Nothing Else Matters on Guitar: Chords and Intro (Metallica)

Want to learn to play Nothing Else Matters on guitar? Start with the intro on open strings and the chords Em, D, C and G. The Metallica song is in standard tuning and is mostly built on gentle arpeggios. If you already know the open basic chords, the intro and the verses are quite doable; the solo is a step further.

If you want more after this, continue with the best-known Metallica riffs on guitar.

Summary

• Nothing Else Matters revolves around the chords Em, D, C and G, supplemented by A or Am and B7.
• You play the intro as an arpeggio on open strings, with your fingers or with a pick.
• A soft, sensitive picking technique conveys the mood of the song.
• A calm, steady tempo and good timing are the basis of a convincing performance.
• Dynamics, tone and vibrato give the song its emotional depth.
• Practice step by step and above all enjoy playing.

What you should be able to do first

Chords and notes are the basis of guitar playing. A chord is a combination of at least three notes that together form a harmony; the best-known types are major, minor, diminished and augmented. You play notes by pressing a string down at a certain fret and picking it. If you know where the notes are on the neck, you also understand better how chords and melodies fit together.

Most beginners start with open chords and then move on to barre chords and more complex shapes. From the start, pay attention to your fingering, your hand position and a clear tone. If you want to lay that foundation firmly first, follow a step-by-step plan for learning to play guitar. Regular practice and patience are part of the musical development of every guitarist.

The chords of Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters is on the 1991 album Metallica, better known as the Black Album. The song is in E minor and in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). The backbone consists of Em, D and C. In other parts of the song you also come across G, A or Am and B7, depending on the chord chart you use.

Here is how to play these chords. The numbers run from the low E string to the high E string; an x means you do not play that string, and a 0 means it rings open.

• Em: 022000
• D: xx0232
• C: x32010
• G: 320003
• A: x02220 and Am: x02210
• B7: x21202

You play Em in open position. This chord is the basis of the intro and returns in different parts of the song. Together with the other chords, it forms the structure on which the melody and harmonies are built. By practicing them well, you not only learn this song but also understand better how chords work together on the guitar.

Changing smoothly between the chords

First practice each chord separately until all strings ring clearly. Then take two chords at a time and switch slowly back and forth, for example from Em to D and from D to C. Choose a fingering that keeps your hand relaxed, so you do not overload it. With these tips for changing chords faster, the transitions become fluid sooner. More exercises like this, such as the one-minute change, are in finger exercises for smooth chord changes.

The intro: arpeggios on open strings

The intro is one of the best-known guitar intros in rock music and has inspired generations of guitarists. It is written in arpeggio style: you let the notes of a chord ring one at a time instead of all at once. That gives the opening its dreamy, ethereal feel. If this is new to you, first read how to play arpeggios on guitar.

The first measure uses only open strings: the low E string, then the G, B and high E strings, and back via the B and G.

e|-------0-------|
B|-----0---0-----|
G|---0-------0---|
D|---------------|
A|---------------|
E|-0-------------|

Cannot read tabs yet? This explanation of reading guitar tabs will get you going quickly.

Picking with feeling

You can pick the intro with your fingers or play it with a pick. With fingerpicking you pluck the strings individually with your fingers. That gives a soft, subtle sound that suits the song well. Play lightly and with feeling, start slowly and only increase your speed once the pattern comes naturally.

Also vary your volume and intensity. That dynamic conveys the emotion of the song. It takes dedication to master this picking technique, but the result is worth the effort.

Learning Nothing Else Matters in 5 steps

The easiest way to learn Nothing Else Matters on guitar is in parts: first the tuning and the chords, then the intro, and only after that the rest of the song. Here is how to go about it:

1. Tune to standard tuning. Check every string with a tuner or a guitar tuner app, because the open strings ring out clearly in the intro.
2. Learn the chords. Start with Em (022000), D (xx0232) and C (x32010) and then add G (320003). A or Am and B7 come later.
3. Practice the first measure of the intro. Play the open strings E, G, B, e, B, G slowly and evenly, if you like with a metronome at a low tempo.
4. Switch between the chords. Practice two chords at a time, such as Em to D and D to C, until the change works without a pause.
5. Play along with the recording. Once the intro works, play along with the original and build up the song part by part. Save the solo for later.

Techniques for the melody and the solo

Besides chords and arpeggios, in melody lines and solos you come across techniques that connect notes and make them sing:

Vibrato is at least as important: you move the string slightly and rhythmically back and forth, so the note starts to shimmer. That gives expression and a melodic, emotional sound. Apply it subtly, so it fits the mood of the song. If you want to train the first two techniques in a focused way, use these exercises for hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Tempo and rhythm

Nothing Else Matters has a slow tempo and a melancholic mood, and you want to hear that in your playing. The calm rhythm leaves room for expression and interpretation, but only if your timing stays tight. So practice with a metronome: that way you hold a steady tempo and play every note at the right moment. How to build that up is covered in learning to play guitar with a metronome.

Also pay attention to the accents in the rhythm, because they strengthen the emotional charge. Listen to different performances of the song as well to get inspiration and discover other interpretations of the rhythm.

Emotion and the style of Metallica

Metallica is known for powerful riffs and an aggressive playing style, but with this song the band shows a restrained and melodic side. Still, the sound of the band remains recognizable. Curious which instruments the band uses to create that sound? Read more about Metallica’s electric guitar.

You convey emotion through dynamics, tone and articulation. Small nuances make a big difference, such as picking a note slightly softer or letting it ring just a bit longer. Open yourself to the mood of the song and put it into your playing. That way you also develop your own playing style while drawing inspiration from an influential band.

How to practice Nothing Else Matters

• Step by step: practice each chord and each technique separately before you combine them into the whole song.
• Regularly: make time every day. Short sessions bring steady progress and more confidence.
• Feedback: ask fellow musicians or a guitar teacher to listen along. They hear blind spots that you miss.
• Patience: do not get discouraged if something does not work right away. Perseverance determines your progress.
• Variety: also try other styles and techniques. That broadens your playing and gives new inspiration.

The most important thing is that you enjoy playing. Nothing Else Matters is not just an exercise in technique, but also a chance to put emotion into music and share it with others.

More Metallica and further learning

Want more? In learning to play Metallica on guitar you will find tips and tricks for more songs by the band. If you are still at the very beginning, also read how to play guitar as a beginner.

Frequently asked questions about Nothing Else Matters on guitar

Which chords do you need for Nothing Else Matters?

The most important chords are Em, D, C and G. Most chord charts also include A or Am and B7. The intro revolves around Em, played as an arpeggio on open strings.

Which guitar techniques are used in Nothing Else Matters?

Mainly fingerpicking (or arpeggios with a pick) and chord changes. The song also contains melodic guitar lines, and the solo calls for techniques such as bends and vibrato.

Is Nothing Else Matters suitable for beginners?

The intro and the verses are doable if you have mastered the open chords Em, D, C and G. Overall the song is considered moderately difficult, because of the chord changes, the fingerpicking and the solo. So start with the intro and build up the song step by step.

Do you need prior knowledge to learn Nothing Else Matters?

You do not need to know music theory. It does help if you can play a few open chords and read tabs. If you have never played guitar, first learn the basic chords and then start with the intro.

Which album is Nothing Else Matters on?

The song is on the album Metallica, also known as the Black Album, which came out in 1991.

Which tuning do you use for Nothing Else Matters?

The song is in standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E, from the thickest to the thinnest string. Tune carefully before you start, because with the open strings in the intro you hear every deviation immediately. A tuner makes that easy.

Can you play Nothing Else Matters on an acoustic guitar?

Yes. The intro and the verses sound fine on an acoustic guitar, because they consist mainly of arpeggios on open chords. For the solo an electric guitar is handier, because bends are easier on thinner strings.

How do you play Nothing Else Matters on guitar?

Start with the intro: an arpeggio on the open strings E, G, B and e, which you pick one at a time. Then learn the chords Em, D, C and G and build up the song part by part. The solo calls for bends and vibrato and comes last.