Metallica - One Guitar Lesson Pt.1 - Intro & Verse

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When Metallica released "One" as the final single off their 1989 album And Justice For All, they finally had a certified hit on their hands after years of zero radio and MTV support.

"One" uses the same formula they used on earlier songs like "Fade To Black" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" in that it begins with a slow clean section and progressively builds in heaviness and aggression throughout the song.

In the four videos of this One Guitar Lesson series, we will take an in depth look at all the different epic guitar parts that make up this seminal Metallica classic.

The first video covers the intro and verse of the song. It starts out with an easy to play arpeggiated picking pattern in the rhythm guitar part. After one complete cycle through those chords the intro guitar solo arrives.

The solo that Kirk Hammett created here fits the haunting underlying guitar riffs perfectly. He craftily incorporates smooth bends, rapid one string legato, sweep picking, cross string picking and more into this fantastic opening solo statement.

After the solo the same chord progression is continued with a little bit busier picking pattern. That pattern continues into the verse with just a little slight variation.

In the second video lesson we will take a look at all the heavy and distorted rhythm guitar riffs. Those riffs include the chorus, heavy musical interlude section and the machine gun like rhythmic patterns that are employed throughout the entire extended ending section of "One".

In the third video lesson we will go back and learn the second clean solo that Kirk Hammett plays just before the last chorus. Once again he uses a multitude of techniques including fast pull-offs and tapping. It is a short but sweet little solo that does a really nice job of complimenting the underlying chord work.

For the final video lesson we will take a look at the epic main solo that is perhaps the most beloved of all of Kirk Hammett's solos. It contains some extremely fast tapping maneuvers, tremolo picking, fast legato licks, speedy blues inflected bends, doublestops and more. Yes, it is quite a workout!

At the end of the fourth video I will also demonstrate how to play the guitar harmony section that pretty much closes out the song.

All-in-all, this One Guitar Lesson provides a great learning experience if you want to master many metal lead and rhythm guitar techniques. It truly is a song that has it all.

Enjoy!!

Carl...

[hairanishahbuddin]

This lesson really relates to the lyrics. "I cant remember anything"

Gosh been a while cus i changed to another account, wow thanks guys

[koryrowe]

I can't get over how cool that first little lead part is. I think I've played it about 207 times today

[justmh.]

*Intro:*
- Preview - 0:10 to 0:28
- Tutorial - 1:33

*1st Solo:*
- Preview - 0:28 to 0:44
- Tutorial - 3:28

*2nd Solo:*
- Preview/Tutorial (1st part) - 6:31
- Preview/Tutorial (2nd part) - 7:11
- Preview/Tutorial (3rd part) - 7:53

*Transition into Rhythm change:*
- Preview/Tutorial - 9:39

*Rhythm change before first Verse:*
- Preview - 10:03 to 10:18
- Tutorial - 10:42

*Rhythm change (2) before first verse:*
- Preview - 10:18 to 10:22
- Tutorial - 12:22

*Combination of licks / Bridge:*
- Preview - 10:18 to 10:35
- Tutorial - 13:17

*First Verse:*
- Preview/Tutorial - 15:28

[Tyler_Claypoole]

The look he gives the camera at 3:20 is classic

[Farshad-Parvin]

By far the most active online guitar teacher on the planet. Keep it up man, cheers

[YodaMan-]

sry if this post confuses anyone im simply putting these timestamps here to use myself. if you find them useful youre welcome.
1:26
3:13
4:25
6:28
8:00
9:35
9:58

[aleron]

Dude I would like to just say thank you so much for your channel. You've taught me how to play almost all of my fav songs, all the way through. THANK YOU dude.

[leekell]

Never thought I'd be able to play this song, he teaches it so well.

[shotgun]

You look like the guy from American Pie that plays lacrosse.

[RandyLoose]

HI I'm 67 and thank you for taking the time to show others to play like me, from Kendallville, Indiana.

[kittylady]

This video has reignited my playing and my soul. I’m a novice player and haven’t been practicing too much because nothing I was learning in my lessons was really inspiring or interesting me for long. Metallica is sacred to me and I’ve just not wanted to start it yet. Well I finally did, and I’m actually playing this SONG!! I’ve probably spent over 30 hours this week just on learning and playing this over and over until it’s very close to damn good! This channel is AMAZING!

[WarriorofSunlight]

This song somehow becomes even more beautiful when you learn how to play it. I’m starting to fall in love with playing the guitar just learning this song.

[Vebjorn]

One of the Best lessons i've seen on YT so far.


Edit: "One" ;)

[theycallmem]

I mean I love your videos but I think sometimes you can´t explain that good so I understand. I´ve been playing guitar for about 9 years now and I learn really fast but, when I watch your videos I´ll have to pause the video and watch the same spot over and over again.
NO HATE I rly love your videos and you post the best lessons/covers. I don´t know if you`ll ever read this but I wanted you to know that sometimes I don´t understand where or what to play. :)

[leighprowse]

I learnt the main riff to this about 15 years ago and never properly learnt the last part, always struggled with it for some reason but your tutorial was excellent and I'm learning it slowly now but can already hear it coming together!! thanks so much :)

[CB-epmf]

Hey man I just want to thank you very much for your Channel. I've been trying to figure out how to play one since the early 90s. Now that I found out that this stuff is available on channels like yours in YouTube with all the songs you have on here I'm like a kid in a candy store. Please don't ever shut this channel down I am so into it. Thanks again you renewed my enthusiasm for the guitar and I am playing more now than ever.

[sharkmanxbro]

This was the first video I warched that started my guitar playing. It's crazy to think of how far I've gone and then go back to where it all started.

[tcg_qc]

Schools are closed for 2 weeks due to the coronavirus. I'm gonna try to learn this song for the next 2 weeks. I already learned this part today, just need to work more on the solo and the ending.

[adithramachandran]

Since 2016 is a leap year, does your channel name still apply?

[austincox]

First thing I came back too since your channel has come back. Let’s not let that scare happen again😅