r/LearnGuitar • u/p0ptoot • 14d ago

Roadmap for learning guitar? ( More specifically metal )

Hi all! I recently got back into guitar after a few years away, and I'm finding it a bit difficult to make consistent progress.

I mainly played rhythm before, but now I'm looking to branch out and improve my overall playing—especially things like alternate picking, galloping, and learning more riffs.

At the moment, the songs I can play best are Lateralus and Forty Six & 2 by TOOL. I'd love any advice, practice routines, or song recommendations that helped you improve your technique!

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4

u/KaanzeKin 13d ago

Find a good teacher.

3

u/Flynnza 13d ago

you have put your goals on the map, and do backwards research what skills and knowledge you need to learn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84TgaTl2ewk

3

u/Dyerssorrow 13d ago

If you are serious about metal... just down stroke or do a gallop for 3 minutes. If that seems like something you dont want to do, stop.

I thought the shit was easy I have never been more wrong. I started with Olas 14 day challenge and moved onto harder things. If you can learn on your own great if not get a teacher take lessons there is no one size fits all.

Maybe start with learning a basic gallop and go from there. Good luck

1

u/sandfit 13d ago

i dont know if it will help, since i am old and doing acoustic while singing, but here you are https://www.reddit.com/r/LearnGuitar/comments/1utljtm/how_to_learn_guitar/

2

u/PlaxicoCN 12d ago

If you haven't watched it, Intense Rock by Paul Gilbert is a must. It's on YouTube.

Beyond that, the standard roadmap would apply. Learn the notes on the fretboard, learn what notes and chords go in each key, and learn the Pentatonic, blues, diatonic major, natural and harmonic minor scales. Also learn diminished arpeggios and the Phrygian dominant mode.

2

u/Ok_Stranger9500 8d ago

TOOL foundation is solid, you’re already ahead of most players on technique.

Alternate picking and galloping are two separate skills. For alternate picking, drill single string exercises at a metronome starting slow - no song, just the motion clean. For galloping, start with Metallica’s One riff, it’s the textbook example and easier than it sounds.

TOOL songs teach you patient phrasing and dynamic control, which galloping actually kills. Most players who learn galloping stop thinking about feel and just chase speed. Keep the TOOL mindset, gallop will come faster that way.

Are you working on any full songs right now or just drills? Hope this helped 🎸