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Symphony Of Destruction by Megadeth

    Riff Rundown

    Difficulty: Easy

    Composer – Mustaine

    Where to find this song – Countdown to Extinction track # 2

    Release Date – July 1992

    The Bio:

    After he left Metallica in 1983, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine formed
    Megadeth. Though Megadeth followed the basic blueprint of Metallica’s
    roughly laid ground guitar attack, Mustaine’s group distinguished
    themselves from his earlier band by speeding the tempo up slightly,
    and making the instrumental attack harsher. Metallica has since gone
    toward that concept.

    Main Riff

    Guitar



    This riff will be no trouble to play at all. The begining of the first
    three measures are identical. The only change will be at the end of
    the second measure. Begin the measures by placing your 1st finger on
    the first fret on the “low E” string. Place your 4th finger
    on the third fret on the “A” string. Play that once, and
    then lift off those fingers. Place your 2nd finger on the second fret
    on the “A” string. Play that twice, allowing the “low
    E” string to remain open.

    The end of the second measure is easy. All you need to do is use your
    1st finger on the first fret on the “low E” string. Then,
    just use your 3rd or 4th finger to play the third fret on the same
    string. Use your 1st finger again for the first fret on the same string.



    Bass



    This bass riff is really easy. Begin the first measure by placing
    your 1st finger on the first fret on the “E” string. Play
    that once, and then just play the “E” string open until the
    end of the measure.

    Begin the second measure by placing your 1st finger on the first fret
    on the “E” string. Play the “E” string open about
    four times, and then play the first fret again. Then, use your 3rd
    or 4th finger to play the third fret, and end the measure by using
    your 1st finger on the first fret again.

    The third measure is identical to the first.

    The fourth measure is nothing more than open notes on the “E” string.
    That is it for the riff!

    Riff Resources

    Complete Transcription
    To “Symphony Of Destruction” (PDF)

    Complete Transcription
    To “Symphony Of Destruction” (Power Tab)