Metal Music Theory for Beginners: 5 Things You Need to Learn to Make it Easy

This beginner’s guide is designed to make the complex world of music theory accessible. It is also meant to be fun, whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your understanding. This guide will teach you essential concepts and techniques tailored to metal’s unique demands.

In this beginner guide to metal music theory, we will break down key elements like scales, modes, and chord progressions. Learn to create powerful riffs. Harmonize melodies to enhance the music. Develop the dark, aggressive sound that defines the genre.

What You’ll Learn Here:

• Basic metal scales and how to use them
• Common metal chord progressions
• Understanding modes and scales in metal music
• Creating and harmonizing metal riffs and melodies
• Tips for developing a metal songwriting process

Does Metal Music Use Theory?

Diving into metal music theory is easier than you think! First, we’ll start with the basics. Learn simple scales and chord progressions fundamental to metal. Next, master the minor pentatonic scale. It helps you create dark, heavy riffs. Also, use power chords for a classic, aggressive sound.

You’ll also discover how modes like Phrygian can add an eccentric flair to your music, making your riffs stand out. With just a few simple concepts, you’ll be able to create powerful, unique metal music.

1 – Theory of Power Chords Explained

Power chords are a staple in metal music, known for their simplicity and heavy sound. A basic power chord consists of just two notes: the root note and the fifth. For example, start playing a power chord by placing your finger on the 5th fret of the low E string. This note is an A. The fifth is on the 7th fret of the A string (an E note). This creates a strong, harmonically rich sound perfect for metal.

Here’s a quick guide to understanding and using power chords:

Basic Power Chord (Root + 5th)

• Root Note: The starting note of your chord (e.g., 5th fret on the E string – A)
• Fifth Note: Two frets up and one string over (e.g., 7th fret on the A string – E)

Variations

1. Adding the Octave:
   • Play the root note, fifth, and add the octave of the root (e.g., 5th fret on E, 7th fret on A, 7th fret on D).
   • This gives a fuller sound.
2. Changing the Fifth:
   • Lowered Fifth (diminished power chord): Move the fifth down one fret (e.g., A and Eb).
   • Raised Fifth (augmented power chord): Move the fifth up one fret (e.g., A and F).

Inversions

1. First Inversion:
   • Play the fifth as the lowest note (e.g., E as the bass note, then A).
   • This gives a different, sometimes tighter sound.
2. Second Inversion:
   • Add another fifth above the octave (e.g., A, E, A).

Using these basic principles and variations, you can create a wide range of powerful, crushing riffs. Experiment with these shapes and find what sounds best for your style!

2 – Scales for Metal Music

General music theory often starts with major or blues scales. Metal, however, leans on minor and darker-sounding scales. These scales define metal’s unique, heavy sound.These scales provide the intense, moody atmosphere that characterizes metal music.

Common Metal Scales

1. Minor Pentatonic Scale

The minor pentatonic scale is a go-to for many metal guitarists because of its simplicity and dark sound. Here’s a basic A minor pentatonic scale:

e|————————5-8-|
B|——————–5-8—–|
G|—————5-7———-|
D|———–5-7————–|
A|——-5-7——————|
E|—5-8———————-|

2. Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian)

The natural minor scale is another staple in metal music, adding more notes and complexity compared to the minor pentatonic. Here’s an A natural minor scale:

e|————————-5-7-8-|
B|——————-5-6-8——-|
G|—————5-7————-|
D|———–5-7—————–|
A|—–5-7-8———————|
E|-5-7-8————————-|

3. Phrygian Mode

The Phrygian mode adds an unique, Spanish flair to your metal riffs. Here’s an E Phrygian scale:

e|————————-7-8-10-|
B|——————-8-10———|
G|————-7-9-10————-|
D|———–9——————–|
A|—–7-8-10———————|
E|-7-8-10————————-|

Using these scales, you can create riffs and solos that capture the dark, intense essence of metal. Experiment with these patterns and find the sound that suits your style!

3 – Theory Behind Tempos in Metal Music

Explaining tempos for metal music can help you understand how different subgenres achieve their unique feels and intensity.

Tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM), defines a track’s energy. It plays a crucial role in setting the aggression of a metal song.

Common Tempos for Subgenres of Metal

• Doom Metal: Slow tempos (40-80 BPM), creating a heavy, crushing atmosphere.
• Black Metal: Fast tempos (120-200 BPM), emphasizing intensity and raw emotion.
• Thrash Metal: Very fast tempos (180-220 BPM), driving a relentless and aggressive sound.
• Death Metal: Varied tempos (100-200 BPM), often shifting between fast and slow for dynamic impact.
• Power Metal: Fast tempos (140-200 BPM), delivering a high-energy, epic feel.

Well-Known Metal Songs and Their Tempos

• “Master of Puppets” by Metallica: ~220 BPM (Thrash Metal)
• “Raining Blood” by Slayer: ~210 BPM (Thrash Metal)
• “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath: ~75 BPM (Doom Metal)
• “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” by Megadeth: ~190 BPM (Thrash Metal)
• “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead: ~140 BPM (Speed Metal)
• “Painkiller” by Judas Priest: ~180 BPM (Power Metal)
• “Freezing Moon” by Mayhem: ~130 BPM (Black Metal)

These tempos help you select the right speed for your riffs and compositions. This ensures they match the subgenre and vibe of your metal music. Experimenting with different tempos will also help you find the perfect rhythm for your songs.

4 – How to Use the Circle of Fifths for Writing Metal Riffs and Song Structure

The Circle of Fifths is a useful tool for understanding the relationships between different keys. By using the Circle, you can create compelling metal riffs and song structures. The tool reveals the relationship between the 12 tones of the chromatic scale, along with their corresponding key signatures. It also highlights the relative minor and major scales, providing deeper insight into music composition.

Using the Circle of Fifths for Metal Music

1. Find the Key: Start by identifying your main key. For metal, minor keys like E minor or A minor are often used.
2. Identify Related Chords: Use the Circle of Fifths to find chords that are closely related to your main key. For E minor, the closely related keys include G major, which is its relative major. The chords one fifth away are also closely related, such as B minor and A minor.
3. Create Progressions: Use these related chords to create progressions that sound cohesive and powerful.

Example: E Minor and Related Notes

E minor (E, F#, G, A, B, C, D) sits on the Circle of Fifths. G major (G, A, B, C, D, E, F#) surrounds it. B minor (B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A) also surrounds it. These keys share many notes and chords, making it easy to transition between them in a song.

E Minor Chord Progression

Here’s a simple chord progression using E minor and its related chords:

• Em – G – D – C

You can play these as power chords:

• E5: (E, B)
• G5: (G, D)
• D5: (D, A)
• C5: (C, G)

Another Example: A Minor and Related Notes

A minor (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) is positioned next to C major (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) and E minor (E, F#, G, A, B, C, D) on the Circle of Fifths. These three keys are closely related in music theory.

A Minor Chord Progression

Here’s a simple chord progression using A minor and its related chords:

• Am – C – G – F

Power chords for these:

• A5: (A, E)
• C5: (C, G)
• G5: (G, D)
• F5: (F, C)

Exploring Obscure Notes for Subgenres

For subgenres like death and black metal, you can use more obscure notes. Use scales to add dissonance and create a darker tone. The Phrygian dominant scale, for instance, includes a flat second and a sharp seventh, creating an eerie sound.

Phrygian Dominant Scale (E Phrygian Dominant)

The E Phrygian dominant scale consists of the following notes: E, F, G#, A, B, C, D.

e|————————7-8-11-|
B|——————–8-9——–|
G|—————7-9————-|
D|———–9——————-|
A|——-7-8———————|
E|—7-8-11———————-|

Tying It All Together

Using the Circle of Fifths, you can create chord progressions that flow naturally and maintain a cohesive sound. Combine these progressions with the minor scales and power chords discussed earlier to write heavy, dark riffs. Experiment with adding obscure notes and modes like the Phrygian dominant to give your metal riffs a unique edge.

By understanding these basic concepts and how they interrelate, you can confidently craft your own powerful metal music.

5 – Understanding Melodies and Harmonies

Building on scales, chords, and progressions, let’s explore melody and harmony. These concepts are essential for creating powerful and compelling metal music.

What’s the Difference Between Melody and Harmony in Music Theory?

Melody is a sequence of notes that are perceived as a single entity. It’s the part of the music you typically sing along to or that stands out as the main theme. In metal, melodies can be found in vocal lines, lead guitar parts, and solos.

Harmony, on the other hand, is created when two or more notes are played simultaneously. It supports the melody and adds depth and richness to the music. In metal, harmonies are often created by multiple guitar parts playing together, or by vocalists harmonizing their lines.

Melodies in Metal

Melodies in metal music are often built using minor scales or modes to create a dark, intense atmosphere. For instance, using the E minor scale, a melody could be constructed like this:

e|————————0-2-3-|
B|——————–0-1-3—–|
G|—————0-2———–|
D|———–0-2—————|
A|——-0-2——————-|
E|—0-2-3———————|

You can create memorable melodies by focusing on the scale notes. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns and articulations to make them engaging.

Harmonies in Metal

Guitar harmonies are a hallmark of many metal subgenres. Typically, two guitarists play the same melody. However, they perform at different intervals, such as a third or a fifth apart. For example, using the melody from the previous section, here’s how to apply a harmony using the E minor scale:

Harmony (a third above):

e|————————3-5-7-|
B|——————–3-4-6—–|
G|—————2-4———–|
D|———–2-4—————|
A|——-2-4——————-|
E|—2-4-5———————|

When played together, the melody and its harmony create a rich, full sound. This is a hallmark of many metal songs.

Vocal Melodies and Harmonies

In metal, vocal melodies often follow the same principles as guitar melodies, using minor scales and modes. Harmonies can be added by layering vocals at different intervals. For example, a lead vocalist will sing a melody in E minor. Meanwhile, a backup vocalist harmonizes a third or fifth above.

Example: Dual Guitar Harmonies in Metal

Bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are famous for their dual guitar harmonies. These harmonies are typically played using parallel intervals to create a powerful, synchronized sound. Here’s how you can harmonize a simple E minor riff:

Original Riff:

e|———————————|
B|———————————|
G|———————————|
D|———2———5————-|
A|—2-5—0—2-5—0————-|
E|—0-3——-0-3—————–|

Harmony (a third above):

e|———————————|
B|———————————|
G|———4———7————-|
D|—4-7—2—4-7—2————-|
A|—2-5——-2-5—————–|
E|———————————|

When combined, these harmonized riffs provide the intricate, layered sound that defines many metal tracks.

Exploring Obscure Notes for Unique Harmonies

For sub genres like death and black metal, incorporating more dissonant and obscure notes can create a unique, dark sound. Using diminished or augmented intervals can add tension and an unsettling quality to your harmonies.

Understand the difference between melody and harmony in music theory. Apply these concepts to your metal compositions. This approach lets you create complex, engaging music that stands out. Experiment with different scales, intervals, and harmonies to find your unique sound.

Do You Need Music Theory to Play Metal?

The question of whether you need music theory to play metal is a common one, and the answer isn’t straightforward. Many legendary metal musicians have both formal music education and have learned purely by ear.

Examples of Great Musicians Who Know Music Theory

• Yngwie Malmsteen: He is known for his neoclassical metal style. Malmsteen’s deep understanding of music theory allows him to blend classical music with metal seamlessly.
• Dream Theater: The members of Dream Theater are well-versed in music theory. This is particularly true for John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess. Their complex compositions and intricate playing demonstrate this expertise.

Musicians Who Don’t Rely on Theory

• Tony Iommi: The Black Sabbath guitarist is often credited with creating the heavy metal genre. He primarily relied on his ear and feel rather than formal music theory.
• James Hetfield: The Metallica front man is known more for his riff-writing prowess. He relies on his raw musical instincts rather than formal theoretical knowledge.

An Unbiased Approach

A strong grasp of music theory can enhance your playing. However, it’s not essential for creating great metal music.

Many successful musicians focus on ear, creativity, and experience. They prove you can excel without formal music theory knowledge.

On the other hand, understanding theory provides a helpful framework. It makes learning and writing music easier. Moreover, it helps you communicate ideas with other musicians.

Theory also clarifies why certain notes and chords work together. Additionally, it opens doors to new musical concepts. These concepts can expand your sound and creativity.

Furthermore, theory makes the creative process more efficient and structured.

Ultimately, whether you dive into theory depends on your goals. If you’re passionate about music, theory can unlock new creativity.

However, if you prefer to play by feel, that’s valid too. Both approaches have their merits and can lead to success.

Want to improve your metal playing? Metal Mastermind offers resources to help you get started.

How to Make Metal Sound More Metal with Music Theory

In this video, we take a metal chord (power chord) progression in the key of E minor. We throw in two notes that don’t fit in the key of E minor. We also show you how to use the Circle of Fifths easily. This helps build your riffs, progressions, and songs with a metal twist.

Your Next Step: Metal Music Theory Online Course

Diving deeper into music theory benefits metal musicians greatly. It expands creativity and improves compositions.

Theory helps you understand the building blocks of music—scales, chords, and progressions—making compositions more complex.

Incorporating modes like Phrygian or harmonic minor adds intensity, making riffs and solos stand out.

Music theory also provides a common language for musicians, easing discussions about key changes and time signatures.

This shared understanding leads to more cohesive, polished music and speeds up the learning process.

Studying theory behind your favorite metal songs helps you understand why certain elements work, letting you apply them to your own music.

While theory isn’t essential for metal, it enhances creativity and opens new possibilities.