Firewind Style Lesson

Firewind Style Lesson

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  • Hi everybody, your trusty Joe Kataldo here with another cool lesson, I hope! :D

    The idea comes from a request of one of our friends "Unleash-The-Shred", he asked for a lesson in the style of Firewind and Gus G, so here we are.

    I have to admit that I didn't know this band before, and I thank so much Unleash-The-Shred because it is a great band! So I had to buy some used disk, and listen a while until this idea comes out!

    The Gus G. Soloing style is in my opinion a mixture of Zakk Wylde meets John Petrucci, with a lot of original stuff. He uses a lot fast pentatonics, with blues riffs, scale fragments and sequences with sliding intervals. I've tried to make a double lesson Rhythm/Soloing but I'm too new to this band, so I preferred to keep the solo very short, trying to not go "out-of-style"

    Check also this other lesson on Drop D


    This Lesson Will Improve
    ------------------------

    Right hand picking

    Palm muting

    "Drop D" Riffing

    Left hand legato



    Firewind Style
    --------------

    The study is in "Drop D" as most of the Firewind songs, the key is D minor alternating between different modes to create interest along the track, fast riffing and power chords rhythm. The tempo is very fast, you really have to practice it slowly before attempt the full speed, the small solo uses scale fragments & sequences, sliding 6th and sweeped arpeggios.


    Recommended Listening
    ---------------------

    Well...Firewind :D




    Theory Focus
    ------------

    As you will find in many Prog/Metal players their riffs will be a mixture of natural minor (or Eolian), Dorian (a minor scale with a major 6th) & Phrygian (a minor scale with a minor 2nd) this techniques is also called pitch-axis:

    Ex. in Aminor

    Eolian (minor sad sound)

    1--2--b3-4--5--b6-b7-8
    A--B--C--D--E--F--G--A


    Dorian (Bluesy sound)

    1--2--b3-4--5--6--b7-8
    A--B--C--D--E--F#-G--A


    Phrygian (Angry metal sound)

    1--b2-b3-4--5--b6-b7-8
    A--Bb-C--D--E--F--G--A


    Techniques Focus
    ----------------

    The riffs alternate between palm muted parts and normal played one, simply release pressure on the bridge saddles (as you can see in the right hand spot) in time with non muted notes.


    I'm very new to this band, so even if I didn't hit the spot, I think the result is something fun to learn and play; more requests, more in style lessons, so...what are you waiting for? :D

    Joe Kataldo

    Dm Dorian Drop D.jpg
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