Nothing Else Matters Chords: Metallica

"Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica, released in 1991, opens with one of the most famous fingerpicked intros in rock. James Hetfield wrote the song late at night on a phone call, then realized it was good. The intro uses just three chord shapes (Em, D, C) but the picking pattern that walks across all six strings is what makes the song instantly recognizable.

The Chords

• Em
• D major
• C major
• G major
• B7 (used in the bridge)
• Am (used in the bridge)

The intro and verse cycle through Em-D-C, sometimes resolving to G. The bridge adds Am and B7 for extra harmonic motion.

The Famous Intro

The intro is a fingerpicked sequence on Em that moves down through the chord tones. The pattern uses thumb-pluck-pluck-pluck across the strings. Hetfield uses bare fingers, no picks.

For the Em portion:

• Thumb plucks the open low E
• Index plucks the open D
• Middle plucks the open G
• Ring plucks the open B
• Then the pattern repeats and walks down through the chord shape

The simplified version: hold an Em chord and pluck the strings in sequence from low to high, then high to low. The full version adds hammer-ons and pull-offs that give the intro its melodic arc.

The Verse and Chorus

Once the intro establishes the mood, the verse uses the same chords with simpler strumming. The chorus opens up with G major.

Common Mistakes

• Using a pick. The intro is bare-finger fingerstyle. A pick changes the tone.
• Tempo rushing. The song is slow. About 70 BPM. Let each note ring.
• Skipping the embellishments. The hammer-ons and pull-offs in the intro are part of the song's melody. Without them, the intro sounds like an arpeggio exercise.

FAQ: Nothing Else Matters Questions

What key is "Nothing Else Matters" in?

E minor. No capo.

Is the intro hard?

Intermediate. The basic pattern is approachable; the hammer-ons and the timing take a few weeks to internalize.

Do I need to fingerpick this song?

The intro and verse are fingerpicked in the original. You can strum, but the song loses its character.

Why is this song easier than other Metallica?

Because it's an acoustic ballad, not a metal song. The chord palette is small, the tempo is slow, and the riffs are melodic rather than technical.

How long to learn the intro?

About a month for the basic pattern. Two months for the embellishments. The hardest part is the timing, not the notes.