Man In The Box Guitar Lesson - Alice in Chains

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Click here for my Alice in Chains playlist featuring ALL of my Alice in Chains song lessons! • Alice in Chains
In this Man In The Box guitar lesson video, I will show you note-for-note how to play this breakout hit from Alice In Chains' debut full length album Facelift.
I will be teaching the lesson using the original recording's tuning of Eb standard or (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb).
There are some really cool talk box inflected riffs throughout the song. If you don't have a talk box you can come pretty close to the same sound by using a wah pedal, which is what I use during the lesson.
The opening riffs and melody are pretty easy to play, in fact, most of the song doesn't require much more than an upper beginner level of playing ability.
However, the real star of the show here is Jerry Cantrell's killer guitar solo. I think this solo is perhaps one of the best rock guitar solos recorded during the 90's. It definitely is one of the most fun to play.
The solo has a lot of tricky licks throughout, so you will find it much more difficult to play than the rest of the song.
It starts with a very long trill then jumps up the fretboard into a long bend tortured bend. There is also a lot of fast little blues licks thrown in there.
One big key to playing the solo in "Man In The Box", is getting the wah to complement the guitar lines. There are a couple of licks where this is very crucial and I will show you what to do with the wah pedal at those points.
I hope you guys enjoy learning this classic from the great Alice In Chains! #manintheboxguitarlesson #aliceinchains #guitarcovers
Carl...

[@areztofek7848]

01:00 tuning 01:20 first riff 02:45 melody section 04:25 verse 05:05 pre-chorus 07:23 chorus 10:00 solo 17:43 last lick

[@berniepritchard]

you my friend are a life saver in every video

[@jacobmarshall5391]

You've spoiled me.

[@strawberrybanananasmoothie]

I love you

[@barringtoncleaningservice9266]

Thank you

[@samuelgutierrez3504]

Jerry Cantrell is criminally underrated.

[@isMike999]

AGREED...he really is a great guitarist

[@dirtcobain7777]

Jerry is a badass guitarist.

[@gillmanjr87]

Not by me, he's awesome. Songwriter too

[@devontroester5035]

I mean he’s great but I don’t know about underrated

[@silkcustoms520]

Understated. Said who ??

[@Donadon15]

By this riff you can see that Cantrell is a legend. This man is far beyond our imagination.

[@douglascasey3486]

Great job! I stay on the job long hours and I don't have time to work tunes up like the old days. Especially the solos. So with your videos I can most of the time get a song ready to go in one evening. I really appreciate it Carl. I know the guys I jam with do.

[@kidlucky1224]

I don’t think I’m as jealous with the technique as I am with the way you matched the sound setup so beautifully. Incredible!

[@jeffbateman2339]

Can’t thank you enough for what you do. I have learned so many songs ( usually on the way to a gig) from your videos!!!! You’re a life saver! Great lessons. Great teacher!

[@phantomtoast5747]

Nice, just started getting into Alice In Chains and this is probably my favourite song at the moment. Tutorial was really good and easy to follow, keep them coming :)

[@deathmetalmvs5924]

Listen to no excuses, nutshell, would?, them bones and their other work with Layne Staley You will love the band

[@angus9165]

And rooster as well

[@georgeandriot]

The beauty and the symplicity of minor pentatonic!

[@brettadkins4698]

I know right, sometimes I learn songs and I can’t help but think “that’s it?” I feel like it should be way more complicated then it is.

[@InSearch4I]

I love watching these videos in Half speed, Its like a drunk teacher teaching. Awesome videos BTW.

[@Slevinlobell]

mbevington I noticed that while watching a No More Tears solo lesson yesterday. Hilarious.

[@eroshernandez6908]

😂😂😭

[@brianvanmater8685]

Omg I’m ded 😂

[@billymahony3093]

15:56 the lick you miss to describe in you another excellent lesson man. Thank you very much; you have done a great job!

[@phlopalopagus]

The g power cord is great. I didn't know how to simple up the first position g with distortion without it muding up. That was very helpful. Putting that one in the vault.

[@leewederath7087]

You are amazing.. I am loving your videos. I've had a guitar for about 30 years and im just finally learning to play. You are helping so much!

[@theScHteaK]

hey bud i have been a fan of your tutorials for a while they are the perfect blend of playing, explaining, and talking... keep it up brother!!

[@wavechild445]

YOU ARE SO GOOD I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS WITH ALL MY HEART YOU MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE

[@timking2997]

Dude. I just found your channel on you tube. When you played that lead man, I just fell out in the floor. Hell yea man.

[@scottthomas4779]

Awesome video! I've been working on this song for a couple days now, I mostly have everything but the solo down so I'm stoked I found this...thanks and Getcha Pull!

[@illiniheel67]

Your lessons are awesome. Thanks for the multiple views and detailed explanations.

[@davidseeley6342]

I really enjoy your videos! There are a lot of really good guitar players out there but you are in a league of you own!

[@charlesmayer7097]

Thanks so much for this lesson. I've known how to play this song for years......however never tool the time to learn the solo. This is the first and only lesson I've found on how to use the wah during the solo. Yay!

[@jamesrunningwind7881]

This lesson here made "disturbance violaters" out of a huge number of axe grinders, that get the urge to play at 2-3am. And play this song loud. You rock 🤘 man. Thank you.

[@Corrangel]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video, much appreciated! Such a classic AIC song :)

[@redbaron8989]

Amazing tutorial by an amazing guitar player. Thank you!

[@scroungycat2489]

Yaaay! More Alice in Chains!

[@ForgedMayhem06]

Carl my dude... Gotta teach 'Ride the Lightning'

[@Fgunnestad]

Yes, please. Ride The Lightning. All versions out there are crap.

[@AlexGon-zg9jq]

Pls Carl ride the lightning !

[@stowjer]

Another fantastic lesson! My favourite youtube instructor! Thanks a lot Carl!

[@viralencore85]

So glad this channel is back!

[@YourBrother84]

Serious question: are you the grown up version of the kid who played jeremy in the song "jeremy" by pearl jam

[@deathmetalmvs5924]

lol

[@edgy7542]

what

[@Heehawheehawheehaw]

dank memer But did he bite the recess lady’s breast?

[@aidenalbertsen1514]

The MemerTM how could I forget?

[@riotact884]

And he hit me with a surprise left

[@jamesrunningwind7881]

Neighbors are gonna wake up at 3am, sit up in bed and and yell "WHYYY !" ... THANK YOU.🤘 .. You absolutely nail the best of the best songs. Keep on teaching us to abuse our ear drums ❤️

[@matthewtownsend2368]

wow you are incredible dude

[@grantfryer1]

First comment I have posted for you're channel, I have to say thanks. You rock.

[@leonardoxavierd]

Awesome guitar lesson! Congratz and thank you, dude! 🎸🇧🇷

[@wesleybeavers1930]

thank god you tune how they do. too many tutorials where they try this in standard. doesn't work well in standard.

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

yeah tuned down a half step is "standard alice tuning" as jerry cantrell calls it! sometimes they tuned the low e string down another full step, so drop c# tuning, but 98% of alice stuff is in this tuning!

[@thomasstone3261]

a little help here guys. i am tuned down 1/2 step to e flat, but the chords in the chorus sound awful.Am i missing something?

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

are you playing on clean guitar or with distortion? this song sounds awful, the main riff especially if you try and play it clean, id crank up the gain, and jerry used a lot of effects on his guitar in this song as well, so that is the other thing to keep in mind. he used a talk box, and jerry is also known for using a lot of wah pedal in a bunch of alice songs....if you have access to a wah pedal that would help a lot with this song and alice songs in general!

[@thomasstone3261]

I'm playing it with distortion. Have tried both a Boss and a Big Muff. It's sounds more like the Em, G, D, and A power chords are completely out of key. I suppose I can play with the effects some. just kind of disappointed. I'll play with some effects. Thanks for the reply

[@oxrjbizzle1984y]

no problem, i know on my amp the main riff doesnt sound that great (probably because of the low e open string sound), but the chorus chords should sound normal. id just mess around with your settings until you get it to sound right....alice songs can sometimes be a pain in the ass to get the right tone, jerry used a lot of guitar layers, fills, and effects so it isnt always straightforward like a lot of other bands!

[@davidbriones2421]

Ride the lightning seems like a very requested song which would be a cool one in my opinion:)

[@Luca-ii6fv]

Carl... You are a blessing!

[@brandontay2053]

hi carl, could you please teach Wasted Years by Iron Maiden? thanks

[@jeffbateman2339]

I actually just saw that you had a Patreon acct... I’ll definitely go donate....

[@HollowMM]

Thanks friend! Great tutorial for a great song!

[@charlesdjones1]

Easily your best tutorial, thanks.

[@RivasFabian]

Maestro!, gracias desde Chile !

[@CrossedCollar]

Do you have an Instagram? Thanks personally for always helping me! Been playing for about a year and a half now and you've helped me so much every step of the way!!

[@bradleyspinks7922]

Honestly the chorus gives me goosebumps

[@tonyguitar4954]

thanks for your great class...

[@juangarcia4716]

Muy buen tutorial y excelente canción! Awesome!

[@BuckSkull]

This lead is awesome!

[@Elisalisa]

Great! I ll try this

[@matthewalger2819]

amazing, thank you so much for your help!

[@mariapia2100]

Gracias! alto solo, muy bien explicado :D

[@jacobheikkinen592]

Thanks for the help Carl

[@john.john.johnny]

great instruction Carl

[@aircooled0801]

SUPERB!!! Thank you!

[@mikemasi2552]

Hi Carl, love you channel, it’s been very helpful to my progress. I’ve been playing about 8 months now. Quick question one this one. The main part 5th fret on A with open E. When i play it it sounds really crappy. Any tips on how to make sound more like yours. When i mute the strings with my fingers you can hear it and it makes it sounds really mad. Any tips on muting or using the fingers?

[@ryanbrown5546]

Thank you best yet took me about 2 hours but got most of it

[@misaelbarreto]

Greate lesson! Amazing. Thanks so much! Misael Barreto (Natal/RN/Brazil).

[@jamiedavis5549]

Thanks mate!

[@rawiwawi1054]

Amazing video. Thanks for the upload. I hope your hearing gets better because youre my go to guy. I also like your smoothness with the standard blues lick at 13:15. When i do it, it sounds nothing like yours.

[@rawiwawi1054]

@@TheGodofwarkratos12 hes using the middle finger to bend - index stays on the 12th fret b string - and ring finger to hammer on and pull off the 15th fret.

[@rawiwawi1054]

@@TheGodofwarkratos12 my problem is, i cant make it sound as fluid. i wanna find out more about the lick and see if there are easier variations of it so i can start from the ground up.

[@misaelbarreto]

Greate lesson. Perfect!

[@guitarforfun2596]

Great video I broke my strumming hand Soon as it's fixed I'm back to learn this Subbed

[@myzonrs2058]

Thanks I can play the whole Song becose of this video!

[@jangofett0807]

I've been waiting

[@alexandergarcia3459]

thank you sir ! awesome ! : )

[@ravengrave9113]

Such a b asic song but man it Rocks,I love this song,1st Alice'N'Chains song I ever heard,RIP LAYNE STANLEY, by the way long time fan of yours Carl,you've taught me more songs and theory then anyone,Rock on man🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@LordGendhu]

Thank you very much very clear lesson. But looking at the music video it seems that Jerry doesn't play the same lick as you're showing at the end of the solo. The last one you're showing 2nd fret and open B and E but it looks on the video that Jerry is playing around the 5th- 7th fret A string maybe?

[@astrog7361]

13:19 that sounds sooooo sick

[@thomasstone3261]

awesome. thanks

[@mikepoorboy601]

You rock bro

[@zacharyquentin-lewis1303]

hi carl, great lesson as always, can you do no one knows by queens of the stone age please?

[@guitarforfun2596]

Love your videos I get frustrated I can't learn solos. I just can't remember it all. I think I have early dementia

[@jondubb35]

What amp and effects are you using?

[@johnvcougar]

Bugbear: not many instructors go into the tones they're using. Some sound great and worthy of a mention, but then, some sound woeful. Maybe that's part of the value add for signing up.

[@reecew.1903]

I think he uses a fractal audio fx processor

[@jamesrunningwind7881]

Having used about every pedal there is, I imagine a sustain chorus, fat cat, and a delay set low & slow at 1step, and a phaser set low in settings just enough for "fuzz" effect. That will be very close.

[@emanuella196]

Lesson on Something to Believe in Carl plz, awesome solo

[@MrBandersz]

Hi Carl, great video ! I am still wondering how did you get that tone ;-) ?

[@tweedguitar9103]

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[@Alpharidley8]

Think you could do a guitar lesson on Come With Me Now by Kongos? That would be greatly appreciated!

[@joaquinmalebran8433]

I dont have talk box efect pedal so i use a wah pedal and it works fine🤷🏻‍♂️

[@hotrod7695]

Can you tell me what distortion box you use and amp please

[@joshdekorte3856]

Could you please do some Motörhead. For example please do Killed By Death and Ace of Spades? Thanks

[@user-kk9hv5ep7h]

If 440 is normal tuning, what hrtz is a half step down? Thanks

[@hotrod7695]

Can you tell me what type of distortion pedal you are using. Tia

[@ShowtimeWorthy]

Yes finally!

[@dylanjcuffe]

Carl, could you please do a full lesson for Until It Sleeps by Metallica thank you. You are my No. 1 go-to guitar teacher :')

[@robertdunaway-tyll7635]

in your opinion what's easier, Them Bones solo or Man in The Box? (to the viewers of this video)

[@caljohn88]

Are you using a quick slap back delay?

[@darwinnojadera4144]

can you do some Days of the New Carl like weapon and the wound thanks a lot

[@jimihendrix4742]

Very Hendrix like solo love it

[@giuseppemartino6889]

How do you get that sound? What pedal are you using?

[@supremenematode1148]

For the love of my life i cannot wrap my head around 13:35. for over a year i still can’t figure this out

[@gc1282]

Play the video on a slow setting. And watch closely

[@13litzkrieg65]

what effects you using Carl?

[@ernestgary6812]

I always knew he hung around on the 5th fret for the main riff most other tablature deals online show it's the 7th fret which I always knew didn't sound right

[@christianhuerta8748]

Carl can you please do a lesson on spiral by Eric Clapton. It's a great song great riffs please.

[@corbisdunwich774]

Can anybody tell me how he gets a meatier sound on the bended A 5th fret at 4:26? Most of the other times he bended at that note, it had a cleaner sound, but here it sounds chunky and super sick, just wondering how to replicate that.

[@camman1]

Pinch Harmonic

[@camman1]

And he kinda tweaks it out a little bit

[@caykroyd10]

Please someone explain how I do staccato during the bend at the solo part... I'm suffering

[@Sacredkittycat]

Me 2

[@lolavince7500]

right at 14:06 my high e string BROKE. kinda devastated , layne staley wouldnt be proud

[@chriscarrascomusic]

Please do a lesson on I want it all by Queen

[@do.p103]

Can you please do Bandolero tutorial?

[@mugginsdot]

Dude you really brought it!!! So are you like good friends with Jerry Cantrell and he gave private lessons to you!!!!? Either way you're a killer player and teacher!! I'm scribed! I see several jealous dislikers whom I'm sure suck at guitar!

[@knotes4419]

Achilles Last Stand

[@travis9190]

great

[@oscarestrada1258]

I love you carl ❤

[@ronhobbs8038]

I get the tabs, notes, how to play it but I can't get the sound. I have an Acoustic brand 20 watt amp and I'm playing on an epiphone les paul studio. My question is how do I set my amp settings to sound like the original song?

[@reecew.1903]

Heavy distortion and either a wah or a talk box not sure if that exact sound can be completely replicated on an acoustic amp though

[@zachvarbel]

Carl please do "Best of Both Worlds"by Van Halen

[@pedenmk]

good song,jam on.