British Heavy Metal - Motorhead

Motorhead Lesson Sample

Teacher: The lesson is on the 'Loudest Band in the World' - Motorhead, one of the most influential of all Metal groups. Started in the mid 70's by bassist Lemmy Kilmister, between 1978 and 1983 , Motorhead produced landmark metal records like 'Ace of Spades' and 'No Sleep til Harmmersmith'. These years featured the guitar work of 'Fast Eddie' Clarke. Their sound combines elements of Heavy Metal and Punk Rock. Their influence was huge over the early 80's American Metal bands emerging .

Teacher: Our opening riff tonight. The riff is in E. Uses a low E pedal on the sixth string and then a descending chord move at the 7th position

Riff A


Riff A

Teacher: Here is a loop for practice.

Riff A Looping Track

Teacher: The tempo is pretty quick so alternate picking is the way to make the pedal E note 'groove'. Watch the video to help.

Teacher: This same riff is changed slightly in the lesson sample 'verse' sections.

Riff A1


Teacher: This 'riff development' keeps things familiar but leaves more room for the vocals, solo sections etc.

Teacher: Over this riff a lead lick fills up some of that space.

Lick 1


Lick 1

Teacher: Our next rhythm part moves to A.

Riff B


Teacher: The hammer-on to the note an octave above the A pedal gives a familiar metal sound.

Riff B

Teacher: A lead lick that Clarke uses alot, here in the key of A.

Lick 2


Lick 2

Riff B Looping Track

Teacher: And a loop of the rhythm for practice. Most of our leads tonight are over this part.

Teacher: One more section in the sample serves as our 'bridge'.

Riff C


Teacher: And a matching lead lick.

Lick 3


Lick 3

Teacher: Unison octave bends that follow the chords. The chords and notes are out of the E minor scale.

Teacher: This leads to a run in the E minor pentatonic scale.

Lick 4


Teacher: The run ends with a bend on the root note E up a step. The resulting note is out of the pentatonic scale but still in the minor key. Clarke uses this move often. It might help to slow that one down to learn it!

Teacher: More unison bends in that run too. Just picking the notes seperately rather than together.

Lick 4

Teacher: The rest of the licks tonight are all over 'Riff B' in the key of A. Like this one in A minor pentatonic

Lick 5



Lick 5

Teacher: Our next lick

Lick 6


Teacher: This lick uses an 'oblique bend'. Holding one note while bending another

Lick 6

Teacher: The stacatto picking gives it character. Mute the strings with the pick or palm of your right hand between each pick stroke. Watch the video for more help.

Teacher: And a rapid fire pulloff lick next

Lick 7
Lick 7


Lick 7

Teacher: A couple more licks.

Lick 8

Lick 8

Mossimo: So all of this is pretty much just A minor Pentatonic?

Teacher: Mostly minor pentatonic, blues scale and some minor scale. These are the building blocks for most metal leads.

Teacher: The last lick is straight punk rock. Just a supersonic tempo

Teacher: And our last lead phrase

Lick 9


Lick 9

Lick 9

Teacher:  I hope you have enjoyed our Motorhead Lesson. Have fun and keep practicing.