Metal Guitar Licks for Absolute Beginners

Welcome to "Metal Guitar Licks for Absolute Beginners," a comprehensive course offered by LickLibrary.coms very own Danny Gill, designed to introduce the essential techniques of metal guitar playing. This course is ideal for beginners who aspire to master the exciting world of metal guitar. Each lesson focuses on a key technique, complete with detailed instructions and practical examples. The course also includes backing tracks, providing an immersive learning experience.

Techniques Covered in "Metal Guitar Licks for Absolute Beginners"

Unison Bends

Unison bends involve bending one string to match the pitch of another, creating a powerful, harmonious sound. This technique is a staple in metal guitar solos and riffs, adding a dramatic flair to your playing.

Benefits

• Enhances musical expression and solo dynamics.
• Develops pitch accuracy and ear training.
• Adds a unique textural element to guitar solos.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is a dynamic technique where the side of your picking hand dampens the strings at the bridge, producing a tight, controlled sound. It's essential for creating the chunky, rhythmic riffs synonymous with metal music.

Benefits

• Creates a heavier, more rhythmic sound in riffs.
• Increases control over the dynamics of your playing.
• Essential for playing fast, aggressive metal rhythms.

String Bending

String bending is a fundamental technique in guitar playing, particularly in metal. It involves pushing the strings across the fretboard to raise their pitch, adding emotional depth and expression to your playing.

Benefits

• Introduces emotional expression in solos.
• Improves finger strength and dexterity.
• Enhances phrasing and musicality.

Octaves

Using octaves involves playing two notes of the same pitch but in different registers simultaneously. This technique adds depth and fullness to riffs and melodies.

Benefits

• Enriches the texture of guitar lines.
• Useful for creating melodic hooks.
• Enhances the harmonic depth of riffs.

Open String Licks

Open string licks incorporate the use of open strings in riffs and solos. They offer a unique sound and can be used to create fast, intricate passages with relative ease.

Benefits

• Expands the range of your riff vocabulary.
• Facilitates faster, more fluid playing.
• Adds a distinctive sound to your playing style.

Tapping

Tapping is a technique where the fingers of the picking hand are used to 'tap' notes on the fretboard, allowing for rapid note sequences and complex patterns.

Benefits

• Allows for playing faster, more intricate licks.
• Expands the creative possibilities of your solos.
• Enhances coordination between both hands.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes. This technique is crucial for playing fast, precise, and rhythmic passages.

Benefits

• Increases speed and accuracy in playing.
• Essential for fast-paced metal riffs and solos.
• Improves overall picking technique and efficiency.

Pick Tapping

Pick tapping is a variation of the tapping technique, using the pick instead of fingers. It creates a sharper, more pronounced sound and can be used for percussive effects.

Benefits

• Adds a unique sonic quality to tapping techniques.
• Enables more aggressive and percussive tapping sounds.
• Enhances the diversity of your playing style.

Legato Techniques

Legato, meaning "tied together" in Italian, involves playing notes smoothly and connectedly, often using hammer-ons and pull-offs. This technique is essential for fluid, expressive solos.

Benefits

• Creates smoother, more connected note passages.
• Reduces picking hand fatigue.
• Enhances the expressiveness of solos.

The Blues Scale

The blues scale is a foundational element in metal guitar playing. It adds a raw, emotional quality to riffs and solos and is versatile for both rhythm and lead playing.

Benefits

• Introduces a raw, emotive quality to solos.
• Highly versatile for improvisation.
• Forms the basis for many classic metal riffs.

Backing Tracks

Using backing tracks in practice is invaluable. They provide a musical context, helping you develop timing, rhythm, and improvisation skills. It's an effective way to apply the techniques learned in a realistic setting.

Guitar Techniques Used

• Unison Bends
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapping

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation in metal guitar techniques, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience for beginners. Join us at LickLibrary.com to embark on your metal guitar journey!