As many guitar players before you can attest, starting out on your musical adventure can be confusing and daunting. I'm going to give you tips on how to make the transition from novice to competent heavy metal guitar player more quickly. This method worked for me and I continue to recommend it to friends. So without further ado...
The guitar is a magical instrument and the most crucial matter to aspirant guitar players is playing their favourite bands music. If heavy metal is your musical genre, I'd propose setting out with Metallica as the band to emulate. Their compositions might sound complex to novice guitarists but in fact, they are the most transcribed band on the internet. When beginning to play, search out Metallica's less complicated and less hurried songs such as "Fade to Black", "The Thing that Should Not Be" or "Escape" (to name a few) which may be rehearsed and studied reasonably fast. Eventually you will find yourself seeking out faster songs such as "Master of Puppets" and Damage Inc". These songs, along with tablature (and practice of course!) will improve and acquaint an undeveloped guitar players psyche to the domain of heavy metal guitar.
Here are a few reasons I believe Metallica to be the easiest and best band to start playing along with.
1) Metallica's songs will increase your picking hand dexterity/speed.
Metallica's songs require a massive dose of down-picking (as opposed to alternate picking; i.e. up-down-up-down) which is the M.O. of most heavy metal songs. Guitarist/Vocalist James Hetfield is idolized as one of the most influential guitar players in Heavy Metal history and on enterprising young guitar players interested in learning easy heavy metal songs. Hetfield's unparalleled and relentless approach to heavy metal guitar and songwriting has shaped my playing and numerous others to do the same.
"Downpicking" contrary to alternate picking (up-down, up-down) when done rapidly can and will grant you the dexterity and hand strength to manipulate your guitar to a greater extent as string skipping (one string to the next) becomes more comfortable with this approach.
2) Metallica's songs' center on the Phrygian mode throughout much of their music.
This mode will assist in building your song-playing skills as they are a more common focus in the world of heavy metal. Their song construction is not generally excessively elaborate (there are exceptions) and dominating their method will allow for you to advance to more complicated kinds of music within the musical genre.
Of course you may have other bands you'd like to play right away, I strongly believe that getting acquainted with Metallica's musical arrangements and song structures will pay future dividends as a guitar player learns the ropes.
