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Massive Attack - Teardrop - Guitar Lesson

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

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Tools

BPM
Key F# minor
Massive Attack - Teardrop guitar lesson video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Listen on Spotify
Massive Attack Alternative Rock F# minor
Capo Advisor 0 F# minor · Original key

About Teardrop

Few songs carry as much atmosphere in a single repeated figure as "Teardrop," and getting that finger-picked intro pattern right is the whole challenge for guitarists. The song sits in F# minor at a slow, deliberate 98 BPM, but that unhurried tempo is deceptive: keeping the plucked notes even and perfectly in time against the underlying pulse takes real control. The part rewards a clean, light touch rather than any kind of aggressive attack, so resist the urge to dig in. Massive Attack built the track around looped textures, which means any small timing error in your pattern will stand out immediately when you loop it yourself. Use the Practice Toolbar to isolate those first few bars slowed down until the fingering feels automatic before bringing it back up to tempo. As a piece of Alternative Rock that leans heavily on feel over flash, "Teardrop" is a useful exercise in playing with patience and consistency.

  • The signature guitar figure is a repeating finger-picked arpeggio pattern that requires steady, even plucking with minimal dynamic variation throughout.
  • At 98 BPM in F# minor, the slow groove demands precise right-hand timing, since any rushing or dragging in the pattern is immediately audible.
  • Practising the intro loop slowed down with the Practice Toolbar is the most effective way to lock in the picking-hand consistency this part requires.

How to Play Teardrop

Key: F# minor · Tempo: 98 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 98 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Angelo Bruschini uses the Stratocaster's single-coil pickups for crystalline clarity on clean, effects-heavy passages in Massive Attack's atmospheric soundscapes. The bright, defined highs cut through dense electronic layers without muddying reverb and delay effects.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

The Telecaster's bright, biting single-coils are Bruschini's go-to for slicing through Massive Attack's heavy mixes on clean settings. Its natural clarity and snap make it ideal for delay-drenched, pad-like guitar textures.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Bruschini deploys the Les Paul's warm PAF humbuckers and sustain on darker Massive Attack tracks like 'Angel' where gritty thickness and feedback are essential. The guitar's naturally thick tone provides the perfect foundation for overdrive and distortion.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul Custom's full-bodied humbuckers deliver the warm, sustained tone Bruschini needs for heavy, distorted moments in Massive Attack's production. Its robust character cuts through dense mixes while maintaining harmonic warmth.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The Twin Reverb's headroom, natural spring reverb, and pristine clean tone make it essential for Massive Attack's lush, effects-driven guitar palette. Bruschini keeps it clean and uses it as a transparent platform for the pedal chain.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

The AC30's warm, naturally compressed tone and harmonic breakup suit Massive Attack's moody, atmospheric guitar work when kept relatively clean. Its headroom allows effects to breathe while adding organic character without heavy distortion.

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