Kalimba Sheet Music: Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

Are you a fan of the American heavy metal band Metallica and would like to learn how to play the melody of their song Nothing Else Matters on your thumb piano? You’ve come to the right place: with the kalimba sheet music and tablature you’ll find here, this legendary track will be within your reach.

Make every metalhead you meet jealous, and let’s dive straight into the sheet music for Nothing Else Matters.

First, change the tuning of the kalimba

To play the melody of Nothing Else Matters, you’ll need a small tweak from standard C major tuning. Specifically, raise two tines by turning the F naturals in the 3rd and 4th octaves into F-sharps. To see how to do this quickly and easily, check out this guide to tuning kalimbas. Everything is explained step by step, and you can make the change in just a few minutes.

Next, because Metallica’s song is fairly dense, we recommend taking a look at this tutorial on how to read mbira sheet music. You’ll learn what the numbers, letters, parentheses, and all the other symbols you’ll run into actually mean.

Listen to the sheet music for Nothing Else Matters on finger piano

Want to hear what your kalimba will sound like once you can play the full sheet music or tablature we’re about to share? Watch the video below to find out:

You can also watch the official music video to get the lyrics back in your head. Singing along with the kalimba is incredibly relaxing and helps you connect your finger movements to the words, which is especially useful in the chorus.

Study Metallica with a numbered score for mbira

Even though it’s long, number-based sheet music is a simple, straightforward way to learn a melody. Here it is for Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters.

Metallica on the kalimba with a lettered score

Is number-based notation not your favourite? No problem—use the letter version just below.

Optimize your kalimba performance with tablature

Especially popular with experienced players, tablature is an excellent way to develop and refine your style. You’ll know exactly how long to hold each note and rest to play the melody of Nothing Else Matters accurately.

Learn the Metallica song more easily with a PDF file

It’s always frustrating to have to return to a website or video just to remember a score when you’ve forgotten certain notes or passages. That’s why we recommend downloading this PDF file, which contains all the scores and tablature for Nothing Else Matters. It’s completely free, and you can share it with all your friends.

Who is Metallica's lead singer?

The singer of the band Metallica, and the voice behind Nothing Else Matters, is James Hetfield. Born on August 3, 1963, in California, USA, he is one of the two founding members, along with Lars Ulrich, who are still with the band today. The two founded Metallica in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to a newspaper ad placed by Lars Ulrich. Ron McGovney and Dave Mustaine joined them to round out the early lineup.

What is the meaning of the song Nothing Else Matters?

Looking closely at the lyrics of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” it comes across as a hymn to independence. Hetfield opens his verses with lines like “Let’s believe forever in who we are” and “I never cared what they do,” always returning to the refrain, “Nothing Else Matters.” In other words, the song encourages listeners to live life on their own terms without worrying about other people’s opinions.

In a 2012 interview, James Hetfield opened up about the meaning of this song. He said he would often play it alone in his room when he was feeling down because he was far away from his girlfriend at the time. He added that it’s a “true testament to honesty” and that the song was written from the heart to express his feelings.

Take it to the next level with a brand-name instrument

Metallica left a lasting mark on metal history with Nothing Else Matters—a track that split longtime fans while also introducing the band to a whole new audience. Now that you have all the resources you need to play the melody, the only thing left is to practise until you can truly feel those Metallica vibes under your thumbs.

That said, this melody isn’t very beginner-friendly due to its difficulty, and it’s even less forgiving on low-end instruments that can’t keep up. To support your kalimba practice, the Instruments du Monde store recommends choosing a Gecko thumb piano, known for its high-quality build. The brand has impressed demanding players for years, especially with the K17SD model, which delivers exceptional tone thanks to its solid red sandalwood body.

Get your Gecko kalimba now by clicking on the image below:

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Looking to play something gentle, like a lullaby? We have just the right melody for you! Play the sheet music for Zelda's Lullaby on your 17-tine kalimba. It’s a famous piece straight from the Zelda video game franchise. And it’s not the only song from that series we offer—browse more in our 17-note kalimba scores.