Beginner's Guide to Playing Metal on Acoustic Guitar: Essential Songs and Techniques
Welcome to your guide for playing metal on an acoustic guitar as a beginner. Metal can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! This guide lists beginner-friendly metal songs that can be played on acoustic guitar, along with tips and techniques to help you get started.
Metal is often associated with distorted guitars, but there are many metal songs that can be played on an acoustic guitar. Here are some classic and often-covered songs suitable for beginners:
Beginner-Friendly Metal Songs for Acoustic Guitar
1. Master of Puppets - Metallica (Intro: Fingerpicking) - This iconic Metallica song starts slowly, making it a great introduction to metal for acoustic guitar. The introduction uses fingerpicking, a technique that is beginner-friendly and can help you develop your finger strength and dexterity.
2. Enter Sandman - Metallica - Another Metallica classic, with a slower tempo, this song features basic chords and a memorable melody. It is a must-learn for any aspiring metal guitarist.
3. Black Sabbath - Paranoid - Often covered in a heavier style, this song features fingerstyle picking that is beginner-friendly. Its iconic riff can be simplified for acoustic play while still sounding great.
4. Beyond the Sea - Stevie Wonder (Covered in a Metal Style) - While not strictly metal, this song has a heavy sound and a simple chord progression that works well on acoustic guitar. It can be fun to learn and play as a beginner.
5. Photograph - Nickelback (Covered in a Metal Style) - This grunge/metal song has a heavy sound and is easy to play with basic chords. It can be a fun challenge for beginners to learn.
6. Harvester of Sorrow - In Flames (Famous Intro) - This song has a grunge/metal feel and is easy to play with basic chords. The iconic intro riff can be played on acoustic, though it may require some practice.
7. The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel (Covered in a Metal Style) - Not a traditional metal song, but the acoustic version is a simplified and beginner-friendly rendition of a classic metal song.
Additional Tips for Playing Metal on Acoustic Guitar
Here are some tips to help you play metal on acoustic guitar:
Master the Chords: Start by learning the essential metal chords like A, E, D, and G major. These chords will form the foundation of many metal songs. Work on Fingerpicking: Metal songs often use fingerpicking, so practice this technique to enhance your soloing and rhythm playing. Develop Your Strumming: Develop a strong and steady strumming pattern to keep time in metal songs. Listen to the Originals: Listen to the original recordings to understand the dynamics, tempo, and feel of the song. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Spend time everyday practicing and building your skills.Recommended Metal Songs for Further Practice
Here are some additional metal songs that are suitable for beginners and intermediate guitarists:
Iron Maiden - Dance of Death (Not the Lead Part) Iron Maiden - Blood Brothers Iron Maiden - Fear of the Dark (For More Advanced Players) Avenged Sevenfold - So Far Away Avenged Sevenfold - Seize the Day A7X - Dear God Dark Tranquillity - Mundane and the Magic Pantera - Cemetery Gates Intro Dream Theater - Count of Tuscany Dream Theater - Solitary Shell All That Remains - What If I Was Nothing Slipknot - SnuffFinal Thoughts
Remember, the key to mastering any instrument is practice and patience. Start with the simpler songs and gradually move on to more challenging ones. As you progress, you'll develop the skills to play more complex metal songs. Enjoy the process and have fun!