For those of us who don't speak Swedish, the title of this post means 'The Story Of Metal'. This time I'd like to tell you about the history of Metal: where it came from and how it's evolved.
Metal has two musical ancestors. It isn't a far stretch to see what they are. One is Classical music, because Metal follows similar musical patterns to it - it's more technical than say Rock. The other ancestor is Blues, which uses simpler chords, and riffs rather than phrases, as does Metal. Therefore, Metal is a heavier sounding music with highly complex chord progressions and a more intricate arrangement, while using simpler chords and repetitive phrasing.
Metal started out in the mid 1960s with bands like Led Zeppelin, Blue Cheer, and Black Sabbath. It was there that the power chord (perfect 5th chord) and the diminished chord became popular. These early Metal bands, through their popularity, paved the way for other bands to follow. Shock Rock was on the rise, and Rush, a small band from Toronto, was cranking out a new sound that would later become known as Progressive Metal.
So far, Metal had seen mostly leather bound He-men and flashy fashion extremes (with very few exceptions I may add), but in the '70s a bunch of beginning musicians started to be lace-lined and frilly, rather than leather-lunged. Their music was based heavily off of Shock rock and a new style known as Hard Rock. This now ever popular Glam Metal gave rise to yet another style: Pop Metal, and one of the best examples would be the band Def Leppard.
Power Metal bands like Judas Priest and Rainbow were becoming very popular, and as such the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement took hold pretty quickly, as it was based off of Power Metal. Soon everyone was listening to Iron Maiden and Motorhead.
Another popular style in the '70s was Punk Metal. The Ramones were pioneers in Punk, and they used lots of really basic riffing to make the songs simpler. Unfortunately, the first wave of Punk was short lived ( although it never really died out, because it resurfaces here and there!), but it carried into Hardcore. The sounds of Hardcore bands like Misfits and D.O.A. combined with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal to create a whole new sound... Thrash. Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth are the three leaders in the Thrash Metal scene today, and pretty much defined it when it first began.
Yet another subgenre that appeared in the '80s was Grunge. I'd have to say that in my opinion the quintessential Grunge band is Nirvana, with Alice In Chains running a close second. Grunge was becoming very popular until in 1993 it disappeared, or at least that's how it seemed. In reality all that happened was the record companies changed its name to Hard Alternative.
Through Black Metal (yet again, based off Hardcore) and Thrash two new styles were created, one being Death Metal, which following Black Metal, has many satanic references in the lyrics and extreme guttural vocals. The other style came two years later and Grindcore, as it's known, is a lot like an extreme version of Thrash. Another kind of music came around that time, while not descended from Black Metal it is still a bit heavier than some other forms of music; and as such, Metalcore is a product of Thrash.
Eventually, the four subgenres of Industrial Metal, Hard Alternative, Metalcore, and Death Metal combined in the form of Nu Metal. My personal favourite Nu Metal band being System Of A Down. Other examples are Korn, Slipknot, Godsmack, and Kittie.
In 2000, a new subgenre formed called the New Wave Of American Metal. This style is based largely off of Death Metal and, so far, has attracted a huge crowd.
So anyway, that was - as the title says - Metals Historia. I hope you found it remotely informative. Thanks for reading it!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Tricks For Songwriting On Guitar
There are many people who learn guitar for the purpose of writing and playing in a band, but they don't know where to start with on writing. Here are some tips for those of you struggling with a composition.
First of all, it's important to remember that, in most cases, the other instruments play a crucial part in how the music sounds; so you want to take all the other possibilities into account, this means thinking logically. Also, if you want your music to sound good you have to make sure it is organized. Don't make the same mistake many others have in writing it all at once, instead toy with some riffs, melodies, and rhythms first. If it has more of a flow it might sound better, and be easier to write.
Another very useful trick is to know what scale you're using and what kind of chord progression you're after. This makes it easier to write because you know what chords to use individually, and therefore what notes you want. A useful tip in writing chord progressions is that there are three types of chords. Your I, III, and VI chords are 'stable' chords, your II and IV chords are 'semi-stable', and your V and VII are 'unstable' chords. It's important to remember that stable chords are always used at the beginning of a riff. Semi-stable chords usually follow the stable chords, and tension begins to rise. Unstable chords are the ultimate tension builders - particularly the V chord - they follow immediately after a semi-stable chord. Then, finally, the progression goes back to stable (namely I) chords.
Scales, as trivial as they may seem, are handy in writing as well. There are many scales that can be used, but if your looking for a more progressive sound I strongly recommend the diminished scale. The diminished scale is easy to play. All you have to do is play the root, go up a whole tone, then up a semi-tone, then a whole tone, then a semi-tone, etc. You can make it go on for as long or as little as you like, although it is a good idea to avoid going longer than one measure. It's excellent for fills.
Another handy tool in writing is the arpeggio. There are two ways of playing an arpeggio on guitar: one way is to play the notes of a four-note-form chord in succession, first ascending then descending. The other way is to hold your fretting hand in the same position of the chord you are trying to play, then pluck the lowest note in that chord and the thinnest three strings on the guitar in the order of third thinnest, second thinnest, thinnest, second thinnest, third thinnest, and then play the lowest note once more. The latter is not very common in Rock of Metal because of its difficulty when playing quickly.
I hope these tips are useful to you in the future. Happy writing!
First of all, it's important to remember that, in most cases, the other instruments play a crucial part in how the music sounds; so you want to take all the other possibilities into account, this means thinking logically. Also, if you want your music to sound good you have to make sure it is organized. Don't make the same mistake many others have in writing it all at once, instead toy with some riffs, melodies, and rhythms first. If it has more of a flow it might sound better, and be easier to write.
Another very useful trick is to know what scale you're using and what kind of chord progression you're after. This makes it easier to write because you know what chords to use individually, and therefore what notes you want. A useful tip in writing chord progressions is that there are three types of chords. Your I, III, and VI chords are 'stable' chords, your II and IV chords are 'semi-stable', and your V and VII are 'unstable' chords. It's important to remember that stable chords are always used at the beginning of a riff. Semi-stable chords usually follow the stable chords, and tension begins to rise. Unstable chords are the ultimate tension builders - particularly the V chord - they follow immediately after a semi-stable chord. Then, finally, the progression goes back to stable (namely I) chords.
Scales, as trivial as they may seem, are handy in writing as well. There are many scales that can be used, but if your looking for a more progressive sound I strongly recommend the diminished scale. The diminished scale is easy to play. All you have to do is play the root, go up a whole tone, then up a semi-tone, then a whole tone, then a semi-tone, etc. You can make it go on for as long or as little as you like, although it is a good idea to avoid going longer than one measure. It's excellent for fills.
Another handy tool in writing is the arpeggio. There are two ways of playing an arpeggio on guitar: one way is to play the notes of a four-note-form chord in succession, first ascending then descending. The other way is to hold your fretting hand in the same position of the chord you are trying to play, then pluck the lowest note in that chord and the thinnest three strings on the guitar in the order of third thinnest, second thinnest, thinnest, second thinnest, third thinnest, and then play the lowest note once more. The latter is not very common in Rock of Metal because of its difficulty when playing quickly.
I hope these tips are useful to you in the future. Happy writing!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Review: Where Should I Start
For those of you who want to learn guitar but don't yet have one, I have an ideal choice for you... Behold the Ibanez RG GIO!!!
There are lots of people who have children who want to learn guitar. That's all fine and good but what do you buy for them. The answer appears simple: just go to Zellers or Walmart and buy a cheap little toy that will tide them over until they get sick of guitar. To that I say WRONG!!! If a child really wants to learn guitar don't buy them a toy. Instead, go to a music store and ask questions about instruments and prices.
However, for those of us who don't know what to ask we can always look online to find out things like that. So here's my recommendation: the Ibanez RG Gio. Here are a few things I've noticed about it that might be worth knowing.
It has good sound quality and handling, it has 2 humbucker pickups and 1 single coil pickup, and it has 24 frets. This makes it the perfect choice for someone just starting up with guitar.
But you may find yourself asking: what is a guitar's handling, what makes good sound quality, and what's a humbucker? Well, I'll tell you right now.
A guitar's handling is determined by playability, in other words how easy it is to play. A guitar's sound quality is just whether or not the guitar makes good sounds, and sound quality really depends on the genre that you want to play in - the RG Gio is good for Rock or Metal because it has a harsh, rugged sound. The difference between a humbucker and a single is that a single coil just has a group of magnets with one wire wrapped around them. A humbucker, on the other hand, has 2 groups of magnets with 2 wires wrapped around.
So if your looking for a guitar to start out with, I recommend the Ibanez RG Gio!
There are lots of people who have children who want to learn guitar. That's all fine and good but what do you buy for them. The answer appears simple: just go to Zellers or Walmart and buy a cheap little toy that will tide them over until they get sick of guitar. To that I say WRONG!!! If a child really wants to learn guitar don't buy them a toy. Instead, go to a music store and ask questions about instruments and prices.
However, for those of us who don't know what to ask we can always look online to find out things like that. So here's my recommendation: the Ibanez RG Gio. Here are a few things I've noticed about it that might be worth knowing.
It has good sound quality and handling, it has 2 humbucker pickups and 1 single coil pickup, and it has 24 frets. This makes it the perfect choice for someone just starting up with guitar.
But you may find yourself asking: what is a guitar's handling, what makes good sound quality, and what's a humbucker? Well, I'll tell you right now.
A guitar's handling is determined by playability, in other words how easy it is to play. A guitar's sound quality is just whether or not the guitar makes good sounds, and sound quality really depends on the genre that you want to play in - the RG Gio is good for Rock or Metal because it has a harsh, rugged sound. The difference between a humbucker and a single is that a single coil just has a group of magnets with one wire wrapped around them. A humbucker, on the other hand, has 2 groups of magnets with 2 wires wrapped around.
So if your looking for a guitar to start out with, I recommend the Ibanez RG Gio!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Different Strings
There are some people who think that there's a fine line in the difference between Rock and Metal, but there is, in fact, a very great difference between the two genres.
The most significant difference between Rock and Metal is influence. Rock is, of course, the modern version of Rock N Roll, which is based off of Jazz and Blues. Metal, on the other hand, is more classically oriented.
So let's look at Rock first. Usually the rhythm section in a Rock band is loosely organized, with the bass lines arranged to be simple. For example, a Rock band might be playing in F minor with a I-IV-V chord progression; so the bass might play the root notes, or it might play broken chords. Also, the drum lines are normally straight forward and steady. Sometimes it can be simple like an alternation between the bass drum and the snare drum with eighth note feel on the hi-hat, or it can be like a jazzy sounding shuffle on the ride-bell.
For the guitar the riffs are generally kept simple, but without taking away from the melody (except, of course, during solos). Guitars are usually distorted in order to give them a heavier sound.
Generally, in Rock simple chords are used and complex chords like ninths and such are avoided. The simpler the chords, the heavier the sound. The chord progressions are usually very straight forward as well, revolving around the I-IV-V idea.
Metal, however, is based off of Classical theory and is therefore far more technical and meticulously organized. It also has a much more chaotic sound.
In the rhythm section the bass, drums, and guitar all link up to make a powerful and intense feel. The drums will often play lots of polyrhythms and ostinatos; or a very technical alternation between the bass drum and the snare drum, with any number of progressions used on the many cymbals in a drumkit. Then the bass will play either the root notes of the chords synchronized to the feel of the drums, or it'll play in unison with a guitar. The guitar usually plays riffs and phrases that link up with the band, often involving the degrees of the scale.
Any chord conceivable can be used in Metal, with the progressions here, there, and everywhere. Even though if you were to look at the chord charts for some metal songs you might think it to be absolute chaos, there is usually method to the madness.
The most significant difference between Rock and Metal is influence. Rock is, of course, the modern version of Rock N Roll, which is based off of Jazz and Blues. Metal, on the other hand, is more classically oriented.
So let's look at Rock first. Usually the rhythm section in a Rock band is loosely organized, with the bass lines arranged to be simple. For example, a Rock band might be playing in F minor with a I-IV-V chord progression; so the bass might play the root notes, or it might play broken chords. Also, the drum lines are normally straight forward and steady. Sometimes it can be simple like an alternation between the bass drum and the snare drum with eighth note feel on the hi-hat, or it can be like a jazzy sounding shuffle on the ride-bell.
For the guitar the riffs are generally kept simple, but without taking away from the melody (except, of course, during solos). Guitars are usually distorted in order to give them a heavier sound.
Generally, in Rock simple chords are used and complex chords like ninths and such are avoided. The simpler the chords, the heavier the sound. The chord progressions are usually very straight forward as well, revolving around the I-IV-V idea.
Metal, however, is based off of Classical theory and is therefore far more technical and meticulously organized. It also has a much more chaotic sound.
In the rhythm section the bass, drums, and guitar all link up to make a powerful and intense feel. The drums will often play lots of polyrhythms and ostinatos; or a very technical alternation between the bass drum and the snare drum, with any number of progressions used on the many cymbals in a drumkit. Then the bass will play either the root notes of the chords synchronized to the feel of the drums, or it'll play in unison with a guitar. The guitar usually plays riffs and phrases that link up with the band, often involving the degrees of the scale.
Any chord conceivable can be used in Metal, with the progressions here, there, and everywhere. Even though if you were to look at the chord charts for some metal songs you might think it to be absolute chaos, there is usually method to the madness.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Welcome
Hi! I'm Alec. Welcome to Music Notes! I guess I should introduce myself, so lets just start in.
You know how some people say that Mozart's music is good for babies? Well not for me it wasn't! I don't remember much of it because it was so long ago, but I've been told I didn't like his music at all. For me Ludwig Van Beethoven was the right choice, in fact I still listen to his music today and it has been a powerful influence on my music for years.
When I was a little kid I started listening to Jazz. I lived for Jazz and it was so hard when I was in school because they didn't approve of Jazz and wouldn't let me improvise things on the many pianos that were there. Fortunately they soon got the message and started to let me play the kind of stuff that I wanted to play.
I remember when I was little how I'd seen a Fender Stratocaster and instantly fallen in love with it. When I asked my mother about a guitar she took me to the music store. When we left we had a black Epiphone and a five watt amp. I had that guitar for a long time before I got too big for it.
When I was about 14 I started to take a small interest in Rock. I started learning to play a few things on the piano and started learning to sing various songs, but I didn't take a very keen interest in Rock until I heard about Rush. One day I was hanging out with a friend and I said to her: "What's with this band Rush? Are they any good?" She told me that they were one of the best bands she knew of. So when we got to her house she put on a mix CD she had and the song 'Freewill' came on. That's when I really started to like Rock, and I knew that I wanted to form a band and play stuff like what I'd heard on that CD.
A few weeks later I was in the music store testing out a bass that I liked when a lady came in and bought some drumsticks. Once she'd picked out the ones she was looking for she started talking to me. It turned out that her son was a drummer and that he was looking for musicians to jam with, and since I wanted a band to play in this was the perfect opportunity. I called the number I was given and talked to this drummer. Not long after we got together and jammed. The minute I heard him play I knew he was the kind of drummer I was looking for, so I asked him if he wanted to be in a band and he told me he did, so we formed Roman Nova.
After that he introduced me to the Progressive Metal band Dream Theater. I started playing a lot of Metal and the rest is history.
You know how some people say that Mozart's music is good for babies? Well not for me it wasn't! I don't remember much of it because it was so long ago, but I've been told I didn't like his music at all. For me Ludwig Van Beethoven was the right choice, in fact I still listen to his music today and it has been a powerful influence on my music for years.
When I was a little kid I started listening to Jazz. I lived for Jazz and it was so hard when I was in school because they didn't approve of Jazz and wouldn't let me improvise things on the many pianos that were there. Fortunately they soon got the message and started to let me play the kind of stuff that I wanted to play.
I remember when I was little how I'd seen a Fender Stratocaster and instantly fallen in love with it. When I asked my mother about a guitar she took me to the music store. When we left we had a black Epiphone and a five watt amp. I had that guitar for a long time before I got too big for it.
When I was about 14 I started to take a small interest in Rock. I started learning to play a few things on the piano and started learning to sing various songs, but I didn't take a very keen interest in Rock until I heard about Rush. One day I was hanging out with a friend and I said to her: "What's with this band Rush? Are they any good?" She told me that they were one of the best bands she knew of. So when we got to her house she put on a mix CD she had and the song 'Freewill' came on. That's when I really started to like Rock, and I knew that I wanted to form a band and play stuff like what I'd heard on that CD.
A few weeks later I was in the music store testing out a bass that I liked when a lady came in and bought some drumsticks. Once she'd picked out the ones she was looking for she started talking to me. It turned out that her son was a drummer and that he was looking for musicians to jam with, and since I wanted a band to play in this was the perfect opportunity. I called the number I was given and talked to this drummer. Not long after we got together and jammed. The minute I heard him play I knew he was the kind of drummer I was looking for, so I asked him if he wanted to be in a band and he told me he did, so we formed Roman Nova.
After that he introduced me to the Progressive Metal band Dream Theater. I started playing a lot of Metal and the rest is history.
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