| While heavy metal is a diverse genre of music, in | | | | Another common scale is natural minor. While |
| general there a few common scales that you can | | | | frequently used throughout all kinds of music, you'll |
| find. You'll see a lot of minor scales because that | | | | almost certainly find it in most metal songs. |
| produce an "evil" sound that helps define that heavy | | | | Two more scales that are used in heavy metal are |
| quality. | | | | the Phrygian and the Locrian scales. The first has an |
| Quite frequently in metal you'll find the pentatonic | | | | ethnic, almost Spanish sound to it which is very |
| scale. Pentatonic literally translates to "five tones", as | | | | unique. Locrian is dark and evil sounding. It's used in |
| it only uses five notes per octave, rather than the | | | | more extreme kinds of music such as death and |
| more common seven notes per octave in major and | | | | black metal. Both are somewhat eclectic, but knowing |
| minor scales. If you learn to play with the pentatonic | | | | them will really expand your guitar playing repertoire. |
| scale, you'll also be in a good position to play many | | | | Although it can be tempting for the new guitar |
| other kinds of music in which it is used, including folk, | | | | student to quick with the tried and true scales, |
| jazz and blues. This is why metal is a great genre for | | | | opening yourself to new modes of play can be both |
| the guitar, since it can help you prepare for other | | | | fun and educational. |
| kinds of music as well. | | | | |