Mikehell 12-14-20 #1 (Difficult Rhythmic Picking - Three Different Gallops in One)

This was given to a student to work on challenging rhythmic picking to improve playing metal riffs. This riff consists of the three gallop rhythms I teach students; the drunken gallop, regular gallop, and reverse gallop.

This riff is laid out in a 4/4 time signature, but the rhythm starts over again after three beats, essentially giving the rhythm a 3/4 time signature. A new note is played each new bar, fitting with the 4/4 time signature, while the rhythmic pattern changes every three beats, fitting in a 3/4 time signature.

This is basically a polymeter, where we have both a 4/4 AND a 3/4 time signature happening at the same time.

Counting this riff as a 4/4 time signature would go like this:

1e-a2-na3en-4e-a
1-na2en-3e-a4-na
1en-2e-a3-na4en-

To make playing this easier, I always count it like a 3/4 time signature, while paying attention to when I need to change notes.

Simply count the entire riff like this:

​1e-a2-na3en-

Difficult Rhythmic Picking - 3 Gallops in 1 #rhythmguitar #metalguitar #guitarriff (YouTube)