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Nickelback - Burn It to the Ground - Guitar Lesson

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Key E minor
Nickelback - Burn It to the Ground guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Dark Horse album cover
Dark Horse
2008 3:32
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Nickelback Hard Rock 2008 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About Burn It to the Ground

Drop D tuning is the engine behind "Burn It to the Ground," letting Nickelback hit those low, thick power chords with a single-finger barre on the bottom two strings. The song sits in E minor at 95 BPM, which is a moderate pace that still feels relentless because of how the riff is accented. The main riff is not technically complex, but getting the palm muting tight and consistent is where most players struggle. The contrast between the muted, chugging verses and the open, full-chord chorus is what gives the song its punch, so focus on that dynamic switch. If the muting pattern is slipping, use the Practice Toolbar to loop just the verse riff slowed down until the picking hand feels locked in. This is a solid entry point into Hard Rock rhythm playing, particularly for building right-hand stamina and control at a steady tempo.

  • The Drop D tuning is essential here, allowing one-finger power chords on the low strings that drive the heavy, chugging verse riff.
  • Palm muting consistency is the main technical challenge: the verse relies on tight, controlled muting that must open up cleanly for the chorus.
  • At 95 BPM the song is approachable for intermediate players, but keeping the picking hand relaxed and even throughout is a real endurance test.

How to Play Burn It to the Ground

Tuning: Drop D · Key: E minor · Tempo: 95 BPM

The drop D tuning lets you fret the low power chords with a single finger, which is central to the heavier riffing here.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 95 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Chad Kroeger relies on the Les Paul Standard's thick, woody body resonance to anchor Nickelback's heavy rhythm tones in drop tunings. The guitar's sustain and natural compression complement his high-gain amp settings, delivering the saturated crunch that defines their signature sound.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Kroeger's preferred instrument, the Les Paul Custom provides the dense tonal foundation and articulate palm-muted attack essential for Nickelback's layered wall-of-guitars approach. Its figured maple top and premium construction ensure clarity even at extreme gain levels.

PRS Custom 24
Guitar

PRS Custom 24

Ryan Peake uses the PRS Custom 24's versatility and slightly brighter voicing to contrast with Kroeger's thicker tone, allowing him to cut through with cleaner passages and dynamic lead work. The guitar's balanced pickup response retains clarity in both heavy and melodic sections.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800's aggressive midrange and responsive high-gain character shaped Nickelback's classic heavy rock tone throughout their career. Its natural breakup and sustain made it a staple for driving their stadium-sized rhythms and power-chord driven arrangements.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Kroeger favors the Rectifier's modern high-gain channel for that thick, saturated rhythm crunch, running gain around 6-7 to maintain articulation in drop tunings. The amp's tight bottom end prevents flub while delivering the massive tone needed for their heavy, layered guitar arrangements.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

These high-output active pickups deliver the tight, compressed attack Kroeger needs for heavy palm-muted riffing without getting flubby in lower tunings. The EMG 81's controlled dynamics and snappy response cut through the mix on Nickelback's signature thick rhythm guitars.

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