Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Metal Guitar

Beginner's Metal Guitar Lesson: What You Need to Know to Get Started

There are 4 essential techniques every metal guitarist needs to master first:

Power chords
Palm muting
Picking (downpicking + alternate)
Single-note riffs

This chapter is all about building your foundation with those techniques — learning to play them in context, not just as isolated exercises.

You’re learning by playing real metal riffs that get progressively tougher, each one helping you lock in timing, build confidence, and move toward that intermediate level.

Once you’ve worked through the riffs, try this:

• Add or remove notes

• Change the order

• Move them up or down the fretboard

• Experiment — that’s where your own style starts to show

By the way, if you really want to master these fundamentals and take the next step — my Metal Guitar Apprentice course inside the Academy picks up right where this chapter leaves off.
It’s helped thousands of guitarists go from beginner to confidently playing killer riffs and songs, fast.
You’ll find that course (and all my others) included with your Academy membership.

💬 “I tried another course that was all campfire chords — not my thing. Jason’s lessons had me playing real metal riffs within weeks. 100% best decision I’ve made.” — Dustan K.