Hard Rock guitar rhythm and lick ideas inspired by Ronnie James Dio – 3:53

In this lesson Willie teaches some easy and fun hard rock rhythm ideas inspired by the music of Ronnie James Dio. Willie first teaches the chords used in this lesson F#5, F5, G5, A5 two ways, and E5. Willie then teaches the progression. Be sure to try palm muting the single notes to give the riffs some dynamics. Willie then teaches some licks based of the F# natural minor scale or F# Aeolian mode. Willie builds the licks from the scale and resolves back to the F#5. Be sure and learn the licks to get some ideas and the brain thinking and then try to get creative and put your own spin on them. Try to mix up the notes or chords and make it your own – get creative and have fun with it – and rock oN!

Heavy rock palm muted goth/death metal riff ideas lesson inspired by CRADLE OF FILTH – 5:20 min

In this lesson Willie gets into some cool palm muted riff ideas in the style of the heavy band Cradle of Filth. This style is more on the goth/death metal side. Willie starts off the lesson by teaching some real sinister sounding chords. Willie then builds the riff ideas using part of the D Melodic Minor scale. Willie teaches the scale and then gets into the palm muted riding notes section and end with some killer rock power chords. Take these ideas and use them as a jump off point – put your own spin on them and use them to create your own lick and song ideas. Remember to play the faster parts slow at first until you can get them very clean and then bring the speed up over time. 

TESTAMENT inspired heavy rock guitar fast picked rhythm ideas – 6:01 min

In this lesson Dave Nassie teaches some hard rocking heavy thrash rhythm ideas inspired by Testament. This lesson is in the key of E minor. Dave gets into the techniques of palm muting, accenting the full chord, and fast picking for these cool sounds. Dave first gets you in the groove with the timing and rhythmic feel to cop to get these sounds. Dave also teaches the power chords needed to get some heavy sounds. Listen for the differences in sound when you palm mute and when you slide around on the neck – these subtle things make a big difference. Dave then starts to build a riff in the style – get it down slow and work up the speed over time. Try these ideas and techniques and add them to your playing arsenal. Mix up these riffs and put your own spin on them – change the notes or chords around and mix up the rhythms – have fun and stay creative.  

More hard rock rhythm guitar lesson ideas inspired by IRON MAIDEN – 4:10 min

Heavy rhythm guitar lesson ideas inspired by SLIPKNOT – 3:57 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some cool rhythm techniques and riffs inspired by the great metal band Slipknot. Willie utilizes palm muting and power chords to build a rhythm idea. Not many notes are played but the emphasis is on percussiveness and dynamics. Willie also uses slides to moves the notes around and palm mutes the triplet feel. The next part incorporates power chords – C#5, G#5, and C5 played with a punk feel. You dont need a lot with this riff – sometimes less is more. Try to vary these riffs and add your own spin to them – stay creative!

Heavy riff building in the style of PANTERA using Phrygian scale – 4:55 min

In this lesson Willie teaches some hard rocking metal riffs in the style of Pantera. Willie teaches a G Phrygian scale with a b4 and he builds a lick using that scale. This is a great lesson that teaches how to use a cool scale as a building block to put some notes together – then add some string muting and a rhythmic vibe and you can come up with something cool and heavy. Willie teaches the riff as he played it in the video intro but you want to experiment with riff building with this scale and other scales – use this lesson as a jump off point to inspire you to come up with your own scalar riffs – and be sure and put yoru own spin on them. Enjoy!