Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber)
Nothing Else Matters – Metallica – Song Breakdown
Keyboard
This part was mostly taken from an isolated stem of the orchestra. As is often the case, the part that ended up in the recording didn’t exactly match that, but it’s such a good part (and the orchestra is tucked under the mix quite a bit), that I left it as that, changing a few parts that are more prominent in the recording.
Download the Keyboard Sheet Music Here
Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Amidst the many guitar tracks, there are 2 main guitar parts which I divided into lead and rhythm, though there are some double lead type parts as well. The lead guitar is given the solo, even though James Hatfield plays it in the band (who is usually on rhythm).
Download the Lead Guitar Tab Here
Rhythm Guitar
Download the Rhythm Guitar Tab Here
Strum Guitar
Other than the Choruses (and bar leading thereto), there isn’t a strum guitar in this song, so a part was made up. Since the other guitars cover the strum part in the recording, this is a variation of it (it doesn’t sustain on the C – A etc).
Download the Strum Tab Here
Bass Guitar
A nice bass part played with the fingers – lots of slides and articulation.
Download the Bass Tab Here
Drums
Lars Ulrich drums, which of course means – play loud!
Download the Drum Music Here
Download the Lead Sheet Here
