| Although heavy metal is distinctive as a genre of | | | | Power Metal - Although it grew out of early heavy |
| music, it's also known for having numerous | | | | metal, power metal now has its own distinctive |
| sub-genres (and in some cases, sub-sub-genres!). In | | | | sound. Many elements are separate from the guitar, |
| particular, many of these sub-genres play out their | | | | including high pitched vocals, double bass drumming, |
| differences in the guitar parts. | | | | and fantasy lyrics. However, there's still plenty to |
| As you progress in your guitar lessons, it can be fun | | | | offer for the guitar. Chord changes are somewhat |
| to explore the varying elements in these styles. | | | | less frequent compared to other styles of metal, |
| Below we'll go over a few of the most well-known | | | | although complexity is far from lacking in this genre |
| kinds of metal. | | | | due to fast guitar solos. Power metal is a great place |
| Classic Metal - Originally, this was the only kind of | | | | to look for long, exciting guitar solos that are at |
| metal! Bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and | | | | times missing from other kinds of music. |
| Judas Priest really helped to define metal as its own | | | | Extreme Metal - Somewhat of a catch-all of term for |
| kind of music. Although influenced by blues and | | | | non-traditional styles like death metal, black metal, |
| psychedelic rock, early heavy metal was defined by | | | | and doom metal. Every element of metal sees |
| distorted guitar sounds, gruff, heavy vocals, and | | | | exaggeration in these kinds of music. It might be the |
| complex dual guitar work. It's a great genre to | | | | slow, dirge-like sound in doom metal, or the highly |
| explore as a student of the guitar, as it provides | | | | distorted melodies in death metal. Although not for |
| numerous classic and popular songs to explore. | | | | everyone, excellent musicianship can be found in this |
| Thrash - The key element of thrash metal is SPEED! | | | | kind of music. |
| Thrash music is known for being incredibly fast | | | | There are many more styles of metal music to be |
| paced, and therefore might not be the best choice | | | | found! As you progress in your guitar lessons, a great |
| for beginner musicians. Look for bands like Metallica, | | | | way to add some variation to practicing chords and |
| Megadeth and Testament for great thrash songs. | | | | scales is studying and learning popular metal songs. |