Introduction
Introduction:
Torrins brings you an electrifying guitar lesson—Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth, taught by Clay Foster. This heavy-hitting metal track is part of our guitar song lesson series and is broken down into easy-to-follow sections.
Fun Fact: In an interview, vocalist Dave Mustaine shared that the lyrics for Symphony of Destruction were sparked by a headache he got while driving home. He scribbled the first lines on the back of a sushi receipt—“My metal brain’s corroding, my head is going to explode.” That spontaneous moment led to one of Megadeth’s most iconic songs, recorded on their fifth studio album Countdown to Extinction in 1992.
Song Arrangement
The song is taught in separate segments so you can master each part before moving to the next.
The song is in the key of E.
Verse
Verse is built around the F power chord and an open E power chord, along with other chords.
Downstrokes and palm muting are used in the verse—make sure to mute the strings to avoid letting notes ring out too long. Clay shares techniques like using your thumb or extra fingers to stop the sound cleanly.
Pre-Chorus
Features open palm muting and chromatic downs, creating that tight, chugging rhythm. Our lessons have a 3-angle video setup so you can clearly see hand positions and copy along easily.
Chorus
This section opens up with ringing E chords and a chromatic descending run. Chords like Bb, G#, and the D power chord makes the chorus sound more intense. Though it’s slightly more complex than the verse, Clay carefully breaks down the finger positioning and covers some fingerpicking techniques to help you through it.
After the first chorus, the main riff returns and leads into the second verse and pre-chorus, just like earlier.
The second chorus is a bit longer. The first half mirrors the first chorus, while the second half introduces new elements. Clay walks you through the difference so you can follow along confidently.
Solo Lesson
Clay breaks down the guitar solo into manageable sections.
- The first part has a bluesy riff with vibrato, bending, and palm muting.
- The second part is a 16-note rhythmic figure built around the Am6 chord, featuring some sliding techniques.
- Tune into the lesson to learn each section in detail and pick up essential phrasing skills along the way.
Sound and Tone
To capture the song’s feel, Clay dives into the tone settings. The tone is mid-rangy, which is a signature sound of Marty Friedman. Clay recommends listening to some of Friedman’s work to understand the sweet, expressive tone he’s known for.
For gear settings, Clay suggests using the middle pickup to replicate that tone more accurately.
Song Demo
The lesson wraps up with a full song demo, where Clay ties everything together. You can play along with him to practice transitions, polish your technique, and check your accuracy in real time.
FAQs – Symphony of Destruction Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?
Yes. While it has a few technical sections, the lesson breaks everything down clearly and provides enough guidance for newer players.
Q2: Do I need specific gear for the tone?
Clay suggests using a mid-range-focused setting with the middle pickup to get closer to Marty Friedman's tone. However, you can start with what you have and tweak as needed.
Q3: Is the solo hard to learn?
It’s approachable when broken into parts. Clay walks you through each phrase, so with some practice, you’ll be able to nail it.
Symphony of Destruction
Introduction
Song Arrangement
Solo Lesson
Sound and Tone
Song Demo
Introduction:
Torrins brings you an electrifying guitar lesson—Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth, taught by Clay Foster. This heavy-hitting metal track is part of our guitar song lesson series and is broken down into easy-to-follow sections.
Fun Fact: In an interview, vocalist Dave Mustaine shared that the lyrics for Symphony of Destruction were sparked by a headache he got while driving home. He scribbled the first lines on the back of a sushi receipt—“My metal brain’s corroding, my head is going to explode.” That spontaneous moment led to one of Megadeth’s most iconic songs, recorded on their fifth studio album Countdown to Extinction in 1992.
Song Arrangement
The song is taught in separate segments so you can master each part before moving to the next.
The song is in the key of E.
Verse
Verse is built around the F power chord and an open E power chord, along with other chords.
Downstrokes and palm muting are used in the verse—make sure to mute the strings to avoid letting notes ring out too long. Clay shares techniques like using your thumb or extra fingers to stop the sound cleanly.
Pre-Chorus
Features open palm muting and chromatic downs, creating that tight, chugging rhythm. Our lessons have a 3-angle video setup so you can clearly see hand positions and copy along easily.
Chorus
This section opens up with ringing E chords and a chromatic descending run. Chords like Bb, G#, and the D power chord makes the chorus sound more intense. Though it’s slightly more complex than the verse, Clay carefully breaks down the finger positioning and covers some fingerpicking techniques to help you through it.
After the first chorus, the main riff returns and leads into the second verse and pre-chorus, just like earlier.
The second chorus is a bit longer. The first half mirrors the first chorus, while the second half introduces new elements. Clay walks you through the difference so you can follow along confidently.
Solo Lesson
Clay breaks down the guitar solo into manageable sections.
- The first part has a bluesy riff with vibrato, bending, and palm muting.
- The second part is a 16-note rhythmic figure built around the Am6 chord, featuring some sliding techniques.
- Tune into the lesson to learn each section in detail and pick up essential phrasing skills along the way.
Sound and Tone
To capture the song’s feel, Clay dives into the tone settings. The tone is mid-rangy, which is a signature sound of Marty Friedman. Clay recommends listening to some of Friedman’s work to understand the sweet, expressive tone he’s known for.
For gear settings, Clay suggests using the middle pickup to replicate that tone more accurately.
Song Demo
The lesson wraps up with a full song demo, where Clay ties everything together. You can play along with him to practice transitions, polish your technique, and check your accuracy in real time.
FAQs – Symphony of Destruction Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?
Yes. While it has a few technical sections, the lesson breaks everything down clearly and provides enough guidance for newer players.
Q2: Do I need specific gear for the tone?
Clay suggests using a mid-range-focused setting with the middle pickup to get closer to Marty Friedman's tone. However, you can start with what you have and tweak as needed.
Q3: Is the solo hard to learn?
It’s approachable when broken into parts. Clay walks you through each phrase, so with some practice, you’ll be able to nail it.
Symphony of Destruction
Introduction
Song Arrangement
Solo Lesson
Sound and Tone
Song Demo
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction:
Torrins brings you another legendary blues guitar lesson—Stormy Monday as played by The Allman Brothers Band, taught by Mike Dugan. This classic blues song is packed with soulful chords, smooth rhythm, and expressive lead playing, making it a must-learn for any blues guitarist.
Fun Fact: Originally written by T-Bone Walker, Stormy Monday inspired blues legends like B.B. King to pick up the electric guitar. Moreover, the Allman Brothers' 1971 version, with jazzy organ and extended solos, transformed it into an iconic 8-minute masterpiece.
Chords & Song Arrangement
- This song follows a 12-bar blues progression in the key of G, incorporating both open and barre chords:
- Chords Used – G#7, Am7, Bbm7, and more. Some chords are barre chords, but Mike provides easier alternatives for different playing levels.
- Since T-Bone was known for his 9th chords, Mike also teaches 9th chord variations to bring out that authentic blues feel.
- The song includes a subtle sharp climb, adding to the T-Bone Walker-style phrasing.
Rhythm & Strumming Pattern
- Time Signature: 4/4
- Main Rhythm: A slow blues groove with a simple strumming pattern at first.
- Alternative Rhythm: A 6-feel rhythm (double-time feel), adding an upbeat bluesy bounce.
Mike also demonstrates advanced rhythmic techniques, incorporating double stops, slides, and dynamic accents to enhance the song’s groove.
Intro Lick, Turnaround & Ending
- Intro Lick – A G9 chord-based intro, first broken down in a simplified version before introducing more advanced variations using sharp and augmented chords.
- Turnaround – Mike walks through classic turnaround chords, showing how they fit into the blues form.
- Ending – He teaches a common blues-style ending which is useful for countless other blues songs.
Sing & Play – Coordinating Vocals & Guitar
Want to sing while playing? Mike shares practical tips on how to sync your vocals with the guitar. He encourages adding your own feel to the song while staying true to its blues roots.
Lead Fills & Lead Playing
- Lead Fills: The lesson starts with small lead fills that complement the vocals.
- Key & Scales: He uses the G minor pentatonic blues scale and major blues in G for expressive phrasing.
- Playing Lead in Slow Blues: Mike demonstrates bends, sustains, and dynamics, making your solos sound rich and emotional.
Improvisation & Playing with a Backing Track
- Here Mike explains how to improvise and when to use the major vs. minor scale. He also demonstrates how to craft a melodic, bluesy solo.
- Follow his approach, and soon, you’ll be confidently improvising your own slow blues solos!
Final Playthrough with Backing Track
To wrap up the lesson, Mike plays the full song with a backing track, reinforcing all the techniques covered. Watch closely and play along to lock in the feel and phrasing of this blues classic.
Why Learn Stormy Monday?
- Classic blues structure – great for understanding blues chord progressions.
- Improves both rhythm & lead playing – covers everything from chords to expressive solos.
- Perfect for improvisation – teaches you how to craft slow blues solos with feel.
FAQs – Stormy Monday Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this lesson beginner-friendly?
Yes! Mike provides simplified chord alternatives and breaks down the song step by step.
Q2: What’s the most challenging part?
The double-time solo can be tricky, but Mike teaches how to ease into it.
Q3: How do I make my solos sound bluesier?
Focus on bends, vibrato, and using both the major & minor blues scales—all of which Mike explains in detail!
Similar Metal Songs
Songs with Similar Difficulty
Introduction
Want to learn some popular tunes from the mid-'90s? Torrins has got you covered! Tune into our guitar song lesson on James Taylor’s version of the 1959 hit Handy Man. This song tutorial is led by our expert teacher, Steve Luciano, who has decades of experience teaching and playing guitar. He breaks down the Handy Man lesson into chords, rhythm, and strumming patterns to make learning this song a smooth process for you.
Fun fact: Did you know this song has been a hit twice? Handy Man was originally recorded by Jimmy Jones in 1959 and became a huge success, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nearly two decades later, James Taylor recorded his own mellow, acoustic version in 1977, which also became a hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Taylor a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. How cool is that?
This version of Handy Man is a great example of James Taylor’s signature acoustic fingerpicking style, incorporating unique harmonies and intricate transitions. If you’re looking for a simpler version, we’ve got that too—check it out on the Torrins website!
Chords Used in Handy Man Guitar Lesson
This song is played in the key of D and features some interesting chord transitions. Here are some of the key chords used:
- Main chords: D, A, and some others.
- When reharmonizing the second verse: Em, F#m7
- Slash chords to add depth and movement: A/C#, G/B, and a few others.
Tune into the complete Handy Man song lesson to know the rest of the chords.
Steve breaks down unique chord transitions specific to this song to help you capture its distinct, smooth sound.
Fingerpicking & Strumming Techniques
Unlike traditional fingerpicking, Handy Man features more of a plucking style—playing bass notes while plucking the strings together for a fuller sound.
- The song starts with pickup notes and incorporates hammer-ons to add subtle dynamics.
- If you’re not comfortable with fingerpicking, you can strum the entire song instead. It still sounds great!
Song Structure & Rhythm
This song follows a classic verse-chorus format.
- Keep an eye on chord transitions, especially when moving between slash chords, as they add a unique colour to the song.
- The multi-angle camera views (focused on fretting, strumming, and a complete overview) help you get a clear, close-up look at all movements –making learning much faster and more effective.
- Make use of tabs and lyrics for a smoother and more structured learning experience.
Why Learn the song Handy Man on guitar?
James Taylor’s Handy Man is a fantastic piece for learning fingerpicking while maintaining a steady rhythm. Plus, it’s an excellent exercise for improving chord transitions and adding finesse to your playing.
FAQs – Handy Man Guitar Lesson
Q1. Do I have to use fingerpicking?
You can strum the entire song if you prefer. However, fingerpicking brings out its full depth.
Q2. How can I make my transitions smoother?
Steve shares specific techniques for transitioning between chords effortlessly. Practising slowly and focusing on finger positioning will help.
