Best songs to learn, for metal technique?

[wetzelman1]

So, I'm in a tech rock metal band, and while I can definitely keep up, I'm by far the least experienced in the band. I've been trying to learn more technique and my skills have been increasing, but I'm running into uncharted territory now that I really need to step it up. The main problem is I listen to a lot of Between the Buried and Me, Mastodon, Opeth, Dillinger etc, so those songs are either a little out of my league or just below being helpful.

I'm not much for really learning songs but I want to be able to just practice technique in a structured song order, so anyone got any recommendations for something that helped you out?


Pick-Live
Fingers-recording
4 string

[WuvMuffin72]

Are you finger picking or using a pick? If finger picking, you should look into some Iron Maiden. That stuff is really helpful for beginners when it comes to playing bass.

[wetzelman1]

I do both, but my finger picking is what needs to improve the most. I can play basic fingerstyle but when trying to keep up with 16th notes in Drop C, things get pretty messy. We also have only 1 guitar so my duties change whether I'm on stage or recording. Our last recording session really made me feel like I need to improve on note clarity, accuracy, defenition and finger speed.

really just curious what songs, practices etc. that people found helpful to them if they play kindof techy rock/metal.

[makanudo]

well id say
holly wars.. the intro riff needs some good finger speed
master of puppets for stamina
battery (the bass does not do the gallop though)
most of maiden really

those are the ones off top of my head..
maybe some lamb of god?
you dont really have to keep up with the guitars, in battery and whiplash cliff does not play the main riffs, he does it completely different

[pseudoxh4]

Since you say technical metal, maybe have a look at (one of) the bands that started it all-- Watchtower. The songs on Control and Resistance are varied in terms of technicality and are definitely helpful for the bassist (fingerstyle, slap, tap, harmonics, strange yet groovy rhythms).

They aren't too hard to learn provided you slow the riffs down enough, but perhaps that goes for nearly all music.

On the more extreme side of things, maybe learn some Spiral Architect?

[Sensory_Rupture]

For easier (but still awesome) metal music, try learning some Death songs. Spirit Crusher and Crystal Mountain are 2 great songs that aren't too crazy.