What do I practice to learn metal guitar?!
Question: Also, would learning rhythm and lead for metal be studying two different things, or is it just a matter of knows how to play metal in general?
Answers: Also, would learning rhythm and lead for metal be studying two different things, or is it just a matter of knows how to play metal in general?
Palm-muting is definitely a technique you want to learn for metal guitar playing. Learn power chords if you haven't. Those are the 2 things you'll need most.
Rhythm and lead playing are different, but all the techniques used for one can be used for the other.
However, when it comes to techniques, they are pretty much universal to all guitar playing. There are jazz guys who use fre-tapping, surf guitarists who use palm-muting, and classical guys who employ "the diabolus in musica".
I find metal guitarists' biggest problem is not properly learning how to play musically. It's okay to take elements from classical, blues, jazz, folk, world music, etc. - and apply it to metal. Formal training is a great way to make your metal stand out, because anybody who's been playing a year or two can write Slayer-type riffs, and it really takes no theory to do it. That's why a lot of metal bands sound the same, they do not think outside the (steel) box.
Well, I am an average guitar player but by no means up to performance standards. Even so, in my opinion, you should learn rhythm first before plunging into lead. I don't know what your experience level is or exactly what you're hoping to achieve but tablature is a great way to go and often can be obtained free from the Internet. I recommend getting a CD or .mp3 of a metal song you like, something that sounds basic, and then getting the tablature. This way you can learn how to play it as you compare it with what it's supposed to sound like. See below for some good resources.
Well, I am an average guitar player but by no means up to performance standards. Even so, in my opinion, you should learn rhythm first before plunging into lead. I don't know what your experience level is or exactly what you're hoping to achieve but tablature is a great way to go and often can be obtained free from the Internet. I recommend getting a CD or .mp3 of a metal song you like, something that sounds basic, and then getting the tablature. This way you can learn how to play it as you compare it with what it's supposed to sound like. See below for some good resources
http://www.gootar.com/
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/