Teaches Being a Band

Metallica

Explore what it takes to thrive creatively and professionally as a band with rock pioneers Metallica. Your instructors—James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo—share what it takes to be a band that lasts.

Meet Your Instructors

Learn to create music as a band with insights into how a Metallica song is built—from collecting guitar riffs and writing intros to using the jam to generate ideas and build tension in your songs

From Riff to Song

Delve deeper into the mechanics of songwriting with one of Metallica’s most beloved songs, “Enter Sandman.” The band breaks down the riffs of the song to reveal how the song was made and to unlock the key to its success.

Deconstructing “Enter Sandman”

Learn how to set up a communication style that is conducive to creative collaboration. Members will walk away with practical tips for giving constructive criticism and managing conflict in the service of doing what’s best for the project.

Navigating Egos and Giving Criticism

As the writer of most of Metallica’s lyrics, James Hetfield has developed a unique method of letting the lyrics follow the music. Learn how to use the voice as a percussive instrument, keep track of ideas, and write lyrics inspired by life.

Writing Lyrics

Metallica’s members break down their iconic song “Master of Puppets” and explore what makes their sound “heavy”—from chord choice to techniques like downpicking. Band members also discuss their influences, and how they created their signature sound.

Song Deconstruction: “Master of Puppets”

Learn how to write a guitar solo by drawing inspiration from simple scales and blues chords. Get inspired to start improvising on your guitar with tips and tricks from Metallica’s lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett.

Building a Rock Solo From the Blues

Metallica reflects on the making of the song “One”: the inspiration for the song, its structure, and its accompanying video—the band’s first foray into making music videos.

Exploring Dynamics: The Song “One”

The audience-performer relationship is complex. Learn how to perform at your best while creating intimacy with your audience. Boost your confidence on stage with strategies honed by Metallica over four decades of playing live stadium shows.

Performance Techniques

Bass guitar virtuoso Robert Trujillo explores the vast possibilities of his instrument. Learn how to construct the right sound for every situation and find your place within the song.

The Bass Sound

Metallica sees fans as the fifth member of the band. In this lesson, the band teaches how to connect with fans, and shares tips for elements such as stage design and ticket pricing to help develop and nurture a lifelong relationship with them.

The Fifth Member of the Band

Metallica teaches the nuts and bolts of making an album, including how to sequence songs to create balance, and the process for moving multiple songs forward at the same time.

Putting Together an Album

Musicians often feel tempted to give their work away for free. In this lesson, Metallica shares inspiring guidance for how to value your work and time as an artist and how to support your band.

Securing Your Band’s Future

Metallica gives parting advice on how to embrace the challenge in your journey, harness collaborative energy, and take risks as you keep an eye on the possibilities just around the corner.

Taking Charge of Your Creative Destiny

Now that you’ve had a firsthand look at Metallica’s creative process, see it all come together with an exclusive, members-only performance to close out the class.

A Live Performance With Metallica

Metallica Teaches Being a Band

Music

Start a Band

Lessons from Influential Black Voices

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

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