Every guitarist eventually eyes a song that feels just out of reach. Maybe it’s the tapping in Van Halen’s Eruption or the relentless speed of DragonForce.
These are the tracks that take months of practice, not an afternoon. The hard part is rarely one trick, and more often a pileup of speed, stretches, and timing all at once.
This list gathers thirteen songs that test even strong players. For each one, we point out exactly what makes it so tough.
It’s part bucket list, part warning label. These are the hardest guitar songs we could round up.
Our List of the Hardest Guitar Songs
These 13 songs span shred, thrash, prog, and funk, and every one of them will test your speed, timing, and stamina. Pick one and start chipping away at it.
1. Eddie Van Halen - Eruption
This song is an absolute Eddie Van Halen classic. What he was able to do on the first Van Halen album with this track was revolutionary at the time.
The tapping-heavy intro riff is the most difficult part of it. If you want a really cool sounding yet seriously hard solo to play, then Eruption by Eddie Van Halen is the one for you.
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow
The main reason for choosing this song is the main riff, which is just too hard for most people to get down. Don’t give up.
The timing is also really important because of the sheer speed. Snow by Red Hot Chili Peppers is a really cool song to learn if you want to play fast and clean.
3. Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover
Awesome intro riff. Eric Johnson, take a bow, because you’re just so brilliant.
This song is pure genius, and it’s one of the hardest songs to play on guitar.
4. Dream Theater - Dance of Eternity
Dance of Eternity by Dream Theater is a very tricky song to play, but it isn’t impossible to get your hands on it. The song is famous for its constant time-signature changes, which means you’ve to count carefully the whole way through.
It’s a prog masterclass, so if you enjoy pieces that keep shifting under your fingers, this is a great challenge.
5. Dokken - Mr. Scary
This song is just pure genius. It’s a really hard track to pull off, and you’ve to start with a simple rhythm and then build up to the final solo.
If you’re looking for a really hard song to play, then this one might be for you.
6. Steve Vai - Bad Horsie
Steve Vai is a wildly talented guitarist. He mastered the art of the instrument and is one of my favorite guitarists ever.
Bad Horsie by Steve Vai is probably the hardest one I could find from him. It’s a tough song to memorize, but in the end the experience will be worth it.
7. Metallica - For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ah, Metallica. What can I say?
This song is really hard to play. The intro riff is a bit tricky, but it’s the rest of the song that’s genuinely tough.
There are a few solos you’ve to learn how to play properly. If you want some Metallica in your repertoire, then For Whom the Bell Tolls is definitely something for you.
8. Slayer - Raining Blood
This one will test your guitar skills to their maximum. It starts as a simple tune and then builds up to a very fast tempo.
Raining Blood by Slayer is an almost impossible guitar song, but if you’ve mastered it, then go ahead and show it off.
9. DragonForce - Through the Fire and Flames
Ok, where do I even begin with this one? DragonForce are known for some seriously hard guitar solos and riffs.
Through the Fire and Flames is a brutal song to play for anyone, even for the best guitarists out there. After learning this song, you’ll need some time to relax your fingers, I’m telling you.
10. Metallica - One
Another Metallica song you simply have to learn. This is a must-play for Metallica fans or any rock fans for that matter.
One is a very hard song to get down, but if you’re up for a challenge, then do it. You’ll end up mastering one of the hardest guitar songs out there, so give it your best and you’ll succeed.
11. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force
Rising Force by Yngwie Malmsteen is one of the hardest songs around. Not just the riffs, but the whole song itself.
The riffs are ultra hard because of the speed at which they’re played, and the song is just relentlessly fast. The intro riff is a killer on its own, so be cautious when you start learning this one.
12. Animals as Leaders - CAFO
CAFO by Animals as Leaders is a very cool song to play on guitar. Although it isn’t the very hardest song on this list, it’s really hard if you’re just starting out and have never played anything like this before.
The extended-range riffing alone makes it a worthy challenge.
13. Megadeth - Hangar 18
Holy cow, this song is pure craziness. Hangar 18 by Megadeth is one of the hardest songs I’ve ever seen on a guitar, packed with trading solos from start to finish.
The main riff is something everyone should learn to play if they want to level up as a guitarist.
What Makes a Guitar Song Hard to Play?
Difficulty on guitar usually comes down to a few key factors, and the songs above check several of these boxes at once.
- Speed and tempo. Tracks like Rising Force, Raining Blood, and Through the Fire and Flames demand fast, clean picking that takes months of practice to build up to.
- Advanced techniques. Tapping, sweep picking, and rapid alternate picking, like the tapping that defines Eruption, separate intermediate players from experts.
- Odd time signatures. Songs such as Dance of Eternity constantly shift their meter, so you’ve to count carefully instead of relying on a steady groove.
- Stamina. A blistering solo is one thing, but keeping it up for an entire song is another. The hardest tracks wear out your fretting and picking hands.
- Memorization. Long, through-composed pieces with few repeated sections force you to commit a lot of material to memory before it feels natural.
If a song combines several of these at once, it earns a spot among the hardest guitar songs to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the hardest guitar song to play?
There’s no single answer, since difficulty depends on which techniques challenge you most. That said, Through the Fire and Flames by DragonForce and Eruption by Eddie Van Halen are routinely named among the hardest because of their extreme speed and demanding technique.
For sheer relentless tempo, Slayer’s Raining Blood and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force are also brutal. Any of these will keep an expert player busy for a long time.
How long does it take to learn a hard guitar song?
It varies widely based on your skill level and how much you practice. An advanced player might learn the structure of one of these songs in a few weeks, but playing it cleanly at full speed can take several months of focused practice.
The key is slow, deliberate repetition with a metronome. Speed comes after accuracy, not before it.
Do I need a special guitar to play these songs?
For most of these songs a standard electric guitar works fine, though many shred and metal players prefer guitars with thin necks, hot pickups, and a locking tremolo for dive bombs. Songs like CAFO by Animals as Leaders were written for extended-range guitars, so a 7- or 8-string makes them easier to play as recorded.
You don’t need expensive gear to start. A well-set-up guitar with low action will help far more than an expensive model with high string height.
What’s the best way to start learning difficult songs?
Break the song into small sections and practice each one slowly before stringing them together. Use a metronome and only increase the tempo once you can play a section cleanly at the slower speed.
If these tracks feel out of reach right now, build your foundation first with some guitar songs for beginners and work your way up.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a real challenge, these are 13 of the most difficult guitar songs to play. Whether you love tough riffs, blazing solos, or shifting time signatures, there’s something here to push your playing to the next level.
Remember that even the best guitarists started slow. Pick one song, learn it section by section, and stay patient with yourself as the speed and stamina build over time.
And if any of these feel too far out of reach today, that’s perfectly fine. Take a look at these guitar songs for beginners, build your skills, and come back to this list when you’re ready to tackle the hard stuff.
