How to Play "Power Metal"
Power metal is a term applied to heavy metal music that is typically based on the guitar and often relies on the use of power chords. Power metal can be fast, heavy songs or even love songs, often referred to as a power ballad. The '80s saw the rise of bands playing power metal. Groups like Poison, Motley Crue and Skid Row perfected the sound. Power Metal isn't difficult to play and doesn't rely on musical complexity for its entertainment value. To play power metal successfully, all you need is a loud amplifier and a rock 'n' roll attitude.
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Instructions
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Turn up your amplifier. A good power metal song is best played with the volume is up. Power metal songs are not typically complex, nor do they need to be perfect musical compositions. Volume is a tool when it comes to playing power metal songs. Playing at a high volume level adds the crunch typical of power metal.
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Learn power chords. These are staples of the power metal genre. Power chords are simple two- or three-note movable chords that allow power metal players to shift between chords quickly. Power chords also provide a wider musical canvas for guitar players to improvise solos over. Any beginning metal method book can teach you how to form a power chord. You can also find a power chords dictionary online free of charge.
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Experiment with different rhythms. The straight eighth-note rhythm is a staple of power metal. To play a straight eighth-note rhythm, use a three-chord progression; C, G and A power chords are good starting chords for a beginner. Start on C and count one and, two and, three and, four and. Play each count with a downstroke. Switch to G and repeat, then switch to A. You'll hear the chunky rhythm found in a lot of simple power metal songs.
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Record your chord progression and use it as a backing track so you can practice creating your solos over it. Try creating a solo over the chord progression using string bends and pick slides. You accomplish a string bend by playing a note and pushing the string up or pulling it down. This raises the pitch of the note you play. Combine these bends with pick slides. Accomplish a pick slide by dragging the edge of your pick over the strings of your guitar. You can drag slowly or quickly, depending upon the effect you want. Think of a pick slide as punctuation between musical passages you play on your guitar.
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