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Linkin Park - Numb - Guitar Lesson

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Key F# minor
Linkin Park - Numb guitar lesson video
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Meteora (Deluxe Edition) album cover
Meteora (Deluxe Edition)
2003 3:08
Listen on Spotify
Linkin Park Alternative Rock 2003 F# minor
Capo Advisor 0 F# minor · Original key

About Numb

Drop D tuning sits at the core of "Numb," giving the low D string the heaviness that defines the song's guitar feel. Linkin Park built much of the track around a repeating, brooding chord progression in F# minor, and at 87 BPM the tempo is steady enough that getting the rhythm exactly right matters more than raw speed. The main challenge is locking in that tight, palm-muted chug on the low string while keeping your fretting hand relaxed across several minutes of repetition. The piano carries the melody here, so your job as guitarist is more about groove and consistency than flash. The chord changes themselves are not difficult, but keeping the dynamics even throughout is harder than it looks. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse riff slowed down until the palm muting feels automatic, then bring it back up to tempo. This is excellent material for building right-hand stamina and precision in Alternative Rock rhythm playing.

  • The Drop D tuning lets you power the low F# root with a one-finger barre on the dropped string, simplifying the heavy rhythm parts considerably.
  • Palm muting on the low D string drives the verse feel, so right-hand consistency and pressure control are the main technique to nail.
  • At 87 BPM the tempo is moderate, making this a practical song for building tight rhythm-guitar discipline before tackling faster material.

How to Play Numb

Tuning: Drop D · Key: F# minor · Tempo: 87 BPM

The drop D tuning lets you fret the low power chords with a single finger, which is central to the heavier riffing here. At 87 bpm the slow tempo leaves every note exposed, so timing, vibrato, and dynamics matter more than raw speed.

Loop each section and focus on clean, even timing rather than speed, with the metronome at 87 BPM.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Brad Delson uses Strats for cleaner, textural studio parts that contrast with his heavy PRS-driven rhythm work. Their bright, articulate character adds sonic variety to Linkin Park's dynamic song arrangements.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Telecasters provide Delson with twangy, cutting tones for atmospheric clean passages, offering a different textural palette than his signature PRS guitars. These bright instruments layer beautifully with delay effects on tracks like 'Numb.'

PRS Custom 24
Guitar

PRS Custom 24

The Custom 24 was Brad's cornerstone during Hybrid Theory and Meteora, delivering the tight, articulate heaviness that defined early Linkin Park's drop-tuned sound. Its versatility handles both crushing rhythm riffs and smooth clean tones seamlessly.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

This amp's chunky, saturated low-mids and tight response make it perfect for Delson's drop-D and drop-C# palm-muted rhythms that anchor Linkin Park's heaviest moments. It cuts through dense production without losing definition.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Delson deploys the Cry Baby sparingly on select tracks for expressive, soulful moments that break up the relentless heaviness. Its responsive sweep adds dynamic character to atmospheric clean sections.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

This workhorse delay creates the dotted-eighth rhythmic repeats essential to Linkin Park's clean, ambient textures, particularly on songs like 'Numb.' Its digital precision enables Brad's dramatic transitions between heavy and ethereal sections.

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