How to Play "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine

After you have been playing electric guitar for awhile, it is time to move onto some intermediate-level songs. Use the tips below to learn the elements of "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine. Practice these over and over and soon you will be ready for an audience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Begin by dropping your lowest string down in tone. Loosen the tuner until the low E string becomes a low D. Tune this to the D string, which is third from the bottom. Tune the low string until it sounds exactly an octave lower than the D string.
2. Put your index finger on the third fret of the bottom 3 strings, which are the D string, the A string and now the low D string.
3. Alternate between picking the low D string and the D string. Calling the high D string 1, and the low D string 2, pick the strings in the following pattern: 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1 and 2.
4. Strum the bottom 3 strings. Do this to the rhythm of 4 quarter notes followed by 4 eighth notes.
5. Mute with your left hand on the upper neck of the guitar. Do this during the fast eighth notes so that the longer notes sound more open.
6. Use an effects pedal to get the "wa-wa" sound of the song. Simply step on the pedal with your left foot as if tapping your foot to the beat of the song.