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Kings of Leon - Waste A Moment - Guitar Lesson

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Key E major
Kings of Leon - Waste A Moment 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.
Walls album cover
Walls
2016 3:03
Listen on Spotify
Kings of Leon Alternative Rock 2016 E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

About Waste A Moment

Running at a steady 120 BPM in E major, "Waste A Moment" sits in a comfortable tempo that still demands tight rhythmic discipline from the guitarist. The song is built around a driving, repetitive guitar figure that locks in with the kick drum and rewards players who keep their picking hand relaxed and consistent rather than forcing it. E Standard tuning means nothing fancy to set up, but getting the tone right matters here: a bright, slightly compressed clean-to-crunch sound captures the wide, arena-ready feel that Kings of Leon pushed toward on this record. The challenge is not speed but groove, keeping that repeating riff locked in the pocket without letting it drift. If the rhythm pattern feels slippery at first, use the Practice Toolbar to loop it slowed down until your strumming hand internalises the pulse. Players interested in modern Alternative Rock guitar will find this a solid study in serving the song over showing off.

  • The song sits in E Standard tuning in the key of E major, so no retuning is needed and open-position chord shapes are immediately usable.
  • At 120 BPM the main guitar riff is moderate in speed, but consistency and staying locked to the beat are the real demands.
  • Focus your practice on keeping a relaxed, even picking motion throughout the repeated riff to avoid tension or rushing the groove.

How to Play Waste A Moment

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E major · Tempo: 120 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Matthew Followill uses the Telecaster for cleaner, jangly passages that cut through the mix with bright articulation. Its single-coil brightness provides contrast to his heavier Gibson tones, adding textural variety to Kings of Leon's arrangements.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Matthew's primary axe, the Les Paul's warm PAF-style humbuckers respond dynamically to pick attack and volume knob control, delivering the thick, responsive tone that defines Kings of Leon's lead work.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Similar to the Standard, this model gives Matthew additional tonal options through its stock PAF humbuckers, maintaining the same warm, dynamic character that supports the band's signature sound.

Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Matthew rotates the SG for its punchy midrange and lighter weight, while Caleb uses it as his primary rhythm instrument. The SG's bright attack complements both players' preference for simplicity and natural amp breakup.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Matthew switches to this Plexi-style head for heavy, driven sections, pushing the JCM800's natural breakup to deliver aggressive lead tones that contrast with his cleaner Vox AC30 settings.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

The heart of Kings of Leon's tone, the AC30's EL84 tubes create their signature midrange bite and natural power tube compression. Both Matthew and Caleb rely on it for chime, warmth, and that warm crunch when cranked.

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