How to Develop Your Own Guitar Style

Developing your own guitar style is like finding your unique voice in a sea of sounds. It's about blending influences, techniques, and a bit of your own musical personality to craft something that feels authentically you. We'll break down the steps to help you carve out your own path in the world of guitar playing, particularly if you're into the heavier subgenres like metal, djent, and progressive metal. Let's get into it!

Know Your Influences

Every guitarist starts somewhere, usually with a handful of musicians who inspire them. Identifying your key influences is a crucial step towards developing your own style. Think about the guitarists who make you want to pick up your instrument. What is it about their playing that draws you in? Is it the intricate solos, the crushing riffs, or the emotive phrasing?

• Make a List: Jot down your top five or ten guitarists. This will help you see patterns in what you enjoy.
• Analyze Their Style: Listen to their music with a critical ear. Pay attention to their technique, tone, and songwriting.
• Learn Their Songs: By playing their songs, you can understand how they construct solos, riffs, and rhythm parts.

Interestingly enough, once you dive into the styles of your influences, you'll start to notice the nuances that make them unique. It's not just about copying their licks but understanding the essence of what makes their style appealing. While it's hard to say for sure, this could be the first step towards finding your own sound.

Experiment with Techniques

Techniques are like the building blocks of your guitar playing. Once you've identified the techniques used by your favorite guitarists, it's time to experiment with them. Whether it's sweep picking, tapping, or alternate picking, each technique can add a new dimension to your playing.

For example, if you're into metalcore, you might focus on breakdowns and tight rhythmic playing. If progressive metal is more your thing, odd time signatures and complex chord progressions could be your playground.

• Try Different Techniques: Don't limit yourself to just one or two techniques. The more versatile you become, the richer your style will be.
• Practice Regularly: Dedicate time each day to honing your skills. Consistency is key.
• Mix and Match: Combine different techniques to create something new. Maybe a tapping lick over a djent riff?

When it comes to learning new techniques, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the world's best and most respected metal guitarists. They focus a lot on rhythm guitar techniques, which can help you develop a solid foundation for your own style.

Create Your Own Riffs

Riffs are the heart of many metal songs. They're catchy, memorable, and often define the track. Creating your own riffs is a great way to develop your style and voice as a guitarist.

Start by experimenting with different scales and modes. The pentatonic and blues scales are great for rock and metal, but don't be afraid to explore more exotic scales like the Phrygian or Locrian for a darker sound.

• Use a Metronome: Practicing with a metronome helps you stay in time and develop your internal rhythm.
• Record Yourself: Listening back to your riffs can give you a new perspective and help you refine them.
• Incorporate Dynamics: Varying the dynamics can make your riffs more interesting and expressive.

At Riffhard, we have a custom metronome made just for guitar practice, which can be a fantastic tool to help you lock in your timing and create tighter riffs.

Develop a Unique Tone

Your guitar tone is an extension of your musical identity. It’s not just about the guitar and amp you use, but how you use them together. Spend time tweaking your settings and experimenting with effects to find a tone that feels like you.

If you're playing heavy genres, you'll want a tone that can cut through the mix while maintaining clarity, especially when playing fast or complex riffs. Consider the following:

• Experiment with Gear: Try different guitars, amps, and pedals. Each piece of gear can contribute to your overall sound.
• Understand EQ: Learn how to shape your tone with the EQ on your amp and pedals. This can drastically change your sound.
• Use Effects Sparingly: Effects like reverb, delay, and distortion can add depth to your sound, but overusing them can muddy your tone.

While it might seem daunting at first, finding your tone is an ongoing journey. Remember, the world's best guitarists took years to develop their signature sounds.

Play with Others

Playing with other musicians is a great way to develop your style. It forces you to adapt and communicate musically, which can help you grow as a guitarist. Whether it's jamming with friends or joining a band, you'll learn how to fit your playing into a larger musical context.

• Join a Band: Being in a band can push you to improve and try new things.
• Jam with Friends: Informal jam sessions can be a fun way to experiment with new ideas and get instant feedback.
• Attend Open Mics: These events can be a great platform to test your style in front of an audience.

As you play with others, you'll naturally start to refine your style. You'll learn what works and what doesn't, and you'll have a chance to incorporate feedback into your playing.

Write Your Own Music

Writing your own songs is a powerful way to develop your style. It challenges you to think about music as a whole — melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrics — rather than just individual parts.

Start by writing simple songs. Over time, you can experiment with different structures, keys, and time signatures. The more you write, the more you'll discover what you like and don't like in your music.

• Start Small: Write short riffs or chord progressions to get the creative juices flowing.
• Keep a Journal: Document your ideas and progress. You never know when inspiration will strike!
• Collaborate with Others: Co-writing with other musicians can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to your music.

When you're ready to take your songwriting to the next level, check out the lessons on songwriting and riffing on Riffhard. They cover everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques, taught by seasoned professionals.

Stay Open to New Influences

As you develop your style, it's important to stay open to new influences. Music is constantly evolving, and so should your playing. Don't be afraid to explore genres and styles outside of your comfort zone.

• Listen to Different Genres: You'll be surprised at how much you can learn from jazz, blues, classical, and even pop.
• Attend Live Performances: Watching other musicians perform can be inspiring and give you new ideas.
• Follow Emerging Artists: Keep an eye on up-and-coming musicians who are pushing the boundaries of their genres.

New influences can breathe fresh life into your playing and help you stay inspired. Remember, even the greatest guitarists never stop learning and evolving.

Keep Practicing and Be Patient

Developing your own style takes time, and it's important to be patient and persistent. Regular practice is essential, but so is giving yourself the grace to grow and improve at your own pace.

• Set Goals: Having clear goals can keep you motivated and focused on your progress.
• Track Your Progress: Keep a practice journal to document your improvements and identify areas for growth.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small. Every step forward is progress.

At Riffhard, we offer a bi-weekly lesson plan called the Shredule, curated from our extensive lesson library. This can help you stay on track with your practice and continue developing your unique style.

Final Thoughts

Crafting your own guitar style is an exciting journey filled with discovery and creativity. By knowing your influences, experimenting with techniques, and staying open to new ideas, you can carve out a style that's uniquely yours. At Riffhard, we're here to support you with lessons from the best metal guitarists to help you reach your musical potential.