This Ace of Spades guitar lesson will teach you one of the most iconic rock anthems ever recorded. Motorhead’s legendary track is a masterclass in raw power and driving rhythm that every rock guitarist should know. The song combines straightforward chord progressions with aggressive strumming patterns that capture the essence of classic heavy rock. You’ll develop your rhythm guitar skills while learning to channel that unmistakable Motorhead energy that made this song a stadium favorite.
Song Story & Context
Released in 1980, “Ace of Spades” became Motorhead’s signature song and their only UK Top 20 hit. Lemmy Kilmister wrote the track as a celebration of gambling and risk-taking, drawing inspiration from his love of slot machines and card games. The recording session captured the band’s trademark sound with Lemmy’s overdriven bass leading the charge alongside Fast Eddie Clarke’s razor-sharp guitar work.
What made this song special was its crossover appeal, bridging the gap between punk and metal while maintaining an accessibility that brought it to mainstream radio. The track’s relentless energy and memorable hook turned it into an anthem that’s still played at sporting events and rock clubs worldwide. Clarke used a Gibson Les Paul through a Marshall stack, creating that cutting tone that slices through the mix perfectly.
What You’ll Learn
- Power chord progressions in the key of E minor
- Aggressive downstroke strumming patterns
- Palm muting techniques for tight, percussive sounds
- Chord transitions between Em, G, D, and C
- How to maintain consistent rhythm at faster tempos
- Creating dynamic contrast between verses and choruses
Chord Progression Breakdown
The main progression revolves around Em – G – D – C, but the magic happens in how you play these chords. Start with your Em power chord using your first finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your third finger on the 4th fret of the D string. Keep your wrist straight and angle your pick slightly downward.
When moving to the G chord, you can stick with the power chord version on the 3rd fret or use the full open G if you want more harmonic richness. The transition from G to D requires a quick shift, so practice this change slowly until your muscle memory kicks in. Place your second finger on the 2nd fret of the G string and your third finger on the 3rd fret of the B string for the D chord.
The C chord brings a different flavor to the progression. Use the standard open C shape, but focus on hitting those lower strings harder to maintain the song’s aggressive character. The key is keeping your chord changes crisp and decisive. Any hesitation will break the driving momentum that makes this song so powerful.
Fingering Tips
Keep your thumb positioned behind the neck, roughly behind your second finger. This gives you the leverage you need for clean chord changes and helps prevent accidentally muting strings. Your fingers should curve naturally over the fretboard, with just your fingertips making contact with the strings.
Practice the chord progression without strumming first. Simply fret each chord and let it ring, focusing on clean note separation and quick transitions. Once you can change between all four chords smoothly, you’re ready to add the strumming pattern.
Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
The strumming pattern is built on aggressive downstrokes that give the song its driving force. Think of it as down-down-up-down-up with emphasis on the first and third beats. The key is maintaining consistent pressure and speed throughout each measure.
Start practicing at a slower tempo, around 120 BPM, before working up to the original speed. Use a metronome to keep your timing tight. The upstrokes should be lighter than the downstrokes, creating a natural accent pattern that matches the song’s groove.
Palm muting plays a crucial role in getting the authentic sound. Rest the edge of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge. You want to dampen the strings without completely killing the sustain. This creates that chunky, percussive attack that defines the Motorhead sound.
Rhythm Challenges
The biggest challenge is maintaining the intensity throughout the entire song. Your picking hand will get tired, but resist the temptation to slow down or lighten your attack. The song’s power comes from that relentless energy, so build up your stamina gradually through regular practice.
Pay attention to the subtle rhythm variations between the verse and chorus sections. The verse has a slightly more driving feel, while the chorus opens up with fuller strums. These dynamic changes keep the song interesting and prevent it from becoming monotonous.
Tips for Playing This Song
Focus on your pick grip: Hold your pick firmly but not so tight that your hand tenses up. You’ll be doing a lot of aggressive strumming, so find that balance between control and relaxation. A medium to heavy pick works best for this style of playing.
Watch your timing on chord changes: The most common mistake is rushing the transitions, especially from G to D. Practice these changes with a metronome until they become automatic. Clean, precise changes are more important than speed when you’re starting out.
Don’t overdo the distortion: While this is a heavy rock song, too much gain will muddy your chord definition. Start with a moderate amount of overdrive and gradually add more until you find the sweet spot where your chords remain clear but still have that aggressive edge.
Practice with the original recording: Once you’ve got the basics down, play along with Motorhead’s version to get the feel right. Pay attention to the subtle variations in dynamics and the way the guitar sits in the mix with the bass and drums.
Keep practicing with the video lesson and focus on getting that authentic Motorhead attitude in your playing. The technical aspects are just the foundation, the real magic happens when you capture the song’s rebellious spirit and raw energy.