'Aftermath' by Rick Graham

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: Hey! Thanks for tuning in to this tutorial in which we are going to look at a piece that I have written for my new album called "Aftermath'. Aftermath started off a study I wrote for one of my students. The music was inspired by a television series called 'tales of the unexpected' and in particular, an episode called 'the flypaper' written by an English wri...

Media Length: 3:25

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: Alrighty then! Now that you have watched the full video, very carefully I might add, we can get to work breaking those riffs down so that we can totally nail them. The opening riff alternates using the open, in this case, low D string with various fretted notes using downpicking only. This helps to emphasise the alternation of open versus fretted strings. I...

Media Length: 1:00

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: Riff 2 sees our first change of meter from 4/4 to 3/4 and then back to 4/4. Notice how the change of meter is very subtle, that is, it doesn't scream out at you. The 16 note run in bar 15 should be played very tightly and cleanly. Listening to the drums here should help you. Rhythmically, bars 18-23 will feel a little odd at first but with practice, will b...

Media Length: 0:47

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: Syncopation is the key word with riff 3. It is important that you follow the accents notated within the score to achieve the correct rhythmic pulse. The meter here is 5/4 and each bar is divided into two groups of five 8th notes. In the video, I play this section using hybrid picking with the right hand. This way is a very natural way for me to do it. Again...

Media Length: 0:43

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: Now we get some really heavily textured stuff. I really enjoyed creating this section of the composition as it was more about achieving an effect than anything else, although the common thread is still there as we shall see. We have three changes of meter within this section so it may take a little time for you to become comfortable with these surroundings....

Media Length: 0:33

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: This riff is a little trickier than it seems at first glance, (or listening). The key element(surprise, surprise:p) is rhythm. You must practice this keeping everything as tight as you possibly can and at this point, there are no drums to guide you. Practice it as slowly as you can and be sure to really emphasise the last 8th note at the end to really get th...

Media Length: 0:15

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Instructor: Rick Graham Level: Intermediate Topic: Rhythm Style: Metal

Excerpt: Have fun with the backing track!

Media Length: 3:28