The Lens of Clarity

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

Excerpt: Hey everyone! In this tutorial we'll be learning a portion of one of my songs called "The Lens of Clarity". It's a heavy yet very melodic piece with a bunch of atmosphere/synth stuff. I hope you enjoy it! This song was originally composed with a much lower tuning (down to A on a 7-string), but in this tutorial I've transcribed it on a 6-string in Drop D Tu...

Media Length: 2:56

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

Excerpt: Alright, let's get going! In this first riff we're going to be playing around with the concept of polymeter. Polymeter represents multiple time signatures going on at the same time. In this first section, the drums are outlining a 4/4 groove, while the guitars are playing a 5/4 riff. I often experiment with this stuff in my music, it can add extra complexit...

Media Length: 0:50

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Beginner Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: Here we have the chorus. In this part we'll basically just be strumming power chords using straight eighth notes. In the video you'll see me down-strumming every chord, however if you'd prefer alternating between downward and upward strums that's totally fine. I prefer using all down-strums since to my ears it gives it a little more consistency in tone. La...

Media Length: 1:10

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

Excerpt: Here we have another instance where the palm mutes need to be clearly defined. Makes sure your technique is clean! At the end of bars 26 and 28 it gets a little tougher as you connect the riff sections. Take those parts slowly and make sure when they're done you can smoothly transition back to the 1st position (1st fret).

Media Length: 0:42

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

Excerpt: This is definitely the most challenging part of the song. When I hear it I think it has a big Symphony X vibe. You'll be using a lot of legato here, including both hammer-ons and pull-offs. It might be tempting to cheat a little bit and get lazy with the legato, but don't!! Make sure the legato notes are as individually distinctive as possible. Even though ...

Media Length: 0:42

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Beginner Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: The notes in this riff are all sixteenth notes and palm-muted. When you listen to the riff, you can hear that the notes are in groupings of 3. If you count "One, two, three, One, two, three" where each count represents each note, you'll really hear/feel the 3-note pulse. Once you have all the riffs down, head on over to the next pages for the backing track...

Media Length: 0:42

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

Excerpt: Here's the backing track at full speed, 142bpm (beats per minute). If this is too fast for you right now, check out the backing track on the next page where you can practice it at 100bpm.

Media Length: 2:57

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

Excerpt: Here we have the backing track slowed down to 100bpm. Have fun!

Media Length: 4:12