I enjoy that most of these mistakes are actually based on the same principle: Don't get stuck playing only on the low string You paid for the whole fretboard. Use the whole fretboard
I dont even get why you wouldnt get that, like wdym u paid a few hundred to maybe even a thousand bucks for just a few low notes just tune down the sixth string 😭
I learned guitar on a 6 string, I fulfilled my desire for low notes on the bass. I never considered a 7 string, but you've shown me some pitfalls that would come with one. Thanks for posting.
I would hate to see you get rid of your 7 string guitar. I've learned so much about playing metal guitar from watching your channel and listening to your music. I just ordered my first 7 string and you are the reason for me getting a 7 string because of your input about playing a 7 string and every once in awhile o would love to get lessons from you about playing a 7 string. I love your sound and tone playing in standard tuning but I want to expand my sound by adding the 7th string. I've gotten more out of your lessons than any other RUclips . It may be selfish of me but your help has made a better musician and I look to you when I get stuck in my playing and would love more 7 string content when my 7 strings arrives
Thank you and I decided to keep my 7. And I've cranked out more lessons (I have a 7 string lesson playlist on my channel). I also plan to create a lesson course on 7 string at some point after I launch the metal rhythm course I'm getting ready to release!
I'm in my early phases of learning guitar, and I bought a 7 string. My reasoning is a lot of the bands I listen to and eventually want to learn songs by use 7 string guitars. WhenI first got itthough I didn't use the 7th string that much, I was more focused on learning the stuff that uses the 6 strings. but now I have started trying to expand the things I've been learning, scales and such to include the 7th string. :)
Same thing for me. First guitar was a 7 string but the first song I wanted to learn was a 6 string song. I'm almost able to play every part of the song now, so I've written down some 7 string arpeggios to practice during my sessions to start getting familiar with that extra string.
i love 7 string guitars... especially because i can change the note of the bottom string and still have an e standard guitar when ever i need it.. just makes things easier to visualise for me.. also i got a esp mh-1007et because of you haha... love the vids bro!
Jason Stallworth exactly bro! I know you said you don’t like down tuning... but unfortunately I break all the laws ;) nah but seriously you made some good points in that video! Love the content dude!
I agree with this 100% I’ve been playing a 7 string for years and I gotta admit I was guilty of all of the mistakes. I wish there was a video like this when I was starting out. I feel like this video also relates to 8 strings as well
Mistake 5 can apply to playing in general. I had a friend who said that he couldn't solo, but would play these video game scores with these elaborate runs in them. I told him, Dude you're playing little leads all of the time, you just don't realize it. He has since stretched out and is a better player overall just from simply trying. Like you said, he knew how to play guitar, he just didn't see connection until I pointed it out.
Jason, You are doing your viewers & up and coming performers a 'great' service by digging deep into the psychology of what makes all of this stuff work, like you do. Love it! Young musicians can save a TON of time and hard knocks watching your vids 'til the end! 🤘🤘
All good points... especially about the 'djent'.................. my exact sentiments!!... and yes, I for one am very engaged .... love and appreciate all the videos and tips!
@@jasonstallworth There's actually some discussion in the djent community if the word djent describes a sound (as some of the pioneers of the genre say) or if it describes a genre.
I have a Jackson 7 string and I love it. It’s fun to play and experiment with. I work on my scales first then work around all over the fret board to make up new stuff. Great video man, enjoyed the content.
I disagree with mistake #6. There's also a singer's vocal range you have to account for. If you're playing certain intervals and open strings but the singer can't reach some parts, sometimes you have to downtune. I do agree that you shouldn't downtune for the sake of downtuning but there's definitely a good use for it. I also disagree with not drop-tuning, as a drop-tuned 7-string helped me "learn" to play 7-string as I had a standard 6-string together with a drop-tuned guitar.
Hey Jason, I agree on almost every thing that you mentioned, except for the down tuning and here is why, I played all my 6-string guitars in D standard, now to be able to play all those songs I learned so far, on my 7 string, I had to tune it down one whole step! 80% of the time, I play along to Paradise Lost songs, so I can't do that without tuning down. If you know how to setup the guitar properly, after tuning it down, it won't sound muddy, at least not by tuning it down just one step! Getting a 7-string was just to play it like my 6-string guitars and to have more tonal range, not to change my playing style, but to expand it. Tuning down a 7-string guitar is the same as if you tune down a 6-string guitar. My RG 7.string has a 25.5 scale length, that's the same as my 6-string RGs have. Of course, you have to compensate the loss of tension by using thicker strings, file the nut slots, adjust string height, then adjust the truss rod and set up the intonation, also adjust pickup height and then you are good to go!
Yeah dude I know a lotta folks downtune, and I totally understand that. I've even considered downtuning on of my 6 strings lately. I probably won't go any lower than C# (I want to leave my songs open to be able to play them on acoustic, and if you play a C3 minor on acoustic with those last 2 strings open, it sounds beautiful!)
@@jasonstallworth I plan to put one of my guitars in drop D tuning forever so easy to pick up to play songs with drop D tuning like Lamb of God but if I have to drop to C#, then I just use my Digitech drop tune pedal.
i feel like mistake number 6 has to do with personal preference and not necessarily a mistake. Drop A tuning is fun to work with and use if you are able to navigate and use open strings / build chords that really get that extra punch from that dropped A. My drop A tuning is really tight in my amp because I dialed it in and the overall sound for me is beautiful. I use all my strings but with that added A it just helps make the song sound more rhythmic and punchy. I will agree the B standard is heavy, and i love it, too. But having dropped tuning is helpful if djent ISNT your fav genre. I liked the video, i like the way you record them!
Thank you, and it’s all personal preference at the end of the day. I just wanted to encourage folks not to get stuck on just the lower notes. Those drop tunings can indeed create some cool sounds
My 7 string mistake was getting a 7 string... instead of an 8 string! I had a 7 string, it was a horrific guitar and ended up returning it to the manufacturer for a refund. While looking for a replacement, I thought, why not just go all the way and get an 8 string? Like the 7 string is a weird middle ground for me, since I listen to bands that play 8 string guitars. So I got one and it was a much better experience. It's a fun instrument. Right away I started writing an album, and that album is actually coming out soon! I've released the first single a few weeks ago, and the second single is coming out in a matter of minutes as it's close to 12 AM on Thursday night. I take a pretty melodic route with my music, so even though I'm tuned to DGDGCFAD, I mostly play it like a 7 string and the 8th string is more for accents. There are a bunch of really nice guitar solos and melodies while still being a heavy as fuck deathcore album. I had new humbuckers put in with coil splits and played on the single coils most of the time, it just sounds cooler in such a low tuning. I agree that you shouldn't djent endlessly, it does need to be broken up and the song needs to move somewhere else so that the next time you come back to your lowest notes, it has more impact. It also just helps to not bore the listener by playing what sounds like the same riff at the same tempo with the same drum beat for 4 minutes. Some bands are more guilty of this than others. I don't agree that going lower than standard 7 string tuning should be avoided, otherwise get a bass. Even in extremely low tunings, the bass still needs to be there in a mix for it to sound full, the mixing is just a bit different. I like low tunings, but I also play in E standard on my 6 strings. I like really heavy music, but I also really enjoy denpa J-Pop. We all have our quirks. I don't think it's a bad thing to embrace new ideas and sounds, but if you're happy just playing 6 string guitars then that's sick too. I mostly play my 6 strings, it's what I'm most comfortable on. But that 8 string is something else. It's just a whole different animal.
@@jasonstallworth Lol I have relatively small hands even being 5'10. Small and dainty little hands. I was concerned at first and it took some adjusting but it didn't take long. The biggest issue is trying mute all of the strings you're not playing. 😂
This is so true. I spent about four years with my 7 string. I basically tried to model my sound after KoRn. Recently I got really into a lot of European Power Metal bands. It feels like re learning the guitar I basically forgot how to play those higher notes. My new Jackson 6 string feels so good in my hands. I play in E standard which is crazy for me I always used to play real low tunings. You can make standard sound super heavy. I bet these mistakes are super common.
Great video Jason, you looked like you really enjoyed making it and I certainly enjoyed watching it (to the end 🤘). Definitely keen to try a 7 string but I've also been experimenting with different plugins as well as inverted power chords which I'm pretty sure you recently covered in another video about sounding heavy. This is probably the 5th video on 7 strings I've watched today and getting some great tips. If I do get a 7 string, I might have to get a 5 string bass as well, like yourself, to compensate. 🤘🤘🤘
@@jasonstallworth It can be difficult to decide. I've got a couple of guitars I don't play that much, but when I do they definitely inspire me to try something different. If the 7 still does that for you, I "vote" for you to keep it. Otherwise I wish I was in the US and could try/but it 😎🤘
Completely understandable if you do decide to get rid of your 7 string. A lot of times when I play mine, I'm playing old school 6 string thrash riffs, or my own original riffs that I wrote on a 6 string. I still like having that extra string on the bottom though because it not only gives me extra low notes, but it also allows me to play old riffs in different ways.
Yeah dude, I've done the same. I've even played older songs I've written on those lower notes. It just still doesn't feel like 'home' to me, though. And when I pick back up my 6 strings, it's just a huge relief and weight lifted off my shoulders...kinda weird!
I can't really agree on mistake number 6, I would say that it's rather about the motive behind downtuning the guitar that it comes down too, if it's only to play low tunes I agree. But there are more reasons to tune down. I love the tuning of D-standard even on a 6. And I love to have an open A, D and G that comes with that on a seven. I do not want lower tunes but rather a guitar with D standard, and all that range, it's awesome! My guitar is 26,5" and came tuned to D-standard right from the shop. I just use a capo on second fret if I wanna play standard tuning with that B on the 7th. With my seven I get it all and then I have my 6 in E standard tuning if I feel like playing in that. Thing is I want to play everything on my seven now, whatever it maybe. Love your channel btw❤
Definitely ok to disagree and I see your points. I have tuned down a couple of times before but to be honest, I'm too lazy to be messing with tunings! That's where the 7 string came in handy. I also understand if someone wants to stick with 6 string guitars, tuning down may help the vocalist.
I love mistake 6. Because even when I had a 6 string, I hated downtuning and drop tuning. I carried that to 7 string. My vocal coach (who is a rock guy) asked me, "Did you tune down to Drop A?" I told him no, because I preferred certain chord shapes. He goes, "That'd have been the first thing I would have done." Thing is, Drop A isn't going to work for the music I write. One of the cool things about BEADGBE tuning is, it naturally lends to playing in the key of B major or B minor, without a lot of effort. And guess what, folks? B major and B minor are cool keys.
I love those keys as well (the B keys) and also find myself playing a lot of acoustic in C#m, which is just one step up on the 7 string…all that said, B standard on the 7 can work really well!
Good advice. Been saving up for a nice 7 string to play Dream Theater style metal. Petrucci only uses the lower notes for pedal tones and unique chords but jumps all over the fretboard for his solos and lead work. On a 7 or 8 string it is very difficult. Then again, virtuosos like Petrucci and Steve Vai have been rocking 7 string guitars forever. I like how Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders uses 8 string guitar riffs.
Yeah I really like the fact that Vai has been playing a 7 for so long but you would never really know it! He doesn't use that 7th string all the time, which I think is great
@@jasonstallworth and I finally got my first 7 string guitar a new Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty BFR 7 string! Love it so many tone options and easy to play coming from 6 string.
Djent isn't supposed to be just chugging on the low string, when it is it's supposed to be in an interesting pattern, like it's mathematical, but it's also not just that
1-4 & 6 - "you know those bands/riffs you love that inspired you to get a guitar to begin with? yeah, don't do that, it's a mistake". Personally I'm glad KoRn made those multimillion dollar mistakes & changed the course of rock forever.
There are no mistakes (and I’ve never really listened to Korn). But the purpose of this video has been misconstrued by a few. It’s simply to encourage folks to expand outside of just playing the same low notes over and over if they’re wanting to get better overall
I've been playing seven strings since 2003 and haven't gone back since. The licence plate on my car says "BEADGBE." It's fun watching people in my rearview mirror trying to figure it out. As for mistake #6, I play in a cover band that tunes down a half step to E flat. That means I have to tune down a half step as well to B flat to retain fingerings and fret positions. I'll learn the originals in standard tuning but perform them down tuned. Drop A (Korn) is fun too.
It's definitely important to expand our range! You get so much better when you start moving those fingers around more. Of course, there are times to just chug, but just not all the time
I am considering getting a schecter omen elite 7 string red model guitar next year and am doing some research for a while to finalize my choices. Would it be a bad idea to get this 7 string guitar and to tune that extra bottom string to a C note so I wouldn't have to keep changing my tuning? About half of my playlist is drop C and D it would be alot better overall if I had a guitar setup this way. If it's not possible it's fine atleaste I know I can't. I have zero interest in going too low I just want to simply my setup. I currently have 2 guitars I switch between that are tuned in drop C/D and having a guitar tuned that way would greatly help my setup. Thanks in advance 🤘🤘
It's really a personal preference..there's no right or wrong answer. If you're mostly playing cover songs, it makes sense to tune to what they tune to. If you're writing your own material, which I encourage folks to do, then you have to pick what suits your style best. Just opinion, you sacrifice a little clarity the lower you go, especially if you're playing fast riffs.
I just picked up the guitar after 9 years of not playing, and I got a Schecter Demon 7, and I don't play Djent. I got the 7 for that extra string and all you can do with it, and figuring picking it back up with the 7 will make me adapt better to it, although even with all that break still adjusting.
Well it's about a year later, I had to put it down most of this year due to some issues, but picked back up, and still am better off than I was last year. I'm still preferring my 7 but your lessons have helped a ton, I came back to watch this video even just now. Although I play in A/D a lot, but I just got an Amarok-7 for a second 7 string, it needs to be fixed on the pups, which they're doing, but it's staying in B/E standard. @@jasonstallworth
To anyone who wants to learn a truly musical and wide ranging 7 string song that doesn't just focus on the low notes, I have 3 words for you: Change of Seasons, by Dream Theater. I just got my first 7 string, and I'm not just thinking oh yay I can play all the low heavy riffs (although those are fun too). I'm thinking about playing awesome dynamic songs that happen to use those 5 extra notes from the lower string, along with everything else I know from the 6 string.
About 6: First, I'm gonna say I'm a big Nevermore fan, they are my favourite band in fact. They do play 7-strings half a step down - eb-Bb - and they sound great, even if their musical style is not for everyone. So, half a step or a whole step down is alright. Lower than A however, it sounds chunky already and not only you're in bass territory to a certain extent, but also the strings are already losing lots of tension. If someone wants low Gs, that's what 8-string guitars are for. I don't mind low notes to that extent, it's just not my music. And I do think every 7-string guitarist should give Nevermore a shot, as well as Bendida. If Steve Vai brought the seven string to the audience of technical guitarists and KoЯn brought it to the audience of low tuning and heavier tones, Nevermore got the best of both worlds. I recommend the riffs of Engines of Hate and Inside Four Walls. This is what people expect from those, who play a 7-string and that's to a certain extent the standard you should be aiming for. Even if you don't stay for progressive metal.
Big Nevermore (and Loomis) fan here. I think some folks misconstrued my message. I'm not saying anyone should or shouldn't - these are just tips that I hope help folks go beyond just playing low notes.
@@jasonstallworth I understood the point of this video is like that. Just needed to clarify stuff. Unfortunately lots of people are on that train that low tuning equals heavy. In the meantime a band like Opeth is considered one of the greatest and heaviest ever and nobody knows they actually play in E standard. Musicians need to use their heads too. Sometimes at least.
Good facts when i got my ibanez 7 string like 10 years ago i did the lower note thing and now ive got a mayones reguis 7 i would say its better then my fender strat as far as cleans with the split coils with bareknuckle aftermath pickups
I love my Ibanez 7 string however I do play in drop A. I played my 6 strings in drop d/c for yrs so was natural to play my 7 in drop A. I don't go any lower than that tho, it can deff get outta hand dropping lower and hella muddy. But for me drop a on my 7 is tits...
Down tuning is not only to get bassier tone, but to be able to play chords with one finger, that means much faster. That has been always the main reason for me anyways.
Forgive me for asking... I'm purchasing a brand new Ibanez headless Q series 7 string. I play few different styles including metal, thrash, fusion and more including classical. I grew up a huge punk fan especially of Social Distortion. So my question is not dropping down so much but half step down with a capo at second fret . So an half step down on all seven strings is correct in my mind? keeping mind capo on second fret. Sorry if this seems dumb, I played for quite a few years but had to relearn after wrist injury
I have two guitars, both six string instruments. A Strat Made in Mexico in E standard and a Vintage V100 AFD Paradise tuned to Drop C. I would like to have a baritone guitar because I need lower notes and I have no use for 7 string at the time being.
Hard disagree on the specifics of that drop tuning idea because there are plenty of other good reasons to want to tune the low string differently -- I'd say for just two it makes it easier to play power chords faster and it's easier to add that high ninth if you've got smaller paws that don't stretch across four frets too easily -- and the muddiness can be mitigated depending on the types of strings you're using. And taking that idea further I think on an 8-string drop E makes more sense to start with than F# standard because when you've got two extra strings to keep track of, having all your open notes staying within the E minor pentatonic scale, and all your note positions matching a string you're already used to, makes it easier to just pick up the instrument and play. That's less relevant on a 7-string where both B and A fit those criteria. But I'd agree with the general sentiment that any kind of alternate tuning isn't something you should just set without thinking. Especially when you're a writer, when you're making creative choices that are going to affect the way you write it's important to know the reason why you're doing it. It means you already have some idea how you want to use it, which means you have that starting point for your instincts to generate interesting ideas, instead of getting them stuck in a rut. One of my favourite ways to write on a guitar with any kind of extended range is to pick a key where the lowest note will be the 5th, the 4th or the 3rd instead of the root. Really makes you think about those low strings differently. You're not using them as much but, especially when your low note is on the 5th, they're gonna hit all the harder for it.
Hey man, I was like one second away from buying an Ibanez prestige seven string and then I found your videos on the E 2 FR7. The only thing I can’t figure out is how they clean tones sound for basic rock and more melodic stuff, I know they are geared towards metal so I’m sure that that is kind of rhetorical. However I do like to play stuff that’s cleaner and more melodic as well ( not well lol) but yeah can you please do a video of what some clean tones sound like for different genres? Or if you could send me a clip of some tones that would be amazing man thank you
Kultbot Custom shop that’s a great question and I’m with you as I don’t just play metal, I like to play some rock and even clean stuff. So here’s a video I made a while back with my 7 string for clean tones: ruclips.net/video/_e3XB4aMdE4/видео.html
I fully agree with all of these points except for "mistake number 6". Calling it a mistake is actually a mistake on your part. I'm sure that the majority of your audience is primarily a metal playing audience. However, what the majority of the guitar playing community is wrong about the 7-string guitar is that it's purely a metal machine. 7-string guitars have been in the Jazz world since the 1930's and were tuned with a "Drop A" tuning. That tuning actually makes playing chords much easier to incorporate not only all 7 strings, but also allows for adding bass lines under your chords and melody. So there is a reasoning beyond B not being low enough. As someone who has used the Drop A tuning for 24 years, the cause of muddied or lack of note definition has more to do with EQ settings, string guage, or scale length of the instrument. If your low-end is too muddy, roll it back. Your bass player will thank you, plus you'll cut through the mix better. I hope you gave drop A an honest go before you parted with that 7, if you actually followed through with it.
Brett, that's a great point and something I did not consider, so I appreciate you pointing that out. I don't know anything about jazz. I definitely agree on the EQ and rolling back the lows when things get muddy
@@jasonstallworth Another unpopular opinion would be to roll the gain off a bit. Too much gain on an amp would even turn a 6-string into a marshland of mud. Like anything else it's all about balance.
Thanks man i found that ur videos are very helpful for me, but can u do a lesson video about how i can strum my 7 string guitar without touching that BIG MASSIVE string?
Respectfully, I disagree with point 6. I think what’s more important is the note relationship between the strings, rather than how low it is, and drop tuning a 7 string can allow you to come up with some really cool ideas and be very inspiring, especially when it comes to playing big chords and stuff. Also there are many tried and true methods to make low 7 string notes sound tight, punchy, and fit well in the mix, as well as many examples of bands who use dropped 7’s but still use the whole guitar and write awesome solos and stuff too.
There's definitely no right or wrong answer or way of doing things when it comes to guitar, and music in general. It's all preference and I encourage folks to go after what sounds good to them. My whole thing here was to encourage folks to not get stuck on just the low notes. Then again, if that's the sound someone is going for, I say go for it.
My mistake was buying 8 string instead of 7 string. I rarely used 8th string (only to play some meshuggah or doom soundtrack riffs). After a year I traded my 8 string monster for a 7 string headless and it became my second favourite guitar after my 96 Les Paul studio (everytime I play this gibson it feels like home, everything plays much easier on it). What I've learned from having 8 string and then 7 string is that 8 string is in my opinion totally different instrument. 7 string is just 6 string guitar with additional Low string. Plays virtually the same. 8 string due to the number of stings and the scale lenght changes my hand positions and needs very good muting. When i changed to 7 string... Man, it was great. After first 2 days of playing only fear factory and some behemoth songs I couldnt play on 6 string I started to treat it like a normal guitar. I play everything from blues and country to metal on it. Sometimes just for practice I use additional 5 notes to play some chords an octave lower than in a original song. I also tend now to write my songs on two guitars. One playing chords in higher registers and 7 string playing in lower to gain massive sound. For now I have also a borrowed 8 string but I treat it only as a practice tool for learning and understanding fretboard and due to it's harder nature practising my technique. 7 string became for me another great instrument and I don't treat it differently than other guitars. Edit: Well I also love to to relearn songs that are played in D standard od Drop D on 7 string tuned to standard. It's fun challenge and great exercise. Great video!
About yout opinion - keep it. Just in case you feel like experimenting again. Always keep options to experiment. But that's just my opinion as a person, who loves experimental artists, loves experimental music - especially experimental metal - and loves experimenting himself.
I love that folks experiment. I personally like to keep things as simple as possible. We're all different with different ways of doing things, and that's what makes the world more exciting
I'm going to disagree with the downtuning "mistake" but perhaps not for the reason you're thinking (because I'm not fixated on that low note). The tuning you should be in should be the tuning that inspires you. Whether that's standard or drop tuning, open tuning, whatever. Saying "don't tune in this tuning" is just being a deterrant for what can potentially inspire. If you need those extra 2 notes while playing things that don't involve those notes entirely, then what's wrong with that? Sometimes you just need them to complete that riff you're creating. I tune drop F# because the keys that the songs end up being in work with my singing voice, but I also like to do atmospheric on top. I agree with everything else... even though mistakes 1 to 5 were kind of all the same in a way. lol
When your playing low all the time you lose the effect of those low notes. Its the contrast that makes it special. Save it for that surprise and it will be way more effective. Same with any drop tunings as well. Yeah you can start a song in the low register but if you stay there is will lose its effectiveness to the listener rather quickly.
The thing about 7 strings is that you get an e standard guitar and an extra string which you can tune to A and get a drop A where you can play 95% of all metal
Hey. Great video as always. I was wondering, is it a bad idea to start learning guitar on a 7 string? I know the extra string will add to the complexity of a learning a new instrument, which is already complex enough; but I want to able to play modern metal songs and I like the mean tones and sounds that you can get using that extra string. I would really appreciate to know your insight and recommendation. Thanks in advance ❤
@@jasonstallworth thanks I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm going to learn on my own too, (at least for now) so it might be better to start with a 6 string and upgrade later.
@@jasonstallworth Hey man. Just wanted to give you a little update. I ended up buying a Schecter omen extreme 6 about 3 days ago. It's a lovely guitar and I've began learing on my own for now. I have learned a couple of chords and power cords in the past few days but not a full song yet 😅 Anyway thanks for pointing me in the right direction for my first guitar ❤🤘
Chuck Norris approves.......just a wild guess...the back ground music is a song from the new album???......but my dude djent is amazing, don't know what djent you listened too? but good dent is so good....its all over the neck, sometimes more then regular metal....That said, my seven string is still in standard, but downtuning souds amazing 1 step lower makes it sound so cool and still retain clarity ( depending on the pick ups off course) BTW, practicing open chords on my seven string really helped me get familiar with seven strings, thanks for the tips :) Is it you getting bored with 7 strings or bored with that Ell? i would suggest not letting go of the seven string, anything you can do on a 6 string you can do on a seven string and more...you get like five extra notes
Yeah dude, open chords on a 7 string will get you used to it, fast! One thing I'm gonna try and that's an Ibanez Prestige RG 7 string. My E-II is amazing but I just never got 100% comfortable with it, and I've played that guitar almost every day. When I grab one of my 6 strings it's just a far more comforting feeling. But since I prefer those Prestige Wizard necks so much, I'm going to try a 7 string version before I completely throw in the towel on 7 strings. I may actually go do that tomorrow! Part of that, too, is just to simplify everything that I'm doing.
i wish more people listened to you man, i play with an open c tuning with the 7th string dropped to a g1 and it's every bit as heavy as b standard tuning. lets be real, the drop tunings are just for deathcore kids to whack the 7th string open and let it ring out and annoy everyone with how often they keep making such an annoying noise
Lol, I'm glad you got the overall point of the video (got a few comments on here that didn't!). It's all about not allowing yourself to get stuck on just the low notes. Many folks will neglect the rest of the fretboard and everything starts to sound stale.
Point 6 I don’t really agree. Drop G# or A standard are some tuning I use and they don’t sound or feel muddy. I have multiple guitars so I play in different tunings and styles . Strings gauge is different on each one. But if I had to chose only one, standard tuning is the way to go. On 7 or 8 string.
With 7 strings I see them like I have two guitars in one. The low 7th is there for my downtuned chugga chugga stuff and if I want to play more traditionnal stuff I just ignore it and play it like a normal standard tuned 6 string.
@@jasonstallworth totally dude. lately I've been writing as if my 7th string isn't even there, and then figuring out where I can add some of the lower octave notes within the song
I never had a 7 string and I like to play songs in different tunes. E standard, D standard, drop D, drop C. I thought of getting a 7 string to keep 7th string for drop C but in normal mode it is B. Looks like 7 string is not for me and I have to own two 6 strings in E and D standard and drop 6th string when needed. Or one guitar and change all the scale every time
I know many who like to mess with tunings but I'm just too lazy for it. I never really cared to play lower notes just for the sake of playing lower notes. I'd rather focus on the actual riffs and song.
Already have a bunch of 6 strings for when I feel like a pretty little butterfly. I bought a 7 string specifically for the muddy earthquake sounds. People from the 80's are always gunna hate on anything drop G or drop A and I couldn't care less.
I don't necessarily 'hate' drop tunings. It's just that when you get that low you can't really distinguish the notes unless you're playing basic power chords.
@@jasonstallworth I can actually pick out the notes when I hear that just fine but that's just me. Now if it were a cheap setup on a cheap garage sale guitar then it's not gonna sound good no matter what it's tuned at. I personally don't like if the notes are TOO distinguished and not enough distortion cause then I might as well be listening to Jimi Hendrix lol and he's great n all but it ain't heavy. Well....I gotta admit when he talks about chopping down a mountain with the edge of his hand that's some lyrical metal madness right there lol
Dude I love ya BUT just think how boring the rock and metal scene would be without changing or detuning guitars? B or E standard is the default but using other tunings should not be discouraged it should be encouraged and highly recommended! Think of led zeplins cashmere... now think if they never changed from E standard tuning? That song never would have happened or at least wouldn't sound the same. I will agree detunijg doesn't make metal heavier but it does allow for a different flavor.
I'm with you, dude. I'm all for other folks and bands using different tunings. I just prefer E standard for my own music (although I've ventured out to D standard with one guitar). My main point regarding downtuning is to not let it become boring by playing the same low notes all of the time. What you're talking about, mentioning Zeppelin, is exactly what I do encourage. In other words, they're not just chugging away on the low notes (and far from it!). So we're on the same page dude, but I probably didn't explain it well enough in the video.
I almost lost my cool when you said steak could get repetitive, but then I took a moment and I love hot wings and tacos too. So, no giving the stink-eye this time.
Nice 👍 I started playing in 1987, so I'm from the same "old school" as you. If you feel the need to go that low, buy a bass and learn about Billy Sheehan.
If low B isn't enough, get an 8 string guitar. Lol Seriously, there are so many great bands that go lower than B and they don't stay only in one position. For example: Dream Theater, Nevermore, Animals As Leaders, Periphery, Veil Of Maya, Conquering Dystopia ,even Jeff Loomis himself on his solo albums.
that's... controversial, if not stupid :) Lotta people hate more than 6 strings. You know a band called Sybreed right? They used just a normal 6 strings Ibanez with A# tuning. But you can't say it by just listening to the sound
Im planning on getting a 7 string just so I can play A D G C F A D since im used to playing A standard on a 6 string by downtuning my 8 gauge strings but I still wanna be able to play normal people music instead of BRRRRR DJDJDJ BRRR DJ DRRRR all the time unless I wanna tune up like crazy each time with super thin strings
@@AB-vl6et Sybreed was a phenomenal band, anyone not knowing about them should REALLY check them out. They would've made it really big if they'd been from the US and not Switzerland.
@@jasonstallworth yeah my hands are small I cant play more than a 7 string guitar because I don't even reach the 8th one! I am currently saving for a 7 string, but I promise i will not only play the 7th string alone, my style is kind of weird when I'm improvising :D. Have a nice day!
Yeah it was actually used, probably different spelling and all. It's like most things in life when people think there's something new just because they haven't heard it before...lol
I got a 7 string and 8 string and I downtune both of those but won’t only hang on the lowest notes all the time, I tune my 7 string to drop C# with a low F# just so I can riff in drop C# and djent in F# Same goes for my 8 string, I tune to EAEADGBE and I play in E standard and the lower notes are for riffs that would sound better in that lower key or just for breakdowns. I also improve a shit ton when I got an 8 string because of the amount of range I have… or because I am more motivated to practice
A fun thing to try with a 7 string is to put an extra high string on it instead of an extra low, and mess around with different tunings. Be creative, there are no rules to art
I feel like this dude gives good hugs.
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Naked ones? 😂
@@JoeFuller-h6c Naked and fully clothed ones for sure
I enjoy that most of these mistakes are actually based on the same principle:
Don't get stuck playing only on the low string
You paid for the whole fretboard. Use the whole fretboard
🤘🤘🤘 That's a great point!
I dont even get why you wouldnt get that, like wdym u paid a few hundred to maybe even a thousand bucks for just a few low notes just tune down the sixth string 😭
@@Orion3-7 I believe that was slipknot's approach.
I learned guitar on a 6 string, I fulfilled my desire for low notes on the bass. I never considered a 7 string, but you've shown me some pitfalls that would come with one. Thanks for posting.
Yeah and having a 5 string bass can really fulfill those lower notes, too
I would hate to see you get rid of your 7 string guitar. I've learned so much about playing metal guitar from watching your channel and listening to your music. I just ordered my first 7 string and you are the reason for me getting a 7 string because of your input about playing a 7 string and every once in awhile o would love to get lessons from you about playing a 7 string. I love your sound and tone playing in standard tuning but I want to expand my sound by adding the 7th string. I've gotten more out of your lessons than any other RUclips . It may be selfish of me but your help has made a better musician and I look to you when I get stuck in my playing and would love more 7 string content when my 7 strings arrives
Thank you and I decided to keep my 7. And I've cranked out more lessons (I have a 7 string lesson playlist on my channel). I also plan to create a lesson course on 7 string at some point after I launch the metal rhythm course I'm getting ready to release!
I'm in my early phases of learning guitar, and I bought a 7 string. My reasoning is a lot of the bands I listen to and eventually want to learn songs by use 7 string guitars. WhenI first got itthough I didn't use the 7th string that much, I was more focused on learning the stuff that uses the 6 strings. but now I have started trying to expand the things I've been learning, scales and such to include the 7th string. :)
That’s a great way to start!
Same thing for me. First guitar was a 7 string but the first song I wanted to learn was a 6 string song. I'm almost able to play every part of the song now, so I've written down some 7 string arpeggios to practice during my sessions to start getting familiar with that extra string.
i love 7 string guitars... especially because i can change the note of the bottom string and still have an e standard guitar when ever i need it.. just makes things easier to visualise for me.. also i got a esp mh-1007et because of you haha... love the vids bro!
Jake Tozer That’s a great point and good way to look at it! You still have your ‘6 string’ just with that extra string!
Jason Stallworth exactly bro! I know you said you don’t like down tuning... but unfortunately I break all the laws ;) nah but seriously you made some good points in that video! Love the content dude!
I love 7 strings because it allows me to switch between drop A for my heavy riffs and standard tuning for my clean tones they're also very fun to play
I agree with this 100% I’ve been playing a 7 string for years and I gotta admit I was guilty of all of the mistakes. I wish there was a video like this when I was starting out. I feel like this video also relates to 8 strings as well
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Mistake 5 can apply to playing in general. I had a friend who said that he couldn't solo, but would play these video game scores with these elaborate runs in them. I told him, Dude you're playing little leads all of the time, you just don't realize it. He has since stretched out and is a better player overall just from simply trying. Like you said, he knew how to play guitar, he just didn't see connection until I pointed it out.
That's a great analogy and testament that oftentimes it's just a shift in our mindset that leads to that breakthrough.
Jason, You are doing your viewers & up and coming performers a 'great' service by digging deep into the psychology of what makes all of this stuff work, like you do. Love it!
Young musicians can save a TON of time and hard knocks watching your vids 'til the end! 🤘🤘
Thank you brother!
All good points... especially about the 'djent'.................. my exact sentiments!!... and yes, I for one am very engaged .... love and appreciate all the videos and tips!
Thank you for that!!
@@jasonstallworth There's actually some discussion in the djent community if the word djent describes a sound (as some of the pioneers of the genre say) or if it describes a genre.
I have a Jackson 7 string and I love it. It’s fun to play and experiment with. I work on my scales first then work around all over the fret board to make up new stuff. Great video man, enjoyed the content.
Yeah the 7 does open up more possibilities!
I'm going to get a tuba now. THANKS!
lol
Chug Norris .. “I’m gonna chug so hard ..
Your gonna beg me for a sweep”.
😅🤘
I disagree with mistake #6. There's also a singer's vocal range you have to account for. If you're playing certain intervals and open strings but the singer can't reach some parts, sometimes you have to downtune. I do agree that you shouldn't downtune for the sake of downtuning but there's definitely a good use for it. I also disagree with not drop-tuning, as a drop-tuned 7-string helped me "learn" to play 7-string as I had a standard 6-string together with a drop-tuned guitar.
There's no right or wrong answers here. It's all preference. I'm a big fan of doing what works best for you
Hey Jason,
I agree on almost every thing that you mentioned, except for the down tuning
and here is why, I played all my 6-string guitars in D standard, now to be able to play
all those songs I learned so far, on my 7 string, I had to tune it down one whole step!
80% of the time, I play along to Paradise Lost songs, so I can't do that without
tuning down.
If you know how to setup the guitar properly, after tuning it down, it won't sound muddy,
at least not by tuning it down just one step!
Getting a 7-string was just to play it like my 6-string guitars and to have more tonal range,
not to change my playing style, but to expand it.
Tuning down a 7-string guitar is the same as if you tune down a 6-string guitar.
My RG 7.string has a 25.5 scale length, that's the same as my 6-string RGs have.
Of course, you have to compensate the loss of tension by using thicker strings, file the nut slots,
adjust string height, then adjust the truss rod and set up the intonation,
also adjust pickup height and then you are good to go!
Yeah dude I know a lotta folks downtune, and I totally understand that. I've even considered downtuning on of my 6 strings lately. I probably won't go any lower than C# (I want to leave my songs open to be able to play them on acoustic, and if you play a C3 minor on acoustic with those last 2 strings open, it sounds beautiful!)
@@jasonstallworth I plan to put one of my guitars in drop D tuning forever so easy to pick up to play songs with drop D tuning like Lamb of God but if I have to drop to C#, then I just use my Digitech drop tune pedal.
i feel like mistake number 6 has to do with personal preference and not necessarily a mistake. Drop A tuning is fun to work with and use if you are able to navigate and use open strings / build chords that really get that extra punch from that dropped A. My drop A tuning is really tight in my amp because I dialed it in and the overall sound for me is beautiful. I use all my strings but with that added A it just helps make the song sound more rhythmic and punchy. I will agree the B standard is heavy, and i love it, too. But having dropped tuning is helpful if djent ISNT your fav genre.
I liked the video, i like the way you record them!
Thank you, and it’s all personal preference at the end of the day. I just wanted to encourage folks not to get stuck on just the lower notes. Those drop tunings can indeed create some cool sounds
i like half step down tuning to try to learn in flames and nevermore stuff 🤘 low b goes > a# etc.
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My 7 string mistake was getting a 7 string... instead of an 8 string!
I had a 7 string, it was a horrific guitar and ended up returning it to the manufacturer for a refund. While looking for a replacement, I thought, why not just go all the way and get an 8 string? Like the 7 string is a weird middle ground for me, since I listen to bands that play 8 string guitars. So I got one and it was a much better experience. It's a fun instrument. Right away I started writing an album, and that album is actually coming out soon! I've released the first single a few weeks ago, and the second single is coming out in a matter of minutes as it's close to 12 AM on Thursday night. I take a pretty melodic route with my music, so even though I'm tuned to DGDGCFAD, I mostly play it like a 7 string and the 8th string is more for accents. There are a bunch of really nice guitar solos and melodies while still being a heavy as fuck deathcore album. I had new humbuckers put in with coil splits and played on the single coils most of the time, it just sounds cooler in such a low tuning.
I agree that you shouldn't djent endlessly, it does need to be broken up and the song needs to move somewhere else so that the next time you come back to your lowest notes, it has more impact. It also just helps to not bore the listener by playing what sounds like the same riff at the same tempo with the same drum beat for 4 minutes. Some bands are more guilty of this than others.
I don't agree that going lower than standard 7 string tuning should be avoided, otherwise get a bass. Even in extremely low tunings, the bass still needs to be there in a mix for it to sound full, the mixing is just a bit different. I like low tunings, but I also play in E standard on my 6 strings. I like really heavy music, but I also really enjoy denpa J-Pop. We all have our quirks.
I don't think it's a bad thing to embrace new ideas and sounds, but if you're happy just playing 6 string guitars then that's sick too. I mostly play my 6 strings, it's what I'm most comfortable on. But that 8 string is something else. It's just a whole different animal.
Man, I don't think my hands would fit around an 8 string!
@@jasonstallworth Lol I have relatively small hands even being 5'10. Small and dainty little hands. I was concerned at first and it took some adjusting but it didn't take long. The biggest issue is trying mute all of the strings you're not playing. 😂
This is so true. I spent about four years with my 7 string. I basically tried to model my sound after KoRn. Recently I got really into a lot of European Power Metal bands. It feels like re learning the guitar I basically forgot how to play those higher notes. My new Jackson 6 string feels so good in my hands. I play in E standard which is crazy for me I always used to play real low tunings. You can make standard sound super heavy. I bet these mistakes are super common.
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Great video Jason, you looked like you really enjoyed making it and I certainly enjoyed watching it (to the end 🤘).
Definitely keen to try a 7 string but I've also been experimenting with different plugins as well as inverted power chords which I'm pretty sure you recently covered in another video about sounding heavy. This is probably the 5th video on 7 strings I've watched today and getting some great tips.
If I do get a 7 string, I might have to get a 5 string bass as well, like yourself, to compensate.
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To be truthful, I’ve been back and forth on parting ways with the 7 for sometime now!
@@jasonstallworth It can be difficult to decide. I've got a couple of guitars I don't play that much, but when I do they definitely inspire me to try something different. If the 7 still does that for you, I "vote" for you to keep it. Otherwise I wish I was in the US and could try/but it 😎🤘
Completely understandable if you do decide to get rid of your 7 string. A lot of times when I play mine, I'm playing old school 6 string thrash riffs, or my own original riffs that I wrote on a 6 string. I still like having that extra string on the bottom though because it not only gives me extra low notes, but it also allows me to play old riffs in different ways.
Yeah dude, I've done the same. I've even played older songs I've written on those lower notes. It just still doesn't feel like 'home' to me, though. And when I pick back up my 6 strings, it's just a huge relief and weight lifted off my shoulders...kinda weird!
I can't really agree on mistake number 6, I would say that it's rather about the motive behind downtuning the guitar that it comes down too, if it's only to play low tunes I agree. But there are more reasons to tune down. I love the tuning of D-standard even on a 6. And I love to have an open A, D and G that comes with that on a seven. I do not want lower tunes but rather a guitar with D standard, and all that range, it's awesome! My guitar is 26,5" and came tuned to D-standard right from the shop. I just use a capo on second fret if I wanna play standard tuning with that B on the 7th. With my seven I get it all and then I have my 6 in E standard tuning if I feel like playing in that. Thing is I want to play everything on my seven now, whatever it maybe.
Love your channel btw❤
Definitely ok to disagree and I see your points. I have tuned down a couple of times before but to be honest, I'm too lazy to be messing with tunings! That's where the 7 string came in handy.
I also understand if someone wants to stick with 6 string guitars, tuning down may help the vocalist.
Ma dude this video was great thanks for sharing your knowledge 🤘😎 peace!!!
🙏 🤘
Glad I got the Digitech Drop pedal. You can have the best of both worlds in some ways.
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"Don't Djent" FINALLY SOMEONE WHO SAID IT (I discovered this video 3 years after the upload)
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Amazing video! Getting into your courses soon!
What song is the one playing in 8:00? That's a SICK solo melody.
That was more than likely from my album Masterpeace: www.jasonstallworth.com/music/masterpeace/
@@jasonstallworth Amazing, thank you Jason!
I love mistake 6. Because even when I had a 6 string, I hated downtuning and drop tuning. I carried that to 7 string.
My vocal coach (who is a rock guy) asked me, "Did you tune down to Drop A?" I told him no, because I preferred certain chord shapes. He goes, "That'd have been the first thing I would have done."
Thing is, Drop A isn't going to work for the music I write. One of the cool things about BEADGBE tuning is, it naturally lends to playing in the key of B major or B minor, without a lot of effort. And guess what, folks? B major and B minor are cool keys.
I love those keys as well (the B keys) and also find myself playing a lot of acoustic in C#m, which is just one step up on the 7 string…all that said, B standard on the 7 can work really well!
@@jasonstallworth , oh, C#m, that gives me a song idea.
Good advice. Been saving up for a nice 7 string to play Dream Theater style metal. Petrucci only uses the lower notes for pedal tones and unique chords but jumps all over the fretboard for his solos and lead work. On a 7 or 8 string it is very difficult. Then again, virtuosos like Petrucci and Steve Vai have been rocking 7 string guitars forever. I like how Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders uses 8 string guitar riffs.
Yeah I really like the fact that Vai has been playing a 7 for so long but you would never really know it! He doesn't use that 7th string all the time, which I think is great
Jeff Loomis is my 7-stringer of choice... at least til I get myself back up to speed.
@@jasonstallworth and I finally got my first 7 string guitar a new Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty BFR 7 string! Love it so many tone options and easy to play coming from 6 string.
Djent isn't supposed to be just chugging on the low string, when it is it's supposed to be in an interesting pattern, like it's mathematical, but it's also not just that
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1-4 & 6 - "you know those bands/riffs you love that inspired you to get a guitar to begin with? yeah, don't do that, it's a mistake". Personally I'm glad KoRn made those multimillion dollar mistakes & changed the course of rock forever.
There are no mistakes (and I’ve never really listened to Korn). But the purpose of this video has been misconstrued by a few. It’s simply to encourage folks to expand outside of just playing the same low notes over and over if they’re wanting to get better overall
Cool rules! Especially #4
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I've been playing seven strings since 2003 and haven't gone back since. The licence plate on my car says "BEADGBE." It's fun watching people in my rearview mirror trying to figure it out. As for mistake #6, I play in a cover band that tunes down a half step to E flat. That means I have to tune down a half step as well to B flat to retain fingerings and fret positions. I'll learn the originals in standard tuning but perform them down tuned. Drop A (Korn) is fun too.
Love the license plate 🤘
Is drop A AEADGBE or ADGCFAD? Because I thought korn played ADGCFAD
Thanks for the tips man!
you're welcome!
I’m so guilty of the low note chugging, that low f# ❤️❤️❤️❤️ but I’ve been trying to and with your help I’m expanding my range
It's definitely important to expand our range! You get so much better when you start moving those fingers around more. Of course, there are times to just chug, but just not all the time
Jason Stallworth yeah exactly, really will help me get the most out of my 8 string jackson
I am considering getting a schecter omen elite 7 string red model guitar next year and am doing some research for a while to finalize my choices.
Would it be a bad idea to get this 7 string guitar and to tune that extra bottom string to a C note so I wouldn't have to keep changing my tuning? About half of my playlist is drop C and D it would be alot better overall if I had a guitar setup this way. If it's not possible it's fine atleaste I know I can't. I have zero interest in going too low I just want to simply my setup.
I currently have 2 guitars I switch between that are tuned in drop C/D and having a guitar tuned that way would greatly help my setup. Thanks in advance 🤘🤘
It's really a personal preference..there's no right or wrong answer. If you're mostly playing cover songs, it makes sense to tune to what they tune to. If you're writing your own material, which I encourage folks to do, then you have to pick what suits your style best.
Just opinion, you sacrifice a little clarity the lower you go, especially if you're playing fast riffs.
Chuck has right Jason!!!! Great Video 😀
lol🤘
@@jasonstallworth 💪😁
So many good things are thought here. Thank you so much JASON!!!!! Yo really ROCK!!!!🤟🤟
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I just picked up the guitar after 9 years of not playing, and I got a Schecter Demon 7, and I don't play Djent. I got the 7 for that extra string and all you can do with it, and figuring picking it back up with the 7 will make me adapt better to it, although even with all that break still adjusting.
Yeah, it takes a time for adjusting to the 7! This may be a sad note but I'm actually parting ways with my 7. I've got a video coming on that soon!
Well it's about a year later, I had to put it down most of this year due to some issues, but picked back up, and still am better off than I was last year. I'm still preferring my 7 but your lessons have helped a ton, I came back to watch this video even just now. Although I play in A/D a lot, but I just got an Amarok-7 for a second 7 string, it needs to be fixed on the pups, which they're doing, but it's staying in B/E standard. @@jasonstallworth
To anyone who wants to learn a truly musical and wide ranging 7 string song that doesn't just focus on the low notes, I have 3 words for you: Change of Seasons, by Dream Theater. I just got my first 7 string, and I'm not just thinking oh yay I can play all the low heavy riffs (although those are fun too). I'm thinking about playing awesome dynamic songs that happen to use those 5 extra notes from the lower string, along with everything else I know from the 6 string.
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About 6:
First, I'm gonna say I'm a big Nevermore fan, they are my favourite band in fact. They do play 7-strings half a step down - eb-Bb - and they sound great, even if their musical style is not for everyone. So, half a step or a whole step down is alright. Lower than A however, it sounds chunky already and not only you're in bass territory to a certain extent, but also the strings are already losing lots of tension. If someone wants low Gs, that's what 8-string guitars are for. I don't mind low notes to that extent, it's just not my music.
And I do think every 7-string guitarist should give Nevermore a shot, as well as Bendida. If Steve Vai brought the seven string to the audience of technical guitarists and KoЯn brought it to the audience of low tuning and heavier tones, Nevermore got the best of both worlds. I recommend the riffs of Engines of Hate and Inside Four Walls. This is what people expect from those, who play a 7-string and that's to a certain extent the standard you should be aiming for. Even if you don't stay for progressive metal.
Big Nevermore (and Loomis) fan here. I think some folks misconstrued my message. I'm not saying anyone should or shouldn't - these are just tips that I hope help folks go beyond just playing low notes.
@@jasonstallworth
I understood the point of this video is like that. Just needed to clarify stuff. Unfortunately lots of people are on that train that low tuning equals heavy. In the meantime a band like Opeth is considered one of the greatest and heaviest ever and nobody knows they actually play in E standard. Musicians need to use their heads too. Sometimes at least.
Good facts when i got my ibanez 7 string like 10 years ago i did the lower note thing and now ive got a mayones reguis 7 i would say its better then my fender strat as far as cleans with the split coils with bareknuckle aftermath pickups
Yeah you can do a lot more with the 7 than most think!
I love my Ibanez 7 string however I do play in drop A. I played my 6 strings in drop d/c for yrs so was natural to play my 7 in drop A. I don't go any lower than that tho, it can deff get outta hand dropping lower and hella muddy. But for me drop a on my 7 is tits...
Chauncy Runyon Dude I’m hoping to go play an Ibanez RG 7 string today! I’m a huge fan of their Prestige Wizard necks so that may fit me better
*point 6 - drop tuning
I usually play D standard or drop C. Can I achieve same thing on a standard tuned 7 string?
Yes, you can! You would just play that D or C on the first two strings of your 7 string and you would get that same low sound.
Down tuning is not only to get bassier tone, but to be able to play chords with one finger, that means much faster. That has been always the main reason for me anyways.
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Forgive me for asking... I'm purchasing a brand new Ibanez headless Q series 7 string. I play few different styles including metal, thrash, fusion and more including classical. I grew up a huge punk fan especially of Social Distortion. So my question is not dropping down so much but half step down with a capo at second fret . So an half step down on all seven strings is correct in my mind? keeping mind capo on second fret. Sorry if this seems dumb, I played for quite a few years but had to relearn after wrist injury
Dude I’m probably not the best person to ask. I never downtune or use capos. (I’m glad others do). I just keep it simple and stay in standard tuning
I have two guitars, both six string instruments. A Strat Made in Mexico in E standard and a Vintage V100 AFD Paradise tuned to Drop C. I would like to have a baritone guitar because I need lower notes and I have no use for 7 string at the time being.
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Just bought my first 7 string. Tuned it to a standard. Play the whole fret board. Now I gotta learn how to shorten my runs i guess?
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Hard disagree on the specifics of that drop tuning idea because there are plenty of other good reasons to want to tune the low string differently -- I'd say for just two it makes it easier to play power chords faster and it's easier to add that high ninth if you've got smaller paws that don't stretch across four frets too easily -- and the muddiness can be mitigated depending on the types of strings you're using.
And taking that idea further I think on an 8-string drop E makes more sense to start with than F# standard because when you've got two extra strings to keep track of, having all your open notes staying within the E minor pentatonic scale, and all your note positions matching a string you're already used to, makes it easier to just pick up the instrument and play.
That's less relevant on a 7-string where both B and A fit those criteria.
But I'd agree with the general sentiment that any kind of alternate tuning isn't something you should just set without thinking. Especially when you're a writer, when you're making creative choices that are going to affect the way you write it's important to know the reason why you're doing it. It means you already have some idea how you want to use it, which means you have that starting point for your instincts to generate interesting ideas, instead of getting them stuck in a rut.
One of my favourite ways to write on a guitar with any kind of extended range is to pick a key where the lowest note will be the 5th, the 4th or the 3rd instead of the root. Really makes you think about those low strings differently. You're not using them as much but, especially when your low note is on the 5th, they're gonna hit all the harder for it.
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Hey man, I was like one second away from buying an Ibanez prestige seven string and then I found your videos on the E 2 FR7. The only thing I can’t figure out is how they clean tones sound for basic rock and more melodic stuff, I know they are geared towards metal so I’m sure that that is kind of rhetorical. However I do like to play stuff that’s cleaner and more melodic as well ( not well lol) but yeah can you please do a video of what some clean tones sound like for different genres? Or if you could send me a clip of some tones that would be amazing man thank you
Kultbot Custom shop that’s a great question and I’m with you as I don’t just play metal, I like to play some rock and even clean stuff. So here’s a video I made a while back with my 7 string for clean tones: ruclips.net/video/_e3XB4aMdE4/видео.html
@@jasonstallworth my dude! You are super clutch !!
I avoided those mistakes because I know that the 7th String is another B String (2 Octaves below the 2nd String).
Yep, it's just more notes to choose from.
@@jasonstallworth I played Whole Lotta Shaking by Jerry Lee Lewis on the 7 String Electric Guitar as a tribute to the Killer.
I fully agree with all of these points except for "mistake number 6". Calling it a mistake is actually a mistake on your part. I'm sure that the majority of your audience is primarily a metal playing audience. However, what the majority of the guitar playing community is wrong about the 7-string guitar is that it's purely a metal machine. 7-string guitars have been in the Jazz world since the 1930's and were tuned with a "Drop A" tuning. That tuning actually makes playing chords much easier to incorporate not only all 7 strings, but also allows for adding bass lines under your chords and melody. So there is a reasoning beyond B not being low enough. As someone who has used the Drop A tuning for 24 years, the cause of muddied or lack of note definition has more to do with EQ settings, string guage, or scale length of the instrument. If your low-end is too muddy, roll it back. Your bass player will thank you, plus you'll cut through the mix better. I hope you gave drop A an honest go before you parted with that 7, if you actually followed through with it.
Brett, that's a great point and something I did not consider, so I appreciate you pointing that out. I don't know anything about jazz. I definitely agree on the EQ and rolling back the lows when things get muddy
@@jasonstallworth Another unpopular opinion would be to roll the gain off a bit. Too much gain on an amp would even turn a 6-string into a marshland of mud. Like anything else it's all about balance.
@@brettmarlar4154 rolling back the gain is definitely an unpopular opinion!
Jason, you just described the style of Korn to the most intricate detail. 😂
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Thanks man i found that ur videos are very helpful for me, but can u do a lesson video about how i can strum my 7 string guitar without touching that BIG MASSIVE string?
I cover a little of that in this video: ruclips.net/video/nWl8oBSmecc/видео.html
@@jasonstallworth Thanks man, ur the best!
I'm in the market for an Ibanez 7 string. I'm looking at the RG7421 or the new RG7320EX. The 7320EX has a floating trim.
I love Ibanez guitars, especially their wizard necks
Definitely some solid advice here.
Thank you dude, glad some of this helped!
Actually not guilty of number 6, I got an 8 string, then a 9 string and then curiously enough a 6 string...bass, but now I need a 7
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Respectfully, I disagree with point 6. I think what’s more important is the note relationship between the strings, rather than how low it is, and drop tuning a 7 string can allow you to come up with some really cool ideas and be very inspiring, especially when it comes to playing big chords and stuff. Also there are many tried and true methods to make low 7 string notes sound tight, punchy, and fit well in the mix, as well as many examples of bands who use dropped 7’s but still use the whole guitar and write awesome solos and stuff too.
There's definitely no right or wrong answer or way of doing things when it comes to guitar, and music in general. It's all preference and I encourage folks to go after what sounds good to them. My whole thing here was to encourage folks to not get stuck on just the low notes. Then again, if that's the sound someone is going for, I say go for it.
Noticed your speakrs are on a cool looking stand(s).... Where'd you get the unit?
This is an IKEA deal those are just pieces that came with it. I recently took them down (you’ll see in my latest videos)
Death metal TUBA!! Buying one now? 😂
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We absolutely love you man. Great video and yeah, Djent is so boring and a complete assault on my ears ❤😂
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these are all amazing tips
Thank you
Love this, you have 7 strings, use them all! If you just want low notes then save some money and downtune your 6 string.
great point!🤘
My mistake was buying 8 string instead of 7 string. I rarely used 8th string (only to play some meshuggah or doom soundtrack riffs). After a year I traded my 8 string monster for a 7 string headless and it became my second favourite guitar after my 96 Les Paul studio (everytime I play this gibson it feels like home, everything plays much easier on it). What I've learned from having 8 string and then 7 string is that 8 string is in my opinion totally different instrument. 7 string is just 6 string guitar with additional Low string. Plays virtually the same. 8 string due to the number of stings and the scale lenght changes my hand positions and needs very good muting. When i changed to 7 string... Man, it was great. After first 2 days of playing only fear factory and some behemoth songs I couldnt play on 6 string I started to treat it like a normal guitar. I play everything from blues and country to metal on it. Sometimes just for practice I use additional 5 notes to play some chords an octave lower than in a original song. I also tend now to write my songs on two guitars. One playing chords in higher registers and 7 string playing in lower to gain massive sound.
For now I have also a borrowed 8 string but I treat it only as a practice tool for learning and understanding fretboard and due to it's harder nature practising my technique. 7 string became for me another great instrument and I don't treat it differently than other guitars.
Edit: Well I also love to to relearn songs that are played in D standard od Drop D on 7 string tuned to standard. It's fun challenge and great exercise. Great video!
7 is ok although I still prefer 6. Doubtful that I’ll ever own an 8 string. I wanna hear the bass guitar do its thing
Are the positions for the minor scale played the same on a 7 string?
Justin Roule should be. You still have those 6 same strings
About yout opinion - keep it. Just in case you feel like experimenting again. Always keep options to experiment. But that's just my opinion as a person, who loves experimental artists, loves experimental music - especially experimental metal - and loves experimenting himself.
I love that folks experiment. I personally like to keep things as simple as possible. We're all different with different ways of doing things, and that's what makes the world more exciting
I'm going to disagree with the downtuning "mistake" but perhaps not for the reason you're thinking (because I'm not fixated on that low note). The tuning you should be in should be the tuning that inspires you. Whether that's standard or drop tuning, open tuning, whatever. Saying "don't tune in this tuning" is just being a deterrant for what can potentially inspire. If you need those extra 2 notes while playing things that don't involve those notes entirely, then what's wrong with that? Sometimes you just need them to complete that riff you're creating. I tune drop F# because the keys that the songs end up being in work with my singing voice, but I also like to do atmospheric on top.
I agree with everything else... even though mistakes 1 to 5 were kind of all the same in a way. lol
Great points you bring up. It’s all perspective and my main goal of the video was to help folks not get stuck on just a few low notes all the time
When your playing low all the time you lose the effect of those low notes. Its the contrast that makes it special. Save it for that surprise and it will be way more effective. Same with any drop tunings as well. Yeah you can start a song in the low register but if you stay there is will lose its effectiveness to the listener rather quickly.
Great advice!! The element of surprise then pull it back
When ill get a 7 string Ill definetely tune low af but only cuz of some deathcore songs I really like. Stuff like Lorna Shore or HIVE
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The thing about 7 strings is that you get an e standard guitar and an extra string which you can tune to A and get a drop A where you can play 95% of all metal
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Hey. Great video as always.
I was wondering, is it a bad idea to start learning guitar on a 7 string? I know the extra string will add to the complexity of a learning a new instrument, which is already complex enough; but I want to able to play modern metal songs and I like the mean tones and sounds that you can get using that extra string. I would really appreciate to know your insight and recommendation. Thanks in advance ❤
This is just my opinion, but I recommend folks learn on a traditional 6 string and in standard tuning. Get the basics down, first.
@@jasonstallworth thanks I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm going to learn on my own too, (at least for now) so it might be better to start with a 6 string and upgrade later.
@@jasonstallworth Hey man. Just wanted to give you a little update. I ended up buying a Schecter omen extreme 6 about 3 days ago. It's a lovely guitar and I've began learing on my own for now. I have learned a couple of chords and power cords in the past few days but not a full song yet 😅
Anyway thanks for pointing me in the right direction for my first guitar ❤🤘
Chuck Norris approves.......just a wild guess...the back ground music is a song from the new album???......but my dude djent is amazing, don't know what djent you listened too? but good dent is so good....its all over the neck, sometimes more then regular metal....That said, my seven string is still in standard, but downtuning souds amazing 1 step lower makes it sound so cool and still retain clarity ( depending on the pick ups off course)
BTW, practicing open chords on my seven string really helped me get familiar with seven strings, thanks for the tips :)
Is it you getting bored with 7 strings or bored with that Ell? i would suggest not letting go of the seven string, anything you can do on a 6 string you can do on a seven string and more...you get like five extra notes
Yeah dude, open chords on a 7 string will get you used to it, fast!
One thing I'm gonna try and that's an Ibanez Prestige RG 7 string. My E-II is amazing but I just never got 100% comfortable with it, and I've played that guitar almost every day. When I grab one of my 6 strings it's just a far more comforting feeling. But since I prefer those Prestige Wizard necks so much, I'm going to try a 7 string version before I completely throw in the towel on 7 strings. I may actually go do that tomorrow!
Part of that, too, is just to simplify everything that I'm doing.
...oh, and that background music is actually from my Heavy Metal Workout albums (both I and II)!
I love you man but i will drop string my ibanez gio that is coming in soon. Mainly to play deftones.
There are certainly no rules to music. My greatest point is to play the other strings and notes, too, not just the low ones
i wish more people listened to you man, i play with an open c tuning with the 7th string dropped to a g1 and it's every bit as heavy as b standard tuning. lets be real, the drop tunings are just for deathcore kids to whack the 7th string open and let it ring out and annoy everyone with how often they keep making such an annoying noise
Lol, I'm glad you got the overall point of the video (got a few comments on here that didn't!). It's all about not allowing yourself to get stuck on just the low notes. Many folks will neglect the rest of the fretboard and everything starts to sound stale.
Point 6 I don’t really agree. Drop G# or A standard are some tuning I use and they don’t sound or feel muddy. I have multiple guitars so I play in different tunings and styles . Strings gauge is different on each one. But if I had to chose only one, standard tuning is the way to go. On 7 or 8 string.
It's certainly ok not to agree. I don't care for the bigger gauge strings, in general. But I'm with you on the multiple styles.
With 7 strings I see them like I have two guitars in one. The low 7th is there for my downtuned chugga chugga stuff and if I want to play more traditionnal stuff I just ignore it and play it like a normal standard tuned 6 string.
That's a great approach!
...and ı totally agree.... The ring looks awesome bu the way.👍🍺
Thank you, brother...I just wanted something simple!
Thanks mate.
i love heavy metal metal rules you’re welcome dude
A great 7 string band is Periphery or Uneven Structures. They mix the melodic and the heavy very very well. It's not all power chords either.
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I like A standard on a 7 mainly because I always loved d standard on a 6.
Going lower then A starts getting a bit to djenty for me personally
Yeah and I'm not at all a djent guy, so that B is more low enough for me.
@@jasonstallworth totally dude. lately I've been writing as if my 7th string isn't even there, and then figuring out where I can add some of the lower octave notes within the song
Now I want a death metal tuba
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I'd like to have a 7 string guitar to play Grave, Bloodbath, Immolation etc covers without retuning my 6 string Floyd Rose one...
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Yeah djent in metal is like wub-wub in electronic music. It's a cool sound we can make sometimes. It isn't a whole genre.
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By now it is actually a whole genre, and a very innovative one too.
I never had a 7 string and I like to play songs in different tunes. E standard, D standard, drop D, drop C. I thought of getting a 7 string to keep 7th string for drop C but in normal mode it is B. Looks like 7 string is not for me and I have to own two 6 strings in E and D standard and drop 6th string when needed. Or one guitar and change all the scale every time
I know many who like to mess with tunings but I'm just too lazy for it. I never really cared to play lower notes just for the sake of playing lower notes. I'd rather focus on the actual riffs and song.
Already have a bunch of 6 strings for when I feel like a pretty little butterfly. I bought a 7 string specifically for the muddy earthquake sounds. People from the 80's are always gunna hate on anything drop G or drop A and I couldn't care less.
I don't necessarily 'hate' drop tunings. It's just that when you get that low you can't really distinguish the notes unless you're playing basic power chords.
@@jasonstallworth I can actually pick out the notes when I hear that just fine but that's just me. Now if it were a cheap setup on a cheap garage sale guitar then it's not gonna sound good no matter what it's tuned at. I personally don't like if the notes are TOO distinguished and not enough distortion cause then I might as well be listening to Jimi Hendrix lol and he's great n all but it ain't heavy. Well....I gotta admit when he talks about chopping down a mountain with the edge of his hand that's some lyrical metal madness right there lol
In the first tip, he's talking about Korn
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I think you and Kevin Frasard should do a collab.
We did...here: ruclips.net/video/MSPXrVdLCAE/видео.html
Dude I love ya BUT just think how boring the rock and metal scene would be without changing or detuning guitars? B or E standard is the default but using other tunings should not be discouraged it should be encouraged and highly recommended! Think of led zeplins cashmere... now think if they never changed from E standard tuning? That song never would have happened or at least wouldn't sound the same. I will agree detunijg doesn't make metal heavier but it does allow for a different flavor.
I'm with you, dude. I'm all for other folks and bands using different tunings. I just prefer E standard for my own music (although I've ventured out to D standard with one guitar).
My main point regarding downtuning is to not let it become boring by playing the same low notes all of the time. What you're talking about, mentioning Zeppelin, is exactly what I do encourage. In other words, they're not just chugging away on the low notes (and far from it!). So we're on the same page dude, but I probably didn't explain it well enough in the video.
I almost lost my cool when you said steak could get repetitive, but then I took a moment and I love hot wings and tacos too. So, no giving the stink-eye this time.
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At times I consider myself guilty of being a chugmeister (Mistake #1)
Cryptic 😂
Nice 👍 I started playing in 1987, so I'm from the same "old school" as you. If you feel the need to go that low, buy a bass and learn about Billy Sheehan.
I do have a 5 string bass and that comes in so handy for playing both 6 and 7 string guitars!
If low B isn't enough, get an 8 string guitar. Lol Seriously, there are so many great bands that go lower than B and they don't stay only in one position. For example: Dream Theater, Nevermore, Animals As Leaders, Periphery, Veil Of Maya, Conquering Dystopia ,even Jeff Loomis himself on his solo albums.
I do like Jeff Loomis' style a lot, especially in Nevermore.
that's... controversial, if not stupid :) Lotta people hate more than 6 strings. You know a band called Sybreed right? They used just a normal 6 strings Ibanez with A# tuning. But you can't say it by just listening to the sound
I use drop A. It makes sense for me as far as chord shapes and what not.
Im planning on getting a 7 string just so I can play A D G C F A D since im used to playing A standard on a 6 string by downtuning my 8 gauge strings but I still wanna be able to play normal people music instead of BRRRRR DJDJDJ BRRR DJ DRRRR all the time unless I wanna tune up like crazy each time with super thin strings
@@AB-vl6et Sybreed was a phenomenal band, anyone not knowing about them should REALLY check them out. They would've made it really big if they'd been from the US and not Switzerland.
I have a funny question，if a man always playing the Lowest string,why he not gonna playing bass?
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whats the point of downtuning? after years- 8,9 string guitars come
Good point! I do think that some find the necks too big on the 7, 8, and 9 string guitars
@@jasonstallworth yeah my hands are small I cant play more than a 7 string guitar because I don't even reach the 8th one! I am currently saving for a 7 string, but I promise i will not only play the 7th string alone, my style is kind of weird when I'm improvising :D. Have a nice day!
People were using the term djent in the 80's? Here I was thinking someone coined the term in like 2010 lol.
Yeah it was actually used, probably different spelling and all. It's like most things in life when people think there's something new just because they haven't heard it before...lol
I got a 7 string and 8 string and I downtune both of those but won’t only hang on the lowest notes all the time, I tune my 7 string to drop C# with a low F# just so I can riff in drop C# and djent in F#
Same goes for my 8 string, I tune to EAEADGBE and I play in E standard and the lower notes are for riffs that would sound better in that lower key or just for breakdowns.
I also improve a shit ton when I got an 8 string because of the amount of range I have… or because I am more motivated to practice
Definitely more range, and it's good that you're not neglecting the rest of the strings and fretboard
5:35
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The first thing I did was drop that low B to drop F# Lol
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A fun thing to try with a 7 string is to put an extra high string on it instead of an extra low, and mess around with different tunings. Be creative, there are no rules to art
Definitely no rules!
I bought a 7 string so I can play Iron Maiden and Amon Amarth back to back 😅
Two great choices! 🤘
100% 👍
If you want to play only the low strings just buy a baritone guitar 😉
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