Chapter 4: The Metalhead's Guide to Guitar Theory

Metal Riffs & Licks

 
Downloads for this lesson

What's included:

  • Tabs for the Scales and Power Chord Progressions covered (PDF)
  • Circle of Fifths image (PDF)
  • Guitar Pro file – this is the software I use to write tabs

💾 Be sure to save everything to a folder called Metal Riffs and Licks on your computer or cloud drive.

➡️ Want to check out Guitar Pro? Learn more here

Guitar Theory for Metal: Make It Make Sense

Music theory doesn’t have to be boring or complicated, and it definitely shouldn’t kill your creativity.

In this chapter of Metal Riffs and Licks, you’ll learn a simple, practical approach to theory that actually helps you:

  • Write better riffs and solos
  • Know which chords and notes naturally go together
  • Improvise with more confidence
  • Break the “rules” when it sounds right

Let me be straight with you…

I don’t think about theory when I’m writing or playing. Most of the time, I go by feel and trust my ears.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn the basics.

Theory is just a tool—not something to force your playing into.
Instead, let it serve you. Use it when you're stuck, or when you want to understand why a riff or progression sounds so good.

Whether theory has always confused you—or you just want a clearer way to apply it to metal—this is where it all starts to make sense. 

👉 When you're ready, continue to the final chapter in your Metal Riffs and Licks book:
Writing Riffs and Developing Your Style – where it’s all about finding your voice as a guitarist and creating something only you can play.

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Dustan Kaup

I tried getting into a different course a few months ago, and it ended up being a less than satisfying experience.
It was way too focused on stuff I have zero interest in.
Playing the same few chords and strumming patterns ad nauseum. Mostly for country and campfire crap.
Nowhere near the stuff that I'm interested in, or the direction I want to go as a guitar player.
Then I stumbled across some Jason Stallworth videos on YouTube, and I was hooked.
As soon as I could I bought in to the guitar academy.
Started out in the metal guitar apprentice course, to start building that foundation as the kind of player I want to be.
Within just a couple of weeks I'm already working on module 3.
Jason's teaching style is awesome, and I'm making noticeable progress.
100% the best decision I've made in a long time !!