Metal Edge - Metal Soloing Techniques by Andy James

Metal Edge - Metal Soloing Techniques, a series hosted by the renowned guitarist Andy James, delves deep into the intricacies of metal soloing, offering a comprehensive guide for aspiring guitarists. Focusing on three dynamic tracks – 'Devil's Day', 'Underworld', and 'Shine on Through' – this tutorial provides invaluable insights into mastering the craft of metal guitar playing.

Unraveling the Techniques

Each lesson within Metal Edge - Metal Soloing Techniques meticulously dissects the performances of the aforementioned songs, offering a detailed breakdown of the techniques employed. From blistering solos to intricate riffs, Andy James elucidates on a myriad of essential techniques, including:

• Vibrato: Learn to infuse your notes with expressiveness and control, adding depth to your playing.
• Alternate Picking: Develop speed and precision in your picking hand, essential for executing rapid-fire passages with clarity.
• Legato: Master the art of smooth and fluid playing, connecting notes seamlessly to enhance your phrasing.
• Tapped Harmonics: Unlock the ethereal sounds of tapped harmonics, enriching your sonic palette with haunting overtones.
• Double Stop Bends: Explore the harmonic possibilities of bending two strings simultaneously, creating rich, vibrant textures.
• Unison Bends: Achieve perfect pitch alignment as you bend one note to match the pitch of another, adding drama and intensity to your solos.
• Pinched Harmonics: Harness the power of harmonics produced by pinching the string with your pick hand, injecting grit and attitude into your playing.
• Trills: Develop finger dexterity and control with rapid alternations between two notes, adding a dynamic flourish to your solos.
• Tremolo Picking: Build speed and intensity with rapid, repetitive picking motions, ideal for creating driving rhythm parts and blistering leads.
• Chord Progressions: Understand the harmonic foundation of metal music, learning to construct compelling progressions that underpin your solos.
• Arpeggios: Explore the rich, cascading sound of arpeggios, adding sophistication and flair to your lead lines.

The Benefits of Learning

By mastering these techniques, aspiring guitarists can elevate their playing to new heights. Vibrato adds emotion and character to your notes, while alternate picking enhances speed and precision, crucial for executing intricate passages. Legato playing facilitates seamless transitions between notes, allowing for fluid, expressive solos. Tapped harmonics and double stop bends offer unique tonal options, while unison bends and pinched harmonics add texture and attitude to your phrasing. Trills inject excitement and energy into your solos, while tremolo picking enables blistering speed and intensity. Understanding chord progressions and arpeggios provides a solid harmonic foundation, essential for crafting memorable melodies and captivating solos.

Learning Through Performance

One of the key features of Metal Edge - Metal Soloing Techniques is the inclusion of performances by Andy James himself. Witnessing these techniques in a performance context offers invaluable insight into their application within the context of a song. Observing James execute blistering solos and intricate riffs not only reinforces the lesson material but also inspires and motivates aspiring guitarists to push their boundaries and strive for excellence.

Techniques Used in Lessons

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios