Speed-Metal Riffing
 Imagine you are the only guitarist in the band and your drummer comes up with a cool rythm. You know the chords, and you know 3 scales: minor, major and phrygian. You have 5 minutes straight to create a guitar part and to make it interesting.
The reason i said all the above is: this riff came out of my head in 5 minutes. So when you finish learning it you will hopefully be able to create something similar - because this riff shows how to combine powerchords and scales to create interesting speed riffs.
With some practice you will soon be able to create different riffs in a very short time.
You're still reading this?? Get on it!
--Pavel
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E|-------------|
B|-------------|
G|-------------|
D|--2---2-x--2-|
A|--2---2-x--2-|
E|--0---0-x--0-| |
(Rythm Section)
Before we get onto the small licks i play in the riff let's first learn the rythm pattern.
Creating cool rythm patterns is very important in creating new riffs especially today, when
there is million of bands writing music and all possible combinations are almost exhausted.
Now see the video and play around with different powerchords using the rythm pattern from the video.
BPM: 140
Time signature: 4/4 |
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|--2---2-x--2------------------|--2---2-x--2------------------|
A|--2---2-x--2--------2-3-2-----|--2---2-x--2--7-5-3-----------|
E|--0---0-x--0--0-1-4-------4-1-|--0---0-x--0--------7-5-4-8-7-| |
(Section 1)
OK - now you got the rythm pattern and we are ready to start learning licks.
In this part we use E Phrygian Major scale to create the lick.
E Phrygian Major scale:
E, F, G#, A, B, C, D
E Phrygian Minor scale:
E, F, G, A, B, C, D
The only difference between E Phrygian Minor and E Phrygian Major scales is the G# note:
E-Major chord is: E, B, E, G# so that is why we use G# in Phrygian Major scale
E-minor chord is: E, B, E, G and here we would play G instead of G# to play Phrygian Minor.
Remember: we play PHRYGIAN MAJOR in this lesson. |
E|------------------------------|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|------------------------------|
D|--2---2-x--2------------------|--2---2-x--2------------------|
A|--2---2-x--2--------2-3-2-----|--2---2-x--2--7-5-3-8-7-5-----|
E|--0---0-x--0--0-1-4-------4-1-|--0---0-x--0--------------8-7-| |
(Section 2)
In this part we keep using the same chord and scale, and this is a cool example of how
to create riffs that are not borring: if you take closer look at the notes and position of
the second bar of this part, you'll notice that we are there - just like in the previous
part - but we are playing a bit different lick, and that is what makes riffs interesting.
When listener is listening to your riff he'll notice:
"That guy is moving around the same place on the fretboard but damn he is playing something different every time!"
And that's what makes riffs sound cool. There should always be a piece of the riff that will repeat. That part of the riff
is the basics from which you should go on and create variations.
That piece of riff is this one:
E|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|
D|--2---2-x--2------------------|
A|--2---2-x--2--------2-3-2-----|
E|--0---0-x--0--0-1-4-------4-1-|
This is the main idea - and the rest is where you should kind of impovise. |
E|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|
D|--3---3-x--3------------------|
A|--3---3-x--3------2-3-5-3-2-3-|
E|--1---1-x--1--1-5-------------| |
(Section 3)
Here we change the basic part of riff by simply moving it from E to F. Now we use
the F Phrygian Major - same pattern as for E Phrygian Major but starting with F.
It's very important to learn the pattern for that scale just like you did for major and minor.
It will be much easier to play that scale if you simply remember the pattern of it on the fretboard.
Let's take an example:
B Phrygian Major
E|-------------------|
B|-------------------|
G|-------------------|
D|---------------7-9-|
A|--------7-9-10-----|
E|-7-8-11------------|
This is the pattern for that scale starting from the 6th string. You met it in the previous lesson.
All you have to do is move that pattern to a different note - in our case that would be F. |
E|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|
D|--3---3-x--3--3-2-------------|
A|--3---3-x--3------5-3-2-------|
E|--1---1-x--1------------5-3-1-| |
(Section 4)
In this part, the basic chord remains the same, but the descending run is in C-major.
It may sound a little strange when you play this part as a standalone,
but incorporated into the entire riff it sound just the right way.
Reminder: this entire riff will force you to keep your thumb in the middle of the neck because it contains some stretches and speed runs. To paly it all clean you'll have to keep your hand the right way! |
E|------------------------------|--------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|--------------------------------|
G|------------------------------|--------------------------------|
D|--2---2-x--2------------------|--2-----3--3--3--2-----3--3--3--|
A|--2---2-x--2--------2-3-2-----|--2-----3--3--3--2-----3--3--3--|
E|--0---0-x--0--0-1-4-------4-1-|--0-----1--1--1--0-----1--1--1--| |
(Section 5)
This part here shows you the example of how to move from 1st part of the riff
to the 2nd part. If you listen to the entire riff (the main video) you'll notice
that it sounds like a little break and than rush into the 2nd part of the riff. |
E|-------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------|
G|--4---4-x--4-------------------|
D|--4---4-x--4------1h-2p-1---1--|
A|--2---2-x--2--2-3---------3----|
E|-------------------------------| |
(Section 6)
The riff here goes to B-major, and according to that - B Phrygian Major scale.
Same rythm pattern used through the entire riff so it shouldn't be a problem playing this one. |
E|------------------------------|
B|------------------------------|
G|--5---5-x--5------------------|
D|--5---5-x--5------2-3-5-3-2---|
A|--3---3-x--3--3-4-----------3-|
E|------------------------------| |
(Section 7)
The riff changes to C-Major in this part, and as you can guess - the C Phrygian Major scale.
If you noticed - the second part of the riff it is evolving faster - there are more changes, chords and positions. |
E|-------------------------------|-----------------------|
B|-------------------------------|-----------------------|
G|--4---4-x--4-------------------|--5---4----------------|
D|--4---4-x--4------1h-2p-1---1--|--5---4---5---4---3----|
A|--2---2-x--2--2-3---------3----|--3---2---5---4---3----|
E|-------------------------------|----------3---2---1----| |
(Section 8)
This is the piece of riff where the second part is kind of "calming down" and preparing to get back to
the first part of the riff which was in E-major. If we played kind of progressive metal
we probably could stop on F - if it was the end of the song, but let's finish it with the good old root chord.
To see how the riff finishes check the last part of this lesson. |
E|-----------------------------|-------------------|
B|-----------------------------|-------------------|
G|-----------------------------|-------------------|
D|--2---2-x--2--2--------------|--2----------------|
A|--2---2-x--2--2------------3-|--2----------------|
E|--0---0-x--0--0--0-0-0-1-4---|--0----------------| |
(Section 9)
And yes we are at the end of the riff! E powerchord. And some E Phrygian major stuff in the end.
Before you leave the lesson let's mention one more thing. When talking about chords:
in this case we can't say if it is the E Minor or Major because we are only playing:
Root note, 5th step, root note - in this case we are unable to say what it is. So we'll just call it E-Powerchord.
If we played Root, 3rd step, 5th step, root - depending on the 3rd step we would be able to say if it's major or minor.
Ok - hope it was a useful lesson! Good luck playing it! Enjoy!
--Pavel |
Lesson Questions, Feedback & Comments |
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Steelkonsum |
8th February 2007 |
Member
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Cool riff mate. Really something to headbang along too.
Gotta get my speedpicking up a notch or fifteen to keep up tho  |
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The Dane |
9th February 2007 |
Member
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Great! Helped alot. As you mentioned, it's something you can really use in a live situation!
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Codyrg |
10th February 2007 |
Member
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These type of videos are AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for doing this, it really helps me knowing I don't have to know 10,000 keys/scales/chords yadayada yet I can still make fun, interesting, and cool music. I think this "simplified thinking" is really helpful for people who don't know a ton of theory.
Thanks again  |
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Pavel |
10th February 2007 |
Instructor
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Thank you guys!
The simplified thinking is very usefull - especially if you are short on time. It's what i use in my playing, and you can see the results of this kind of thinking in all of my lessons
More comming soon! |
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Chris |
11th February 2007 |
Member
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great!!! this is just the stuff i was looking for...im a bit of a begginer, and all my current songs dont really sound well with just a guitarist, they are all just like band songs ....so this makes me look slightly good!!! i cant quite play it the same speed as pavel, but im only about 20bpm off...!!!! thanks!
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Stevie·Ray·Vaughn |
11th February 2007 |
Member
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maybe can we get a riffing lesson thats not metal? just a thought.
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Kristofer Dahl |
11th February 2007 |
GMC Founder & Rocker
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Stevie Ray: Was it Jimi Hendrix who said "wait until tomorrow" or how was it...  |
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TheProof |
17th February 2007 |
Member
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i'm 13 years old.. but considered a guitar prodigy; wondering if i could post alesson or something?
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Eat-Sleep-andJam |
23rd February 2007 |
Member
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kool stuff pavel you really have a ear for what your playing and thats a important quality to have
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yell03 |
28th February 2007 |
Member
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Two days and I am through part 4 and playing it fairly fast, but....
I knew you would comment about keeping the thumb in the middle of the neck eventually, ha ha.
30 years of playing sloppy petnatonic rock leads with my thumb wrapped around the neck is gonna be hard to break. Yes, I am 43 years old.
Do you have any tricks to help with keeping the thumb in the middle of the neck?
I lift weights alot and keeping the thumb under there makes my forearms cramp or does it make everyones forearms cramp?
Thanks for the awesome lesson,
Howard
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Pavel |
3rd March 2007 |
Instructor
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Hey Howard!
Well there are no tricks in thumb position - you have to control it all the time until it become natural to keep it there. So - concentrate more on the thumb position than the notes you are playing.
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yell03 |
4th March 2007 |
Member
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Pavel -
You are so right.
I notioed in order for me to play certain riffs it is MORE natural & comfortable to keep my thumb underneath.
The action and slim necks on my two new ESPs helps also.
Thanks again, you are a very talented guitarist, but your lessons are made as easy as possible.
Howard
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MetalMan66 |
26th March 2007 |
Member
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great lesson...but im a little confused. when i download and print out the tabs they say this is speed metal riffing lesson 2. is there a speed metal riffing lesson 1? I know there is a power metal riffing lesson. Thanks
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Pavel |
29th March 2007 |
Instructor
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Power Metal Riffing lesson is actually the Speedriffing 1 |
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TommyA |
4th April 2007 |
Member
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I NEED TO KNOW IF HE IS DOUBLE/TRIPLE PICKING EACH NOTE FOR SPEED METAL RIFFING LEAD PART NO.2 ALSO IF HE IS MUTING THE STRINGS
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Pavel |
10th April 2007 |
Instructor
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I don't doublepick them but i DO mute the strings!
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Zedd |
23rd April 2007 |
Member
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This lesson has been taking quite a while for me. Im having trouble mimicing the rhythm speed throughout the song.. The fingering positioning is fairly easy but keeping up to speed is giving my arms both a workout. Whether it takes me a week, no, a decade, ill be practicing this interesting lesson for hours.
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jammer91 |
21st June 2007 |
Member
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Awesome riff... PAvel you really are one of the best GMC teacher, glad you are there to teach us this stuff
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jammer91 |
21st June 2007 |
Member
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Oh yea...
Where can i learn this scale, such as phrygian. I only know my penatonic scale. Can someone post a link to the scales lesson
THX
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Pavel |
21st June 2007 |
Instructor
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Visit the previous speedriffing lessons - as long as i remember there are scale diagrams in one of the lessons!
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¤ME¤ |
15th October 2007 |
Member
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great lesson.. we should get more of these:)
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Farbror Kudde |
28th October 2007 |
Member
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That's some sweet stuff Pavel |
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chaztrip |
2nd November 2007 |
Member
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OK.... wow talk about making me stretch my fingers.. I have samller hands will this get better over time? I am using some muscles that I thought I never had.... :-)
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Pavel |
2nd November 2007 |
Instructor
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The size of hands doesn't matter if you practice stretches! It will sure improve with time! |
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matt.1973 |
19th November 2007 |
Member
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love the riff, but i can't get it fast enough, what should i work on to get it up to speed?
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matt.1973 |
19th November 2007 |
Member
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and should i be picking every note? or should i use hammer ons and pull offs?
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Pavel |
19th November 2007 |
Instructor
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You should be playing it like i do in the video That's what slowed down videos are for |
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matt.1973 |
19th November 2007 |
Member
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haha alright, but how do i get it so fast
i can't nearly play it as fast
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Pavel |
19th November 2007 |
Instructor
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The slow videos are not that fast, that's why they are SLOW VIDEOS Also you have tabs, so if it's hard to follow the videos use the tab and play it with metronome at speeds you can handle. |
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matt.1973 |
19th November 2007 |
Member
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still didn't answer my question
i know, i can play it slow.
but what should i work on to make my speed on this, or any other riff faster? just practice? or excerises? or what?
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Pavel |
19th November 2007 |
Instructor
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I did answer! Just you didn't get it! If you are trying to play the riff that is too fast for you - slow it down and practice it slowly or slower. |
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jonathanJ |
25th November 2007 |
Member
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Great lesson I love it
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Outlaw2112 |
19th January 2008 |
Member
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Sweet lessons Pavel.... I just signed up to learn some of your lessons.. Gonna take some time, but ill get it eventually.
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Carlos Carrillo |
1st March 2008 |
Instructor
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hey pavel!!!
nice job!!!
thanks!!!
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