Learn Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" (Fingerpicking Technique)

Welcome to Musicisum, where we help you unlock your full potential as a guitarist! In this lesson, we'll focus on teaching you the fingerpicking technique behind the iconic opening riff of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters." Soon you'll be playing this classic riff with confidence, even if you're a total beginner.

Fingerpicking Fundamentals

Before we dive into the riff, let's start by getting comfortable with fingerpicking basics. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Sit comfortably with your guitar, making sure it's in standard tuning (E, A, D, G, B, E).
2. For this lesson, we'll refer to the strings as numbers 1-6, with 1 being the thickest string (E) and 6 the thinnest (high E).
3. As a right-handed player, your right hand is your picking hand, and your left hand is your fretting hand (reverse for left-handed players).
4. Rest your thumb on string 1, your index finger on string 4, your middle finger on string 5, and your ring finger on string 6.
5. Your thumb should face downwards, while your other fingers face upwards, resting on the strings.

Playing the Iconic Riff

Now that you're familiar with fingerpicking basics, let's learn how to play the opening riff of "Nothing Else Matters":

1. Starting with your thumb on string 1, pick through your fingers in numerical order (thumb, index, middle, ring), and then reverse the order (ring, middle, index).
2. Keep practicing this picking pattern until you feel comfortable with the finger movement and can smoothly navigate the strings.
3. Remember, you don't need to keep your fingers resting on the strings the entire time – pick the string, come away with your finger, and return when it's time to pick again.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don't worry if it takes some time to master the fingerpicking technique and match your fingers to the strings. This is entirely normal and part of the learning process. Keep practicing and be patient – soon enough, you'll be playing the opening riff of "Nothing Else Matters" like a pro!