How to Start Making Metal Music: A Comprehensive Guide

Many aspiring musicians dream of creating powerful and intense metal music, but where do you begin? Whether you're a guitarist, a vocalist, or a drummer, starting your journey into the world of metal can seem daunting. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and provide valuable insights to help you get started.

Understanding the Basics

First, it's important to understand the core structure and elements of metal music. Unlike simpler genres, metal music often involves multiple sections such as an intro, verses, choruses, bridges, and codas. Each section typically features distinct instrumental parts that contribute to the overall sound.

Break Down the Music

Start by listening to metal songs that inspire you and deconstruct them:

Identify the intro, verses, choruses, and other sections of the song. Become familiar with instrument parts and how they interplay. Listen closely to the guitar, bass, drums, and any additional instruments like keyboards or samples. Analyze the song structure and how each part contributes to the overall composition.

Gaining a deep understanding of the structure and elements of metal songs can help you in your own songwriting process. This analysis will also give you a better feel for the genre and what makes a good metal song.

Learn Music Theory

While not strictly necessary, learning basic music theory can be incredibly helpful. Understanding concepts like chord progressions, scales, and modes will enable you to create more complex and interesting riffs and melodies. Even if you’re not formally trained, picking up a few key concepts can significantly enhance your songwriting.

Choosing Your Starting Point

As a songwriter, where do you start? The answer can vary depending on your instruments and strengths:

Guitarist: Start by playing some cool riffs and then think about what would work as a vocal melody. Experiment with different chord progressions and melodies. Vocalist: Begin by coming up with a melody and some lyrics. Then, consider the arrangement and the dynamics of the song to fit your vocals. Bassist or Drummer: Focus on the rhythm and timing. Think about how your part will interact with the rest of the instruments.

The key is to start somewhere and persist in the writing process. Many metal musicians come from a solid instrumental foundation, but don't worry if you’re still learning. Even if your early songs sound “crappy,” they will eventually evolve into something more listenable with time and practice.

Playing in a Band

Playing in a band can be incredibly beneficial. Collaborating with other musicians allows you to learn from them and improve your craft. Group dynamics can help you refine your ideas and see them through to completion. Collaborative efforts often produce better results than solo efforts.

Choosing Your Genre

Once you've gained some foundational skills, consider what specific genre of metal you want to perform. Metal music encompasses a wide range of subgenres, each with its own characteristics and requirements:

Black Metal: Focus on raw, atmospheric soundscapes and extreme vocals. Deathcore: Emphasize heavy breakdowns, melodic leads, and intense vocals. Metalcore: Combine elements of hardcore and heavy metal; focus on dynamic shifts and catchy hooks. 80s Metal: Study classic bands like Black Sabbath and focus on classic hard rock and metal riffs and structures.

Each genre has different instruments and roles. For example, if you're a vocalist, you need to be able to sing both clean and harsh vocals. If you're a guitarist, you need to be able to play both riffs and solos. Learning the requirements for your specific position in the band can help you focus your efforts and achieve the sound you want.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a metal musician takes time, dedication, and practice. But with the right approach and a little hard work, you can create powerful and memorable metal music. Start by researching the songs you love, breaking them down, and learning from other musicians. With persistence and passion, you'll be well on your way to creating your own metal masterpiece.