How To Play UnderØATH Riffs Taught by UnderØATH Guitarist Tim McTague

Grab your guitar-Tim McTague of the legendary UnderØATH stopped by the offices of Alternative Press with his custom "Erase Me" green Fender Jaguar to show us how to play some of the band's classic riffs.
In this APTV exclusive, McTague demonstrates how to play riffs from "In Regards To Myself," "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures," "Returning Empty Handed," "I Gave Up," and from deep within the UØ archives, "The Last."
McTague also opened up about his approach to guitar and how a lack of understanding music theory has made him a more creative songwriter. If you've ever wanted to learn how to play guitar in the style of UnderØATH, this tutorial is what you've been waiting for.
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[@scottrgarland]

I love that NO ONE has played the intro to “In Regards to Myself” correctly until now. Thanks Tim ❤️

[@christopherjordan7105]

My mind is blown because I thought I was playing it the right way all this time

[@lugarner8493]

Yea ive been playing waaay more complicated than it actually was 😂

[@mwaters421]

Lol all the tabs are wrong 😅

[@jdricks313]

I’ve been playing it wrong for 17 years!

[@romanflores5505]

Exactly my thoughts, i tried learning a few underoath songs, and they are just too hard to learn by ear, and I've had bad luck finding accurate tabs.

[@markovrboard]

Realised I've played In Regards To Myself wrong for like 10 years. Sons crying now thx.

[@delak2566]

BRO same with me for returning empty handed!

[@Mindartcreativity]

Tim probably played it this way only to show off!....ahahaha. I bet you learned: 6D 0-2h3h5-0-8h10.... it's sounds correct, especially if the intro bit is played without a tubescreamer and you kick it in when the whole band joins.

[@mrterkyman]

Beauty of the guitar. You probably have been playing it correctly but in a different spot on the neck. As long as the notes are correct play it how you feel most comfortable.

[@AtticsTV]

yup the tabs have the rightish notes but in such an awkward way to play it. Way easier this way, which makes sense haha

[@KM-tv5km]

We all have lol

[@theendingtothisstory]

Underoath's riffs are so creative and chaotic. This is why I love this band. Super cool to see how some of them are played.

[@tylerlynch8559]

Sick seeing you here!

[@theendingtothisstory]

@@tylerlynch8559 I'm just surprised someone knew who I was 🤣 cheers!

[@eminem13001]

Guitar theory is he key

[@JR-iu2mf]

Tim is SO creative. I fucking love EVERY album this and has put out

[@michaelmannucci8949]

Until their latest record. Not creative at all.

[@letsgobaby8501]

The riff from In Regards To Myself is one of the greatest ever written

[@Itsmoraka]

“And that’s how the sausage is made” Unrelated, but I love how little underoath knows about traditional music learning and playing, and how they just really play from the heart and just make it work. Like Aaron’s drumming is totally unorthodox but it’s effin awesome! I don’t mean that in a bad way either, I actually learned how to drum by replicating Aaron as a kid haha. It’s just awesome how they approach their instruments ^_^

[@jordanjoestar8839]

They use really impressive rhythms and Aaron's drumming never is relying on double kick which is extremely rare in the genre

[@tylerking2093]

Aaron actually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to musical theory, but most of the others aren’t “educated” per se. Also Aaron hasn’t had a double kick pedal for quite some time…so it’s not that he doesn’t rely on it, he doesn’t use it at all anymore.

[@bigtakeshi]

Spencer was formally trained in piano, drums, and guitar and I think James & Chris were too. Aaron & Tim def. weren't though.

[@bigtakeshi]

@@tylerking2093 not a lot of their songs requrie double kick beats. Aaron's blasts are from his snare. Interesting for a metalcore band to do that but that's them I guess.

[@willvaughn6.395]

Bro plays guitar for a living and opens up with this is our best riff , I didn’t write it and I don’t know anything about music lmao 🤣

[@youtubeuseronlywatches]

Yeh it's crazy, learning a bit of theory won't kill him or ruin his songwriting ability

[@andrewcampbell4809]

*In a video to explain guitar riffs* Tim: "I can't really explain it."

[@dandiaz19934]

I appreciate the humility with which he explains everything. he doesn't pretend to know, but he has such a knack for finding creative, dissonant notes that sound really good together. I respect him.

[@KP-by4eu]

no he doesn't. Spencer wrote it.

[@YungGrandson]

he doesn't pretend to know because he knows people that do know would sniff it out immediately and would call him out lol

[@theriffnotebook8412]

Returning Empty Handed is criminally underrated and so is that riff! One of their all time best!

[@jameshayward9723]

Honestly its my favourite song by them.

[@kman080498]

that and There Could Be Nothing After This

[@Darrkness]

Man, I just replied with that too. Definitely the best.

[@dclarkmusic]

The Riff Notebook the whole album is a bop

[@theriffnotebook8412]

Dustin Clark Oh dude, I’d call that an understatement. I obviously have some nostalgia blinders from this being that album that made me want to dedicate my whole life to music, but even looking at it as objectively as possible, it’s a perfect album in my eyes. Metalcore bands today don’t even come close.

[@xsteveconwayx]

This dude is me if I wanted to tour after high school. I started on Blink-182 songs probably around the same time he did and just learned stuff as I went and figured things out and incorporated this and that over the years. I don't know jack shit about theory or any of that. I'm not big on shredding. I just play what sounds cool to me without thinking too much about it. Tim, you made me feel so much better about knowing nothing for 18, 19 years.

[@stiffcivility6884]

Your story is exactly the same as mine 😲 if you're interested you can search for InCivility - The World and hear how my guitarrifs sounds. I'm the lead singer as well

[@musicfan7095]

@@stiffcivility6884 dude bad ass song! The lyrics were spot on at the time, and can see how ppl failed here in 2022 really easy 😔 good stuff tho!

[@musicfan7095]

@@stiffcivility6884 the music I mean, not the downfall of people being “good stuff”

[@thrivingproject1920]

So cool seeing Tim play "The Last" from Cries of the Past

[@kylewardmusic]

“And that’s how the sausage is made...” Love this video! Such a cool dude!

[@altpress]

kylewardmusic Thank you for watching!!!

[@Pokéric1986]

Saw the tour where they played Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line back to back. My life was complete thereafter

[@drainedeyes4268]

I'm so jealous dude, those were such good times. It's awesome to have them back, though.

[@summeronio9751]

I was at the Houston date for that

[@vkolpdj]

Was this recently? I’d give my left nut to here them play Define the Great Line and earlier stuff.

[@AusTraLiaNPsyChO]

Got to see them do that here in Adelaide. The only song I wish they would've pulled out as a surprise would've been When The Sun Sleeps. That was easily their first track that made people pay attention to what was to follow style-wise.

[@tabbatharenea8766]

Highlight of my life. Possibly falls just above giving birth to my first and only child 😂

[@mikeTHEmanatee]

literally sums up my entire outlook on playing guitar. I've been playing for over 15years, can't solo for the life of me but i sure can make my guitar ROAR. I've always written music w my ears and heart and felt a little, secretly embarrassed about it tbh. but its what creates the music I'm most proud of. thanks for that, have always been a fan of Underoath and their unique approach to their sound.

[@alaskayoung3413]

This is so old and I still watch it all the time. Love his style and sound.

[@talewars]

Underoath songs are the most fun to play and learning their covers formed the way I play and write above all other bands you could just get right into it. Thank you for the priceless gift.

[@Chris_dang_westcott]

So much fun to play! Learn both guitar parts and just interchange them with the drums and keys as a backing track! So much fun!

[@ghosts288]

i’ve met tim mctague and he’s genuinely this cool and down to earth in real life. he was my favorite member to meet and i wish i could talk with him again

[@shelkonnery]

Had no idea Bert Kreischer played in Underoath! Awesome dude!

[@christiankettlewell]

That’s so funny to hear his story at the end. I had a similar experience with the band I’m in now, I was just a fan jamming at their shows for a year and a half here in Dallas/Ft Worth and eventually the bass player couldn’t make it anymore so they asked me to try out. Now we’re working on an EP, I’ve become the lead vocalist and the old bass player is playing again. Bands are so fun/life is so weird

[@mikehancho7172]

I remember at a meet and greet in Houston I had asked Tim about his gear and I was so surprised at how straight forward and simple it was for such a huge sound! Not long after they posted a rig run down on their Facebook too. Sick dude on stage and off

[@KyleThurmanMusic]

i like how he mentioned that they are not really a metal band. Which i totally agree with.

[@goblindemon2276]

They just don't fit into any category

[@MttSuddarth]

I've needed this for like 15 years.

[@daviddr115111]

This was how, it was with metalcore back in the early and mid 2000s, it was more "hardcore" sounding imo. It sounded metal, though from someone who grew up liking ozzy and radio rock/metal, when i was a kid/early teen in the 90s. I still love this band and they opened me up to other bands like haste the day, poison the well and a static lullaby

[@heartofcode5372]

Wow, what a sweet chill guy. I love hearing people talk about stuff they're excited about

[@RussoPartyof4]

Man, I saw them a few months ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Loved this band since I was a kid. Still love them to this day. I like how honest he is about not studying music theory. You can tell they all feel the music. Love it

[@austinspitler9177]

That's so awesome that he acknowledged old Underoath and played the intro to "The Last" from the second album and shared a little story with it!

[@trackyjon-jonandjimmymoop274]

Man I'd love to form a band with McTague. He's so talented and chill.

[@jacobbutler7942]

People who are really good like him make their fingers look so easy its hard to see what strings he's actually fretting. I love that style

[@cameronneal4]

I literally just "learned how to play" In Regards To Myself yesterday. I watched the wrong video.

[@altpress]

Cameron Neal hahahahaha!!!!

[@DennisFeinsteinCEO]

I think the string section in Underoath has always been underrated. Theres actually some really, really awesome musicianship going on here, the riffs are most definitely not the straightforward power chords you often times see in the genre. Very talented musicians!

[@Jake.r.reinhart]

That part in I gave up is heart droping so heavy in a new way.

[@MayonnaiseOreo]

Fuckin' A, man, The Last is one of my favorite Underoath songs and that opening has always been one of my favorite sections of any song.

[@chipperwilliams4244]

Officially the coolest Jaguar I've seen yet

[@Rhonettala187]

Tim has always been and always will be my favorite member of Underoath.

[@DrakeBergman]

AP, do more of these!

[@altpress]

Drake Bergman We have more coming soon!! So very glad you enjoyed it. Who should we try to get? What riffs would you like to learn?

[@DrakeBergman]

Every Time I Die, Stray From the Path, Four Year Strong, Norma Jean?

[@altpress]

Drake Bergman We’ll try our best to make it happen! Norma Jean did some acoustic performances and Jeff did our Six-String Stories segment which is all about guitar. Did you get a chance to see it? If not, here’s the Six-String Story: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTRZ6qlis2Yi8U

[@mrcooldudelikefood]

@@altpress Hail The sun, DGD

[@altpress]

mrcooldudelikefood That would be awesome! We’ll definitely ask!

[@DennisFeinsteinCEO]

Love the way Underoath songs are put together. There's no particular recipe, just pure awesomeness ✌️

[@elderlynahum7663]

They took their sound from a few different bands so yea theres a recipe.

[@jimmynguyen2720]

I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years now and underoath being such a big influence for me. Glad i’m not the only one that doesn’t know guitar theory. Just keep rockin! 🤘🏻

[@PJGSz]

this is the best thing i've ever watched about playing guitar.

[@paulnewhouse5126]

"The last" is Almost godly, id love to hear him play it for real.

[@xaviernells3813]

Thank you Tim for being like me not knowing theory or knowing notes just going off basic sounds and remembering what you come up with

[@taylorlowinger1206]

I literally bought a Gibson SG because of Tim. Still have it because of Tim.

[@RizoftheDead]

"and I also don't know anything about guitar... theory... so I can't really explain what it is" - The true sign of a self taught guitar master.

[@gabrielporto.mikrotik]

It’s all pretty simple, until you try to play it yourself. LoL. Underoath really knows how to be creative on the songs. I love you guys. Keep rocking. 🤘🏼

[@SirSmighty]

i started at 9 years old playing no teaching no books no anything from self taught and i feel this guy 110% and underoath if one of my fav bands this gives me impartation

[@josuecastellon7]

Tim without Gibson SG? Wow! The riffs are amazing. Greetings from El Salvador.

[@summeronio9751]

They are sponsored by First Act

[@FreshSqueezedLightning]

Dude Underoath's riffs on Define the Great Line are monumentally influential in the sick chaotic riffs of heavy music

[@cosmo8400]

Thanks Tim, please do more videos showing us how more Underoath songs are played please please please. It doesn't matter if you dont know Theory your doing a fantastic job so keep it up dude. Pleased Underoath got back together

[@musicfan7095]

The most honest assessment of one’s work I have ever seen in my 20 years of focused music observation 😝 nah seriously, this is really cool! Damn 🙌💪🏽😤

[@aimlessendeavorer]

The most recent tour where they played for an hour & a half was ridiculously amazing

[@altpress]

Manny Fresco Outrageous stage show and incredible set list!

[@gabrielchavarria22]

Returning Empty Handed is my favorite Underoath song from my favorite Underoath album.

[@Pendarr]

I just had a complete fangirl moment for him not only bringing up but playing the riff from The Last. I was completely obsessed with their first 2 albums back in 2007 or so, and it always bummed me out they completely ignored their original work.

[@jadams92]

This is how I feel when it comes to talking about guitar products.

[@jayjonathansingh]

Tim’s a monster guitarist - super talented and amazing dude!

[@altpress]

Jay Singh The UNDERØATH guys are all class acts as well as amazing artists and unmatched performers. Thanks for watching!!

[@Sam-np9xe]

Lol

[@4Nataspin]

No, he is not... not even close to. Seems like a kid's philosophy of doing everything randomly. A shame for every real guitarist. Fake-posing-douchebag!

[@bryanbaez4412]

4Nataspin he’s tight live. He had been playing guitar for about 5 years When they wrote their first record to go Gold. You ever been in a band remotely successful or written a record ? I’m sure you and Fred Durst can do much better than time amarite?

[@lockecole6220]

Whats up with the hate??? Lol

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

I love guys like this, because they just know how to play and find the fun in music. Norma Jean says the same thing - they don’t know how to play guitar, and every one of them take lessons from their touring partners. But they’re some of the most interesting sounding bands out there.

[@BendyDH]

This was super interesting, kind of funny to see that he "got the job" by pure chance like that

[@alienrace6665]

imagine their old guitarist with Spencers vocals :D

[@SecretEyeSpot]

this dude just doesnt get.. how.. out of this world this guitar style is

[@natronbetticus]

Ive never really listened to a ton of underoath but this is super rad. I love this style of riffing, set it and forget it at dropped D. Helps with the TOOL riffs too...

[@Darrkness]

Wow, thanks Tim. I always loved when you guys played Returning Empty-handed too.

[@comquats101]

Darrkness Nice Thrice icon! That was my first tattoo🤘🏼

[@Mindartcreativity]

Tim McTague you're my absolute guitar hero. You're the reason I play an SG with the neck pickup ripped out and love the JCM 800. I have incorporated so much of your riffing and style into my own writing. I love Underoath and grew to love ERASE ME as well , because of the great riffs, despite the cringy lyrics.

[@Tv91345]

Y’all are the reason I write the music I write.!

[@carlos.cr.7139]

That is a siiiick jaguar

[@andrewnathan2903]

Hearing the riff without the other elements for "I Gave Up" sounds rad!!!!

[@jaimespencer837]

Hearing that was awesome. Zao and Underoath are the two pillars of my music taste

[@philfoe551]

He makes crazy textural riffs one of my faves for sure

[@sergiolopez3965]

I fully understand how not knowing theory sometimes allows one to be more creative and not have to think of playing in the right key but rather finding obscured ways to play creative parts.

[@roxanna1971]

i remember when i was about 11 and saw these guys play Desperate Times on MTV live and was hooked

[@JR-iu2mf]

That part of I gave up MADE that song SO good!

[@randyhalfway]

That super dissonant bridge on I Gave Up is absolutely filthy. Love it.

[@markwright-c1o]

Thanks for zooming in on the pickups when he started playing the riff 😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@atlys258]

The whole "dissonant minor 2nd" thing cracks me up 😂😂 They're all so raw and talented, and as far as I've been able to tell over the last nearly 20 years not a single one of them has an ego about it, man I love them so much 🖤

[@tonymeza2609]

I’m loving the tone he’s using right now 👀🔥

[@peterloveson8075]

the DTDM riff is one of my absolute favorites! So DAMN good!

[@MixYourWay]

This guy live is just a BEAST

[@Mindartcreativity]

I'll always love this band because of Tim. He's the reason why my SG has only one pickup 😀 UØ ❤️

[@opiedrums]

That guitar tone though. 🥵

[@kale1305]

Never thought about getting a fender jaguar but that light green is sick.

[@Snoocheeboochee]

His brother and I went to boot camp together same platoon. Great guy

[@stripedsloth12]

I'm so glad this exists!!

[@tdolan500]

Big Underoath fan but I never really had Tim down as a great player till now. The riffs are so much more complex and original than I ever thought.

[@muhaha714]

I love that he's doing it on a jazzmaster. The tone is so good

[@randymarsh8807]

Ramis R its a Jaguar with some beefy humbuckers

[@carlos.cr.7139]

The headstock literally says jaguar my guy

[@muhaha714]

Ah my bad lol

[@atlantean1209]

@@randymarsh8807 I wonder what amp

[@matthewknight1865]

Hardly a Jaguar anymore when you put active humbuckers in it.

[@mbuckhannon]

Damn that Jaguar is killer!

[@JasonTMays]

I really hope Fender releases a UØ themed jaguar...hell I’d settle for a squier version.

[@Daddyfly_FPV]

Squier contemporary Jazzmaster is out now.

[@avengedjordan]

I never realised how much underoath has inspired my guitar playing o:

[@nonOfficialDEA]

Do this more!

[@altpress]

PROBO KO4LA We have a few more lined up-so pleased you enjoyed it!

[@alekmartinez3109]

Duuude that color way on that jaguar is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@worm18701]

Damn! Bert picked up a guitar! Love it!!!

[@levijudy4629]

Honestly super late to the table but like just now like really discovering under oath and I have to say that I’m in love with this because I personally have a similar style in writing guitar. Super awesome!!

[@masonbuckley_2]

He’s so right! I see theory as more of a toolbox with different tools rather than a necessity.

[@jacobobryan9839]

Learning Theory would help him know the chords he doesn't know he's playing. I loved learning theory after playing by ear for years. Helped me more than hurt

[@Tatenak]

Munky from KoЯn within the passed couple records says he did the same.

[@Chrom_LV]

There's a ton of successful musicians like that... And he knows theory, just not confident to try to explain everything. I agree with his take on being creative.

[@kookiekillakookie8534]

Tims always been my favorite dude in the band

[@paul_romero_]

I agree with Tim, in the idea that not knowing guitar theory sort of leaves people open minded to making a lot more "weird" but cool ideas with guitar.

[@barrydebeer7430]

Awesome tim! Such cool tone.. underoath is one of my favorite bands and define the great line is one of my favorite albums!

[@bert9596]

So cool he mentioned the last!

[@ethanprice5972]

This was so awesome. Tim's the man.

[@kizu4381]

Went thru all my fav ø riffs

[@gerardcorey]

Genial! Valió la pena esperar 13 años para éste video

[@turbojojol]

please do this vid with Justin Beck from Glassjaw

[@RobertoReyesChHC]

That would be nuts!

[@Jayb23432]

His ego wouldn't allow it ;)

[@christopherdeftones2878]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN SON

[@Danielfucks69]

Fuck yeah

[@TMiles-yi7tv]

Tim’s so sweet! Love him!!!

[@thescottallen]

Dude just played The Last! MORE OLD STUFF!!!

[@alienrace6665]

imagine if they played that song with Spencer :D

[@tronswanson4999]

I've been saying for years they need to play some stuff from the first 3 albums

[@alienrace6665]

they should play *10 friends*

[@tronswanson4999]

When the sun sleeps & A message for Adrianne

[@SilversteinRescue]

Crazy right??? I can’t believe that hahaha.

[@cgrind3000]

Would def watch more of these.