How to Play Pantera's "Cowboys from Hell" Intro
Ever wanted to give the iconic opening riff to Pantera's "Cowboys from Hell" a shot? Well, you're in luck!
In this classic "Quick Licks" video, former GW music editor Matt Scharfglass shows you how to play the riff at full speed, before diving into more detail about its component parts.
Scharfglass demonstrates how the riff is based on an E minor blues scale, and how nailing that scale goes a long way to helping you perfect the riff itself.
Enjoy!
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
Since 1980, Guitar World has been the ultimate resource for guitarists. Whether you want to learn the techniques employed by your guitar heroes, read about their latest projects or simply need to know which guitar is the right one to buy, Guitar World is the place to look.

Want to play Master of Puppets the right way? Here's how to get faster at downpicking so you can chug like James Hetfield
![Joe Bonamassa [left] wears a deep blue suit and polka-dotted shirt and plays his green refin Strat; the late Irish blues legend Rory Gallagher [right] screams and inflicts some punishment on his heavily worn number one Stratocaster.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cw28h7UBcTVfTLs7p7eiLe-840-80.jpg)
“The intensity of Rory’s guitar playing – the emotion, the sound and his incredible attack – was mindblowing for me”: Joe Bonamassa pays tribute to the late, great Irish blues-rock icon Rory Gallagher