Lesson: "Fallout" Music Lesson

Introduction

The track Fallout embraces a classic heavy metal style, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. These bands, and their iconic guitar players, Jimmy Page, Richie Blackmore, and Tony Iommi, paved the way for this genre.

A Section: The Riff

The A section features a riff heavily inspired by Tony Iommi.

• Technique Description:
  • Play a power chord at the seventh and ninth frets on strings five and four.
  • Implement a pull-off technique.

Steps to Play:

1. Bar with your first finger across the two strings at the seventh fret, pressing down both the fifth and fourth strings.
   • Playing an E (open 6th string) and an A (7th fret, 6th string) together.
2. Introduce the third finger to the ninth fret of the fourth string to complete the power chord.
3. Alternate between the first finger and third finger using the pull-off technique.

Riff Timing:

• Play the phrase twice:
  • The first time on the downbeat of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 1.
  • The second time on the upbeat of 2: 1, 2 and, 1, 2.

Power Chords:

• Use the following power chords: E, B, D, A.
• Each power chord is three 16th notes long.

Practice Tip:

Use a metronome while practicing, ensuring to feel the pulse with your body, whether it's through foot tapping, head nodding, or body rocking.

B Section: The Riff

This section introduces two distinct tones:

• Sustaining Tone: Notes are full and sustaining.
• Palm Muted Sound: Short and percussive notes.

Switching Techniques:

1. For the sustaining notes, let your picking hand hover about a centimeter above the strings.
2. For palm mutes, lower your hand so it rests on the string, with part of your hand on the bridge.

Experimentation:

• Find the sweet spot for palm muting, positioning is key to achieving the desired sound.

Guitar Solo

To achieve an authentic sound in this metal style, use the minor pentatonic scale.

• First Position: Start at the E (12th fret).
• Experiment with different positions on the fretboard, as seen in playing styles of Richie Blackmore and Jimmy Page.

Connecting Positions:

• Transition between various positions to enhance creativity and freedom while playing.

D & E Sections: Variations

The D and E sections are variations of the B section.

• Vibrato adds character:
  • Without vibrato, notes can sound flat and dull.
  • Adding vibrato makes the notes more alive and aggressive.

Technique:

• Bend the third fret note up and down quickly to create vibrato.

E Section Specifics:

• Move the riff up a fourth, transposing from E to A.
• Introduce quarter tone bends for added nuance, inspired by blues players.

F Section: Conclusion

The track cycles back to the intro riff.

Fallout features various fun techniques and sections.

Final Note

Enjoy experimenting with these different styles and techniques in your playing!