Code Seven

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

Excerpt: Hey everyone, and welcome to this song tutorial! This is a piece taken from a pretty heavy tune I wrote a while back. You can hear the full version on my profile page if you'd like. Make sure you turn your amp up to 11 for this one! And do not be alarmed when sirens and car alarms start to go off in your neighborhood when you play this, that's completely no...

Media Length: 1:40

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

Excerpt: This first riff is going to be somewhat floating over the 4/4 time signature. I like incorporating riffs over 4/4 drum grooves that don't always perfectly line up within the 4/4 structure. For example, bar 4 is in 4/4 time, however depending on how you look at it, the guitar part is doing 3/4 there, as the riff starts over on the 4th beat of that measure. Bu...

Media Length: 0:33

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

Excerpt: This part is an extension of Part 1, except it's a lot more aggressive with the palm muting and we're also now perfectly aligned with the drums in 4/4 time. Make sure your palm muting spans across all three bottom strings to really get that crunch sound. Also, make sure you do this whole part using downstrokes so the attack sounds as aggressive as possible.

Media Length: 0:33

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

Excerpt: This part will definitely test your picking hand's stamina. There is a massive amount of "galloping triplets" on the sixth string. You'll need to concentrate on making sure everything stays in perfect sync with both hands. Practice this part very slowly until the picking pattern begins to feel natural for your picking hand. Only then should you start gradual...

Media Length: 1:04

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

Excerpt: This part has a cool call and answer section. In bars 29-30, we have a heavy rhythm creating the "call", then in bars 31-32 we have the guitar's melody "answering the call". Then the same thing happens in bars 33-36. "Call and answers" are very fun to incorporate into any musical style. They can really give a neat dynamic to the music. So next time you're w...

Media Length: 1:04

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

Excerpt: The last part is the easiest section of the piece, involving some solid strumming of power chords. Again, make sure the rests are dead silent. For this riff in particular, it's very important that the riff breathes between the chords to give it that majestic booming feel with the drums. Once you have all the parts down, head on over to the next page for the...

Media Length: 1:04

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

Excerpt: Here is the backing track at full tempo, 192bpm. If this is too fast for you right now, go to the next page to access the backing track at 150bpm.

Media Length: 1:39

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

Excerpt: Here is the backing track slowed down to 150bpm. Practice hard and have fun!

Media Length: 2:07