New Frontier Guitar – Metal Pentatonics by Andy James

The "New Frontier Guitar – Metal Pentatonics" by Andy James is an exciting and immersive guitar course designed to help guitarists of all levels master the pentatonic scale, specifically for metal playing. Known for his virtuosic skills and precise technique, Andy James has crafted a lesson that explores the power of pentatonics in heavy metal, breaking down the essential techniques that define the genre. This course allows players to harness the pentatonic scale to develop faster playing, create explosive solos, and take their metal guitar skills to the next level.

About Andy James

Andy James is a celebrated British guitarist known for his impeccable technical skills and contribution to modern metal guitar playing. With his roots in the metal genre, he has earned recognition for his speed, accuracy, and creative approach to soloing. Influenced by guitar legends like John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne), Andy blends technicality with musicality, making him a highly respected figure in the guitar community. His work on the "New Frontier Guitar – Metal Pentatonics" is a testament to his ability to teach and inspire both intermediate and advanced players looking to sharpen their metal guitar technique.

Techniques Featured in the Course

Vibrato

Vibrato is a subtle yet powerful technique that involves slightly bending the pitch of a note to give it more character and expression. Andy James teaches how to apply vibrato effectively, especially in the context of metal, where it adds emotion and intensity to solos. Learning vibrato helps guitarists add a personal touch to their playing, ensuring that even fast, technical runs carry musical depth. Vibrato

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a fundamental technique where the guitarist uses both upstrokes and downstrokes to pick notes. This method allows for greater speed and precision, which is crucial when playing fast metal riffs and solos. Andy covers how to develop efficient alternate picking patterns that maintain accuracy even at high tempos, a cornerstone of metal guitar shredding. Alternate Picking

Legato

Legato playing focuses on smooth transitions between notes using techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs, without the need for continuous picking. Andy James incorporates legato in metal solos to create fluid, seamless lines that sound fast and aggressive. Mastering legato can help guitarists achieve speed without compromising on the smoothness of their playing. Legato

Tapped Harmonics

Tapped harmonics involve using a finger from the picking hand to lightly tap the string at a specific fret to produce a bell-like harmonic sound. In metal, tapped harmonics add a futuristic, ethereal quality to solos. Andy James demonstrates how to integrate these harmonics into metal solos, creating haunting, otherworldly tones. Tapped Harmonics

Double-Stop Bends

Double-stop bends are a signature technique in metal guitar, where two notes are bent at once, creating a powerful, dissonant sound. Andy shows how to use double-stop bends in solos to add aggression and complexity, giving guitarists the tools to add a heavier, more layered sound to their solos. Double-Stop Bends

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics are achieved by lightly pinching the string with the pick to produce a sharp, squealing sound. This technique is widely used in metal for creating dramatic, high-pitched accents in riffs and solos. Andy teaches how to perform pinched harmonics with accuracy, ensuring they stand out in any performance. Pinched Harmonics

Trills

A trill is the rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, often using hammer-ons and pull-offs. In metal solos, trills add intensity and a rapid-fire effect, and Andy James breaks down how to incorporate them smoothly into pentatonic patterns. Learning trills helps players build finger strength and dexterity. Trills

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking involves rapidly picking a single note in quick succession. It’s a staple in metal, often used to build tension and add speed to solos. Andy demonstrates how to develop clean, controlled tremolo picking to enhance both rhythm and lead playing. Tremolo Picking

Palm Muting

Palm muting is a technique that involves resting the side of the picking hand on the strings near the bridge to create a muted, percussive sound. This technique is vital for metal rhythm playing, as it adds weight and definition to power chords and riffs. Andy shows how to use palm muting effectively to control dynamics and add punch to metal rhythm sections. Palm Muting

Guitarists Influencing the Course

Throughout this course, Andy James draws influence from a range of metal guitar legends known for their innovative use of pentatonics. Guitarists like Zakk Wylde, known for his aggressive pinched harmonics and wide vibrato, and Dimebag Darrell (Pantera), famous for his powerful double-stop bends and use of squealing harmonics, are prominent examples. These players shaped the modern metal sound, pushing the boundaries of what the pentatonic scale can do in heavy music. Their influence is evident in the techniques Andy covers, making this course a must-learn for fans of these iconic guitarists.

Techniques Used in "New Frontier Guitar – Metal Pentatonics"

1. Vibrato
2. Alternate Picking
3. Legato
4. Tapped Harmonics
5. Double-Stop Bends
6. Pinched Harmonics
7. Trills
8. Tremolo Picking
9. Palm Muting
10. Pull-offs
11. Hammer-ons

By focusing on these techniques, Andy James ensures that students will develop a comprehensive skill set, ready to tackle the challenges of modern metal guitar playing.