Nothing Else Matters Tab: Accurate Versions Compared

Few songs pull in new guitarists like the opening arpeggios of “Nothing Else Matters.” Whether you prefer fingerstyle, a pick, or just your thumb, finding a tab that matches your skill level can turn a frustrating hunt into a rewarding practice session. We compare the most popular tab sources side by side so you can pick the version that fits your playing style and goals.

Song: Nothing Else Matters ·
Artist: Metallica ·
Tuning: E A D G B E (standard) ·
Key: E minor ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Top-rated tab ratings: 4.83 / 5 on Ultimate Guitar

Six key facts about the song and its tab ecosystem give context for the comparisons ahead.

What is the latest verified information about the Nothing Else Matters tab?

Recent updates to tab accuracy

Community-driven tab platforms continually receive updates. The Ultimate Guitar tab for “Nothing Else Matters” has accumulated over 3,000 ratings with an average of 4.83 out of 5, indicating high user satisfaction. Songsterr offers an interactive play-along version that syncs with original audio, which helps players match timing precisely (Songsterr interactive tab site). No official Metallica tab book has been released for this song; all published tabs are user-submitted or independently arranged (JustinGuitar multi-part lesson).

Community-approved versions

The transcription by Jon Symons, distributed through Guitar Alliance, is frequently cited in forum discussions as a reliable PDF version. On MuseScore, an easy arrangement with sheet music and a separate PDF download has been available since 2021, targeting beginners who prefer standard notation alongside tab.

The implication: user feedback serves as the de facto quality check for this song’s tablature.

What should readers know first about the Nothing Else Matters tab?

Standard tuning and key

The song is played in standard tuning (E A D G B E) and the key of E minor, using the chords Em, C, G, D, and Am throughout (JustinGuitar complete chord breakdown). The time signature is 4/4 at roughly 148 BPM.

Song structure overview

A complete tab typically includes the intro riff, verses, choruses, bridge, and the full solo. The iconic intro arpeggio is played by striking the low E, then G, B, and high E strings, then returning through B and G (YouTube beginner tutorial). That pattern repeats with chord changes later.

Difficulty level

The piece is rated intermediate due to the required fingerpicking control and the solo’s bends and vibrato. Beginners can tackle the intro pattern immediately, but the full song takes practice. One lesson explicitly instructs players to aim for even volume across all struck strings to avoid an uneven sound (YouTube beginner tutorial).

The pattern: disciplined practice on the intro alone yields faster progress than attempting the full song prematurely.

Which official sources confirm key claims about the Nothing Else Matters tab?

Metallica’s own recordings as reference

The original 1991 recording from the album Metallica (often called The Black Album) is the primary reference for all tab creators. Guitar instructors and transcribers listen to the studio track to notate the fingerpicking pattern and solo phrasing.

Music theory and transcription standards

While no official Metallica publication exists, the song’s sheet music is available from Hal Leonard, a major publisher of licensed transcriptions. Tab creators like Jon Symons (Guitar Alliance) and Craig Clayton are frequently cited as reliable transcribers in online communities. JustinGuitar frames the song as a “rite of passage” for budding guitarists, emphasizing its cultural importance in learning the instrument (JustinGuitar lesson series).

What this means: even a well-rated tab is an interpretation, not a definitive transcription.

What is still unclear or unverified about the Nothing Else Matters tab?

Accuracy of specific notes

Subtle nuances in Kirk Hammett’s solo—micro‑bends, vibrato width, and ghost notes—can differ noticeably between tab versions. Because no authoritative transcription from Metallica exists, each tab relies on the transcriber’s ear. Community feedback on Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr suggests that some alternate chord voicings in the bridge are debated (Songsterr solo tab).

Variations in the solo transcription

One advanced lesson uses a pinch‑based picking concept and later adds fretted notes, indicating a more elaborate arrangement than the beginner single‑string pattern (YouTube advanced picking lesson). GuitarNick’s version is explicitly labeled as a fingerstyle acoustic cover, meaning it is a rearrangement rather than a strict transcription of the studio recording (GuitarNick fingerstyle with PDF).

What are the most common user questions on the Nothing Else Matters tab?

How to fingerpick the intro

Most users ask about the correct right‑hand pattern for the iconic arpeggiated intro. The pattern is: thumb (p) on the low E, index (i) on G, middle (m) on B, ring (a) on high E, then back through B and G. A second lesson describes the same pattern but adds that at one point the low E string is not struck, leaving only the A, D, G, B, and high E strings active (YouTube beginner tutorial pattern detail).

Where to find the full tab with lyrics

Many learners seek a version that combines tab with chord diagrams for the rhythm parts. Common requests also include a tab for the orchestral arrangement featured on the S&M album. While fewer tabs exist for that version, Songsterr and Ultimate Guitar have user‑submitted partial transcriptions.

Comparison table: Top tab sources

Five tab sources, one goal: find the version that matches your learning style. Here’s how they stack up on format, difficulty, and standout features.

Specification table: Song details

Quick reference for the song’s core musical specifications.

Step‑by‑step: How to play the intro

1. Position your hand: Rest your thumb on the low E string, index finger over G, middle over B, ring over the high E.
2. Strike the low E with your thumb (p), then pluck G with index (i), B with middle (m), and high E with ring (a). Keep volume even across strings (YouTube beginner tutorial even volume tip).
3. Return pattern: Pluck B (m) then G (i) in reverse order. Practice slowly with a metronome.
4. Add the chord changes: Once comfortable, switch between Em, C, G, D, and Am using the same arpeggio shape.
5. Include the solo: Compare Songsterr and Ultimate Guitar tabs for bend and vibrato notation to capture Hammett’s expression.

The implication is clear: the intro pattern is accessible to beginners, but the full song—especially the solo—requires dedicated practice. Start with the pattern and build from there.

Where to go from here

For beginner guitarists, the choice between tab sources comes down to how much guidance you need. Interactive tabs like Songsterr help with timing and phrasing, while detailed video lessons from JustinGuitar teach proper hand positioning. Download a couple of versions, play through the intro, and stick with the one that makes you want to pick up the guitar again tomorrow. For advanced players, cross‑referencing solo tabs will reveal the small bends and vibrato that define Hammett’s playing—those nuances are where the real accuracy lies. Beginners should commit to the intro pattern first, then progress to the full song as control improves.