Weekend riff: Slipknot - The Negative One

Tuition
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published

Down-tuned heavy metal guitar riff

Slipknot's 1st fret string bends will challenge even the toughest fretting fingers

This opening guitar riff lays a foundation for the layers of sonic brutality that follow. It also establishes the tempo for the rest of the band, so practise with a metronome to help develop your timing. Notice, crucially, that the riff starts on beat 4 of the first bar; the first string bend should land on beat 1 of the first full bar of music.

The riff is based on some tricky 1st-fret bends and it takes stamina to hit the target pitch accurately. Practise slowly to build the required strength and to get a feel for the technique.

Click here to download 'The Negative One' preset for the Peavey Vypyr VIP-2

'The Negative One'
© 2014 Slipknot

Tutor: Jamie Hunt
Videographer: Martin Holmes

Check back every Friday at 16:00 (UK time) for a new riff

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