The Metallica Riff Writing Secret

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[@MusicisWin]

What's your favorite Metallica riff?

[@temaryd]

escape

[@jovan1983]

The god that failed and My friend of misery are my favorites

[@tranaproductions]

Enter Sandman! No. One! No, not that one either. Seek And Destroy! No, I don't think it's that one. Master Of Puppets! No ... They have to many good riffs.

[@shanepartridge2744]

The Fade to Black bridge, before the "no one but me" lyrics

[@opprrer3328]

Hmm I like so many, I can’t choose

[@ArttuAunola]

James' riff god powers can never be matched. Sad but true.

[@mister_matrix]

Nice pun!!

[@auri8810]

He is the master (of puppets)

[@zissisalimoudis6332]

And there's Dave Mustaine

[@00Dusty]

There a lot of people who write better riff

[@ReasonableRam]

Hetfield and Mustaine are insanely talented riff writers. My favorite from either of them is probably the heavy breakdown of The Conjuring from Peace Sells that starts at about 2:55 into the song. Probably the best thrash riff of all time.

[@salatieljyrustumanan4929]

Me "So James, how did you write songs like Fade to Black, Sanitarium, or One?" James "YEHAAAAHH

[@benparsons4979]

why did you miss a comma between Fade to Black and Sanitarium but put one after Sanitarium?

[@nunochiquelho7832]

@@benparsons4979 I was thinking about thatttttt

[@bigloubowski1980]

Fade to Black Sanitarium...killer song, almost as good as Blackened Battery

[@squirecat9465]

@@bigloubowski1980 you win the internet today my friend

[@squirecat9465]

@@bigloubowski1980 ...And Justice for ST Anger

[@ryandove1911]

Tyler: translating the language of gods for boyzangurls like us. edit: love that crispy tone

[@amdinstartor6867]

Ryan Dove his name is tyler?

[@squirecat9465]

whats a boyzangurl

[@jebatman756]

amdinstartor yup

[@numbers8015]

SquireCat boys and girls

[@chefkdowg]

Hetfeild - "I don't know the notes on a guitar." He just plays from the heart.

[@crazygamer6601]

When did he say that? Because he's written plenty of harmonies....

[@maaaaaap]

+brandon he probably means he doesnt know every fret. you can play harmonies without really knowing the notes

[@bunnybook6590]

Just about every guitar player lol

[@bunnybook6590]

The key to guitar playing imo is shape visualization

[@phantumgrey]

@@crazygamer6601 He said that in the special content of the first S&M concert explaining "How do I teach the orchestra how to play. Push here, then push here. I don't know the notes on the guitar" I think it was in the making of S&M documentary, but it was definitely in an interview in 1999 and James was describing it. I'll try to find it if I can. There are so many interviews to go through.

[@wardkdouglas]

When I heard him play that riff for the first time I really thought it would end up being Unforgiven IV

[@TWISSTR]

I for sure thought it would be on Hardwired before it came out, I was kinda disappointed cuz its such a good melody lol

[@prometheustv6558]

Daniel Morris Unforgivens are usually two albums apart so many next album.

[@exessivemite9478]

@@prometheustv6558 they said unforgiven is done I think

[@vonmendoza1045]

It should be called un4given

[@Foxikaze]

@@vonmendoza1045 Na even better: UnforgIVen

[@originalname8107]

The biggest secret is YEAH !!!

[@St4bilityMusic]

A lot of people are saying James doesn't pay attention to music theory while writing riffs, but I think it's still possible for him (or anyone, for that matter) to naturally gravitate toward a certain sound or tonality, which music theory can then be used to explain.

[@ashitaka2755]

The call of ktulu riff is exactly the same chord that you play.

[@AustinTexas6thStreet]

Without Am and Em scales, there can be no Metallica

[@taimarsaid8783]

I heared the call of ktulu in this video a hundred times.

[@berkaycelikguitar]

James Riffield...

[@ayoutubeaccount864]

How James probably thought of it- This sounds cool

[@RC32Smiths01]

One remains my favorite riff from start to finish, and Hetfield in terms of picking rhythm technique is not human. Just look at the way he holds the picks when he strums! Awesome work!

[@roybuis7646]

Yeah I really don't think James is thinking about whether he's playing lydian or dorian notes and scales. He's just playing guitar not thinking about that technical music theory stuff.

[@numbers8015]

Shockheadd45 yes, and he was taught by joe satriani

[@corm1000]

@@numbers8015 I don't think James was taught by Joe satriani, I think that was only kirk.

[@rustynails7945]

Fr if he did thar metallica would suck

[@lemanleygishie6185]

Hahah thats why i failed jazz band....

[@samzbieszkowski642]

Dude you should totally get a signiture guitar from James or Kirk. You are a big fan of them both clearly I think it would make since to get one of their guitars

[@VacantSpirit]

i love Kirks guitars as they show what he loves

[@w0mbatina]

I like how he plays enter sandman as the first riff, and its VERY WELL DOCUMENTED that Kirk wrote that.

[@nikolasmokalis3425]

He establishes that regardless of if it’s Kirk or James who wrote those riffs, the foundations are the same. You could also argue that Kirk picked up that writing style from James by the time the black album came out

[@travistotle]

What's your point? The title of the video is the Metallica riff writing secret, not the JAMES HETFIELD writing secret.

[@mrbeard3150]

Metallica stole enter sandman from another band. There's a vid on that very subject. Excel I think is the band. They ripped off a bunch of stuff but it's still good music

[@freezingjazzy]

@@mrbeard3150 Yeah then A7X stole a bunch of Metallica riffs. The circle of riffs go round and round. It never ends.

[@benparsons4979]

@@mrbeard3150 I don't think they stole it I think they were just influenced by it, or maybe it was complete coincidence

[@DaSeppii]

Guys, James isn't in rehab. I locked him in my basement, so he'd teach me writing riffs.

[@DaSeppii]

@@chevyguy5525 Just found out that he broke my cage🙁

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

And Dr. Dre said? .... nothing you idiots Dr. Dre's dead he's locked in my basement.

[@alexanderballou7312]

All the riffs from the and justice for all...album

[@chrisweissert7397]

I kept hearing the Fleetwood Mac song Rhiannon. Maybe James was channeling some Lindsey Buckinham.

[@abdulrahman5917]

The real secret is : "YEAHHH"

[@originalname8107]

thanks for copying my comment

[@bradleysherman7513]

Hey Tyler, I live near you I can’t wait to run into you sometime

[@luiz_4136]

If I was ever you, i would do this already

[@VacantSpirit]

take camping chair and case of beer. you know the rest

[@crazygamer6601]

Does he live in the Chicago area?

[@tylershockley4277]

Disturbing...

[@fxexpert4541]

Pervert!

[@Psycat123]

Really nice video. James is by far my favorite thrash metal musician. His riffs cannot be topped.

[@andrewwilkinson3510]

Explaining how Jaymz writes music when he wouldn't understand it himself! :) He plays from the heart, using his ears and fingers to accomplish what he wants to bring out from within, simple. :) \m/

[@seekanddestroy9835]

Isn’t the first riff James played Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac? Edit: Love how you included Hero of the Day! One of Kirks best moments I think! Amazing but sadly forgotten amongst some. And the Call Of Sandman

[@metalzen3480]

I don't think for a second James thought "ah shit..that chord isn't derived from the Am scale..." I would be more apt to think of James writing from the mindset of using simple movable chord shapes, playing what he is feeling and moving through any and all possible permutations and finding what sounds right for his mood. If it sounds good, it's not wrong. In my humble opinion, James Hetfield is the single biggest metal guitar influence of the modern era. *Bows to riff God. Cool video! oh...favorite riff? damn, that's near impossible to pick just one, but I've always loved the quirkiness of the intro riffs to Leper Messiah.

[@TheOMGWTFBBQ777]

i have a a feeling james just plays by ear and feel. He would have learned some basic scales but i think a minor and e are nearly most of metallicas songs

[@dilldowschwagginz2674]

Excellent video. James is one of my all time favorite guitarists.

[@christianstojgtr]

same

[@psteeg3551]

this is the first time I've watched a Metallica riff video and not a single downpick was played, yet I still learned something. Hats off to you sir, my dear mister Sir

[@christophermoore9436]

How to write a Metallica-inspired song: Downstroke until someone tells you to play a chord and then play either 1, 3, or 5 and then continue downstroking. But only use power chords or 5 chords

[@obnoxious2909]

Step 1: mid scoop Step 2: low e chugging Step 3: power chords in between Step 4: use this for like 10+ albums or so

[@princemjbp695]

That's more like Slayer 😂

[@lmlCOBHClml]

@@princemjbp695 it's every thrash band

[@auri8810]

Slayer solo techniques; smack the crap outta the strings with your pick then have a seizure with the whammy bar at the same time

[@bryanlettow4389]

That's like the opposite of AJFA

[@AustinTexas6thStreet]

Just make sure your fans as just as dumb and it will work

[@yaguitar]

Video pops up in notifications just as I'm listening to Enter Sandman - InstaClick

[@edwardmakabling418]

I grew up learning metallica riff and mark tremonti when he was just in creed. Most of Mark melody are somehow same with how metallica is making it.

[@amosliow5177]

YE YEAH

[@_got_sound_6406]

The Call of Ktulu 2:43 edit: also 3:38

[@DoodlesHD719]

The Call of Kthulu is Cliff Bertons song.

[@_got_sound_6406]

Jacob Lewis *Burton and the intro isn’t

[@H.E.M.]

Jacob Lewis is Dave’s song The first three Metallica albums are actually Megadeth albums. That’s why AJFA sounded try hardy and had no flow and why they had to sell out because they’re not good musicians and couldn’t top Rust in peace aka the best thrash album.

[@F13_Zeo]

@@H.E.M. No, they're not. He only had any part in a whole 6, possibly 7 songs over the course of three albums that total 26 songs. That's 20 songs without him. He had no hand in MOP at all, and only two riffs were used on RTL. He did have a far more significant hand on KEA with 4 writing credits there, but he still worked on less than half the album. So no, the first three Metallica albums aren't Megadeth albums. They didn't need to pull as much from Mustaine after KEA as they had Cliff, who would turn around and write a good chunk of RTL and MOP. Also, AJFA is both the best Metallica album, and they never sold out. And Rust in Peace doesn't touch RTL or MOP.

[@serenityk2tu749]

@@H.E.M. lmao, know your facts before you tell them

[@DAAN_MUSIC]

Sweet video man! 🤟😎👌

[@OmegaMarioMaster]

James probably doesn't give a shit about dorian and all that other music theory stuff, he just makes magic on the guitar by simply playing

[@christoffer1069]

Do you still have the grandmeister deluxe 40?

[@kbroomall]

Your careful observation and thoughtful and accurate recreation and analysis of this obscure sample is really important and appreciated!!!!!!!!

[@arthurmurray9727]

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 + wah pedal + palm mute + YEAHHHHH = metallica song

[@KP_Tunes]

So this is how he sounds without lars

[@arglbargl]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJPEiXSMapuYbcU

[@FilipWizard]

Man,i wanted to see someone's talking about this video so much.It is so inspiring and relatable.

[@hishykot]

The secret is simple: YEAHEAH!

[@JoolsGuitar]

I watched that video of James and it was enough to inspired me to improve my writing. I love to hear your appreciation for it

[@thepunkprofessorsguidetoso8367]

I've got a good video idea for you. Probably one you could have some fun with, too. What do you do when you are writing an original song. Then you realize it sounds all too familiar. You have to ask - did I just steal someone's song? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that subject to a problem I think everyone has had.

[@duncanboyle244]

That hollow body hanging so close to the door is making me nervous!!

[@bray2424]

i had such bad writers block and this opened up so many ideas

[@emilebreseghello3175]

I love your cruchy tone, god that's cool !

[@user-dz9yx3et9y]

Anyone else notice he played the Enter Sandman intro riff incorrectly

[@ryannicholls3662]

I believe that's deliberate. He's demonstrating how this technique could reach the riff rather than the actual riff itself.

[@petebrown3715]

Tyler- Love the Chicago Music Exchange shirt. That's my guitar shop I go to in Chicago. You are awesome and very inspirational for myself to push to play better and beyond my comfort zone.

[@page970]

Do a video about Megadeth

[@SatanClaus69]

I think he just lets his music speak for himself. I don't know if it's true, but that's what I choose to believe. It doesn't need to be technical or scientific or accurate even, it just speaks for itself. James is definitely a step above any other player, my honest opinion.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I thought you were going to say like what he said, "plugging into a nice loud amp with [a great] sound I'll just write a bunch of riffs right on the spot."

[@mattminciotti313]

I play like this from when I was young and I dont even know James play like this too until i discovered by miself,thats why I still love him lol

[@kevinfarley2422]

Can't help but to hear Fleetwood mac inspirations as well.

[@dictatorrich3412]

If you were to start a "reverse engineer" artists series, I would not hate that.

[@billythekid2281]

It sounds like Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon

[@seemykids99]

The secret is easy; take a Black Sabbath riff ans change two notes.

[@jmunley5714]

seemykids99 cough cough fade to black

[@seemykids99]

@@jmunley5714 cough cough all of the Black Album

[@billmozart7288]

Daw, and here I thought it was my saying "Guitar habits of James Hetfield" that inspired this video, but that was grandiose. Thanks Tyler, great video as always

[@scs7790]

It was no mess up. James meant to do that cause he is.. THE RIFF MASTER

[@RyanLBrown9396]

Shanon Sipes MASTER...MASTER

[@janugur2241]

The riff you showed at 6:53 sounds both like Enter Sandman and The Call of Ktulu

[@icenic_wolf]

This is my favorite video of yours in, like, the last year. Good stuff, man. Keep it up.

[@muhammadirsyazman8389]

One of the best rhythm guitar player

[@_spida_]

Dave wrote call of kthulu

[@keithskatesk8]

3:15 I got beats on and this was very earfucking

[@artadams1]

Gotta tell ya, I joined super system, not really that impressed, kinda disappointed. Seems like the content is 1. dated 2. designed for beginners 3. extremely limited.

[@kosmasxatziantwniou382]

This riff is such a bluesy riff, good job James

[@zacchaeus8912]

This is like when my english teacher breaks down a book way too much

[@TheRyan8r]

I like Metallicky but I think Metallic works too.

[@brodyh2895]

if this guy likes scale improv over a drone root note, hes gonna shit when he finds out about midwest emo and math rock

[@HeadbangoO]

Midwest emo and math rock shat their pants when they found out Metallica existed 30 years before them...

[@brodyh2895]

@@HeadbangoO you just took something that didnt need to be an argument and made it one... why

[@nrutal]

About Enter Sandman Riff, It's Kirk's.

[@joshuafreedman7703]

Not on topic of Metallica; Taylor, please explore Cat Stevens album Tea For The Tillerman - track Sad Liza. The main riff was recorded on a piano, but I would think it would make a really cool guitar riff.

[@stb301]

This is what I hate about "music theory"...everything has to be defined into a mode, scale, arpeggio, etc. There are "right" and "wrong" notes. I get it, you can't just play random, it has to sound good. But when you spend so much time trying to define and disect, rather than just play and experiment...you cease playing guitar and are reciting guitar.

[@Adam-b8i]

Not to derail the Metallica discussion... but when can we expect a John 5 video? I’m pretty sure the man could cook a steak using nothing but a Telecaster.

[@CrushingRiffsWreckords]

Well... it's not actually his original riff idea, kinda. Check Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon to see what i mean.

[@tf.00]

this could have been a great song

[@AT-yg4nk]

Just get him his fuel, his fire, that which he desires 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻🔥

[@shanetrain90]

Antz Town underrated comment!

[@felixboari]

im thinking about buying a prs, but its my first one and i dont know if theres a good model to start with

[@sebastiansak3079]

Whats your budget?

[@Sofatronic]

Sounds a lot like Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. Same key and similar progression?

[@ShutItKyle]

That riff from Hero of the Day gets me every time.

[@Weirduniverse2]

very lightning! much ktulu!

[@calebdsguitar373]

I’m in love with that guitar 🎸

[@holdtightadele8017]

I also spent days learning that riff, clean and distorted with palm muting

[@northerncatastropheofficial125]

My mind is literally blown haha thank you for sharing this! 7:41

[@nitdawg]

Butter tone... Do you want butter??? Tyler gives you butter baby!

[@zahirydan]

the secret how they inspiration all song 'kill em all' album

[@hardcoreteampoland6012]

You didn't get a riff right, he is playing it different. But the clip is perfect

[@nathanadnitt]

Is anyone else’s titles different

[@NateDogMXtv]

Some of the best songs write themselves if you throw all the scales and modes out the window and let the notes covey what you want to say.

[@tylersuh605]

underrated riff: bridge after solo in Struggle Within

[@chrissavage9349]

No one and I mean no one beats james hetfeilds riffs sorry not sorry he is a riff writing God

[@tomh4244]

anyone knows which PRS model is that?

[@welp.5730]

What's the song Hetfield is playing in the intro?

[@IanVase]

I see that hollowbody that isn't out yet in the background. Definitely going to have to get one. I'm just a tiny bit jealous lol.

[@H.E.M.]

Just play in E minor there you’re done

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

Well kinda, unless it's a song like Master of Puppets where they use literally every note in the E chromatic scale during the main riff.

[@AustinTexas6thStreet]

Dont forget Am.... THEN you're done

[@eld208]

Plays a minor...thinks of call of ktulu

[@gearhead762]

Shades of " Rhiannon" maybe?

[@cheyn7213]

Hi I have a floyd rose guitar and I want to change the strings What Strings or String Gauge should I use? Edit: Sorry for my bad english, i'm a german student

[@realjustdjango]

I say go for 9-42 strings, since I think that when you put them on the floyd rose won't angle forward as much due to the strings being softer.

[@kengonzo1640]

You should use the string gauge that you have on the guitar already. If you do decide that you aren't happy with the feel of the strings and change the string gauge your bridge tension and intonation will be thrown off. That being said if you are having issues bending strings comfortably try a lighter string gauge. Please take your guitar to get set up at the local Music store if you aren't sure on how to do it yourself. Eventually give it a shot and watch a KZbin on how. Its a pain in the ass to learn but will save you money in the long run. Hope that helps.

[@cheyn7213]

thanks/Danke Then I use my 9-42 Strings Danke Dann benutze ich meine 9-42 seiten weiter

[@svst208]

you should use 65-526 theyre quite thick but they have a nice tone

[@cheyn7213]

@@svst208 but these are bass strings I think

[@Reetkever073]

3:38 Metallica fans be like: The Call Of Ktulu

[@theodorberza9933]

Called pedal tones. Overdone in heavy metal.

[@tuckerpeebles8857]

How do you not have over 1 million subs?

[@GreenJeep26]

As an offshoot of this; you should consider a series of: No matter how much theory you have, don't overthink it. It's still music and melody. Or: 'Why you can't hum an Yngwie solo but you can hum Ace Frehley stuff'.....