5. Workshop - Korn

James ‘Munky’ Schaffer and Brian ‘Head’ Welch are credited with creating the sound that became known as Nu-Metal on their band’s debut album, simply titled Korn. Certainly, they were pioneers, and it was not enough for them to have just a dropped extra B string. This pattern, in the heavy Korn style, is based on the A-D-G-C-F-A-D tuning that helped create the bludgeoning, yet tight and spare sound of the new genre.

Note that it’s unwise to de-tune the low B string beyond the A, because you’ll lose too much definition and tonal strength, especially in a high gain setting.

So now here’s an example of a Korn-style riff. Note that it’s written for a guitar in a standard tuning with the low B, to save you having to re-tune.

Like John Petrucci, Munky and Head build their riffs round power chords. It’s worth taking the time to practice this one to get the right rhythmic drive. There’s a lot more to this kind of music than simply thrashing, loud guitars. Much of its power comes from the clarity and technical precision of its execution.

Click here to hear how it sounds: MR. KORNY (MP3)