GUEST COLUMNIST:

DARAN AMOS & RICK LAND

Old School with THUNDERBREW - #1


This month we're going to start with some classic shred licks that we have created over the years. These riffs seem to work in any rock situation, and can be easily transposed to different keys.

This riff comes from the A Blues scale, sliding in and out of the b5 giving it a bluesy feel. The lick resolves on the "B" note to give a touch of the Dorian scale.



This riff uses the E pentatonic box and pivots off the root. Notice the b5 in the middle of the lick. Works over an E5 or Em7 chord.



This is a cool way to descend through several scale patterns using a sliding technique.



Here is a chop that moves through the D Dorian scale using a combination of legato and staccato or hammers, pulls, and picking.



This one rips ass through the D minor pentatonic box using different bends in the scale.



This is a cool way to switch between major and minor pentatonic scales in the key of G.



Here is a harmony line Daran and Rick created at the end of Thunderbrew's "Mr. Greed". This lick presents some odd harmonies, but they sound cool together.



the following bio material from thunderbrew.com

Thunderbrew is one of the Philadelphia area's premier heavy rock bands. Formed in 1997, Thunderbrew began touring thoughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland, building a dedicated following. The band began promoting themselves for two years before joining with H.S.R. Entertainment Group in 1999. Thunderbrew has been receiving great press reviews through local papers and on the internet, proving their determination and confidence. Voted "Best New Talent" in October 2000, the group's songwriting ability is one of their strongest selling points musically. The creation of www.thunderbrew.com brought a whole new group of listeners and fans. Ranked in the top 100 on the Heavy Metal Charts at MP3.com for the past six months, "Mr. Greed, Mother Earth, and Spare Change" all topped out at #17 on the list of thousands of competitive bands in their genre. Thunderbrew is a heavy, guitar-driven metal band with all-pro musicians and "catchy" vocal hooks. The group is currently finishing their full-length CD project and are shopping for label interest.

Daran has been playing since the age of 15 in various bands and clubs in the Tri-State area. In 1999 he won the best musician award, and has continued his career as a full-time guitar instructor at Pro Musica Studio in Kennett Square, PA.

Rick has been playing guitar in the Delaware Valley with various bands for 13 years. He's toured most of the Delaware Valley clubs. Rick has developed a good reputation as a guitar player opening for national acts.