Tony MacAlpine Masterclass
Lessons > Artist Masterclasses
Tony MacAlpine MasterclassNovember 16th, 2011
[Tony's 7-string Ibanez guitar is tuned to Standard Tuning for all examples in this Masterclass: B E A D G B E]. Tony likes to incorporate arpeggios into his playing in sequential patterns, whereby a given arpeggio shape can be repeated in different octaves across the fretboard. In this example, he uses hammer-ons, pull-offs, and tapping to outline a Dmaj7 arpeggio shape.
Scale The Summit: Chris Letchford & Travis LeVrier MasterclassApril 2nd, 2011
Learn ‘The Levitated’ Part One CL: This first part is the intro that I play by myself in the beginning. What I’m doing is starting on the low B string – I’m going to be going 3rd fret, 5th fret, and 6th fret on the low B. Then I’m going to skip to the A string and the D string, and I’m going to tap the 5th fret on the A string and then the 7th fret on the D string. Then with my right hand – I like to use my index and middle for these two taps –… (Continue)
Veil Of Maya: Marc Okubo Masterclass (Part 2)February 19th, 2011
Unbreakable Riff [Marc's guitar is tuned to Drop-B for all examples in this Masterclass: B F# B E G# C#] This riff calls for left-hand flexibility to execute the minor 2nds in Measures 1 and 5, and right-hand versatility to execute the rapid shifts between those arpeggiated 2nds and the tightly muted chugging that surrounds them. Practice playing the open-string hammer-on to pull-off sequence from Measures 2 and 6 separately until it’s fast and clean, then integrate it with the rest of the riffing. Veil Of Maya – Unbreakable – Riff Unbreakable Breakdown ‘That’s all muscle memory. I don’t think about… (Continue)
Veil Of Maya: Marc Okubo Masterclass (Part 1)February 19th, 2011
We Bow In Its Aura Riff 1 [Marc's guitar is tuned to Drop-B for all examples in this Masterclass: B F# B E G# C#] This first part of ‘We Bow In Its Aura’ involves fast switches between very different techniques. Immediately after the stabs of palm-muted diads in Measure 2, Marc executes a series of tapped triplets on the lowest three strings. Without palm muting to help keep your riffing clean and tight, you’ll have to focus your attention on tapping and pulling off accurately in order to keep the riff’s breakneck pace flowing smoothly. Veil Of Maya –… (Continue)
Pierre Bensusan MasterclassJanuary 19th, 2011
[Pierre's guitar is tuned to D A D G A D, low to high, for all examples in this Masterclass.] Chords in Alternate Tunings If you play any tuning, if you want to start playing chords, it’s not like you need a book to look at your fingerings. You just know that a chord is 1-3-5 and you create the chord yourself. In DADGAD, that’s a C [see first chord in diagram]. If you apply the C [shape] of standard tuning you obtain a 7th, [creating a C7]. Muting & Dynamics There is something which came to me some years ago, which was… (Continue)
Scar Symmetry: Per Nilsson Masterclass (Part 2)November 20th, 2010
The nimble Per Nilsson of progressive metal band Scar Symmetry demonstrates parts of ‘Holographic Universe’ and ‘Prism And Gate,’ and explains his approach to tapping and playing arpeggios.
Scar Symmetry: Per Nilsson Masterclass (Part 1)November 20th, 2010
The nimble Per Nilsson of progressive metal band Scar Symmetry demonstrates licks from ‘Ghost Prototype Part 1′ and ‘Ascension Chamber,’ and breaks down the devious phrasing in his solo for ‘The Illusionist.’
Haunted Shores: Mark Holcomb Masterclass (Part 2)November 15th, 2010
Haunted Shores’ riff artist Mark Holcomb breaks down chunks of ‘Sentient Glow,’ ‘Scarlet’ and ‘Terra Firma.’
Haunted Shores: Mark Holcomb Masterclass (Part 1)November 15th, 2010
Haunted Shores’ riff artist Mark Holcomb discusses chord voicings for drop-tunings and offers a treasure trove of tricky riffs from the songs ‘Immaterial’ and ‘Passenger.’
Animals As Leaders: Tosin Abasi Masterclass (Part 2)July 31st, 2010
In this second part of his masterclass for Guitar Messenger, Tosin Abasi of Animals As Leaders demonstrates the main riff and breaks down the opening lick from ‘Tempting Time.
Animals As Leaders: Tosin Abasi Masterclass (Part 1)July 31st, 2010
In this first part of his masterclass for Guitar Messenger, Tosin Abasi of Animals As Leaders demonstrates his distinctive approach to tapping using a new lick and an example from the song ‘CAFO.’
Jamming With Eric KrasnoJuly 16th, 2010
Soulive’s six-string soul maestro Eric Krasno demonstrates his dynamic style while improvising over two stellar grooves.
Periphery: Misha Mansoor Masterclass (Part 2)April 24th, 2010
Periphery’s Misha Mansoor teaches you the djenty ending of ‘Insomnia,’ a slew of riffs from ‘Racecar’ and some ‘Zyglrox’ madness in AGCFAD!
Periphery: Misha Mansoor Masterclass (Part 1)April 24th, 2010
Periphery’s Misha Mansoor talks djent, demonstrates his favorite chord voicings and teaches exceprts from ‘Buttersnips!’
Steve Morse MasterclassOctober 21st, 2009
Electric guitar luminary Steve Morse welcomes you with a stunning solo, runs through his warm-up routine and teaches you to play harp harmonics using Deep Purple’s ‘Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming.’
Steve Morse Bonus: Gear GalleryOctober 20th, 2009
Come take a look at Steve Morse’s live rig from his Out Standing In Their Field tour with the Steve Morse Band. These pictures were taken on October 20th, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dave Martone MasterclassJanuary 17th, 2009
Instrumental rock and fusion virtuoso Dave Martone demonstrates his unique approach to two of his favorite techniques: tapping and hybrid picking, along with selections from his album Clean.
Opeth: Mikael Åkerfeldt MasterclassMay 31st, 2008
In this Masterclass, progressive death metal legend Mikael Åkerfeldt discusses and demonstrates several songs from Opeth’s Watershed, Still Life and the melancholy Damnation.
Opeth: Bonus – Mikael Åkerfeldt’s GearMay 30th, 2008
Take a backstage gear tour as Coty Allinson, Opeth’s guitar technician, walks us through frontman and mastermind Mikael Åkerfeldt’s live guitar rig.
Killswitch Engage: Learn to Play ‘This Fire Burns’January 21st, 2008
Metalcore riff gurus Adam D. and Joel Stroetzel of Killswitch Engage show you how to play their track ‘This Fire Burns’ from the WWE Wreckless Intent soundtrack. Both Adam and Joel are tuned to Drop-C [C G C F A D] for this example.
Killswitch Engage: Learn to Play ‘Holy Diver’January 20th, 2008
Adam D. and Joel Stroetzel of Killswitch Engage teach you how to play their righteously reverent cover of Dio’s classic ‘Holy Diver.’ Both Adam and Joel are tuned to Drop-C [C G C F A D] for this example.
Killswitch Engage: Metal Moo Cows, Foghorns, and ElephantsJanuary 19th, 2008
Take a walk on the wild side with Adam D. and Joel Stroetzel of Killswitch Engage as they demonstrate how to create the wonderful noises of Metal Moo Cows, Foghorns and even Elephants!
Job For A Cowboy: Riffing StyleDecember 21st, 2007
Watch Bobby Thompson and Ravi Bhadriraju of Job For A Cowboy demonstrate their death metal riffing techniques in this brutal showcase.
