The 12 days of riffmas day 11: there are no shortcuts to the top when it comes to playing metal, and few bands will give your picking a better grounding than Metallica. Many don't downpick this riff like Hetfield does – but they're just not playing it right.
The 12 days of riffmas: learn the intro riff to Metallica's Master Of Puppets
Day 11: you've got to downpick everything to do it right
Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.
Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.
Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar
"I’ve sat in a room with Amy Winehouse and a guitar. Watching those tiny hands finding all these weird jazz chords. And her strumming patterns... crazy, off-kilter timings. She made it look so effortless": Pete Doherty talks friendships, guitars and music
Does guitar weight matter? Thin Lizzy icon and Les Paul fan Scott Gorham thinks it depends where you're playing