Rihanna - Sledgehammer - Guitar Cover

Sledgehammer (From The Motion Picture "Star Trek Beyond")

2016 3:31

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About Sledgehammer

Power chords and a driving, anthemic pulse are at the heart of "Sledgehammer," a 2016 Pop Rock track from Rihanna tied to the Star Trek Beyond soundtrack. At 128 BPM the song sits at a brisk, confident tempo that demands tight rhythm playing throughout. The guitar work leans on heavy, sustained chords and a propulsive strumming pattern that has to lock in precisely with the drums to keep that cinematic momentum going. Getting the right balance between attack and sustain in your picking hand is what separates a sloppy run-through from a convincing performance. If the chord transitions or the timing of the strumming pattern are giving you trouble, set up an A/B loop on the Practice Toolbar and work through it slowed down until the muscle memory is solid. Focus on keeping your fretting hand clean on each chord change before pushing back up to full tempo.

• At 128 BPM the tempo demands disciplined, consistent strumming, so use the Practice Toolbar to slow it down and lock in your rhythm before playing at full speed.
• The guitar parts rely on full, sustained chords with a clean attack, meaning right-hand control and consistent pick depth are the main technique challenges.
• Practicing the chord transitions in isolation, looped slowly, will help you maintain the driving momentum the song requires across its full length.