I think part of the issue is the description - the hint that this was the end of riff 2 helped me iron out what I think you are asking about.
The 5:5 and 5:7 means string:fret as asked. It does seem like the written description is a bit confusing with the direction and string:fret being combined.
For playing, I would say that Justin is simply muting strings 5 to 1 at the last fret (7) he was on. Nothing more special than that.
the transition into the third riff starts with the slide from 5: 5-7, then mute for for 2 chugs on 6:0, then 5:7 and 6:6, then three chugs on 6:0, then the F power chord and pull off. this eventually changes into 5:7, 6:6, 6:5 and two chugs then the F power chord. I see it is written 6:1 and 6:0 to simplify and that is not what I hear - I play the F power chord (6:1 and 5:3 - 13XXXX in the text) and pull it off to go back into the chug on 6:0.
This lesson really is a hassle. Itās very unclear and the fact that the tab is not included even via the app makes it worse. I understand it is a different service, and the website is free, but Iām using the app and I donāt even have the (unclear) instructions on this web page.
If you give an exercise on the app, it should be manageable to do it without paying more via the website (which you need to be aware of)
As @stitch and @TheMadman_tobyjenner said the tab for the riff is available for free in the text below the JG website Module 12 lesson. With the paid tab service you would get the tab for the rest of the song. If you are using the app for lessons, it is always good to check the website lessons for additional information such as tabs for riffs and sometimes pdfs and GuitarPro files for song studies. The text below website lessons is also very useful for lessons with multiple chords, since it includes the chord diagrams.
Well I have to say, Iām having a lot of fun with Enter Sandman.
Iām pleased to see that Iām not the only one having problems with the fingers for riff 1. I am finding it very challenging. I canāt play it without muting some of the strings. I found a work around by putting my 1st and 3rd fingers on those 2 frets (7 and 5) on strings 4 and 5, then taking the first finger off the 4th string and using fingers 1 and 2 to play the fretted notes on the 6th string. It works well for me, but Iām still practicing the way Justin shows it as well, as I understand that itās an exercise to build up finger dexterity and independence. However, itās not easy and it hurts my wrist if Iām doing it for long and I think I risk injuring myself. I keep looking at how Justin does it and his arm, wrist and hand looks completely relaxed, but I just canāt do that. I will keep trying.
The flick off from the F power chord is not easy. Iām having problems with that.
The other thing to note about this is that I didnāt find the video lesson for this riff to be completely understandable. Justin goes over riff 3 extremely fast without really clearly explaining it. However, if you go to the video lesson for the full song (itās a grade 4 song) the riffs are explained a lot better, slower and really step by step. I am using the full song video for this rather than the lesson in module 12. I found it a much better lesson. In that sense, the lesson in Module 12 is a bit superfluous, except that Justin gives some additional advice about trying to play songs that are above your current level, which is nice.
Iām a tad puzzled with the fingering suggested and the way the tab is written for riff 1.
Coming from a bass background I would probably play the A on the E string with the same finger as Iāve played the G on the D string as they are both fret 5 (one finger per fret).
Justin seems to be holding down the preceding notes, presumably so that they are still sounding. If they are supposed to be still sounding it makes sense to bring finger 1 to play the A. However the tab doesnāt give any indication that the other notes should be sounding when the A is played.
Am I missing something? Maybe Iām reading too much into the information tab can or canāt provide?
Yes, the notes are supposed to ring. What Justin teaches is exactly how James Hatfield plays it, you can see this in number of concerts. It is difficult to play it this way, but doable. There are other ways to play it, you have the whole video only on this topic.
So āRiff 2ā is just, open E string on 1 + 2 + 3 + 4, then the quick 5:5 > slide to 5:7, and back to open E > repeat?
From the full song lesson video it seems like that, and the next stuff is āRiff 3ā
I am wondering then what this in the description under riff two means?
Keep finger 1 down on 5:7, using the underside of the finger to mute strings 4, 3, 2, and 1. Keep playing the same rhythm on the open E string, then play 5:7 with finger 3 followed by 4:7 with finger 1.
As well as the note on palm muting, just that it mentions a chord? I guess its cause the open E is still ringing for the 5th string slide? More so just wondering what that quoted part is.
On the full song lesson page the description is the same but mentions 7:7, which is unattainable for me.
Iām with you, having trouble with my pinky. Like you said itās probably necessary to develop your fingers, but itās definitely uncomfortable to do it for any length of time for me. My fingers are extremely thin and my pinky does not cover much area, so itās hard for me to keep it placed and my hands feel tense when I use this method.
The way you mentioned wonāt have the D string ring out, but Iāve been able to use my thumb to hit the low E instead of taking my first finger off D. All other placement is the same, which lets it ring and is way more comfortable somehow. I am going to keep practicing the real way to try and develop my fingers for now, but if it comes down to being able to play without hurting my hands I will fall back to this method (or make peace with your method and ignore the D ringing).
I have an acoustic guitar and am follwing the progression of lessons of justin. Should i try and learn this riff because i think it will sound very different on a acoustic. Also is it any use to learn power chord in general on a acoustic guitar?
Learning power chords is a good idea. They are not just for overdriven electric.
I remember someone asking if they should skip power chords, but did not find the link I was thinking of. They are good for learning the beginning of barre grips, You will need to start learning notes on strings 5 and 6, They are an easy work-around if you cannot perform a grip but want to play a song.
these riffs are so cool and so beyond me now. i might skip this now and get back to it later. but for sure im giving it a go to try other suggested songs on power chords
Iām finding the intital riff really awkward to achieve using all 4 fingers. Using all 4 fingers over 3 frets doesnāt seem like the best approach to me. Iāve looked at some videos and James Hetfield does appear to play it like that. But, it feels really cramped and Iām having a hard time with the stretch between fingers 2 and 4. It just seems to me like a crazy way to play it. Iām finding it way easier to use just fingers 1, 2, and 3. Finger 1 for all of the notes on the 5th fret, finger 2 for all of the notes on the 6th fret, and finger 3 for all of the notes on the 7th fret. Itās the same sequence of notes, using the same strings, but using different fingers compared to the original. To me, 1 finger per fret seems like a no brainer and I canāt really understand why James Hetfield plays it the way he does using 4 fingers. The only reason I can think of, is that using all 4 fingers enables the possibility of ringing out some of the notes. But, listening to original version, and watching Justinās video, I donāt hear that.
What do you suggest? Is my version an acceptable replacement for the original, or should I keep practicing with the 4 finger version? The 3 finger approach for me is like super easy, and I can do it without thinking, whereas the 4 finger version seems impossibly hard to me.
Mark, in the video lesson Justin admits that he played the riff with 3 fingers for many years and used the open G instead of playing on the 4th string 5th fret.
In the website lesson notes Justin says ā But if this feels too stretchy, use finger 3 on 5:7 and replace 4:5 with the open G string (the notes are the exact same). This way is loads easier! It just sounds a bit differentā
So playing in a way that is easier for you is OK. Justin is showing this version for the guitarists that want to play it exactly as it is played in concert
i have an electric guitar but have absolutely no idea how to get these kinds of sounds out of it. Perhaps I missed something in a lesson on distortion and pedals but dont think i skipped any lessons although others seem to be getting it.
