Learn to Play "The Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson

If you’re a fan of hard-hitting riffs and industrial metal attitude, then Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” is a must-learn. This note-for-note guitar lesson from Licklibrary.com dives deep into one of the most iconic tracks of the '90s alternative metal scene, offering guitarists the chance to master its gritty tone, tight rhythmic precision, and powerful attitude. With a focus on essential rock and metal techniques, this lesson not only teaches you how to play the track faithfully, but also enhances your overall playing ability with transferable skills and stylistic knowledge. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Track and Its Guitarists

Released in 1996 as the lead single from the album Antichrist Superstar, "The Beautiful People" became an instant classic. The guitar work on this track was primarily handled by Daisy Berkowitz (Scott Putesky), Marilyn Manson’s founding guitarist, whose style combined raw aggression with industrial finesse. His playing was fundamental to the band’s early sound, favouring texture, attitude, and groove over traditional shredding. Later tours and recordings also featured John 5, whose virtuosic style expanded the band’s sonic arsenal. Both players are known for their creative use of tone and texture, and their influence is clear in this heavy, stomping riff-driven track.

Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Palm Muting

A foundational technique in metal and rock, palm muting gives the song its chugging, percussive rhythm. This lesson shows how to apply precise muting to maintain the tight, mechanical feel of the riff while keeping the energy high. Learning palm muting improves control and dynamics, essential for rhythm guitar in heavier genres.

Power Chords

At the heart of the song’s heavy riffing are power chords. These are the bread and butter of metal rhythm guitar. The lesson teaches how to play them with the aggressive attack and tight articulation that the song demands. Mastering power chords strengthens your fretting hand and helps you develop accurate alternate picking patterns.

Alternate Picking

The main riff features tight, alternate picking patterns that lock into the song’s groove. Developing this technique is crucial for playing fast, consistent, and rhythmically tight passages. This lesson focuses on picking-hand accuracy and endurance.

Slides

Subtle slides between notes add fluidity and movement to the riff transitions. Incorporating slides improves fretboard navigation and adds expressiveness to your rhythm playing.

Pick Slides

One of the track’s signature textures comes from aggressive pick slides, producing that scraping, industrial sound. These add character to the performance and emphasise transitions. They’re also a great way to enhance your dynamic control and stage presence.

Syncopated Rhythms

"The Beautiful People" is driven by syncopation, with guitar riffs locking in against the drums and vocals in a staggered, aggressive groove. This lesson highlights syncopated rhythms to help players develop tighter timing and rhythmic awareness—skills that apply to countless styles beyond metal.

String Bending

While not a lead-heavy track, string bending appears subtly in certain fills, adding tension and expression. Practicing bends refines pitch control and finger strength.

Why Learn These Techniques?

Learning the guitar parts to “The Beautiful People” not only gives you a solid industrial-metal anthem in your repertoire, but also equips you with essential skills every rock and metal guitarist needs. Each technique in the lesson has broader applications, from improving your rhythm guitar chops to developing stage-ready tone and articulation. These are the techniques used by professionals to create tight, aggressive, and unforgettable riffs.

Whether you're working on timing with syncopated grooves, sharpening your picking hand with alternate picking, or adding flair with slides and pick scrapes, this lesson is designed to elevate your playing with focused, hands-on practice.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Alternate Picking
• Slides
• Pick Slides
• Syncopated Rhythms
• String Bending

With a focus on groove, power, and gritty precision, learning Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” is an excellent way to sharpen your rhythm playing while embracing a unique industrial-metal tone. This Licklibrary lesson breaks everything down in a way that’s easy to follow yet challenging enough to keep you improving. Grab your guitar, crank up the gain, and let’s get heavy!