The Journey Begins: Essential Gear and Tuning
Have you ever found yourself captivated by the raw, powerful sound of a guitar riff, one that just screams rock and roll? If you’re a guitarist, the answer is likely a resounding yes. And if we’re talking about iconic riffs, few are as instantly recognizable and as universally loved as the opening to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” This song, released in 1991 on the monumental “Black Album,” not only propelled Metallica to superstardom, but it also became a defining anthem for a generation.
This isn’t just another Metallica song; it’s a gateway. A rite of passage for countless aspiring guitarists. That crunching, driving intro, the chugging verses, the soaring chorus, and the electrifying energy of the entire track – it’s a package that embodies the very spirit of heavy metal. So, if you’re ready to learn this classic, you’re in the right place. This guide is your ultimate resource for breaking down “Enter Sandman” and equipping you with the knowledge and tools to conquer this iconic song on your guitar. We will explore the guitar tabs, offer invaluable tips, and ensure you have everything you need to play “Enter Sandman” with confidence.
Before we delve into the musical tapestry of “Enter Sandman,” let’s ensure you have the necessary tools for the job. While a professional guitar setup can enhance your experience, you don’t need a complex or expensive rig to get started. The core elements are straightforward.
You will need an electric guitar. While you can technically learn the song on an acoustic, the sound will not be authentic. The electric guitar is central to the song’s character and the key to achieving that legendary sound. A solid-body electric is perfect; even a more affordable model will work.
You’ll also need an amplifier. A guitar amplifier allows you to amplify your instrument. The tone of the amp is hugely important. Some amps work great to emulate the tone in “Sandman”, whereas others will not. You’ll want to look for something that can deliver the heavy, distorted sound necessary to play “Enter Sandman”.
Of course, don’t forget a guitar pick! The thickness of the pick is a matter of preference, but a medium or heavy pick will typically give you better control for the downstrokes and the palm-muted sections.
Now, onto tuning. Tuning your guitar correctly is the bedrock of any successful guitar playing. “Enter Sandman” is played in standard tuning. Standard tuning means the strings are tuned to:
- Low E (the thickest string)
- A
- D
- G
- B
- High e (the thinnest string)
Use a tuner to ensure your guitar is accurately in tune. This might be an electronic tuner, a tuner on your phone, or even a tuning app. This step is vital because the song will sound wrong if your guitar isn’t correctly tuned.
Unraveling the Riff: Mastering the Guitar Tabs of “Enter Sandman”
Now for the heart of it all: the guitar tabs. Guitar tabs are a simplified way of showing you how to play music, and you can easily find guitar tabs online by searching for “Metallica Sandman tabs.” They use a system of lines representing the guitar strings and numbers indicating which fret to press down on each string. Let’s break down the key sections of “Enter Sandman.”
The Iconic Intro Riff
This is the part that everyone knows. It’s the signature element of the song and instantly recognizable. This opening riff uses a combination of power chords and rhythmic precision.
Here’s the tab:
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| A|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--------------------------------------------| e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2------------------------------------------| A|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------------------------------------------------------| e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2------------------------------------------| A|--3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1----------------------------------------------------------| e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2------------------------------------------| A|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------------------------------------------------------|
Explanation
- Each line of the tab represents a guitar string (from the highest ‘e’ at the top to the lowest ‘E’ at the bottom).
- Numbers represent the fret you press on the string. A “0” means you play the open string.
- The rhythm is crucial. Pay attention to how long each note is held.
- The first part of the riff (the repeated notes on the open low E string) creates the song’s driving foundation.
- The power chords (two notes played together) provide the distinctive sound of the riff. Power chords are typically the root and the fifth of the chord, giving a strong, non-major, non-minor tonality.
- To play a power chord, you will fret a note and then fret the same note two strings below, two frets higher.
- For example, when playing the B power chord, you’ll fret the B note on the second fret of the A string and fret the E note on the second fret of the E string.
Verse Riff
The verse continues the song’s dark and heavy feel, using a variation of the chords from the intro with a palm-muted approach.
e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| A|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2------------------------------------------| A|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------------------------------------------------------| e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2------------------------------------------| A|--3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1----------------------------------------------------------| e|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|------------------2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2------------------------------------------| A|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------------------------------------------------------|
Explanation:
- The verse tab is similar to the intro, but it has slight changes.
- You are going to employ the same chords with the addition of palm muting.
Chorus Chords
The chorus provides a big, powerful release. It maintains the same power chords as the intro riff.
e|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| A|--0-0-0-0-2-2-2-2-3-3-3-3-2-2-2-2--------------------------------------------------------| E|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-1-1-1-0-0-0-0--------------------------------------------------------|
Explanation:
- The chorus, much like the intro and verse, makes use of simple power chords.
Bridge Section
The bridge section introduces a shift in the song, creating an eerie and foreboding atmosphere.
e|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| D|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--------------------------------------------| A|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--------------------------------------------| E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
The Solo (Optional)
The “Enter Sandman” solo is a great piece of rock and roll. Here’s an approximate tab, but as soloists vary, listen to the record to ensure accuracy.
e|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| B|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| G|--9b10r9--7------------------------9b10r9--7--------------------------------------| D|-----------9--7--5--7---------------9-------9--7--5-------------------------------| A|-----------------------7----------------------------7------------------------------| E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Explanation:
- “b” means bend the string.
- “r” means release the bend.
The key to nailing the solo is listening to the original, understanding the phrasing, and being patient.
Full Song Tabs
You can often find more detailed and complete tabs of “Enter Sandman” online. Many websites and resources provide transcriptions of the entire song, including all the sections we discussed.
Refining Your Technique: Essential Tips for Playing “Enter Sandman”
Playing “Enter Sandman” is more than just knowing the chords; it’s about refining your technique and understanding the nuances of the song.
Palm Muting
Palm muting is crucial for achieving the signature sound of “Enter Sandman”. It involves lightly resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge. This dampens the strings and creates a percussive, muted sound. Practice palm muting on the low E string. You’ll feel a huge difference in tone when you can start using it on chords!
Power Chords
The song makes heavy use of power chords. To form them, you’ll play the root note and the fifth note of the chord. If the root note is on the low E string, the fifth note is on the A string two frets higher. For example, if you’re playing the power chord starting on the 0th fret of the E string, you will play that note and then fret the A string two frets higher.
Rhythm and Timing
The rhythm of “Enter Sandman” is fundamental to its driving energy. Use a metronome to practice the intro riff, verses, and chorus. Pay close attention to the duration of each note and how the rhythm creates the song’s momentum.
Starting Slow
Always begin practicing any new song slowly. This allows you to focus on accuracy and build muscle memory. Gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable. Slow practice builds speed.
Listening Carefully
Listen to the original recording of “Enter Sandman” repeatedly. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the song’s nuances, timing, and the way the different guitar parts interact.
The Art of Sound: Achieving the Right Tone
To truly capture the essence of “Enter Sandman,” you must work on getting the correct tone. Metallica’s tone on the “Black Album” is known for its powerful distortion, clarity, and punch.
Amplifier Settings
While amplifier settings will vary depending on your equipment, you can consider these general guidelines:
- Gain: Set the gain relatively high to produce the distortion.
- Bass: Ensure you have enough low-end frequencies for the chunky sound.
- Mid: Experiment with the mid-range. Some prefer to scoop the mids for a heavier sound, while others prefer a moderate mid-range for clarity.
- Treble: Don’t set the treble too high, as it can make the distortion sound harsh.
Effects Pedals
To get closer to the original sound of Metallica, many guitarists use distortion pedals. These pedals intensify the distortion and create more power.
Finding Your Resources: Further Learning and Exploration
The journey to mastering “Enter Sandman” doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. Numerous resources can provide further guidance and support.
Online Tabs and Resources
- Ultimate-Guitar.com: This is a popular website with extensive tabs. Search for “Enter Sandman” to find accurate tabs.
- YouTube Tutorials: Search on YouTube for “Enter Sandman guitar tutorial.” Many talented guitarists have created instructional videos, demonstrating the techniques and riffs.
Now, Play That Song
Learning “Enter Sandman” is a rewarding experience, a chance to connect with one of rock music’s greatest hits. By breaking down the song into manageable parts, practicing the key techniques, and using the resources provided, you’ll be playing this legendary song in no time. Remember to be patient, persistent, and most importantly, have fun.
So, get your guitar, find the Metallica Sandman tabs, and get ready to rock. Take the techniques you’ve learned, and start playing. As you progress, you’ll find yourself not only learning “Enter Sandman,” but also improving your guitar skills. Now go forth and share your progress. Don’t hesitate to leave comments. Happy playing!
