Drill of the Week #42 – Metal Rhythm Guitar Riff Techniques

richardsguitarstudio on April 28, 2015

CLICK HERE for Tabs

Learning metal rhythm guitar techniques is a challenge, but well worth the effort. Whether you’re writing songs, covering songs, or just trying to get better, focusing on tone, rhythm, and technique can do wonders in your overall playing. Here are 3 things to focus on in this lesson:

  1. Proper picking – follow the downstrokes and upstrokes EXACTLY as written. This way, the rhythm feels natural. Playing metal rhythm guitar is a physical art, so the motion of the pick is key.
  2. Use rest strokes with the pick as much as possible. That means you pick the string or chord, and the pick follows through and lands on the next adjacent string. This way, you have a nice follow-through without accidentally hitting other strings.
  3. Take your time. Don’t try to learn the whole page in one day. Give a several solid practice sessions before you decide to move on to something else.

Nate from Richards Guitar Studio shows you various heavy metal rhythm guitar techniques, including 6/8 rhythms, palm muting, alternate picking, power chords, intervals, chromatic notes, and more. Learn this cool riff and apply the principles to your own song writing or cover songs.

Richards Guitar Studio provides professional guitar, drum, and bass lessons and rock band school in Aston, PA. Serving Delaware County – Media, Swarthmore, Springfield, Ridley, Garnet Valley, and Wallingford.


Ready to Learn Music?