E5
E · B
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A genre is a starting point. These curated examples use a specific musical context, rather than promising that one scale works over every song in that style. Beginner means a gentle introduction to this style after your first open chords.
Changing style offers that style's own starting keys. Tempo and individual exercises can be edited after saving a routine.
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Your metal starting point
Begin with a few power chords in standard tuning. A power chord has a root and fifth, with no major or minor third. The progression and melody establish the key here. Accuracy and controlled silence come before speed or distortion.
Use a comfortable acoustic volume and a relaxed fretting hand. The plan starts with standard shapes; change voicing if another shape fits your hand better.
Chords for this example
Play one four-beat bar per chord in the listed order. When just one chord is shown, stay on that chord. Compare voicings before choosing a comfortable shape.
E5 → C5 → D5 → E5
A scale to explore: E Natural Minor
Use this scale as a starting palette for the displayed progression. Begin or finish a short phrase on a note in the current chord; not every scale note is a resting note over every chord.
Notes: E · F# · G · A · B · C · D
Your ten-minute practice plan
- 2 minutes · Find the pulse. Play one low-volume downstroke per beat, then stop the sound cleanly. Add gentle palm muting near the bridge only when comfortable.
- 3 minutes · Chord changes. Play four slow downstrokes per power chord and stop cleanly between bars. Start the scale with only its first three notes. Keep standard tuning for this routine; these diagrams are not Drop D shapes.
- 3 minutes · A few scale notes. Play slowly at 60 BPM or slower, then choose two or three notes for a short phrase.
- 2 minutes · Make music. Alternate the chord groove and your answer. Leave space, and stop if you feel pain.
This is an original practice example, not a transcription of a commercial song.
Read the supporting guide →