Spiral

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: Welcome everyone! In this tutorial, we're going to learn a song of mine called "Spiral". It has a modern metal feel with a few Eastern themes thrown in there. Please note that this song is in Drop D tuning. If you aren't exactly sure what that is, click here. Once you've watched the video above, get ready for Exercise 1 on the next page!

Media Length: 1:30

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: As you probably noticed from watching the main video, there is going to be a lot of fast picking involved with the rhythm playing. When you look at the tablature throughout the song, you'll be noticing a lot of sixteenth notes mixed with eighth notes. This mixture of fast and slow notes will help develop your rhythm playing and give you more stamina. However...

Media Length: 1:18

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: In Exercise 2, we have the part of the song where the full band kicks in gear. The actual riff is similar to that of Exercise 1, but we'll be adding a couple new ideas. Pay attention to the palm-mute markings (indicated as "P.M.") in the tablature. Be mindful of the notes that are not palm-muted as well and make sure those notes ring out for the duration of...

Media Length: 1:14

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: Exercise 3 represents the "Symphony X" part of the song. I like playing riffs that somewhat tease the listener, letting them know that there's an even bigger riff coming their way next. So I like to think of this part of the song as a build-up to Exercise 4. When you look at the tablature, you'll notice that we have a lot of 8th note and quarter note rests....

Media Length: 1:46

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: And now, we have the big riff that we were building up to in Exercise 3. Make sure you headbang when you play this one. It will make you play better!... ...Okay maybe not. :) Similar to Exercise 3, the effectiveness of this riff relies heavily on the accuracy of the rests between the flurry of notes. Practice this riff very slowly. If you can't get the res...

Media Length: 1:53

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: In this last exercise, we're going to be adding in a hint of tapping into our rhythm playing. First off, make sure you use alternate picking exclusively in this riff. The only time you won't be using it is when you'll be tapping. In bars 28 and 29, you'll see a few "T" markings, indicating tapped notes. I recommend using your middle finger to tap the notes...

Media Length: 1:12

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: Here is the full tempo backing track at 170 bpm. If you ever record yourself playing along to the backing, be sure to post it in the forum so we can hear your skills!

Media Length: 1:54

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Metal

Excerpt: Here is the slow tempo backing track at 120 bpm. If you ever record yourself playing along to the backing, be sure to post it in the forum so we can hear your skills!

Media Length: 2:41