In this article I’m going to talk a little bit about what makes Matt Bellamy great on guitar as well as showing you a video that walks you through some examples step-by-step while revealing some of his guitar playing past that might actually surprise you.
The Next Level
You will probably find that at some point on your guitar journey you’re going to come across a band that helps you get to the next level.
There’s a point where guitar playing has become really fun and you’re finally comfortable playing some chords, a couple of basic riffs and maybe even a solo using the E minor pentatonic scale or something similar.
But you instinctively know; there is more.
This is where a band like Muse come in.
Using Matt Bellamy's Guitar Playing as a Vehicle for Improvement
Whether you’re a fan or not, Muse have had huge success with their music and I believe a good chunk of that is down to Matt Bellamy creativity as a guitar player.
Yes, he’s famed for his ability to make guitar noise. Lot’s of whirls, bleeps and blips. But that isn’t the whole story.
You see, as well as having to perform some vocal duties that aren’t exactly easy, he also balances that with some pretty technical guitar playing. However, it’s not so technical that with just a little practice, you won’t be able to do it.
And that’s what helps you get to the next level.
Much of Muse’s music sits in that category between improver and intermediate which ultimately means it’s just FUN to play. That isn’t to say that there isn’t advanced playing as well but that’s not our focus for now.
I’m talking about Drop D Riffs like Dead Star or Psycho. Fast moving barre chords from Starlight or if you want to go a little harder but not too hard, the solo from Madness.
Each of these songs will provide the developing guitarist with something to get their teeth into without getting them too frustrated.
And if you’re thinking ‘I can play those’...
Why not try the finger tapped solos from Invincible and Reapers. There’s some difficult stretches in each of those as well as having to coordinate them with the Digitech Whammy pedal.
What Makes Matt Bellamy GREAT on Guitar?
Long ago, as a teenager who’d only been playing guitar for a couple of years, I remember hitting a bit of a rut in my guitar playing and I distinctly remember using Muse songs as a vehicle for improvement.
It not only took me to the next level but made me Muse fan for life.
If you want to explore this further, check out this video below where I delve even deeper.
About The Author
Aaron Carrington is the owner of Carrington Guitar Academy in Bath, UK. Since graduating from The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London Aaron has played in high profile locations such as Buckingham Palace, The Savoy and The London Eye.
He’s been a regular part of the UK wedding and corporate gig scene and has travelled internationally to the Middle East to play in top quality residency bands 6 nights per week. The finesse gained from this level of playing experience is passed on to his guitar students.
Now permanently in Bath, Aaron strives to deliver the highest standards of guitar teaching at Carrington Guitar Academy by offering a personalized lesson plan tailored to each student’s goals. You may also catch Aaron busking regularly on the streets of Bath. If you're interested in guitar lessons get in touch to book a FREE trial lesson!