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Death Metal Guitar Scales

8/19/2021

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That video is a preview to a nearly 40 minute discussion on Death Metal Guitar Theory on Patreon, which only costs one dollar to unlock (plus, you get access to OVER 100 other video lessons!)

Below are tabs of scales I like to use when composing death metal.

death_metal_scales.gp
File Size: 10 kb
File Type: gp
Download File

death_metal_scales.gpx
File Size: 25 kb
File Type: gpx
Download File

death_metal_scales.pdf
File Size: 58 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Interested in the full length discussion? CLICK HERE
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5 Half-Whole Diminished Riff Examples for Metal Guitar

6/3/2018

1 Comment

 
The following videos were live streams that discuss those 5 riff examples in great detail.
Here is the tablature for all 5 examples.
half-whole diminished scale metal riffs
half-whole diminished scale metal riffs
half-whole diminished scale metal riffs
half-whole diminished scale metal riffs
half-whole diminished scale metal riffs
For the half-whole diminished scale shapes that were used in creating these riffs CLICK HERE.
Questions or comments? Leave 'em in the comments section!
1 Comment

5 Half-Whole Diminished Exercises for Metal Guitar

5/6/2018

0 Comments

 
The 5 exercises using the half-whole diminished scale shown in this blog entry were covered in this live stream:
Here are the exercises all together in a much shorter video:
These are the scale shapes used in those 5 exercises:
Half Whole Diminished Scale Shapes Guitar
Here are all of the exercises individually:
half whole diminished scale guitar exercise
half whole diminished scale guitar exercise
half whole diminished scale guitar exercise
half whole diminished scale guitar exercise
half whole diminished scale guitar exercise
If you have any questions or suggestions for new live stream lessons, please share them in the comments section!
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Japanese Hirojoshi (aka: Hirajoshi) and Kumoi Scales and Riffs Live Stream Resources

4/2/2018

1 Comment

 
This blog entry contains the resources used in putting together the live stream that covered the scales Hirojoshi (sometimes spelled Hirajoshi) and Kumoi.

Video Demonstrations of Ten Japanese Riffs

Hirojoshi (aka: Hirajoshi) Scale Guitar Riffs

Hirojoshi Hirajoshi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Hirojoshi Hirajoshi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Hirojoshi Hirajoshi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Hirojoshi Hirajoshi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Hirojoshi Hirajoshi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale

Kumoi Guitar Scale Riffs

Kumoi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Kumoi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Kumoi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Kumoi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Kumoi Guitar Riff Japanese Scale
Hirojoshi Scales Hirajoshi Scale
Kumoi Scales

The Difference Between Kumoi and Hirojoshi

The Kumoi Scale has the following intervals = 1, 2, b3, 5 and 6
The Hirojoshi Scale has the following intervals = 1, 2, b3, 5 and b6

The only difference between these two scales is that the Kumoi has a natural 6, and the Hirojoshi has a flat 6.

People Naming the Scales Incorrectly

If you go by what the Guitar Grimmoire says, and a few websites, the intervals I listed above are correct.

In this video, the Hirojoshi scale is demonstrated, but the teacher calls it the Kumoi scale instead: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDXOCNq9UH4


Here's that lesson on Guitar World's website: www.guitarworld.com/what-world-kumoi-japanese-scale-tab-and-video
​
If you look at the comment left at the bottom of the lesson, someone states that the Hirojoshi scale is indeed being used, and not the Kumoi.

Even wikipedia has the Hirajoshi scale listing notes/intervals that are actually the Kumoi scale, according to the Grimmoire.

Oli Herbert of All That Remains does a lesson for Guitar World on the Hirajoshi scale, and uses the same intervals that the Grimmoire does. www.guitarworld.com/lessons/investigating-hirajoshi-scale

Here's another site that has the intervals for Hirojoshi the same as the Grimmoire (although it begins on the 2nd instead of the first): www.pianoscales.org/hirajoshi.html

Scale Name Sources

The following links are websites I used in gathering information for the live stream this blog entry is based on.
  • Wikepedia Japanese Scale Names - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_musical_scales
  • Japanese Mode - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_mode - W H W+W H W+W = A B C D E F
    • www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=12&scch=E&scchnam=Japanese+%28in+sen%29&get2=Get&t=0&choice=1
  • Akebono Scale - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akebono_scale
    • i.pinimg.com/originals/64/3d/40/643d40b95c108e57569156cfd521ba16.jpg = G G# C D Eb G
    • cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1597/6205/products/AkebonoScale.jpg?v=1509821665 = E F A B C
    • www.kalimbamagic.com/tipoftheday/tip_assets/8Note-Akebono.jpg = D Eb G Ab C
  • Hirajoshi Scale - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiraj%C5%8Dshi_scale = C E F# G B (same as Kumoi starting on note 2) and C Db F Gb Bb (same as previous) and C D Eb G Ab (same as Kumoi)
    • Hirajoshi 
      ​www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=8&scch=C&scchnam=Hirajoshi&get2=Get&t=0&choice=1 (same as Japanese mode and Grimmoire)
    • Hirajoshi 2
      www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=8&scch=C&scchnam=Hirajoshi&get2=Get&t=0&choice=1 (same as Akebono Scale)
  • In Scale - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_scale = D Eb G A Bb (same as Akebono scale - 3rd example same notes)
  • Insen Scale - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insen_scale = D Eb G A C (2nd mode or scale shape of the Kumoi Scale in Grimmoire)
  • Iwato Scale - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwato_scale = 2nd mode/scale shape of the Hirajoshi Scale
  • Ritsu and Ryo Scales - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritsu_and_ryo_scales
    • Ristu = D E G A B (5th pentatonic shape) other example is listed a whole step down
    • Ryo = D E F# A B (2nd pentatonic shape aka: Major pentatonic)
  • Yo Scale - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_scale = same as Ryo
    • Same website has minyo scale listed, and is your first pentatonic shape
  • Chinese Scales - webbrain.com/attach?brain=FE9A3947-848E-CA05-DFC5-E32D9FD16A6D&attach=93&type=1 = Your 5 Pentatonic scales.

Here is the Archived Live Stream Guitar Lesson

1 Comment

Using Scale Shapes to Create Riffs

7/29/2017

0 Comments

 
There's a LOT you can do with scale shapes besides just going up and down one note at a time.

Most of the music you listen to can fit into scale shapes. Knowing your scales can allow you tons of musical ideas.

Turns out that John Petrucci and I use scale shapes in a similar way to create riffs.

Check out this video where Petrucci demonstrates this approach to song/riff writing:
0 Comments

Approach Scales Musically

7/8/2017

0 Comments

 
Yup. I like playing fast. It's fun. It's exciting. But, is it musical?

Yes! I say it is. It also depends on how it's used though.

However, I do agree that it feels as if musicality is lost when all a guitar player does is haul ass up and down scales, cramming in as many notes as possible, AAAAALLLLLLLL THEEEE TIME.

​So, how can you focus on the musicality of a scale instead of just playing it as fast as you can?
PLAAAAAAAAAAAY                         SLOOOOOOOOOW
That's right! P-L-A-Y    S-L-O-W

Playing slow allows you to HEAR the notes you are using. Whether you are playing to a backing track, or by yourself (no accompaniment), it's a FANTASTIC idea to practice playing your solos, leads, scales, SLOW!

In fact, I always advise new students to practice improv slowly. When you are new to improv, it can be very helpful to play nice and slow so you allow your ears to grow accustomed to what you are playing and hearing.

Guthrie Govan talks about this in a lesson he did with Guitar World. Definitely worth the watch!
0 Comments

Two Way Picking Slanting for Fast Scale Playing

10/29/2016

0 Comments

 
Troy Grady taught me that I do two way pick slanting. I had no clue, after nearly 20 years of playing, that I did this technique.
I have never even HEARD of this technique.
I also did not know that fast scale runs, just straight up and down 3 notes per string patterns, was something a lot of people struggled with.

The two way pick slanting allows fast alternate picking and keeps you from having your pick get stuck in between any two strings. When we pick, we actually tend to have either an upward pick slant, or downward pick slant. (watch the video to see what that is)

So, if you are one of those people who struggle with playing fast scale runs with 3 notes per string, you may find this video helpful.

Now, the video is 30 minutes long, but it's very entertaining. If you want to skip ahead to the big revelation of two way pick slanting, where Troy Grady found this technique being implemented by Michael Angelo Batio in Speed Kills, it starts at about 12:30.
0 Comments

Neverlost Pentatonic... What?!

10/27/2016

2 Comments

 
Okay. What guitar player has NOT learned the pentatonic scale? Probably the person who has had a guitar for one minute.

After that minute is gone they've seen 100 videos of how to play the damn pentatonic scale.
EVERYONE KNOWS THE F**KING PENTATONIC SCALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Why are you yelling?!"

"I'M EXCITED!!!!"
Anyway, on to the point I actually want to share.

Although the pentatonic scale is easily the most common guitar scale to use, every now and then a unique approach to this overly used scale comes up.

Ian of Stichmethod Guitar came up with a pretty cool way to show how to navigate the pentatonic scale. Watch his video lesson, step up your pentatonic skills, and break out of that box!
2 Comments

3 Note Per String Scale Shape Madness

8/14/2016

0 Comments

 
I was asked the most complex "question" I've ever received recently. Basically, this person wanted to know how to use 3 note per string octave licks, how to go from one scale shape to the next, how each shape relates to one another, can you go from Major to minor to harmonic minor to melodic minor, and how.

Woah! That's a lot of stuff. I did my best to answer everything as quickly and precise as possible in this video, which does happen to be a bit lengthy:
The following links are good resources for several 3 note per string scale shapes:

http://www.fretjam.com/major-scale-patterns.html
​​
http://www.discoverguitaronline.com/diagrams/view/6 (Major Scale Shapes)
http://www.discoverguitaronline.com/diagrams/view/64 (Harmonic Minor Scale Shapes)
http://www.discoverguitaronline.com/diagrams/view/65 (Melodic Minor Scale Shapes)
http://www.discoverguitaronline.com/diagrams/browse/scales (A Whole BUNCH of Scales)

Want to help get more free lessons like this made more often? CLICK HERE to see how you can help!
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The 5 Pentatonic Guitar Scale Shapes

1/28/2016

0 Comments

 
The pentatonic scale is one of the most popular scales used in guitar solos and leads. The pentatonic is a 5 note scale.

Penta = 5
Tonic = tone (aka: note)

This lesson will show the 5 different shapes for the pentatonic scale in the key of F minor. The notes being used are: F, Ab, Bb, C, and Eb

A lot of the time you will see scales shown in a diagram form. You will see a picture of a guitar neck with dots on each string and fret to show what notes are to be played to make the scale happen.

For those of you new to this concept, you can also view the tablature beneath each diagram to see how to play each scale shape.

There are going to be 5 shapes total because you will have a scale shape building on each of the 5 notes that create the scale.

One thing I advise all students to do when learning these scale shapes is to begin each string with the index finger. Use your ring finger for the smaller gaps between notes, and use your pinky for the larger gaps between notes.

Shape #1 (aka: minor pentatonic scale)
Picture
Picture
Shape #2 (aka: Major pentatonic scale)
Picture
Picture
Shape #3
Picture
Picture
Shape #4
Picture
Picture
Shape #5
Picture
Picture
Here are all 5 shapes shown together on one fretboard:
Picture
Now, let's take a look at all 5 shapes on the same fretboard again, but this time each shape will be highlighted in red so they stand out better.

Shape #1 (aka: minor pentatonic scale)
Picture
Shape #2 (aka: Major pentatonic scale)
Picture
Shape #3
Picture
Shape #4
Picture
Shape #5
Picture
Shape #1 at a higher octave
Picture
If the fretboard being used in these images was any longer, then you could see that Shape #2 would happen again, then #3, #4, and so on. 

Now, let's take a look at how each of these shapes are connected and sharing similar notes.

Shapes #1 and #2
Picture
Shapes #2 and #3
Picture
Shapes #3 and #4
Picture
Shapes #4 and #5
Picture
Shapes #5 and #1
Picture
There's no right or wrong way to move from shape to shape when playing lead guitar/solos. If you'd like some examples of connecting shapes with some riffs/licks, comment on this blog and let me know!
​
Check out the following video for demonstrations on everything shown here, plus a little extra!
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  • Metal and Rock Guitar Lessons
    • Reach Your Fastest Speeds
    • One-On-One Online Guitar Lessons
    • Sign Up for One-On-One Online Guitar Lessons
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    • Sign Up for Video Correspondence Lessons
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