Bulls On Parade Guitar Lesson - Rage Against The Machine

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In this Bulls On Parade guitar lesson video, I will show you how to play this smash hit from Rage Against The Machine note-for-note.

The tuning on the original recording is Eb tuning. That requires you to tune down every string down one half-step. Those notes are, starting from the 6th string, Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.

However, in most of the live performances you will see online, RATM are playing the song in standard tuning. I will be teaching the original recorded version, so tune to Eb for this lesson.

The riffs in this one are pretty simple yet quite unique. The main riff uses octaves and probably the most difficult aspect of the riff is making sure that you are muting the unwanted strings around and between the octave notes.

From there we hold a simple power chord but play a rhythm that has to be in sync with a wah pedal. I will demonstrate how to time the wah pedal with the strums.

The verse uses a simple single note riff that has sort of a laid back vibe, but also incorporates some dissonance.

The chorus is the oddest riff of the song. I suspect that on the original recording, there are a couple of guitars overdubbed to create what you are hearing on the album. However, Tom Morello can obviously only play one of those live. So what I will demonstrate for that riff, is what Tom Morello typically plays live during the chorus.

The solo is classic Tom Morello with the use of turntable effects by using his frethand to scratch the strings, while also using his picking hand to get those scratches a rhythmic pattern by using a kill switch. I don't have a kill switch on my guitar, but I will demonstrate how he does it. You can then do you own thing during the solo.

Have fun with this one! #bullsonparadeguitarlesson #rageagainstthemachine #guitarcovers

Carl...

[RCSmiths]

Dude, you are just on top with the lessons! RATM is by far my favorite 90s band! A sure and grateful lesson man!

[Danjoker.]

Imagine practicing the solo and your parents are trying to understand wtf you're doing

[lynxbrickstein]

Thanks for all the lessons Carl! Learned this before a gig, saved me a lot of time!

[brownstone]

RATM is one of my favorite bands, and I've been wanting to learn this for a long time. Thank you!

[christopherbraune]

Carl, u have always been my favorite YouTube guitar teacher and I’ve always wanted you to teach THIS song!!! And today is the day you did. THANK YOUU

[quintinburrola]

I absolutely loved how Carl explained the guitar solo !

[oskarjonsson]

Im so happy to see a new Rage lesson! Thanks!

[MrRabidchipmunk]

Dude absolutely killer song selection lately. Could you do heaven and hell by black sabbath or saviour by rise against.

[jonathanolsson]

Hey! Just have to say that you're lessons are by far the best on YouTube, learned the paranoid solo in about 2 weeks from you lesson and I can't thank you enough. Right now I'm learning N.I.B and you have really gotten more comfortable in front of the camera.


I heard you were a little confused about the name of N.I.B, the band has said that its named after Bill Ward's beard that looked like a pencil nib.

[NYSpectter]

You're a saint! I'm going rock out tonight and learn this thank you.

[devinm]

Omg Carl, you are a legend. This song is amazing!

[kylemorlan]

Holy smokes, didn't expect to see this in my notification bar! Thanks Carl

[Bladehart]

Amazing. More Rage please. Wake up would be great!!!!

[reecew.]

Was supposed to see this band live in May but concert got postponed 😭 thanks for the great choice Carl!

[dannydorito]

More Rage man! It’s crazy to think I’ve been watching you for the past 4 years and you’ve only done 3 😂

[TJDADJ]

I was just noodleling and suddenly play this riff and think of the learning the rest of the riff and this pops up. gREAT

[hansvanboogenbagan]

So grateful for all you do. Please more VAN HALEN! I'll take anything you got! Stay safe, stay well!

[FairPlay]

Just one note to rock the whole world 🤘

[jazzboy]

Carl, pls make a lesson of shadow on the sun by audioslave.
Also love your lessons man.
You're great teacher.

[GoldSmeagol]

I'll subscribe just for the 'ka-wit it now' at 2:49