.

[@Nick-Foster]

Your tone gave me an immense amount of serotonin

[@random_an0n]

do more vids like this for legendary songs,it was good

[@gogito7448]

I actually needed this because I'm finally get to defeat this beast. Thanks mr. Mike

[@boiga1966]

Thanks man.

[@krawig6070]

Great video with very useful tips! I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the second riff (one with ascending chromatic notes), I've seen multiple ways of playing it but still can't find the right one for me.

[@riszser]

Using the second finger running down the guitar in the intro is brilliant. I always used the 1st finger. Can you do a lesson on the Blackened intro. I can never get the second part of the main intro riff.

[@mattthompson7131]

Thanks Mike, I got a few good pointers out of that. Be good or be good a it! 😎🤟

[@yakuzsa1]

Thanx!

[@REIRBL]

very good!👍👍👍👍

[@september2wenty8ight64]

Hah! Them lil details! It's time to update and bring these lil details in my MoP playing. Thanks!!

[@nine9whitepony526]

Jeez. I bought the Master of puppets song book in 92 and have been playing this song for 30 years (I can hold my own). I watched this video because I was looking up how to achieve the albums tone and stumbled across this video and decided to watch it. So you were doing some stuff that was not transcribed in this book (And i pulled the book out and double checked). There were a couple things you did that sounded, i don't know, closer or better. I mean I've played along with the record for years and thought I sounded pretty bang on up until now. So now I'm trying it out your way. But I am an old dog learning a new trick here. Anyways, great video, I wish subscribe and check out more of your videos.

[@GarryParker]

I really wish we had the internet back when I was trying to learn this for the first time! Great tips.

[@bugsytv6852]

this guy is so good with it ! he goes in so much depth, other channels skip through and you miss a whole bunch of important stuff ! also you look like eddie from ST you need longer hair bro 😎

[@MrRoballusus]

Thanks for your tips , always wondered how those young guys could play so well so soon, when I needed 25 years and still don't play !

[@LUckybones25]

Nice guitar! I had one, and it’s one of the best guitar I ever had.

[@ixamesp]

Nice! 🤙

[@jeffreymonroe153]

Great to see someone who learns these riffs from the greatest metal band of all time as accurately as I do.

[@lostinalbion4223]

Thanks for this video. Getting the speed down with the downstrokes on this song is not easy.

[@cr0uchingtiger]

I have that guitar :) Well similar. Bought 30 years ago!

[@joedent3323]

Thanks

[@jeffskyberg5615]

Great tips for sure! One thing that would be great. Can you show how you set your tone? Your tone is perfect and at such low volume! Is there a trick to this?

[@jamesb95]

Can you do a video of Kirk Hammett’s live solo he did at the end of For Whom the Bell Tolls back in the mid 80’s. I know you know the one. It’s on Cliff em All a couple of times right before they would go into Four Horsemen (end of the Day on the Green and the German concert before Four Horseman when he loses his pick). I love that little solo.

[@cameronmarin3322]

How do you get that tone, it sounds amazing! I would really like to see the setup and rig to make your guitar sound that way.

[@Madchris8828]

The coolest looking Charvel I've seen

[@myexwife1003]

Can you look at the tab book for ride the lightning, I'm pretty sure they completely skip over the chorus for creeping death, but that could just be my copy, idk.

[@joshfredr7846]

Hi, I love your videos... Could you please tell me the best arm position playing a guitar with Floyd rose, please ?

[@RussBMCSGT]

I’m at an airport in Austin, TX right now & haven’t been able to pickup any of my guitars since Friday the 8th so I am DYING to play ASAP & of course I want to play Master of Puppets. Been playing guitar since 1987 as a mere hobby but didn’t start playing almost every single day,(at least I play every single day that I have the time/chance to play which is between 4-7 days a week for hours on end each time) until about 5yrs ago.

[@GalaxyDinoPlayzjojobestshowlol]

5:00 how do you get that tone it’s amazing

[@arrrrrran3043]

i know pretty much how to play the song, im here bc i just love your videos

[@PivasRox]

Thanks! Great video. But I got a question. Where do I get a correct and precise TAB or sheet of this song?

[@TodaysRobSawyer]

I might be the only one who says this but this reminds me of the guitar from Curt Mitchell how to play Van Halen videos it’s super hard to find the original video anywhere but he had a charvel body that was cracked just like that I’ve been looking for that every where for nostalgia purposes lol very rad guitar!!

[@otavio048]

you should make a gear collection video

[@Manuel-Musicis4Lovers]

Hi great channel here love it compliments 🙂♬

[@douglasmiranda9986]

Im so surprised Eddie learned the song within that time considering all the bad tab books then

[@Snook05]

he probably learned it by ear

[@thrash1337]

Nearly 40 years later people still learning it wrong, dude learned it correctly a few months after release.

[@harrycoochie6146]

He actually created that song in the show bro 👀

[@Kylora2112]

5 dudes did a Dream Theater full band cover (On The Backs Of Angels) the day the song was released.

[@olokinhogameplaysff4058]

@@Kylora2112 what

[@10blader]

tone is awesome, what is he even using on amp side?

[@TheManwithafan]

Those are fucking fantastic tips, holy shit. You should do a full lesson on the song regardless haha

[@gbcr09]

Great tone! What are you using?

[@crylikewolf]

Started playing guitar 16 years ago (29M); thanks to stranger things, I’m revisiting this song and learning throughout its run, RIP to my right forearm.

[@praiseallmedicmains745]

I need that guitar.

[@MikeysMorgue]

The first riff I learned! I was 12. 🤘🏼

[@jamesb95]

Been playing this song since 1988 and still struggle down stroking at full speed. I’ve never gotten it perfect.

[@neutronstarlord5716]

my fretting hand was shaking more than anything. as far as picks go I swapped to the Dunlop Jazz III (kirk uses these as well) its smaller than a normal pick so its easier to manage pick depth(for me at least) Now i need a new guitar too >-> i dont have the whammy bar on my electric

[@henryriddell5996]

Do a techniques of Terry Kath video please!

[@1cedcoffee]

Mike, I noticed that your Charvel has a bolt-on neck similar to mine. How do you feel about it? I have a really hard time playing above the 20th fret because the body of the guitar (where the neck connects to the body) blocks my thumb and thus I can't get a good grip of the neck. Do you do something to work around that?

[@BangersNMashYT]

Just something you gotta work around, The biggest downside of bolt Ons is that big chunk of wood beneath the 20-22/24th fret

[@harrycoochie6146]

Angle your hand, and get good, also practice, it ain't gonna just happen naturally no matter what people tell you

[@s.f.morris7331]

I can see behind you that you have the top panel for my all time favorite video game, "Robotron" do you have that arcade or just that panel piece to it.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Sadly just the marquee. For now. ;)

[@s.f.morris7331]

@@TheArtofGuitar awe booo! lol by the way I watch your channel a lot. ive learned quite a bit from you. your a really good instructor and have been incredibly useful and reliable with so many issues for me. and your old band videos were awesome y'all were really F(ing) good.

[@zcottter9500]

What are the amp settings and pedals I should use?

[@thecount2094]

I did the same thing on the clean part haha

[@robertblaricom]

My first guitar and what I learned Puppets on was a Neon orange Jackson Charvette. Yep Charvette not a Charvel I loved that damn thing.

[@BrianClem]

Was that a jazz chorus on the clean part? BTW, I now realize that I play the beginning wrong. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@chairmankaga101]

Re: choking way up on the pick, how about using those short, pointy Dunlop Jazz III picks?

[@user-wj9xq7ig2v]

I love the kids coming are getting way into thrash. It's like 30yrs or something since the last great thrash metal album. I think rust in peace was the last great thrash metal album.

[@someonehadtosayit2566]

I realized that for the first time, I tried playing Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast opening riff along with the actual track for the first time and realized that the down picking is just as difficult as the down picking of master of puppets. Just when I think I’m getting somewhere I realize I have miles to go

[@pietpadda593]

3:16 Those final two chords of the verse riff are actually octaves.

[@oliverfallon4288]

Ive been playing for about 6 years and i think i will need another 10 to even think about playing this solo :D

[@mylogify]

I usually choke on alternate picking when I try a fast solo, before failing :D. Would love to increase my alternate picking speed/sync some day as well... :P

[@vincento1978]

5:00 wow, how do you get this Clean Tone? Sounds beautiful

[@bardazzzi]

chorus pedal

[@joshpratt4448]

Can you please share how you have this tone? What are you playing thru?

[@fragramtelm8178]

Nice shirt bro

[@matthewbissi4328]

Do you have a pedal or anything? I’ve been playing for 2 weeks and I can get it to sound right even after changing my amp setting numerous times. Please help & let me know!