10 Essential Riffs for Beginners to Master Judas Priest’s Heavy Metal Style

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Prepare to unleash the sonic fury of Judas Priest with your guitar! As a new player, embarking on the heavy metal journey can be exhilarating. Judas Priest is an iconic band known for their electrifying guitar riffs and soaring melodies. Whether you’re a seasoned rocker or a burgeoning shredder, mastering their music will elevate your playing to new heights.

To conquer the Judas Priest sound, it’s essential to establish a solid foundation. Start by familiarizing yourself with their signature scales. The minor pentatonic scale is a staple, providing the raw and aggressive edge that defines heavy metal. Additionally, incorporate the harmonic minor scale for its haunting and expressive melodies. These scales will become your sonic canvas as you embark on your Priest pilgrimage.

Playing Power Chords

Power chords are a fundamental element of heavy metal guitar playing, including Judas Priest’s signature sound. To play a power chord, you start by playing a 5th interval. This means you fret a note on one string and then play the note five frets higher on the same string, creating a two-note chord.

Next, you add a 5th interval to the top note of the first chord. For example, to play a D power chord, you fret the 10th fret on the low E string and the 15th fret on the A string, giving you the notes D and A. To create the power chord, you strum both strings together.

Power chords can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from heavy and aggressive to soaring and melodic. Judas Priest’s guitarists often use power chords to create a crunchy, distorted foundation for their songs.

Developing Your Right-Hand Picking Technique

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is the foundation of metal guitar playing. It involves alternating between downstrokes (picking down) and upstrokes (picking up) in a fluid motion. Start by practicing slowly and gradually increase your speed.

Economy Picking

Economy picking is an advanced technique that involves picking the strings in the most efficient way possible. By minimizing unnecessary string crossings, you can increase your speed and accuracy.

Downstrokes and Upstrokes

Focus on making clean, consistent downstrokes and upstrokes. Use your picking hand’s wrist as the fulcrum for movement and keep your forearm relaxed.

Picking Angle

The angle at which you pick the strings influences the tone and volume. Experiment with different angles to find the sound you want.

Finger Placement

Use the first two or three fingers of your picking hand to pick the strings. Find a comfortable position and grip that allows for both speed and accuracy.

Practice Exercises

Here are some exercises to help you develop your right-hand picking technique:

Chord	Notes	Fingering
D power chord	D, A	10th fret on low E string, 15th fret on A string
A power chord	A, E	7th fret on low E string, 12th fret on A string
E power chord	E, B	12th fret on low E string, 17th fret on A string

Exercise	Description
Metronome Practice	Practice alternate picking with a metronome, gradually increasing the speed.
Scale Exercises	Practice alternate picking while playing scales, focusing on accuracy and fluidity.
String Skipping	Skip strings while alternate picking to improve coordination and dexterity.
Triplet Picking	Practice picking triplets (three notes in equal rhythm) to enhance your speed and rhythm control.
Economy Picking Exercises	Practice economy picking patterns to improve efficiency and accuracy.

How to Play Heavy Metal Judas Priest on Guitar-New Player

Playing Judas Priest on guitar can be a daunting task for a new player, but it is possible with practice and dedication. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. **Start with the basics.** Learn the basic chords and scales of heavy metal guitar, such as the power chords, minor pentatonic scale, and blues scale. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start to learn the more complex techniques used by Judas Priest.
2. **Listen to Judas Priest songs.** The best way to learn how to play Judas Priest on guitar is to listen to their songs and try to figure out how they are played. Pay attention to the guitar riffs, solos, and harmonies.
3. **Use online resources.** There are many online resources that can help you learn how to play Judas Priest on guitar, such as tutorials, tabs, and forums.
4. **Find a guitar teacher.** A guitar teacher can help you learn the proper techniques and theory behind Judas Priest’s music.
5. **Practice regularly.** The key to success is practice. The more you practice, the better you will become at playing Judas Priest on guitar.

People Also Ask

What is the best guitar for playing Judas Priest?

There is no one “best” guitar for playing Judas Priest, but some guitars are better suited to the genre than others. Guitars with a solid body and a humbucking pickup in the bridge position will give you the thick, powerful sound that is characteristic of Judas Priest. Some popular guitars used by Judas Priest include the Gibson Les Paul, the Jackson RR, and the ESP Horizon.

What are some of the most popular Judas Priest songs?

Some of the most popular Judas Priest songs include:

• Breaking the Law
• Living After Midnight
• You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
• Turbo Lover
• Painkiller

How can I learn to play Judas Priest songs on guitar?

There are many ways to learn how to play Judas Priest songs on guitar, but the best way is to start with the basics. Learn the basic chords and scales of heavy metal guitar, such as the power chords, minor pentatonic scale, and blues scale. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start to learn the more complex techniques used by Judas Priest. You can also find online resources, such as tutorials, tabs, and forums, to help you learn how to play Judas Priest songs on guitar.