The metal gallop guitar technique is a guitar playing style that is commonly used in heavy metal and hard rock music. It involves playing a fast, repetitive pattern of sixteenth notes with a combination of alternate picking and palm muting. The technique is typically played on the lower strings and often used in riffs and solos. The alternate picking allows for a fast and precise execution of the sixteenth notes, while the palm muting gives the notes a tight, staccato sound. To master this technique, one should focus on proper hand positioning, finger placement, and timing. It is also recommended to practice with a metronome to develop accuracy and consistency in the speed of the gallop.
If you are an intermediate guitar player check these lesson instead: Easy Metal Riffs for Intermediate Players with Guitar Pro Tab – Part 1
What are 6 Tips For Metal Gallop Guitar Technique?
- Proper Hand Postioning
- Finger Placement
- Synchronization between 2 hand
- Alternate Picking
- Palm Muting
- Timing
- Proper hand positioning: Make sure your hands are in the right position before attempting the metal gallop technique. This will ensure that your fingers are able to move quickly and accurately over the fretboard.
- Finger placement: Practice placing your fingers on the correct frets and strings for the metal gallop technique. This will help you to play the notes cleanly and accurately.
- Synchronization between hands: In the metal gallop technique, it’s important to have good coordination between your left and right hand. This includes synchronization of finger placement, alternate picking and palm muting. Practicing exercises that focus specifically on hand coordination can help you to improve this aspect of your playing. This could include exercises such as a chromatic scale or a simple pattern that involves using both hands at the same time. As you progress, try to play the metal gallop pattern at faster speeds while maintaining the synchronization between your hands.
- Alternate picking: The metal gallop technique requires a combination of alternate picking and palm muting. Make sure to practice your alternate picking to ensure a smooth and precise execution of the sixteenth notes.
- Palm muting: Use your picking hand to lightly touch the strings near the bridge of the guitar. This will give the notes a tight, staccato sound.
- Timing: The metal gallop technique requires precise timing. Use a metronome to practice playing the pattern at different tempos. This will help you to develop accuracy and consistency in your playing.
Lesson 1 – Battery by Metallica
“Battery” is a song by American Thrash Metal Pioneer Metallica, it was released on their 1986 album “Master of Puppets”. The song is known for its fast-paced, aggressive and heavy sound, with a prominent use of the gallop guitar technique. it is helpful to listen to Metallica’s music and study the guitar parts in order to gain a deeper understanding of how the technique is used in a musical context.
Listen The Riff Here:
Lesson 2 – Satan is real by Kreator
Probably the hardesto
“Satan is Real” is a song by German thrash metal band Kreator. It was released on their 2017 album “Gods of Violence. This song showcases the band’s signature aggressive and fast-paced thrash metal sound, with a prominent use of Metal Gallop Guitar Technique.
Listen The Riff Here
Here is the tab:
Lesson 3: She Wolf by Megadeth
“She-Wolf” is a song by American Thrash Hero Megadeth, it was released on their 1999 album “Risk”. The song is known for its fast-paced, aggressive, and heavy sound, with a prominent use of Gallop Technique.
Listen the riff here:
Here is the tab:
Lesson 4: Heresy By Pantera
My Most Favorite Band Of All Time and probably they are the reason why start playing metal.
Heresy” is a song by American heavy metal band Pantera, it was released on their 1990 album “Cowboys from Hell”. Very Groovy Riff and probably faster one in todays list.
Listen the riff here:
Here is the tab:
Lesson 5: Stranded By Gojira
My Favorite Breakdown Band :D
“Stranded” is a song by French metal band Gojira. It was released on their 2020 album “Fortitude” and this particular song from the album is known for its heavy, intense Gallop Breakdown.
Listen the riff here: