Play Hardcore Guitar

Play hardcore guitar using simple power chords and create riffs used in Hardcore, Punk or Metal bands.

Steps

  1. Buy a Guitar - buy an inexpensive electric guitar (Peavey, First Act, G-400 etc.) with distortion. Distortion can be included in the amp or you can buy a distortion pedal. Guitars can be anywhere from $150 - $500 amps can be anywhere from $90 - $1000 and pedals can be around $50. Secondhand gear works fine, when you can you should upgrade.
  2. Learn how to play basic stuff - You can get lessons from an experienced player or family member or even teach yourself, use a couple of sources on the Internet *ultimate-guitar.com* or play with a friend. Make sure you know power chords, tabs and maybe some of the most basic chords. Learn as many stage moves as possible (guitar swings, thrashing, headbanging, etc.) because the stuff you're going to be playing is ridiculously easy. Therefore, you'll be able to do really crazy stuff because of the lack of effort it will take to play your part. Practice looking like you're working hard onstage, even though true hardcore guitar is easy to play.
  3. Tune your guitar to drop-d - this will make playing power chords a lot easier. If you know how to tune your guitar to drop-d, skip to the next step. If you have a tuner you can figure it out just make your sixth string (E, the thickest one) sound like a D.

You can also play a normal power chord like this:

E-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ G------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ D-2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A-2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E-0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

and then tune it down to D and it should sound the same when you play this:

E-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ G------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ D-2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A-2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D-2----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's called Drop-D because you're dropping the E down 1 whole step to a D E>Eb>D

Now you're ready to make some riffs. you can easily make your own by just sliding your finger up and down and strumming it hard. here is one to start you off.

E----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D-0--06--05--0-3------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A-0--06--05--0-3------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ D-0--06--05--0-3------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Play it again and again, change it up, use power chords on the ADG strings too, mute the whole thing, use hammer-ons and pull-offs, make your own etc. Learn how to do some squeals or pinch harmonics (there are lessons on doing that on this website, too), and you'll pretty much be there.

Discords

Discords, also called dissonance, are techniques used commonly in hardcore bands. They create a sense of raw power. Some of the more commonly used discords are listed below.

E----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D-6--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A-5--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Move that shape anywhere on the A and D strings or the D and G strings.

E----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B--11------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G--9-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is a 9 and an eleven, not 2 1st fret notes. Move that shape anywhere on the G and B strings.

E--12------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B--16------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is a very powerful discord. Move it along the E and B strings for a near screaming effect.

E----------------------------------------------------------------
B-7--------------------------------------------------------------
G-10-------------------------------------------------------------
D----------------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------------
D----------------------------------------------------------------

This is a very powerful discord that has a screaming effect similar to the one above. The two notes are a half-step away so are very dissonant.

Tips

  • You can make songs by transferring songs you played with chords to power chords using this:

    E Root power chords in Drop-D

    E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B

    D-2-|-3-|-4-|-5-|-6-|-7-|-8-|-9|-10|-11|-12|-13|-14|-15|-16|-17|-18|-19|-20|-21|-------------------------------------------
    A-2-|-3-|-4-|-5-|-6-|-7-|-8-|-9|-10|-11|-12|-13|-14|-15|-16|-17|-18|-19|-20|-21|-------------------------------------------
    D-2-|-3-|-4-|-5-|-6-|-7-|-8-|-9|-10|-11|-12|-13|-14|-15|-16|-17|-18|-19|-20|-21|-------------------------------------------
  • Once you're comfortable with hard style playing, try adding a little melody in between beats. Bands like A Day To Remember have done just that.
  • Above all, be different. The hardcore bands that all sound the same get nowhere, and no one listens to them, this is the majority of these bands. A truly good band tries to separate themselves from the pack. Experiment with mixing sounds and different keys in the same song. Do not be repetitive. Do something different every song. This is how bands "break out." By doing something new. Experiment, work hard, and it will all pay off.
  • Treat every performance the same. Just because the gig you are currently playing is in front of a couple of pub-goers and your mother, doesn't mean that you shouldn't put the same amount of energy that you would in front of a thousand screaming fans.
  • Hardcore music is identified by its attitude. When playing this style of music, use a lot of energy and emotion. Play with your heart on the stage.

Related Articles

  • Be Post Hardcore
  • Play a Power Chords in Drop D

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