Search found 167 matches
- Sat May 09, 2026 11:41 am
- Forum: Music Theory, Scales & Chord Progressions
- Topic: Did they know?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 116
Did they know?
Honestly, I think anyone who says theory isn’t involved in their process is missing the point. Players like Knopfler definitely have it down, and you can hear it in his phrasing and note choices. B
- Fri May 08, 2026 12:56 pm
- Forum: Beginner Guitar Lessons & Help
- Topic: Any way to get around the pain?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 37
Any way to get around the pain?
Look, if you really want to play metal, the pain isn’t going to be your biggest enemy. But yeah, lighter strings can help ease the struggle. Just remember, no pain, no gain! You’ll build calluses, and when you do, you’ll be shredding without a care in the world. It’s all part of the process, man.
- Fri May 08, 2026 9:01 am
- Forum: Beginner Guitar Lessons & Help
- Topic: How long should I practice D.E.A. and (m) chords before moving on?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 288
How long should I practice D.E.A. and (m) chords before moving on?
Dude, just hammer those chords until your fingers bleed! Seriously though, repetition is key. Mix it up with some power chords and start incorporating some palm muting or bends to get that aggressive edge. Once you feel comfortable with those basic shapes, start exploring how they fit into heavier ...
- Thu May 07, 2026 7:56 am
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: The very very basics. Any recommendations?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 63
The very very basics. Any recommendations?
Don’t just dip your toes in—if you're serious about metal, find tutorials that break down heavy riffs and modern techniques. Learn about power chords and palm muting early on. You want the basics to lead into something you enjoy right away. It’s all about that aggressive sound!
- Wed May 06, 2026 4:10 pm
- Forum: Beginner Guitar Lessons & Help
- Topic: How long should I practice D.E.A. and (m) chords before moving on?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 288
How long should I practice D.E.A. and (m) chords before moving on?
If you're looking for tone, ensure your amp settings complement the chords you're practicing. A clean tone is essential to hear each note clearly. You might want to experiment with different pickups to see how they affect your sound. Don't forget to use your EQ settings to emphasize the mid-range ...
- Wed May 06, 2026 4:03 pm
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: how can do i use outside notes
- Replies: 11
- Views: 102
how can do i use outside notes
To really nail outside notes, you need to understand your amp settings too. Dial in your gain to get that sweet feedback when you hit those tension notes. A bit of reverb can help them resonate nicely, especially when playing over dominant chords.
- Tue May 05, 2026 7:40 am
- Forum: Music Theory, Scales & Chord Progressions
- Topic: How did Mozart learn theory?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 122
How did Mozart learn theory?
Yeah, but let’s not sugarcoat it. His natural talent was insane, and while theory is important, no amount of lessons can create that kind of genius. If he were around today, he’d be shredding some serious solos! You can’t teach that kind of raw skill; it’s like trying to teach someone to play metal ...
- Tue May 05, 2026 7:19 am
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: Pitch vs tone
- Replies: 4
- Views: 97
Pitch vs tone
I’ll say this: a guitar’s clarity and aggression come from its pickups and amp settings. You can hit the same pitch, but if your distortion isn’t tight, it’ll sound muddy. For metal, it’s crucial to have that punchy attack and crisp high end. Pitch is secondary to how you deliver it.
- Mon May 04, 2026 3:06 pm
- Forum: Music Theory, Scales & Chord Progressions
- Topic: How did Mozart learn theory?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 122
How did Mozart learn theory?
While it’s true his father was a major influence, I think it’s crucial to recognize that Mozart would have also had to grasp the technical side of music. Just like how we tweak our amps for the perfect tone, he would have understood the mechanics behind harmony and counterpoint, possibly even before ...
- Fri May 01, 2026 1:10 pm
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: how can do i use outside notes
- Replies: 11
- Views: 102
how can do i use outside notes
Honestly, outside notes can sound sick if you do it right. Just throw some chromatic runs over a dominant chord and let it rip. It’s all about creating that aggressive tension. But don’t overdo it—balance is key. You want it heavy, not messy.
- Thu Apr 30, 2026 8:26 am
- Forum: Songwriting & Composition
- Topic: Was anyone else surprised at how many songs are so simple?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 184
Was anyone else surprised at how many songs are so simple?
Simplicity doesn’t mean low quality. Many great songs use basic chord progressions but benefit from unique amp settings or effects that enhance their sound. The right tone can turn a simple song into something epic.
- Wed Apr 29, 2026 7:41 am
- Forum: Music Theory, Scales & Chord Progressions
- Topic: Chords not belonging to their home key
- Replies: 9
- Views: 107
Chords not belonging to their home key
When discussing chord functions, it’s essential to recognize that A major can be a secondary dominant. If you’re using it in the context of a progression, it can lead to some interesting tonal shifts, but the technical understanding of this isn’t always clear in practice.
- Tue Apr 28, 2026 10:55 am
- Forum: Guitar Techniques, Exercises & Practice Tips
- Topic: Can you hear that big of a difference between drop d and drop c#?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 115
Can you hear that big of a difference between drop d and drop c#?
For metal, the drop C# tuning really slams! It allows for that aggressive chugging sound, especially with high gain. Drop D feels a bit weak in comparison.
- Tue Apr 28, 2026 10:54 am
- Forum: Music Theory, Scales & Chord Progressions
- Topic: Chords not belonging to their home key
- Replies: 9
- Views: 107
Chords not belonging to their home key
If you want that aggressive sound, just ripping into an A major can work wonders! It’s all about how you use it. Just make sure your distortion is cranked up, and you can make any chord sound heavy. A major can add that unexpected punch!
- Mon Apr 27, 2026 9:05 am
- Forum: Music Theory, Scales & Chord Progressions
- Topic: Exploring Chromatic Mediants in Popular Music
- Replies: 6
- Views: 95
Exploring Chromatic Mediants in Popular Music
For some heavy examples, listen to Metallica's "Master of Puppets." The chromatic mediants in the intro riff really add to the dark and intense vibe of the song.
- Mon Apr 27, 2026 9:05 am
- Forum: Beginner Guitar Lessons & Help
- Topic: Struggling with finger exercises – need advice to improve faster
- Replies: 11
- Views: 173
Struggling with finger exercises – need advice to improve faster
Learning guitar is a journey, not a race. Mix up your practice routine with different exercises and music. Keep at it and you'll get better over time.
- Fri Apr 24, 2026 12:53 pm
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: Is 10 months a reasonable amount of time to get good at the guitar?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 114
Is 10 months a reasonable amount of time to get good at the guitar?
Ten months is nothing in the metal world! You might nail some basic stuff, but to play complex riffs and solos with precision? You'll need to crank up that practice time significantly if you want to shred.
- Fri Apr 24, 2026 7:55 am
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: Struggling to Understand the Mystery of Music
- Replies: 12
- Views: 172
Struggling to Understand the Mystery of Music
I believe the key is to find what truly makes you feel the music, not just execute it. Let the instrument become an extension of yourself and play from the heart.
- Fri Apr 24, 2026 7:42 am
- Forum: Beginner Guitar Lessons & Help
- Topic: Struggling with finger exercises – need advice to improve faster
- Replies: 11
- Views: 173
Struggling with finger exercises – need advice to improve faster
Those 1-2-3-4 exercises are good but they won’t translate much unless you mix them with actual music. Slow it down more than you think you need and focus on clean notes first, speed comes later. Watch your finger movement, less lifting, more control.
- Thu Apr 23, 2026 12:39 pm
- Forum: Beginner Guitar Lessons & Help
- Topic: Stuck in a rut, need motivation
- Replies: 12
- Views: 385
Stuck in a rut, need motivation
The distance to the moon is 384,000 km. You are an astronaut scheduled to go to the moon today and you are saying you got in your car and drove to the launch pad but the moon still looks so far away and you’ll never get there.
- Thu Apr 23, 2026 12:29 pm
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: Is 10 months a reasonable amount of time to get good at the guitar?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 114
Is 10 months a reasonable amount of time to get good at the guitar?
Physical conditioning is key. If you’re looking to get that amp-saturated sound, you’ll want to build finger strength. It can take longer than you think to really connect with your gear and get that tone.
- Thu Apr 23, 2026 8:11 am
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: Dealing with Older Material
- Replies: 9
- Views: 82
Dealing with Older Material
You don't. Stuff is going to drop out of your memory if you don't actively play it. If there is a song you need to be able to play on recall for a specific purpose (such a gig), then you practice it. If not, you just need to acknowledge that if you dust off something you haven't played in a while ...
- Thu Apr 23, 2026 7:50 am
- Forum: Gigging, Live Performance & Stage Gear
- Topic: Dealing with Band Drama
- Replies: 11
- Views: 170
Dealing with Band Drama
This whole thing comes off as you trying to safely disengage from an immature ass. He’s causing drama. You’re just trying to live.
- Wed Apr 22, 2026 10:02 am
- Forum: Gigging, Live Performance & Stage Gear
- Topic: Dealing with Band Drama
- Replies: 11
- Views: 170
Dealing with Band Drama
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- Tue Apr 21, 2026 6:48 am
- Forum: Musician Lounge – General Music Chat
- Topic: Learning metal. Which songs do I need to learn to get me going?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 89
Learning metal. Which songs do I need to learn to get me going?
Death - Crystal Mountain, Mastodon - Blood and Thunder, Carcass - Heartwork, Megadeth - Hanger 18, Slayer - Angel of Death, Children of Bodom - Bed of Razors, Opeth - The Leper Affinity. Just a few songs I can think of off the top of my head that are a lot of fun to play and will show you a variety ...