Playing By Genre
This section will give insights into how to play by genre. The genres I know and understand best are heavy metal, scream/hardcore, and some acoustic. I'll first touch a little on history, then get to genre.
Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal is my favorite genre to play. It's hard, fast, heavy. I'll discuss how to play like Rammstein (my favorite band), and I'll touch on Korn. Korn won't be talked about as much, because they usually use a seven string guitar, which I don't have or use.
RAMMSTEIN
Rammstein is a German band; they sing in German mostly. But, they have one song, "Amerika," which is mostly in english, and they have a few singles with english parts. There lead guitarist, Richard Z. Kruspe, is a often under credited guitar player. In fact, Rammstein doesn't get a lot of praise at all. Their first album, "Herzelied," or "Heartache," featured a new sound to music. They used power chords almost ENTIRELY. Using the standard and Drop D tuning for the whole album along with unique, almost techno sounding keyboards, they created a new genre; "Tanz-Metall" (Dance Metal), aka "industrial metal." They often have the guitar parts during short sequences between lyrics and behind the chorus. Their solos are to be listed as "novice" because they can be learned in under ten minutes. Their second album "Sehnsucht," (Longing) brought a similar sound to Herzeleid and used standard tuning even more. Their hit song "Du Hast," (You Have) was a super hit in the US, and brought them to light around the world. After a short break, Rammstein returned with yet another new album with even newer sounds. "Mutter" (Mother) used almost entirely Drop D tuning and used heavier riffs. This album had their ONLY politically based song, "Link 2 3 4" (Left 2 3 4). It was after this album that they nearly broke up. However, they returned in 2004 with "Reise, Reise." By literal terms, it means "Journey Journey," but Rammstein said they actually mean the Sailor term "Arise, Arise." This album featured their first songs in CGC tuning. In fact, nearly all the songs are in CGC. They also had an acoustic song "Los." It was an album with slightly more technical riffs. Finally, their newest release, "Rosenrot." (Rose-red) It's their first album to date to feature a song without entirely power chord songs. The song "Strib Nicht Vor Mir" (Don't Die Before I Do) has an American woman sing much of the song in English along with Rammstein's German parts. It uses chords throughout the song. The album is mainly CGC, but they returned to their standard roots for a few songs. The album is considerably more love influenced and features less sexual songs. Rammstein's music is still one of kind and they still oftentimes can create an entire song of powerchords.
I'll be showing you how to play a few of their songs, then how to write some of similar style.
Du Hast
Rammstein's most popular song in America. Many Americans like to change the translation to "You Hate" instead of "You Have" which is the proper translation.
Usually, this song has muting in it, but for the first few times, play it without the mute. Pretty much just listen to it, then try the riffs, and repeat. Eventually, when you get the timing down, try playing along. It's an easy song.
\- slide
\\- double time slide (twice as fast)
Verse Riff Part 1. x3
e|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------|
D|-7\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-7\\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-2-2--|
A|-7\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-7\\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-2-2--|
E|-5\3--0---0--0-0-0--0-0-5\\3--0---0--0-0-0--0-0-0-0--|
On Fourth Time Play This (Verse Part 2.)
e|-----------------------------|
B|-----------------------------|
G|-----------------------------|
D|-5\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-7-7--|
A|-5\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-7-7--|
E|-3\5--5---5--5-5-5--5-5-5-5--|
Chorus
e|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------|
D|-7\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-7\\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-2-2--|
A|-7\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-7\\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-2-2--|
E|-5\3--0---0--0-0-0--0-0-5\\3--0---0--0-0-0--0-0-0-0--|
e|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------|
D|-5\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-5\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-7-7---|
A|-5\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-5\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-7-7---|
E|-3\5--5---5--5-5-5--5-5-3\5--5---5--5-5-5--5-5-5-5---|
e|--------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-7\10--10---10--10-10-10--10-10-10\\9--9---9--9-9-9--9-9-9-9--|
A|-7\10--10---10--10-10-10--10-10-10\\9--9---9--9-9-9--9-9-9-9--|
E|-5\8----8----8---8--8--8---8--8--8\\7--7---7--7-7-7--7-7-7-7--|
e|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------|
D|-7\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-7\\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-2-2--|
A|-7\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-7\\5--2---2--2-2-2--2-2-2-2--|
E|-5\3--0---0--0-0-0--0-0-5\\3--0---0--0-0-0--0-0-0-0--|
After you've played Du Hast, you may want to try "Ich Will," "Feuer Frei," or "Links 2 3 4." They are all easy level songs. All three are on the Mutter album. They're all easy level songs. If you want to move up to some more difficult songs, try "Sonne," "Spieluhr," or "Mein Herz Brennt." They are also on the Mutter album. For a real challenge, try "Mutter" off of the Mutter album, "Mein Teil," off of the Reise Reise album, or "Hierate Mich," off of Herzeleid. I haven't even mastered Hierate Mich! The main thing with Rammstein's music is to listen to the riffs carefully; to hear them right, listen with high bass and low treble, or vice versa.
Korn
Before they were Korn, they were "LAPD," "Love And Peace, Dudes." Then Jonathan Davis became part of the band and they became Korn. They released their first album in 1993, a self titled one "Korn." I personally don't care for or like their lyrics, but their guitar is phenomenal. I don't exactly know much about them other than the above information, and that their lead guitarist, Brian "Head" Welch left the band for a life with Christ. They generally have seven string guitars, but I only have a six. To sound like them for the most part, use AEA tuning.
Their guitars, if you listen, make a grunting sound when they play. That's because AEA is so low, (roughly half an octave) it often rubs the fret a little. For the BEST chance at playing like them, have locking nuts on your guitar. They hold the strings down REALLY tight as to hold the tune better.
A really cool guitar riff is the main riff of "Here to Stay." It is done with a LOT of static, and you need a special pedal to create it, but just do a half mute.
The main riff goes something a lot like this;
B ||-----------------|
F#||-----------------|
D ||-----------------|
A ||-----------------|
E ||-----------------|
A ||-0-1-0121013-----|
Then, to do the main line, just play it like this, without muting. After this, bring the same riff up to the fifth fret.
B ||-----------------|
F#||-----------------|
D ||-----------------|
A ||-----------------|
E ||-0-1-0121013-----|
A ||-0-1-0121013-----|
Okay, now to the section as how to play like Korn. After you have your guitar down in AEA (they actually use a different
tuning, but THEY HAVE A 7 STRING), set your amp to "Low-9 Medium-6 High-10." This is a good sound. Also, pump up
the presence on the amp. If you have a pedal with extra presence, don't be afraid to add some more. The reason for so much
treble is because it makes the strings grunt extra, like Korn's. Korn doesn't mute a whole lot in their music, so use it sparingly.
Use the E string a lot, and do lot's of basing your riffs off of open E. In otherword's, play something like this;
B ||-----------------|
F#||-----------------|
D ||-----------------|
A ||-----------------|
E ||-----------------|
A ||-098087076065----|
Notice how I return to "0" a lot. This is basing the riff on it. Do that a LOT in Korn style music. Also, use stops. I don't know
the actual title, but it's like a mute, but you play open, the slam your hand down to instantly stop the sound. With Korn's
grunt's it sounds amazing. It's shown by a mute symbol under no number.
Try this Korn-like riff;
B ||-------------------|
F#||-------------------|
D ||-------------------|
A ||-------------------|
E ||-------------------|
A ||-2-2/3-2/5-2/3-0-2-|x4
B ||-------------------|
F#||-------------------|
D ||-------------------|
A ||-2-2/3-2/5-2/3-0-2-|
E ||-2-2/3-2/5-2/3-0-2-|
A ||-2-2/3-2/5-2/3-0-2-|x4
B ||-----------------|
F#||-----------------|
D ||-----------------|
A ||-----------------|
E ||-----------------|
A ||-00-00-0h6-------|x4
^ ^ ^
Notice the stops in the last riff. It makes a neat one of a kind sound. So, let's review Korn playing; use base notes, stops, and
a deep tuning.
Hardcore/Screamo
Hardcore (screamo) is definitely fun to play on the guitar; extremely fast and technical. Almost all hardcore riffs and songs
involve hammer-ons/pull-offs and double picking. I'll talk about playing like "As I Lay Dying" in this section. I'm just doing
band, because though all the hardcore bands sound different, they use virtually the same techniques.
As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying is a Christian metal band currently signed to Metal Blade Records. The band is most accurately described as
metalcore, with tinges of Swedish Metal. The name of the band is taken from the book of the same name by William Faulkner,
although there is no lyrical correlation between the book and the band.As I Lay Dying was formed in 2001 in San Diego, California.
Soon after their formation, the band signed with Pluto Records and released their first full-length album, Beneath the Encasing
of Ashes in June of 2001. In 2002, the band recorded additional songs for a split CD with American Tragedy, also released on Pluto
Records. After extensive touring and a marked increase in popularity, As I Lay Dying signed with Metal Blade Records in early 2003.
In July 2003, the band's second full-length album, Frail Words Collapse, was released and extensive touring with the likes of Himsa,
Shadows Fall, The Black Dahlia Murder, By Nightfall, and other popular heavy music bands followed. In June 2005, the band released
their third full-length CD Shadows Are Security as they went on the second stage of Ozzfest 2005. (information provided by
Wikipedia.)
As I Lay Dying is a Christian band, notice. Their lyrics are overly intense, but contain subtle Biblical influences.
I don't know an entire AILD song, but one of my favorites is "94 Hours." It starts out right away with hammers and pulls, and
gradually introduces hardcore guitar. AILD primarily uses CGC tuning. The reason why most hardcore bands use CGC is
simple; AEA tuning makes the E and A strings roughly equal to the highest strings on a bass guitar. Since hardcore usually
hammers and pulls on the D string, the D is really deep in AEA. Too deep. CGC is a perfect balance.
To play hardcore/scream, set your amp like this:
Low- 4-7
Mid- 4-7
High- 10
And, set your presence at maximum. If you have a pedal that offers extra presence, put that at half. Any higher and it'll hurt
your ears. Also, if you have an overdrive pedal, definitely use it. The reason for it to use so little bass is because hardcore music
is generally very cutting and sharp. You want to be able to tell the difference between each note.
Here's the intro riff of "94 hours."
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
F|------------------------------------------------------------------|
C|--------7p0-----5p0----------------------7p0-----5p0--------------|
G|----8p0-----8p0-----8p0-7h8p7--5-----8p0-----8p0-----8-3----------|
C|-0----------------------------------------------------------------|
It sounds cool, right?
Okay, here's how to play hardcore; much like metal, you use 0 as a base. But, in hardcore, you use it not only as a base, but
as a base for your pull-offs. Notice in 94 hours how many times in one riff they use 0 as a pull base; 9 times. Be sure to do
this. Also, use a second base; the E string. Between parts of a riff, return to open E often. Here's a quick riff that uses this;
D ||-----------------------------------------------------|
A ||-----------------------------------------------------|
F ||-----------------------------------------------------|
C ||-----------------------------------------------------|
G ||--8p0-7p0-5p0--7p0-5p0-3p0--5p0-3p0-2p0--3p0-2p0-0---|
C ||-0------------0------------0------------0------------|
Okay, so, screamo/hardcore is hard and fast music. It's a bit like metal, but timings are extremely odd oftentimes.
Make sure you listen to a song several times over while reading the tablature before trying it. You'll notice really
weird timing in the songs many times. Also, remember to generally use CGC!
Acoustic
Quite possibly my favorite genre to play. I know I said that about metal, but honestly, during extreme anger, sadness, or joy
acoustic style playing is most effective. Now, you can play acoustic 2 ways; one, with an acoustic guitar, obviously, and two,
with your amp set on no distortion. Generally, set your amp for;
Low- 7-10
Med- 5-6
High- 8-10
Also, reverb and presence are completely up to you.
Now, there are many different acoustic styles. Mariachi is my favorite, though. I can't play it, but it's really beautiful and more
talented than any other genre.
I'll be showing basic acoustic elements for guitar.
Firstly, slides, hammer ons, and pull offs are common. But, make sure you don't use them excessively because then it just
sounds like an attempt to prove you can do them.
Usually, use standard tuning. But, CGC can make for some very pretty songs.
Okay, let's try some acoustic music!
e ||---------------2--2--2--2--3--3--3-5-3-----2--2--2-----|
B ||---2--2--2--2-3--3--3--3--3--3--3------3--2--2--2-3--2-|
G ||--3--3--3--3-4--4--4--4--4--4--4---------3--3--3-------|
D ||-4--4--4--4--------------------------------------------|
A ||-------------------------------------------------------|
E ||-------------------------------------------------------|
A little harder than the other stuff, right? That's okay, because it's much more beautiful and fun. Plus, the girls love it.
But in all seriousness, here's a continuation of the above tab. Notice, this is with chords, now.
Make sure, when reading chords, that you don't strum it once. It's meant to be strummed in a pattern of your choice. All you
have to do is notice timing;
e ||-22-22-33----|
B ||-33-22-33----|
G ||-44-33-44----|
D ||-44-44-44-24-|
A ||-22-44-55-24-|
E ||-22-22-33-02-|
Don't try to use one finger per string. It won't work. Bar (using your pointer finger) across the second fret and use your other
fingers for the rest. Arpeggios are very frequently used in acoustic music.
Okay. So, to be acoustic, use arpeggios, chords, hammers and pulls, and slides.