Just found this video and hoping it'll do the same for me. Coming from 10 years of self taught nonsense i have some dexterity but nowhere to go with it
Thank you for this. As a rhythm guy who loves well written songs but has always had a hard time making riffs into songs without feeling clumsy or segmented this info is very helpful!
I don't play metal, really never have, even though it makes up over 50% of what I listen to. But, being a musician that has played just about every other genre and non-genre in the field, I can attest that this is such a great common sense, enlightening video that gives direction and structure to any musical artist. It really just condenses everything for you and lets you unravel the parts in a context that matches where you are at in the writing process. This really works for a lot of different kinds of music. Great video for getting creative vibes flowing in a direction that produces artistic output!
I use to struglle with this when I was younger. Learning some music theory really helps thanks for this tutorial! I am writing an album currently and this gave me a few ideas. I have 10 songs so far! Keep it metal!
Theory can definitely help and dude, good luck on the new album! Also, we have a metal songwriting course if that's something you're interested in: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
One more obvious thing that i never thought of and held me back from making songs as a guitarist for 1 year and a half, is that you need to think of the structure of the song. The riff that you made is it the main riff, verse, chorus, intro or whatever it may be. Structure your song, thats what finally helped me and i never knew that, im by no means a master song writer tho.
Since finally understanding Modes I write my choruses using a Mode. It's in the same key but changes the song up. Sometimes I use the same chords as the beginning but change the order up. Something I also do is take a song and find what key it's in. Next I figure out the progression for all the parts then use it as the base for a song.
Hi, I came across this video. Your channel is amazing! I'm already preparing to organize to attend all the classes. every time you think about giving up, remember: you've come far here in Brazil and you can go even further
Pretty good take on establishing the basic elements of song writing without confusing the target audience. Good video for beginners but also for seasoned musicians. Sometimes it’s good to do a “back to basics” approach when hitting a writing block. Less is more.
Great words, and there are times when we all need to revisit the basics. We also just released a complete songwriting process flow here that you might dig: ua-cam.com/video/zNym0C-dGeg/v-deo.html
Freakin awesome man. 42 year old metalhead and I’m coming out of a ten year writers block with the help of musicains/teachers such as yourself. Thank you for taking the time to make this video bro
Really glad this helped and we hope this helps your band! We also have a metal songwriting course here. It's not telling you 'how to write songs' but more so helps expand your ideas and gives you different perspectives: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
Thank you, brother! I decided to put this on our Metal Mastermind channel since we have the new songwriting course! This is in direct relation and Ken and I both know how frustrating songwriting can be!! So I really want to help simplify it...and this is also giving myself that kick in the rear to write more (I've been in the middle of writing an album for a year now!)
Very glad you mentioned galloping as a good guitar technique - I don't write songs and riffs much (as much as I would like to get into it) but sometimes when I'm playing stuff from some older thrashy bands with straight downpicking I add in my own gallops to give myself a little speedboost to keep going but it also just adds more variety and a nicer sound to the riff, definitely something I'll have to experiment with more!
Man what a great video, im not well versed in music theory but i dont need to with your explanations, i can just look up the bits and pieces i actually need to know such as the notes in a key. Absolutely great video and demonstration, earned my sub, like and respect 🤘
I think you should absolutely look up music theory. You will never encounter anyone that regrets learning it and it will help you understand why everything works after the basic(scales, intervals, types of chords) an especially important subject is modes if you really look into it, not just "starting on another note of a major scale", that's just the tip of the iceberg. I think they're the most important as they tell you a lot about what sort of stuff produces what kind of emotion. After that there is a ton of stuff but I'm sure you'll be able to tell what you want to learn.
I consider myself and amateur guitar player and I just started creating riffs of my own, this video is perfect in helping me establish the steps in the song creating process 🔥 now if I can just find what recording software to use
Thank you. Really appreciate what you are doing here. I see this as a first step for me to start writing. I will share once I have something decent enough for sure. Thanks again.
Great video! I came here because I love the arrangementsand structures in metal music. I write "electronic music" and the arrangements are very often, alot of the time, just boring. Thanks for some great insights. Inspiring
ive been playing guitar for 6 nearly 7 yrs and ive got 4k videos of riffs ive come up with but now with ur help i think its time to do something with em
Awesome to hear that and thank you for watching our videos. We also have a complete metal songwriting course (covers everything, not just guitar) if that’s something you’re interested in: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
Great clip man...like i read in the other comments i am not the only guy who plays since 20 years completely self taught. I come from a time with no YT and no internet so self taught was realy self taught. To be honest i was sceptic when reading the name "metal mastermind" i thought "oh yeah...another guy who shows off his godlike skills and telling me how easy this is"...but hell yes... You sir are on another level. Having the skills and the ability to tell them others in a simple and usable way. Thumbs up from Germany 🌍🤘Metal World Wide🤘🌍 thank you 😁
Thank you for this! This is totally new to me and I would love to be able to learn how to do this better. I've seen other videos and they are just too complicated for me. This break down is great. One thing though I personally don't understand is the components of a song like intro / coarse / ottro , etc , the actual flow of it all, as one song. I think with most modern song there is more to it than just that, but I Love this video! Thank you for making this, it was very helpful!
I love your videos bro, They are and have been so helpful with my guitar and bass playing and writing. Appreciate the content very much! Thank you! 🤘🏼🔥🤘🏼
Very very cool. I couldn't click fast enough when I saw the title. I'm a decent guitar player, but suck at figuring out how to make them into songs. Or, not that great and this is a great system. Love it. I'm more of a blues and 80s metal guy, but love almost all music. Digging that LTD ESP too man. I've been thinking of getting one of their new single cut EC series I think it is with stainless frets, etc. I want to try this, and I'm going to use some chord inversions, etc. I'm big on riffs though. The Christian band Stryker is great at riff songs to me. Great stuff man and I subscribed and look forward to hearing more of your videos. Thanks man for this video. I learned a lot ❤
Man I love that classic hangar 18 shirt I use to have the same one when I was 6 but it was an all over print I miss it bad so glad to see a vintage shirt but remastered a tad and thinks fir the killer lick teaching
I feel like this is solid advice. Typically I think as you get more and more into playing you end up doing these things in an intuitive sense. Especially if you're someone who delves into theory. Whether you're into writing advances harmony or just know the basics. The level of theory in this video is just the basics. However that bit of knowledge goes along way. (Knowing what notes and chords are in any particular key) I believe knowing a ton of theory isn't necessary to be a good artist. Although it doesn't hurt and can only help. But that's why I said it's typically an intuitive thing. Meaning once you have a riff, it's usually pretty obvious if you try to add another section an it doesn't sound great. Which is usually because stuff like modulating somewhere that clashes or something as simple as tempo. Modulation can add a great dynamic effect to a song. But it all depends on what effect you're shooting for. Most commonly people go up a 4th or 5th. But you have bands like Metallica who often modulate their verses and choruses up a whole step. In otherwords, they have a riff in e minor and play the riff more or less the same but rooted in F#. It just adds a bit of intensity to the song. Usually right before the chorus in Metallicas case. My advice, pay attention to the types of things bands do. Where do they modulate to? What feeling off effect does the modulation have? Do they switch to cut time for certain parts? Maybe the rhythmic feel is different.
Great advice and music is definitely an intuitive (and personalized) thing. Also, Ken has a great recent video on metal theory here: ua-cam.com/video/0JvBdkHRlyk/v-deo.html
even if you might never read that comment: thanks for the tutorial :D makes writing songs drastically easier than i´ve done it before :D much love and stay heavy!
Yes, that F# note is in the key of Em. But you can also do a lot of cool things with the F#m progression (that's where your C#m chord will come in and that blends nicely).
I have recently just stumbled upon your teaching tecnique videos and I have only seen a couple of them yet but I'm already thinking that they are going to be very helpful..., The problem I always seem to get snagged on is when it's time for me to switch the bad ass riff I have and make an awesome chorus with it ...
Guitar world did and interview with Mark Morton of Lamb of God years ago. In it he talks about his “riff farming” process. Great key points from that in addition to the points in this video would have you pumping out songs
You're welcome! Also, we have a metal songwriting course on our platform if you're interested in taking a deeper dive: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
Ok, that's the Basics: The Tricky part is when the flow of your music changes the root note so you end in another scale and if you want to go back to your main riff it can be really difficult. In Metal usually also not so often the riffs are straight in Key. To get it more interesting you use a lot of chromatic, or add tones chords that are not in the Scale which becomes challenging playing a solo over that chord progression.
The beauty of all this is there are no rules…it’s an open forum to create something new and different, and more importantly, create something that speaks to you. If your passion for your own music is strong, that will spread to others.
your way is actually simple and easy to get but i think it would mostly apply to beginners bc once you get used to composing you wont be needing to sit and choose your key and notes writing will just come up naturally and you dont need to think that mch of theory
Back when I was recording, I used "Aggression" as the name of my band. The overall emotion would probably be "negativity". "Planet Earth" was a typical cut, with the chorus being: "I'm just doing time on planet Earth." I would usually shoot for at least 3 riffs or chord progressions that worked well together for a single song - but it can be done with just one or two riffs (might be kinda dumb and repetitive though - think: 7 nation army). riffs, drums, then matching basslines, then a solo, then vocals. I recorded 3 CDs and 5 EPs of original material. went as far as I could without a singer. couldn't find a singer, so I just stopped. stopped playing, writing, and recording.
@@metalmastermind Nowadays, I build them more than play them. I've done about 75 guitar builds or mods since I took up the hobby in 2019. My guitar shop burned a year ago, along with my collection (96 guitars). I just finished my first build in my new shop: Mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, no inlays, just side dots. Trapezoid neck profile, triangular heel joint, bolt-on, just two machine screws. The back of the neck and heel joint have been coated with Teflon tape. Minimalist one piece mahogany body. Steinberger "R" trem, Floyd Rose locknut and string anchors (headless with faux triple pronged headstock). Seymour Duncan Nazgul / Sentinel pickups, TESI kill button, mini toggle 3-way switch, on/off switch, rear mounted controls. My experimental builds use a leg/strap bar that prevents neck dive, and the guitar is shifted about 4 inches to the left, for easier semi-palm muting. I post videos of my builds on UA-cam.
pretty sure F# would be a diminished chord, not minor, in the key of Em. So even if playing power chords, that F#5 would not fit in. Of course you can still use a F#m if you want to, it can still sound good in the context, just know that is not the right chord for the key of Em
@@metalmastermind i take it as a yes :p good, hours of music theory with my teacher are paying off, i can be annoying on YT comments :P Btw good tips in this video! thanks!
As a fledgling songwriter, I can usually come up with two parts of a song, but I always feel that the ending needs to go somewhere else, and that's where I struggle. I blame Tony Iommi!
Cant underestimate the immense utility of recording yourself. Because when you are playing, you just simply do not hear the riff as objectively as u can. Because you are in the moment focusing on your playing. Recoding yourself let's you step outside you own head so to speak and hear the riff / song / beat with your entire attention span. Some riffs are so fun to play that we get too biased by how it feels to play vs how it actually sounds, recording ourselves helps remove this bias.
Yes…we’re playing power chords hear, so just keeping it simple. Ken goes into more details in our theory videos like this one: ua-cam.com/video/0JvBdkHRlyk/v-deo.html
I appreciate you brother! Also I have a question, not related to this but might be a topic for a future video. Just bought a Jackson SLA6 barirone that suits better for downtuning. It came with emg active pickups, and Im not sure how am I supposed to feel about a battery powered stuff. Any thoughts?
Thank you. Jason here and I’m kinda with you on active pickups but those batteries last a while. Actives just give you more output. You can get a similar effect with passives by turning up the amp gain. I play my Ibanez with passive pickups more then anything through.
Made this dark riff that’s in D and had built many ideas around it, but the main riff has a time signature I just can’t figure out. Spans 11 counts at 160bpm, and consists of 18 notes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
@@metalmastermind didn't help with figuring out the time signature, but I still appreciate the heads-up. Maybe I'll take your suggestion and add a bit more to stretch it to signature I don't have to "figure out".
im new to making riffs and everything and dont really have a bunch of music knowledge but i feel like my riffs sound nice but quick question how can i figure out what key my riff is in? it might be an embarrassing question but i genuinely dont know and would appreciate some help :)
Correct. But if you were going ti okay a full chord there in the key of E minor, the F sharp minor fits. We didn’t dive into theory and tried to keep it basic. We do have some videos where Ken is teaching theory: ua-cam.com/video/HTSpt4tQHNU/v-deo.html
been searching for something like this since ages so thank you. Can u teach us how to cosntruct a MESHUGGAH basic riff taking 1/2 whole diminished or whatever u like...thanx in advance....am stuck in dissonance....i get the riff but then verse,chorus,bridge part eludes me.....
I wrote a melo-death metal riff, i think this will help, thanks! +1 subscribe +1 like! I'll watch more of your videos, because all of your topics are good! 🤘🔥🤜🤛
Go Beyond Just Riffs and Create Songs with Metal Songwriter's Forge: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
This lesson is the golden ticket in helping me be intentional. Proud to say the 20 year rut of playing randomly and unintentionally is over!
That's awesome to hear dude!!!
Just found this video and hoping it'll do the same for me. Coming from 10 years of self taught nonsense i have some dexterity but nowhere to go with it
@algernopkrieger3968 he has several great vids and some excellent courses.
Rock n Roll
Awesome! Where can I hear your stuff?
Yes! I have so many riffs, but what comes after the riff? This, now this is actually helpful!
Definitely go through these steps...you'll be amazed at what you'll build from this!
Thank you for this. As a rhythm guy who loves well written songs but has always had a hard time making riffs into songs without feeling clumsy or segmented this info is very helpful!
🙏 🤘
playing guitar since 15 years and saw a lot of youtube videos about it, this one is one of the best i have to admit. well done.
🙏🤘
I don't play metal, really never have, even though it makes up over 50% of what I listen to. But, being a musician that has played just about every other genre and non-genre in the field, I can attest that this is such a great common sense, enlightening video that gives direction and structure to any musical artist. It really just condenses everything for you and lets you unravel the parts in a context that matches where you are at in the writing process. This really works for a lot of different kinds of music. Great video for getting creative vibes flowing in a direction that produces artistic output!
Awesome and thank you for watching! 🤘
I use to struglle with this when I was younger. Learning some music theory really helps thanks for this tutorial! I am writing an album currently and this gave me a few ideas. I have 10 songs so far! Keep it metal!
Theory can definitely help and dude, good luck on the new album!
Also, we have a metal songwriting course if that's something you're interested in: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
@@metalmastermind Hey thanks for that brother I appreciate that! I have that forge bookmarked. The circle of fiths is a big help.
Theory is for losers 🙄
I try to get this through to people all the time. Its a language. If you want to communicate, you need language. LEARN THEORY!
@@springbloom5940
Music theory is more a tool in my opinion
One more obvious thing that i never thought of and held me back from making songs as a guitarist for 1 year and a half, is that you need to think of the structure of the song. The riff that you made is it the main riff, verse, chorus, intro or whatever it may be. Structure your song, thats what finally helped me and i never knew that, im by no means a master song writer tho.
Great video dude! Always good to see a member of the metal community step up to help future generations
Thank you and glad to have you here with us! We're also giving away more helpful material for metal musicians here: metalmastermind.com/join/
I've always been good at coming up with riffs but have a hard time developing them into songs. This is awesome thank you!
🙏🤘
Since finally understanding Modes I write my choruses using a Mode. It's in the same key but changes the song up. Sometimes I use the same chords as the beginning but change the order up. Something I also do is take a song and find what key it's in. Next I figure out the progression for all the parts then use it as the base for a song.
🤘We also have a cool video series on theory starting with this one: ua-cam.com/video/tJNv5Lyh-vs/v-deo.html
Hi, I came across this video. Your channel is amazing! I'm already preparing to organize to attend all the classes. every time you think about giving up, remember: you've come far here in Brazil and you can go even further
So true and thank you for sharing! Be sure to check out our main course page as the library has grown: metalmastermind.com/courses/
Love how you explained this one Jason, very helpful and valuable information 🤙🏽🤙🏽
🙏 🤘
Pretty good take on establishing the basic elements of song writing without confusing the target audience. Good video for beginners but also for seasoned musicians. Sometimes it’s good to do a “back to basics” approach when hitting a writing block. Less is more.
Great words, and there are times when we all need to revisit the basics. We also just released a complete songwriting process flow here that you might dig: ua-cam.com/video/zNym0C-dGeg/v-deo.html
Freakin awesome man. 42 year old metalhead and I’m coming out of a ten year writers block with the help of musicains/teachers such as yourself. Thank you for taking the time to make this video bro
🙏 🤘
Awesome video, I look forward to exploring the rest of your channel
This will help my writing process so much more for the band! Thank you, definitely going to have a teacher moment with the band🤘🏻
Really glad this helped and we hope this helps your band!
We also have a metal songwriting course here. It's not telling you 'how to write songs' but more so helps expand your ideas and gives you different perspectives: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
Now this is content to follow for sure this is where you stand out from the herd of guitarist online brother 🤘🏻🔥🎸
Thank you, brother! I decided to put this on our Metal Mastermind channel since we have the new songwriting course! This is in direct relation and Ken and I both know how frustrating songwriting can be!! So I really want to help simplify it...and this is also giving myself that kick in the rear to write more (I've been in the middle of writing an album for a year now!)
@@metalmastermind I hear you loud and clear . I need get to kicking my own butt too
Songwriting : 50% coming up with the stuff, 50% kicking yourself in the butt!!
Very glad you mentioned galloping as a good guitar technique - I don't write songs and riffs much (as much as I would like to get into it) but sometimes when I'm playing stuff from some older thrashy bands with straight downpicking I add in my own gallops to give myself a little speedboost to keep going but it also just adds more variety and a nicer sound to the riff, definitely something I'll have to experiment with more!
🙏🤘
Your channel is a true blessing!! Thank you, really!! Not only that but you make some absolutely great songs :) I'm really glad I found it
Man what a great video, im not well versed in music theory but i dont need to with your explanations, i can just look up the bits and pieces i actually need to know such as the notes in a key. Absolutely great video and demonstration, earned my sub, like and respect 🤘
Thank you for the sub and glad this helped!
Also, we've love to have you as part of our metal musician community here: metalmastermind.com/join
I think you should absolutely look up music theory. You will never encounter anyone that regrets learning it and it will help you understand why everything works after the basic(scales, intervals, types of chords) an especially important subject is modes if you really look into it, not just "starting on another note of a major scale", that's just the tip of the iceberg. I think they're the most important as they tell you a lot about what sort of stuff produces what kind of emotion. After that there is a ton of stuff but I'm sure you'll be able to tell what you want to learn.
@@phobics9498 Co-owner Ken Candelas has an entire course on theory here: metalmastermind.com/metal-music-theory/
I consider myself and amateur guitar player and I just started creating riffs of my own, this video is perfect in helping me establish the steps in the song creating process 🔥 now if I can just find what recording software to use
Awesome to hear that. We have a complete home studio setup guide here: metalmastermind.com/how-to-make-a-home-recording-studio/
Thank you. Really appreciate what you are doing here. I see this as a first step for me to start writing. I will share once I have something decent enough for sure. Thanks again.
Awesome to hear that!
Your video deserves thousands of comments and millions of views. Amazing job
Thank you, we appreciate that and glad this helps!
Great video! I came here because I love the arrangementsand structures in metal music. I write "electronic music" and the arrangements are very often, alot of the time, just boring. Thanks for some great insights. Inspiring
You’re welcome and glad this helped. Yea, electronic music can be redundant so have changes in the progressions and keys can help
ive been playing guitar for 6 nearly 7 yrs and ive got 4k videos of riffs ive come up with but now with ur help i think its time to do something with em
Awesome to hear that and thank you for watching our videos. We also have a complete metal songwriting course (covers everything, not just guitar) if that’s something you’re interested in: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
This Video is one of the best I've seen in my 10 Year guitar journey. And I've seen a lot of them. Thank you! Liked and subscribed
Thank you, we appreciate that and thanks for the sub!
Great songwriting system and super valuable, free resources!
Thank you and glad this helps!!
This is so solid! Thank you so much. Your channel has really helped me!
We appreciate that!
We've got more in the course, Metal Songwriter's Forge: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
Great clip man...like i read in the other comments i am not the only guy who plays since 20 years completely self taught. I come from a time with no YT and no internet so self taught was realy self taught. To be honest i was sceptic when reading the name "metal mastermind" i thought "oh yeah...another guy who shows off his godlike skills and telling me how easy this is"...but hell yes... You sir are on another level. Having the skills and the ability to tell them others in a simple and usable way. Thumbs up from Germany 🌍🤘Metal World Wide🤘🌍 thank you 😁
Thank you, I appreciate that 🙏🏻🤘
Yeah, we didn’t have all the luxuries back in those days!
Man you have no idea how much you have helped me(and I’d assume many more) to make it easier turning my life around.🤘🏾 much love
It's great to hear that!
This is what I needed. Thanks from England.
🤘
Thank you for this! This is totally new to me and I would love to be able to learn how to do this better. I've seen other videos and they are just too complicated for me. This break down is great. One thing though I personally don't understand is the components of a song like intro / coarse / ottro , etc , the actual flow of it all, as one song. I think with most modern song there is more to it than just that, but I Love this video! Thank you for making this, it was very helpful!
Really glad this helped! We also have a metal songwriting course if that's something you're interested in: metalmastermind.com/courses/
Thank you. Liked and subscribed :-) you're great at describing the different steps.
Thank you for the sub!!
I love your videos bro, They are and have been so helpful with my guitar and bass playing and writing. Appreciate the content very much! Thank you! 🤘🏼🔥🤘🏼
🙏🤘
Very very cool. I couldn't click fast enough when I saw the title. I'm a decent guitar player, but suck at figuring out how to make them into songs. Or, not that great and this is a great system. Love it. I'm more of a blues and 80s metal guy, but love almost all music.
Digging that LTD ESP too man. I've been thinking of getting one of their new single cut EC series I think it is with stainless frets, etc.
I want to try this, and I'm going to use some chord inversions, etc. I'm big on riffs though. The Christian band Stryker is great at riff songs to me.
Great stuff man and I subscribed and look forward to hearing more of your videos. Thanks man for this video. I learned a lot ❤
Thank you for the sub. Yeah, you can’t go wrong with LTD guitars.
And yes, Stryper has some great riffs…especially Caught in the Middle
Only needed 1:22 seconds to sub your channel. You can indeed write a damn good metal riff and song.
Dude we appreciate that and glad this helped!
You're awesome dude. Thank you
🙏🤘
Youre a great speker and teacher. Good luck with your channel and teaching endeavors.
Thank you 🤘
You’re a good dude bro, thanks for the vid, very helpful and easy to watch.
Really glad this helped!
Hey man, just found your channel here, wanted to say thank you for the videos, very helpful.
We appreciate the comment and the support!
Great video! I had a friend that had that same ltd guitar it was so much bang for your buck!
It's a solid guitar!
I wish all my teachers were like you! Thankssss
🙏🤘
Man I love that classic hangar 18 shirt I use to have the same one when I was 6 but it was an all over print I miss it bad so glad to see a vintage shirt but remastered a tad and thinks fir the killer lick teaching
🙏🤘
I haven’t been able to try this method out, but I’ll test this method on the hardcore songs I’m writing with indie sections and see if I can apply it.
It's great to see you're writing your own songs! 🤘
I feel like this is solid advice. Typically I think as you get more and more into playing you end up doing these things in an intuitive sense. Especially if you're someone who delves into theory. Whether you're into writing advances harmony or just know the basics. The level of theory in this video is just the basics. However that bit of knowledge goes along way. (Knowing what notes and chords are in any particular key) I believe knowing a ton of theory isn't necessary to be a good artist. Although it doesn't hurt and can only help. But that's why I said it's typically an intuitive thing. Meaning once you have a riff, it's usually pretty obvious if you try to add another section an it doesn't sound great. Which is usually because stuff like modulating somewhere that clashes or something as simple as tempo. Modulation can add a great dynamic effect to a song. But it all depends on what effect you're shooting for. Most commonly people go up a 4th or 5th. But you have bands like Metallica who often modulate their verses and choruses up a whole step. In otherwords, they have a riff in e minor and play the riff more or less the same but rooted in F#. It just adds a bit of intensity to the song. Usually right before the chorus in Metallicas case. My advice, pay attention to the types of things bands do. Where do they modulate to? What feeling off effect does the modulation have? Do they switch to cut time for certain parts? Maybe the rhythmic feel is different.
Great advice and music is definitely an intuitive (and personalized) thing.
Also, Ken has a great recent video on metal theory here: ua-cam.com/video/0JvBdkHRlyk/v-deo.html
I'm glad I found your channel. Great video and very helpful.
Awesome to hear that, and thank you!
even if you might never read that comment: thanks for the tutorial :D makes writing songs drastically easier than i´ve done it before :D much love and stay heavy!
Thank you for this! 🙏🤘
What a cool channel you've got here. Exactly my learning style too. Thanks.
🙏🤘
Great Video! One small thing is the F# power chord is out of the Em key because it contains a C#. It can still sound good though.
Yes, that F# note is in the key of Em. But you can also do a lot of cool things with the F#m progression (that's where your C#m chord will come in and that blends nicely).
This was helpful as hell thanks man🙏
Dude so good to hear that!!
😮I never thought of this. This is so useful. And probably a great way to catalog tour riff. I'm sure there isna program that helps
Glad this helped and thank you for watching!
You're awesome man. Thank you for this video.
🙏 🤘 Really glad to hear this helps!
This is very cool - subscribed and just wish I found it 3 years ago!
That’s awesome man. Good lesson
Thank you and glad this helped!
Great video Jason, very useful and informative info here, it helps a lot, thanks! You're like the cool metalhead dad I never had haha 🤘
🙏 🤘
Great video! Really well explained and informative.
Thank you, glad this helped! Also, we have a complete metal songwriting course here: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
I have recently just stumbled upon your teaching tecnique videos and I have only seen a couple of them yet but I'm already thinking that they are going to be very helpful..., The problem I always seem to get snagged on is when it's time for me to switch the bad ass riff I have and make an awesome chorus with it ...
Glad to hear this helped. Check out this video next on songwriting: ua-cam.com/video/EFfG1CvM5Rk/v-deo.html
love this guy
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Guitar world did and interview with Mark Morton of Lamb of God years ago. In it he talks about his “riff farming” process. Great key points from that in addition to the points in this video would have you pumping out songs
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thanks dude, you really helped
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Thank you this is helpful!
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Great video ; simple but effective and on point.
Thank you, glad this helped! 🤘
It helped me a lot!
Really glad to hear that! 🤘🙏🏻
Great lesson !! Thanks 🤘🔥
Glad this helped!!
This helped me so much thank you!
Awesome to hear that!
Another cool thing volume swells for intro/outros also!
Those are really cool and captivating!
This is very helpful. Thank you.
You're welcome!
Also, we have a metal songwriting course on our platform if you're interested in taking a deeper dive: metalmastermind.com/metal-songwriters-forge/
Absolutely beautiful ❤️
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Very cool stuff Bro!
Thank you, glad this helps!!
@@metalmastermind I've been playing and writing songs for over twenty years but I enjoyed your approach to ideas. 🤘
Ok, that's the Basics: The Tricky part is when the flow of your music changes the root note so you end in another scale and if you want to go back to your main riff it can be really difficult. In Metal usually also not so often the riffs are straight in Key. To get it more interesting you use a lot of chromatic, or add tones chords that are not in the Scale which becomes challenging playing a solo over that chord progression.
The beauty of all this is there are no rules…it’s an open forum to create something new and different, and more importantly, create something that speaks to you. If your passion for your own music is strong, that will spread to others.
Sick video, really helpful!!! 🔥i'm wondering, in the beginning of the video when you play the first riff, how do you achieve that tone? pedals? amp?
I believe Positive Grid's BIAS FX was used for that but a lot of the sound and vibe you get is from your style of playing
Thanks for this video!
Glad this helped! We expand a little more on it in our blog here: metalmastermind.com/riffs-to-songs/
your way is actually simple and easy to get but i think it would mostly apply to beginners bc once you get used to composing you wont be needing to sit and choose your key and notes writing will just come up naturally and you dont need to think that mch of theory
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Very useful!
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Awesome lesson!
Thank you and glad this helped!
The II chord in minor is a diminished triad, F#dim in E minor
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Great lesson Jason 🤘🏻
Thank you!🤘Glad this helped!
You make it look so easy arggghhhh...
Lol...sometimes you just start winging it and cool stuff comes out!
this video is amazing you are amazing
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Back when I was recording, I used "Aggression" as the name of my band. The overall emotion would probably be "negativity". "Planet Earth" was a typical cut, with the chorus being: "I'm just doing time on planet Earth." I would usually shoot for at least 3 riffs or chord progressions that worked well together for a single song - but it can be done with just one or two riffs (might be kinda dumb and repetitive though - think: 7 nation army). riffs, drums, then matching basslines, then a solo, then vocals. I recorded 3 CDs and 5 EPs of original material. went as far as I could without a singer. couldn't find a singer, so I just stopped. stopped playing, writing, and recording.
Sounds like it's time to get back into it!
@@metalmastermind Nowadays, I build them more than play them. I've done about 75 guitar builds or mods since I took up the hobby in 2019. My guitar shop burned a year ago, along with my collection (96 guitars). I just finished my first build in my new shop: Mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, no inlays, just side dots. Trapezoid neck profile, triangular heel joint, bolt-on, just two machine screws. The back of the neck and heel joint have been coated with Teflon tape. Minimalist one piece mahogany body. Steinberger "R" trem, Floyd Rose locknut and string anchors (headless with faux triple pronged headstock). Seymour Duncan Nazgul / Sentinel pickups, TESI kill button, mini toggle 3-way switch, on/off switch, rear mounted controls. My experimental builds use a leg/strap bar that prevents neck dive, and the guitar is shifted about 4 inches to the left, for easier semi-palm muting. I post videos of my builds on UA-cam.
The way I interpret step 7 is like telling a story. A story in riffs.
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Bad ass video!
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pretty sure F# would be a diminished chord, not minor, in the key of Em.
So even if playing power chords, that F#5 would not fit in.
Of course you can still use a F#m if you want to, it can still sound good in the context, just know that is not the right chord for the key of Em
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@@metalmastermind i take it as a yes :p good, hours of music theory with my teacher are paying off, i can be annoying on YT comments :P
Btw good tips in this video! thanks!
As a fledgling songwriter, I can usually come up with two parts of a song, but I always feel that the ending needs to go somewhere else, and that's where I struggle. I blame Tony Iommi!
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Tie actual notes in the riff you are playing or the notes in the key? Asking for my friend Jay.
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@@metalmastermind that was a question lol. Metal up!
Cant underestimate the immense utility of recording yourself.
Because when you are playing, you just simply do not hear the riff as objectively as u can.
Because you are in the moment focusing on your playing.
Recoding yourself let's you step outside you own head so to speak and hear the riff / song / beat with your entire attention span.
Some riffs are so fun to play that we get too biased by how it feels to play vs how it actually sounds, recording ourselves helps remove this bias.
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I think that 2 chord is supposed to be F# diminished or alternatively D over F# 🤔
Yes…we’re playing power chords hear, so just keeping it simple. Ken goes into more details in our theory videos like this one: ua-cam.com/video/0JvBdkHRlyk/v-deo.html
@@metalmastermind Don't get me wrong 😆 I like this video, and I think Ken is great.
I appreciate you brother!
Also I have a question, not related to this but might be a topic for a future video.
Just bought a Jackson SLA6 barirone that suits better for downtuning.
It came with emg active pickups, and Im not sure how am I supposed to feel about a battery powered stuff.
Any thoughts?
Thank you. Jason here and I’m kinda with you on active pickups but those batteries last a while. Actives just give you more output. You can get a similar effect with passives by turning up the amp gain. I play my Ibanez with passive pickups more then anything through.
Love this.....
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Made this dark riff that’s in D and had built many ideas around it, but the main riff has a time signature I just can’t figure out. Spans 11 counts at 160bpm, and consists of 18 notes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
We just released a new video that will help you with different ideas for your riff here: ua-cam.com/video/D1FzNA--_jE/v-deo.htmlsi=j2kbwH7od22wPj86
@@metalmastermind didn't help with figuring out the time signature, but I still appreciate the heads-up. Maybe I'll take your suggestion and add a bit more to stretch it to signature I don't have to "figure out".
Thank you
You're welcome an glad this helped
Absolutely
Metal Guru 🙏🤘
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im new to making riffs and everything and dont really have a bunch of music knowledge but i feel like my riffs sound nice but quick question how can i figure out what key my riff is in? it might be an embarrassing question but i genuinely dont know and would appreciate some help :)
That’s a great question. And we have a video on understanding keys here that may help: ua-cam.com/video/tJNv5Lyh-vs/v-deo.htmlsi=GkjbA9GYvQ137o8x
Literally no one asked but based on the notes you wrote out that f# would be a diminished chord not a minor because you used the aeolian mode.
Correct. But if you were going ti okay a full chord there in the key of E minor, the F sharp minor fits. We didn’t dive into theory and tried to keep it basic. We do have some videos where Ken is teaching theory: ua-cam.com/video/HTSpt4tQHNU/v-deo.html
W vid thank you!
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I usually write a couple of riffs, and then smash them together
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"I got plenty of D's in school. I shouldn't have told you that!"
No worries Jason, the smartest people I know did the worst in School lol
Lol...yeah, school was definitely not my thing!
been searching for something like this since ages so thank you.
Can u teach us how to cosntruct a MESHUGGAH basic riff taking 1/2 whole diminished or whatever u like...thanx in advance....am stuck in dissonance....i get the riff but then verse,chorus,bridge part eludes me.....
I wrote a melo-death metal riff, i think this will help, thanks! +1 subscribe +1 like! I'll watch more of your videos, because all of your topics are good! 🤘🔥🤜🤛
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