No Upstrokes Allowed!

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Guitar pro tab Guitar pro tab (?)

Members practicing this lesson:
simusphere
Matt K.
philsv
CuztumLP-Frankenpaul
Wulfolme
davaflava
Steelz


   NO UPSTROKES ALLOWED!!!
(Aka. Dragonballs of Steelfiremagic Pt.1)

It is my pleasure to welcome you to my first lesson for this fine website!

Well..., letīs just get it on! It might look easier than it actually is, mates. But donīt you worry, just listen! Playing only downs, like in this Playalong here, is quite an escential thing in Rockmusic generally. So I find it important enough to start a lesson about it. Most of all, this way of playing is used, to get a certain drive into a song, but also to get that kinda "heavy feeling", almost all the big metalbands have in their songs. For example, look at what Metallica said, back in time. It was something like "Downstrokes sound much "harder" than using up&downs...". So, Iīm not saying thatīs no good at all, to use up&down, but its the way I recorded this track ;) And therefore this Lesson is basicly about practicing accuracy in your "metal-type" downstroke-playing.

If you have not played downstrokes on a 172BPM track before, please remember to keep the right hand relaxed, and donīt start on the original tempo at once!!! I canīt remember how many times I tell my students to practise slow and precisely, instead of trying it like 4 times faster than me!!! If you want to do fast metalsongs, this lesson might help to prepare, or help in general, for its "ONLY" at 172 BPM in the originaltempo ;) Besides playing at that speed, the dampening could become harder sometimes. Try using your right hand palm and your left hand, in combination for this.

Speaking of Fast playing in general:
- DON`T ACT LIKE YOUR IN A HASTE! Just keep cool, especially while playing fast ;)
- DONīT LAUGH NOW, BUT : Breathe also slowly in and out this also will help! for it helped me a lot!

Some Tipps:

1. There are 2 Playalongs at 172 BPM (original tempo). One with guitars I played, one without any guitars for you to jam with.

2. I made little bits out of this Song, also shown in the tabs, so itīs easier to chew, perhaps.

-Verse Part 1
-Verse Part 2
-Bridge Part 1
-Bridge Part 2
-Chorus
-Harmony A
-Harmony B
-Outro

3. When you practise with the Playalongs, try using the voice of "Rythm B Track" found in the Tabs, the Bass guitar is also playing the the 1st voice like the "Rythm A Track", this will give you the little harmonies right before entering the chorus.

This sounds like more work, than it actually is...
I wish you all the best, and have fun with this one!

Thanks for your attention,
Kai Mühlenbruch



     Lesson Questions, Feedback & Comments



Robin
post 15th July 2007


Member


m/ biggrin.gif

Great lesson. Rythm lessons have been requested alot latelly smile.gif
Hemlok
post 15th July 2007


Member


Excellent! Thanks Kai. Great first lesson, I really need to work on rhythm guitar. Welcome to GMC smile.gif
Gen
post 15th July 2007


Member


Really cool lesson! Keep up!
smile.gif
ezravdb
post 15th July 2007


Member


hehe check me out

Heavy stuff dude /m/

viele dank fur dieser schone lesson XD
funkymilk
post 15th July 2007


Member


Nice a rythm lesson! Good job and welcome to GMC. smile.gif
Andrew Cockburn
post 15th July 2007


Theory Instructor & Moderator


Great lesson Kai - I've never been a metal head but would love to explore the possibilities and didn't know where to start - this is an excellent inspiration, thanks!
shroom
post 15th July 2007


Member


what a fun lesson, thanks a lot smile.gif
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 15th July 2007


Instructor


Hey Guys smile.gif Big Thanks again!!!

@ezravdb: Gern geschehen mein kleiner wink.gif Ich danke Dir!
@all: Iīm glad that you could take something from it. Iīve been thinking a lot what to start with...letīs see whatīs next;) I have tons of ideas but I will take the time to explore the site some more to check what would fit in here best...

Luv,
Kai
guybrush
post 15th July 2007


Member


Really good lesson if you want to play Metallica !!

(James H. play like this)
1mpr1m1s
post 15th July 2007


Member


I know it sounds like a dumb question .On the Tab what does the E stand for under the palm mute symbol,The key or what ? thanx anyone.
GuitarDude
post 15th July 2007


Member


Great lesson i want more! smile.gif
And welcome to gmc!
Eat-Sleep-andJam
post 15th July 2007


Member


Assuming you taught god how to play guitar ?

tongue.gif biggrin.gif


Good lesson-John
Ryan
post 15th July 2007


Member


Video 3 is exactly like video 4!! With different tabs just to let you know!
ace_frehely
post 15th July 2007


Member


cool!
No Payne No Gain
post 15th July 2007


Member


Ya I'm gonna say this is badass.
-Adam
Pavel
post 15th July 2007


Instructor


Yeah it's a nice stuff Kai! Great start at GMC! Keep up the good work! smile.gif
stratman33
post 15th July 2007


Member


Great lesson!I've been waiting for some rythm stuff to come out for a while!
FretDancer69
post 15th July 2007


Member


When i create my riffs i always play down! Im too obssesed with metallica! This lesson will come in handy! Great job Kai!
JVM
post 15th July 2007


Member


Thanks Kai, awesome lesson!
Smikey2006
post 15th July 2007


Member


Rythem... + Metal.... = METAL... haha i love this lession thanks alot
lefty01
post 15th July 2007


Member


Great lesson. Just what I was looking for. Can never have enough basic metal rhythms. You got a great guitar too...what is it? What are you using to get that smooth tone? Are the pick ups stock?
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 15th July 2007


Instructor


Hey everyone...looks like something is always happening here:) thatīs great...also thanks again for the interest etc smile.gif I really did not expect that so many of you care for rythm stuff...well THANKS A LOT smile.gif

Now for the questions:

- Ryan, what do you mean about video 3 and 4 I donīt understand?
- 1mpr1m1s: First, there are no "dumb" questions! The "E" just says its 8th notes...I did not want to put this into my Tabs, I thought you guys have it like 45times already but no problem, here you are:

This is what GP5 spits out in every tab thats exportet to a *.txt

Duration Legend
---------------
W - whole
H - half
Q - quarter
-----------------------> E - 8th smile.gif
S - 16th
T - 32nd
X - 64th
. - note dotted
|-n-| - n-tuplets


Tablature Legend
----------------
L - tied note
x - dead note
g - grace note
(n) - ghost note
> - accentuded note
NH - natural harmonic
AH - artificial harmonic
TH - tapped harmonic
SH - semi harmonic
PH - pitch harmonic
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend
br - bendRelease
pb - preBend
pbr - preBendRelease
brb - bendReleaseBend
n/ - tremolo bar dip
n - tremolo bar dive
-/n - tremolo bar Release up
/n - tremolo bar inverted dip
/n - tremolo bar return
-n - tremolo bar Release down
S - shift slide
s - legato slide
/ - slide into from below or out of upwards
- slide into from above or out of downwards
~ - vibrato
W - wide vibrato
tr - tril'
TP - tremolo picking
T - tapping
S - slap
P - pop
< - fade in
^ - brush up
v - brush down

I did not need it all...so wink.gif

Well, just like I said. Keep in mind, this does not go back "ONLY" to Metallica. More to people like Chuck Berry for example, or even far sooner...I canīt remember who else...and I guess noone really knows. But still its great isnīt it?

Cheers,
Kai
Muris Varajic
post 15th July 2007


Instructor


Awesome first one Kai,looking forward to next!
Cheers

Muris
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 15th July 2007


Instructor


ah I forgot mr. lefty01...SORRY!

My guitar is a custom build instrument. I could build my own, because I am a joiner, but I decided to get the parts and let it be done by someone really professional. For example carving a bonesaddle like mine is almost impossible to get done, without having any training in it...So its a Strat basicly. Build just from Parts I chose...Swampash body,Hardtail-String through bridge, Duncan SH-6 and JBJR PUīS, Sperzel locking tuners, Push-pull to split the hummies to singlecoils...well its my main guitar...I love it smile.gif thnx for asking:D I canīt stop telling how cool it is...Iīm madly in love with it smile.gif

Greets,
Kai
lefty01
post 16th July 2007


Member


Hi. Thanks for not forgetting me:)
What amp you using? Any effects?
Also, I don't mean to beg, but the more rhythm stuff you can post, the better. I think this is getting overlooked too often. I rhythm and riffs and the heart and soul of any song. Thanks again, and keep up the great work. Welcome to GMC.
1mpr1m1s
post 16th July 2007


Member


Thanx Kai great lesson.Thanx, I look forward to more.
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 16th July 2007


Instructor


Hello, hereīs that german weirdo again smile.gif

Lefty01 I totally agree. Rythmguitar is totally underrated. I just came up with some funk riffings and licks...and again I noticed how hard it is to play that stuff really "in time"...it appears often harder to me then doing a solo with tappings etc. ...well...ok letīs see

Equipment in Lesson 1:

- My Mainguitar "Kopie" (thatīs her name;) and my E-Standard Tuning Stringset: 11-49 (currently Dīaddario EXL 115) and 3mm Dunlop Big Stubby Picks. That gives you some serious attack and also cool cleantone, well I did not play clean wink.gif but I love that...
- The Playalong is done on my iMac. I used Garageband3 and the Preset ampsimulations "Classic Rock" with no EQīs and effects at all. I donīt like effects so I usually avoid them totally as much as it gets biggrin.gif
- The Bass in the Playalong is my good old Clover 5 string Xpression and in the playolong with no guitars its a Garageband3 Preset called "Rock Bass"
- I also used a Behringer V-Amp Pro.

Here is what you hear in the Videos:

Savage Beast sim. with settings:
Gain : 10 oīclock
Volume: 1 oīclock
Bass: NO BASS AT ALL
Mid: 2 oīclock
Treble: 2 oīclock

I used that Behringer software from the website, to connect the V-amp to the PC. But since I only use like 2 sounds of that thing, I even forgot what it was called SORRY!...its free in the download section of their website, for those who care! really usefull!

Thnx for the interest again smile.gif

Kai
Kristofer Dahl
post 16th July 2007


GMC Founder & Rocker


This lesson rocks - really awesome riff construction, heavy mix and sound!

Oh I still laugh at video number 1, even though it's the 10th time I watch it - quality humour! biggrin.gif

I also agree with what's been said about rhythm guitar - it's really a shame we don't have more of it! Perhaps Kai can help us out with that...? smile.gif

Kris
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 16th July 2007


Instructor


Oh,

I will do as you wish my Master and Lord Kris! biggrin.gif

thank you very much smile.gif that humor is just how I am...glad if you guys like it, because to shut it down is really hard sometimes...
and it also rhymes biggrin.gif finally what I say makes sense:D

of cause I can do more Rythm stuff, but my problem right now is GP5. Funklicks, and other more complicated rythms are really hard to tab with it I find. I just strated working with GP5,first time was my 1st lesson for GMC,actually...and for example I donīt get how do definite the lengh of a chord? is there any tutorials on the web...I watched all thatīs on youtube, but it doesnīt help me so far...I guess its learning by doing like always, huh?

Luv,
Kai
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 16th July 2007


Instructor


Ah, and I used Toontrack EZ- Drummer of cause, with the Drumkit From Hell add-on!!! Try it! itīs really a lot of plug-in for the money!

Cheers,
Kai
Andrew Cockburn
post 16th July 2007


Theory Instructor & Moderator


QUOTE (Kai Muehlenbruch @ Jul 15 2007, 07:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ah, and I used Toontrack EZ- Drummer of cause, with the Drumkit From Hell add-on!!! Try it! itīs really a lot of plug-in for the money!
Cheers,
Kai


Yep, DFH rocks for this kind of stuff, I have it too smile.gif
The Uncreator
post 16th July 2007


Fire Up The Blades, Moderator


Just Awesome, keep bringing that metal!!!
blindwillie
post 16th July 2007


Member


Yes, the breathing! o/
Loved this one. I will learn this. Thanks
Ben Howell
post 16th July 2007


Jazz/Fusion Instructor


Hi Kai,

welcome to GMC!

Nice lesson, tight rythm! Something i need to brush up on in the 'metal' genre!

-Ben
Ben Howell
post 16th July 2007


Jazz/Fusion Instructor


LOL!!!!

I hadnt seen video 1....

-Ben
David OToole
post 16th July 2007


Instructor


Hoi hoi Kai + welcome to the GMC!

Nice to see another bastardised ... sorry 'customized Strat' user smile.gif!

Greetz from your neighbour in Switzerland and nice lesson btw.

D
Eat-Sleep-andJam
post 16th July 2007


Member


Alot of this is overlooked on masterclass, Its good your giving us some rhythm lessons ! But I still want to see some lead from you ! tongue.gif What can I say Kai, Im a tough critic? tongue.gif

Good Job!-John
icedern
post 16th July 2007


Member


m/ Right on Kai. Well done on your first lesson!
Gustavo
post 16th July 2007


Member


very nice i like it biggrin.gif
David Wallimann
post 18th July 2007


Instructor


Hey Kai!
I loved that lesson! I love your intro!
Makes me laugh all the time!
Good to have you here man!
Robwylde
post 18th July 2007


Member


Great lesson!
Trying to get my Lead playing up to snuff made me forget how great rhythm is and how I need to practice both!!
Keep em comin!!!
davaflava
post 20th July 2007


Member


Kai great lesson!!! I'm coming over to Germany next summer on a tour and I think we're stopping in Hannover. We'll have to meet up and have a jam session lol
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 23rd July 2007


Instructor


hey davaflava, if its possible somehow...no problem smile.gif i love jamsessions!

cheers,
Kai
seanM1
post 24th July 2007


Member


Awesome lesson Kai!!
Can't wait for your upcoming lessons.
Hungus
post 25th July 2007


Member


Man this is an awesome lesson. Deffinitly the 1st one I am going to learn from this site.
Codyrg
post 26th July 2007


Member


Awesome video! Great character as well, can't wait to hear more from you!
Ausguitar
post 27th July 2007


Member


Love it"
This is my favorite lesson so far.
awesome sound'I will make sure to check out all ur lessons Kai, keep em comin'
This website is the Best.
fox
post 29th July 2007


Member


Great lesson Kai, thanks! biggrin.gif
Hope to see more soon!
jammer91
post 14th September 2007


Member


This is a frikkin awesome lesson with a wrong misleading title. I just looked at the title a few months ago and thought it was another blues lesson.

I have been complaining in forums and other lessons that alternate picking palm muted power chords sounds wrong and this lessons clarifies my doubt.

Awesome lesson yet again man...
Kai Muehlenbruch
post 16th September 2007


Instructor


erm...sry?!wrong misleading title? i donÂīt get it?!...cheers Kai
tarzan
post 26th January 2008


Member


sorry about the double post!

This is an awesome and fun lesson.

one thing i find that sounds good is in the chorus section, play the notes 5 times before palm muting instead of four:
PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM
E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E
--------------------------|--------------------------|
--------------------------|--------------------------|
--------------------------|--------------------------|
--9--9--9--9--9-----------|--------------------------|
--7--7--7--7--7--7--7--7--|--7--7--7--7--7--7--7--7--|
--------------------------|--------------------------|
Carlos Carrillo
post 21st February 2008


Instructor


Excellent!.....


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