Introduction of metal in my playing

Christian Schulze · Nov 16, 2019

Whaddup $ynners!
So...I have been afraid of this day. I love metal...but I can barely play any (I play sabbath though).
I eventually want to work myself up to playing Avenged sevenfold stuff (mostly the solos) until then I have to work myself up to that level. Any suggestions?
I want to be able to play lead and rhythm. If I only play rhythm guitar it feels halfway there to me.
Any bands to help me work myself up to avenged level?

Thanks and keep rocking!

Manvir B · Nov 16, 2019

Hey Christian, I don't at all consider myself the best player but I know where you are coming from, the way I started when it comes to metal was of course though a few avenged sevenfold song as I love their music, I just picked beast and the harlot as my first song and learnt the whole song but I first focused on the solo for months (and I mean months as I was starting to learn shred) as it was full of techniques I didn't know of at the time and made sure I perfected them as they helped me in the long run , perhaps pick a song you are really passionate about and just go for it and focus on different techniques along the way, sorry its not the best advice but that's how I got familiar with metal and shredding techniques. Also the way I started learning solos was through YouTube videos particularly Chris zoupa as i found that helped me get techniques down but I've moved on from videos but that's how I started. I'm sure others can give you much better advice.

Christian Schulze · Nov 16, 2019

Manvir B said:
Hey Christian, I don't at all consider myself the best player but I know where you are coming from, the way I started when it comes to metal was of course though a few avenged sevenfold song as I love their music, I just picked beast and the harlot as my first song and learnt the whole song but I first focused on the solo for months (and I mean months as I was starting to learn shred) as it was full of techniques I didn't know of at the time and made sure I perfected them as they helped me in the long run , perhaps pick a song you are really passionate about and just go for it and focus on different techniques along the way, sorry its not the best advice but that's how I got familiar with metal and shredding techniques. Also the way I started learning solos was through YouTube videos particularly Chris zoupa as i found that helped me get techniques down but I've moved on from videos but that's how I started. I'm sure others can give you much better advice.

My goal song is Shepherd of fire...I mean that song...the solo..damn...but I cant shred to save my life....but yeah. I will try

Manvir B · Nov 16, 2019

And I would advise not going for insane solos as cool as they sound if you are just starting to shred like jumping right into the afterlife solo, make sure you feel comfortable, and make sure you spend ages perfecting techniques as being patient will help you in the long run! Like I said I'm not the best player but I'm just talking from experience

Manvir B · Nov 16, 2019

Christian J.S. Schulze Aguiar said:
My goal song is Shepherd of fire...I mean that song...the solo..damn...but I cant shred to save my life....but yeah. I will try

Go for it man, you got this! Just be very patient because coming from someone who wanted to shred like Syn and Jeff loomis right from the start its impossible to do so. Keep listening to music, watching guitarists and stay motivated!

Jak Angelescu · Nov 16, 2019

I actually have the perfect band that you can learn music from that would help work you up to avenged sevenfold level. They're called avenged sevenfold. In all seriousness my friend they've got tons of songs that if you play Black Sabbath stuff you'd be able to play their songs with a little bit of work. If you want to play Avenged Sevenfold go play Avenged Sevenfold! Of course learn stuff in the beginning like you said that will help you work up to that because that's absolutely crucial. But pick a song from them that you really want to learn like Shepherd Of Fire and start working on it now. In that part of growing, you will start learning techniques along the way that when you go to learn Avenged Sevenfold songs they will be substantially easier. But I can tell you this. Learn punk songs. Find a punk band that you like and learn punk songs. That will really help you with many different aspects of their songs. As far as lead playing goes I think early Judas Priest and Deep Purple and kiss would be really good for you to start off with.

Christian Schulze · Nov 16, 2019

Jak Angelescu said:
I actually have the perfect band that you can learn music from that would help work you up to avenged sevenfold level. They're called avenged sevenfold. In all seriousness my friend they've got tons of songs that if you play Black Sabbath stuff you'd be able to play their songs with a little bit of work. If you want to play Avenged Sevenfold go play Avenged Sevenfold! Of course learn stuff in the beginning like you said that will help you work up to that because that's absolutely crucial. But pick a song from them that you really want to learn like Shepherd Of Fire and start working on it now. In that part of growing, you will start learning techniques along the way that when you go to learn Avenged Sevenfold songs they will be substantially easier. But I can tell you this. Learn punk songs. Find a punk band that you like and learn punk songs. That will really help you with many different aspects of their songs. As far as lead playing goes I think early Judas Priest and Deep Purple and kiss would be really good for you to start off with.

Thank you Jak. Love Kiss, played a couple of songs of theirs in the beginning. I would say my main issue is speed and finger coordination. So I will work on that as well as my exercises!

Ezequiel Romanko · Nov 16, 2019

well i think seize the day, so far away, buried alive, unholy confessions, sheperd of fire, hail to the king (the rythm guitar only haha) are easy songs to learn, the solos maybe not but that's where you will discover that playing the excercises of this site help you the most, record yourself playing one of the solos even if you can't even nail a note, and then after a week or a month practicing to the excercises and etudes you will see wonders ( not saying that you will nail a hard solo in one month) do it montly to see your own progress keep practicing my friend and one day you will be shredding through the hardest solos cheers man!

Sayonil Mitra · Nov 16, 2019

man that's a solid question. Just my thought but I think only A7X can train you to A7X stuff later on. Find some songs which has solos that you can learn. Seize the day comes to my mind instantly but there are other songs. Start fro there and work your way up through various A7X songs

Firsty Lasty · Nov 16, 2019

The big thing is be patient with yourself. Reaching a high level of proficiency with guitar is like becoming fluent in a foreign language. It's not going to happen quickly, but if you're patient with yourself then you can go probably a lot farther than you think. Don't ever think about playing guitar in terms of success or failure, because how is it even possible to "fail" to learn a new language?

For other bands to study, Scorpions and Iron Maiden are the first which come to mind.

idssdi · Nov 16, 2019

You can just begin with Avenged sevenfold if you choose your song wisely mostly the more balad type Avenged song don't really have the speedy technical solos so you can always try those. If you really want to do the more riff based ones, maybe look at songs like critical acclaim and welcome to the family.

Dominik Gräber · Nov 17, 2019

I know exactly what you mean when you talk about rhythm feeling only "halfway there". But man there is nothing like rocking out to a song you love and can play through. Having said that, I don't know many A7 riffs but Metallica is just pure fun. If you want to improve your metal rhythm play AND have fun. Go Metallica!

Filip Tomiša · Nov 17, 2019

The main riff in shepherd of fire is a great exercise for your pinky finger because you constantly have to bend the string. That's how I started using it in my playing.

Edward John · Nov 17, 2019

If you can play Sabbath then you can definitely play a few Avenged tunes. The riff from Hail to the King for example, then work you're way up to playing the melody over the riff, Syn's part, but use the lessons on the site, especially the intermediate section, they'll teach you everything you need to know in order to play the majority of Avenged's riffs and main melodies.

Christian Schulze · Nov 17, 2019

Well..I made my choice folks. The trooper iron maiden. Its hard because of tempo but a push is necesary.

Rute Rodrigues · Nov 18, 2019

Bro, Avenged Sevenfold is one of the best bands to learn guitar from. You have crazy solos from many levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced. You also have good riffs to learn. Easy solos you have so far away, seize the day, danger line, gunslinger (....). Intermediate I think nightmare, Bat Country, Fermi Paradox, Buried Alive, (...) And harder I guess Afterlife, MIA, Sherped of Fire, The Beast and the Harlot (....) A good challenge is Metallica, Megadeth too, cause their solos need work and are good to practice. Good luck!

Calvin Phillips · Nov 18, 2019

You're right in saying rhythm is only half way there. You'll need something to solo over top. So understand how rhythm patterns work and when you start soloing over top you'll be able to follow those same patterns with the lead. Just.. wanna take different paths to get to your spots. It's all in your creativity.

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