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Michael Jackson - Thriller - Guitar Lesson

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Michael Jackson - Thriller - Guitar Lesson

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Michael Jackson - Thriller guitar lesson video
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Thriller 25 Super Deluxe Edition album cover
Thriller 25 Super Deluxe Edition
2008 5:57
Listen on Spotify
Michael Jackson Pop 2008 C# minor
Capo Advisor 0 C# minor · Original key

Thriller

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson is the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, also titled Thriller, released in 1983 in the UK and 1984 in the US. Known for its cinematic, horror-themed atmosphere, the track features a distinctive bassline, funky rhythm guitar, and one of the most recognizable riffs in pop history. For electric guitar players, it offers a chance to explore tight, syncopated funk rhythms and the iconic two-note riff that drives the song's eerie groove.

  • The main guitar riff uses a simple but highly effective two-note figure that anchors the song's horror-themed atmosphere.
  • "Thriller" was released as the seventh and final single from the album, making it the closing chapter of one of pop music's most successful records.
  • The track blends funk, pop, and R&B guitar styles, making it a versatile learning piece for rhythm guitarists across multiple genres.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Slash wielded a '59 Les Paul replica on 'Give In To Me,' delivering that warm-yet-cutting midrange essential to MJ's hardrock guitar moments. The guitar's thick body resonance pairs perfectly with Marshall stack overdrive for Michael Jackson's most aggressive rock tracks.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul's humbucker firepower cuts through MJ's dense pop production with natural tube saturation and sustain. This guitar provides the weighted tone needed for Slash's solos and rhythm work across the Thriller-era rock-influenced catalog.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Slash cranked a Marshall JCM800 2203 head to achieve natural tube overdrive on 'Give In To Me,' delivering the aggressive rock punch that defines Michael Jackson's harder-edged guitar moments. The amp's responsive gain structure lets the Les Paul's humbuckers shine through dense production.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Eddie Van Halen's modified Marshall Super Lead (variac'd for sag and compression) powered the legendary 'Beat It' solo, creating that compressed, singing lead tone perfect for tapping techniques. The Plexi's harmonic richness made the single humbucker's output cut through MJ's production.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The Fender Twin Reverb's clean headroom and natural reverb capture the glassy, percussive rhythm tones on tracks like 'Billie Jean' and 'Rock With You.' This amp provides the transparent platform that lets funky single-coil snap and light chorus effects define Michael Jackson's pop-soul foundation.

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro
Pickup

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro

Slash's Les Paul uses Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups, delivering warm-yet-cutting midrange that sits perfectly in MJ's pop arrangements while maintaining rock credibility. The pickup's balanced output ensures clarity and sustain whether driving Marshall heads or cutting through dense studio mixes.

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