Learn to play "Seek and Destroy" by Metallica on the guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Seek and Destroy on the guitar. This iconic Metallica song is a favorite of mine, and I remember being totally into their music when I was in my late teens. I recently taught this song to one of my students and was reminded of how incredible Metallica's early music really is. Now, let's get started!

Breaking Down the Song Structure

Seek and Destroy is characterized by its nine distinct riffs, each one contributing to the song's overall energy and drive. It's important to listen to the record and understand the sequence of these riffs, as they tend to jump around and repeat quite a lot.

We'll see four of them in this first part of the lesson.

Diving into the Riffs

We'll begin with the first riff, which is based on the open A string. The transitions between the riffs and the fills add a dynamic dimension to the song.

The second riff introduces a different tone as we move down to the open E string. This shift adds depth and variety to the song's chord progression.

Riff three is interesting because it's the same as the verse melody. It's a continuous sequence of eighth notes on the low E string, followed by a short riff.

Riff four features a structure similar to riff two, but it takes place on the G and D strings. This riff incorporates a couple of fills, giving the song a fuller sound.

Wrapping Up

To truly master Seek and Destroy, you'll need to practice each riff independently and then listen to the record to understand how they fit together. Remember, practice makes permanent—the more you play, the more natural it will feel.

I hope you're as excited about learning this song as I am about teaching it. It's a fantastic piece of music and a great addition to any guitarist's repertoire. After you are comfortable with these four riffs, continue the lesson watching Part 2 and Part 3 of this lesson.

Now it's time to grab your guitar and start practicing. And remember, you don't have to be a heavy metal rocker to enjoy playing this song. Music is all about expressing yourself and having fun.

So, what are you waiting for? Watch the video, and let's start learning!

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