Slipknot Guitar playing styles help

Hello all,

I am after some advice and guidance on Slipknot playing styles.
From what I can gather from research so far, most tracks are played using heavily down-tuned instruments (drop-C Drop-B Drop-A).
This in its self poses a question. Is it possible to down tune a double locking tremolo system to drop-C (and lower) without having to have the tremolo opposing springs adjusted to counter balance the reduced string tension?

What picking styles should I be practicing? I believe I have heard tremolo picking used in some of the tracks but are not sure of the other styles. I can hear a fair bit of palm mutting going on as well.

If there are any lessons which you feel would benefit please point me in the right direction.

Slipknot have a fairly unique sound that I would like to try and recreate or at least have a go!

Thanks in advance :)

No comments then? :)

I'll reply to show you that someone has actually read it and given it some thought.. but as I don't even know what Slipknot style is, I'm afraid I can't help you out any.

Not a fan of them myself but the theory is the same across for any extreme band. You can drop tune a regular E string to about C at the lowest, it will have an impact on the tremelo system so you need to unscrew the backplate and adjust the screws that keep the spring mechanism attached to the body of the guitar. This can take quite a while to get right and retuning can be frustrating but not impossible. The problem with drop tuning to C is that the strings become very loose so you will need to raise the action to reduce fret buzz. Heavier tones on drop tunings tend to work best with heavier guage strings eg .010 for the low string. The probelm is definition in the tone, D is ok but C is very difficult when it comes to maintaining clarity without specialist pickups. Most bands that drop tune will come down a half step rather than a whole step especially if they want to play anything technical (Michael Romeo from Symphony X is an exception to the rule but his technique is at least to the level of Yngwie Malmsteen and he uses custom guitars).

Thanks for the replies :)

Many good comments to take into account ;)

So to down tune to say, Drop C I realistically need to increase string guage (currently strung with 0.09-0.42) then adjust the floating bridge and also adjust the action. That is a little more than I anticipated would be required.

You mentioned that specialist pickups are usually required? Would these be actives pickups like EMG's for instance?

Maybe initially i should go for a lesser down tuned setup such as drop D until I master the playing techique.

I have been practicing palm mutting and various picking styles, Are there any lessons that cover the "chugging" type metal rhythm that you hear in most of their (and other artists) tracks and any other typical sounds that this gendre are based upon?

I would say my main influences would be Slipknot, Korn, Pantera, System of a Down, QOTSA, but to name a few.

Thanks!

I can't help you on Slipknot playing as I have no idea what it is. But I'll reiterate what Superhuman said pretty much. Unless you're a wizard at doing setups, I wouldn't even think of drop tuning a double-lock trem setup. Just changing the string gauge from 10's to 12's on my standard Strat is giving me no end of trouble on keeping the intonation right. And that has a comparatively simple trem setup.

I can't say I like Slipknot, because I don't, but at the same time, I try to familiarize myself with as many genre's possible.

Thus being said, I was in a metal band for two years, and I consider myself able to play your adequate hardrock/metal junk.

The "Chugging" Is all about rhythm, alot of times stylized by a combination of single beats, and triplets. (Chuh, Chuh, Chuh-Chuh-Chug) with palm mutes the entire time, unless you want to make something ring out. I'd suggest practicing in Dropped D, as it will have all the same patterns as Dropped C, and it's easier on the tone and the ears. You'll hear mistakes better. Use a hard pick! Easier to get that tone you want. For practicing, I'd play without distortion, so you can pick out your mistakes, and adjust. If you can play it without being sloppy without distortion, you can use the distortion to add to your playing, rather than just cover up your mistakes.

That's about all I can think of.

Thanks for the advice :)

I have been practicing my rhythm in Drop-D and the tuning seems to remain pretty consistant without muddying up too much. It seems to have little effect on the trem system although the intonation needed some tweaking.

Playing on clean has helped my technique, some of my smaller mistakes were covered by the distortion so that has helped no end.

I personally have got used to using the small hard picks (1mm Dunlop stubbys) , they seem to accentuate the tone much better than others i have tried. It also seems to have improved the picking accuracy and timing.

Originally Posted by: MjrTomThanks for the advice :)

I have been practicing my rhythm in Drop-D and the tuning seems to remain pretty consistant without muddying up too much. It seems to have little effect on the trem system although the intonation needed some tweaking.

Playing on clean has helped my technique, some of my smaller mistakes were covered by the distortion so that has helped no end.

I personally have got used to using the small hard picks (1mm Dunlop stubbys) , they seem to accentuate the tone much better than others i have tried. It also seems to have improved the picking accuracy and timing.

I found an excellet video tutorial for setting up a Floyd here:http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10892

You have to be a full access member to see it. A professional tech showed me how to do a setup on a Floyd, but once it's set up properly, My RG stays in tune.

Ibanez has a guitar that has some kind of gizmo in the bridge where you can go from standard to a drop D- can't remember which model though, but saw it somewhere.

I use either the Fender or Gibson teardrop "jazz" picks- medium to hard, and I feel it increases my picking accuracy also. Yes, I agree playing clean will force you to play more accurately; you'll hear every mistake.

You don't have any string rattle using super slinky 9's, and the intonation is intact? I'd consider that a minor miracle on my RG.

I still don't know what/who Slipknot is- too lazy to google it. Glad to hear you were able to change the tuning without any ill effects. If you're not a full access member, google "how to setup a Floyd Rose"- I think Ibanez has instructions how to set up their bridges- or maybe go straight to the Ibanez site. They have explicit instructions on how to setup their various bridges.

OK, found a vid of Slipknot on youtube. Not my cup of tea, but I'm not a snob. I'm kind of forced to listen to some metal 'cause my son plays guitar hero, and now teaching him guitar. So, I'm learning some metal tunes to keep him interested. I admit I like some of the stuff- the only way to really listen to metal is LOUD. I really like Zakk Wylde- what he can do with a pentatonic scale is really cool. Is Black Sabbath considered metal? I was into them when they came out with their first album (have the original on vinyl!) Their later stuff wasn't crazy about. If I have to listen to Iron Man one more time, I think I'll pull my hair out, but the chords are easy, so I want to keep my son interested.

I know this is off-topic, but I guess my point is, if you keep your mind closed to new things, you wont grow. I call it the "wow" factor. Zakk- wow. Henry Garza, from Los Lonely Boys- wow. Carlos Vamos- super wow. Google Vamos, and you'll see some insane finger tapping on an acoustic.

There's a whole new breed of metal players I've heard, and they're not just banging out power chords. These guys seem to really know their theory and modes, etc. But a lot of 'em seem to sound alike to me.

Just so this post isn't a total waste of your time- only thing I can add to your getting the "chug-chug" sound, other than what was already stated by ZakJenkins, is practice slowly at first. When you're palm muting, or muting with your fretting hand, you really have to have both hands in sync, otherwise, you'll get strings ringing when you don't want them to. I think there's a video tutorial on SRV doing Rude Mood, but he's muting with his fretting hand. I call it the "chunka-chunka" way of rhythm playing. I think Henry Garza was probably influenced by SRV, and that Tex-Mex way of his playing is really cool imo. OK, I'm blathering. Later!

Hey thanks Silimtao :)

Yes, I am a full access member so will take a look at that link ;)

Slipknot may not be to everyones taste, To be honest most of my friends and fellow guitar players I know are into more mellower stuff hence have no inspiration and guidance to draw upon.

Might give Youtube a look, can't help but learn through observation :)

Originally Posted by: SilimtaoOK, found a vid of Slipknot on youtube. Not my cup of tea, but I'm not a snob. I'm kind of forced to listen to some metal 'cause my son plays guitar hero, and now teaching him guitar. So, I'm learning some metal tunes to keep him interested. I admit I like some of the stuff- the only way to really listen to metal is LOUD. I really like Zakk Wylde- what he can do with a pentatonic scale is really cool. Is Black Sabbath considered metal? I was into them when they came out with their first album (have the original on vinyl!) Their later stuff wasn't crazy about. If I have to listen to Iron Man one more time, I think I'll pull my hair out, but the chords are easy, so I want to keep my son interested.

I know this is off-topic, but I guess my point is, if you keep your mind closed to new things, you wont grow. I call it the "wow" factor. Zakk- wow. Henry Garza, from Los Lonely Boys- wow. Carlos Vamos- super wow. Google Vamos, and you'll see some insane finger tapping on an acoustic.

There's a whole new breed of metal players I've heard, and they're not just banging out power chords. These guys seem to really know their theory and modes, etc. But a lot of 'em seem to sound alike to me.

Just so this post isn't a total waste of your time- only thing I can add to your getting the "chug-chug" sound, other than what was already stated by ZakJenkins, is practice slowly at first. When you're palm muting, or muting with your fretting hand, you really have to have both hands in sync, otherwise, you'll get strings ringing when you don't want them to. I think there's a video tutorial on SRV doing Rude Mood, but he's muting with his fretting hand. I call it the "chunka-chunka" way of rhythm playing. I think Henry Garza was probably influenced by SRV, and that Tex-Mex way of his playing is really cool imo. OK, I'm blathering. Later!

I must be weird because I do ALL my muting with my left hand. Right hand palm muting is not very economical - I've tried it and it doesn't work for me. My right hand is free, floats and is stable.

Can't get that earthy tone muting with the left, unless you're only doing opens.

We're talking about palm mutes...And if your palms on the strings, and you sound good, I wanna get a video to show everyone I know, like that guy who plays guitar with his feet.

Originally Posted by: ZakJenkinsCan't get that earthy tone muting with the left, unless you're only doing opens.

We're talking about palm mutes...And if your palms on the strings, and you sound good, I wanna get a video to show everyone I know, like that guy who plays guitar with his feet.

I can get those earthy tones using my left, with open and fretted notes.To be clear, my technique is lefthand finger muting as opposed to righthand palm muting - while the first finger is holding down the notes, the second rests on the strings (and my right hand is stroking above the neck pickup);that's my basic technique. That's the way I discovered how to make chugs and it works for me, and it sounds no different than a right hand palm mute. I can even add other elements aswell: chops, harmonics and clear ringing notes with minimal movement in posture ,simultaneously or in succession at the same fret position- very economical. I also use proper lefthand posture, none of that thumb over the top stuff. :D Sometimes I even use my ring finger to do the muting. ;)

Interesting, I'ma have to try that out. =D

Originally Posted by: J-E-MI must be weird because I do ALL my muting with my left hand. Right hand palm muting is not very economical - I've tried it and it doesn't work for me. My right hand is free, floats and is stable.

Well, I guess it depends on the effect you want. No way can you get that pizzicato (sp?) effect like DiMeola muting with your fretting hand. And no way can you play rhythm like SRV with palm muting. Guess both have their purposes, depending on what ya want to do.

But that youtube vid...couldn't tell if the guitarist was muting at all... :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by: ZakJenkinsInteresting, I'ma have to try that out. =D

If you want to dampen the notes more, rest your ring finger alongside your middle finger.

I did some experimentation, and I can see why you like it, but I've found it's not really conducive if you want to mute a full chord, or if you have a quick run you want to mute.

Originally Posted by: ZakJenkinsI did some experimentation, and I can see why you like it, but I've found it's not really conducive if you want to mute a full chord, or if you have a quick run you want to mute.

Yeah, true,there are limitations. Muted single notes, fourth and fifth intervals - with dropped tuning - are no problem, as are open strings combined with fretted notes (like an open but dampened E string and the A string fretted at the seventh fret for example). For fast runs I keep it simple and slide my left, skip strings and lift off my middle and ring fingers so I can use them to fret the notes when I want to ring clear, and then rest them back on the strings if I want to - all done quite smoothly. I've used this technique from day one (I didn't know any better at the time) and I'm still honing it, also being aware of its limitations and advantages. I also find it awkward to have my righthand near the bridge, for me it feels comfortable to strike near the neck pickup. Maybe my chosen technique's just crap, I don't know. Perhaps I should learn how to mute the proper way.

Originally Posted by: MjrTomThanks for the advice :)

I have been practicing my rhythm in Drop-D and the tuning seems to remain pretty consistant without muddying up too much. It seems to have little effect on the trem system although the intonation needed some tweaking.

Playing on clean has helped my technique, some of my smaller mistakes were covered by the distortion so that has helped no end.

I personally have got used to using the small hard picks (1mm Dunlop stubbys) , they seem to accentuate the tone much better than others i have tried. It also seems to have improved the picking accuracy and timing.

try using jazz 3s there very small and the thickness is close to a 2mm i use them or those purple dunlop ones which are 2 mm. having a thicker pick will increase ur technique no end purpely because u have to adjust the tension of holding your pick everytime u change from ryhtym to lead or from single picking to ryhtym playing far more drastically than a normal 0.5mm or 1mm. plus u get a fat hard hitting sound definatly good for chugging. as for slipknot i dont agree with them lol. ryhtymically metal wise try googleing some metal ryhtyms. im guessing most of there work is in 16ths or 8th note patters. morelikely 16th note patterns. and the sound ur after should have the bass up high the mids scooped (right to the top i think) and the treble a bit before the bass. a really good pedal for this sound is a boss metal zone 2. they mke a 30 watt sound like a pro stack in my opnion. then maybe add a kerry king eq pedal for complete custmoisation of what u want to sound like. sorry about the spelling hope this helps.