Ihsahn: Left Hand Path #1 Guitar Lesson

Guitar World brings you a series of guitar lessons with metal guitarist Ihsahn from Emperor called Left Hand Path.
For more guitar lessons, gear reviews, and feature videos check out guitarworld.com

[@benciske]

One of the few black metal legends that built his reputation on his talent rather than his actions.

[@Sandemose]

The cool thing with these riffs is that they sound awesome on their own. No drums, no vocals, no bass, no keyboards, no overdubs. Just Emperor. Thanks for posting, great stuff! Best, Sandemose

[@Deathshuck]

I remember laughing my ass off years ago when I read a comment saying that was Euronymous' skeleton in the corner lol

[@metaleer1979x]

+Deathshuck It is however a real Russian soldier.

[@Deathshuck]

***** How do you know?

[@metaleer1979x]

Deathshuck He had mentioned it on an interview with an internet guitar mag called Guitar World. He said it is legal and completely registered. How diabolically morbid, yet awesome eh?

[@metaleer1979x]

I'll post a link: www.guitarworld.com/ihsahn-emperor-north?page=0,1

[@Deathshuck]

***** Thank you! Yes it's very morbid but awesome. Kinda crazy you can own something like this

[@ac4tv]

2:40 Never mind what kind of strings you hit - just focus the energy. Greatest guitar advice ever given!

[@DarknessDescendant]

WOW!! I just found this and I had no idea it existed so I just had to log in to write this because it made me so happy to find it! I haven't even watched half of this first video yet and I'm already ecstatic. This seems amazing and just having that riff from burning shadows of silence demonstrated in this way is simply incredible! ENDLESS THANKS TO IHSAHN FOR DOING THIS!! A true inspiration!

[@landi2244]

What a nice guy showing us how to play his songs

[@Yupppi]

Smart move from guitar world to hire ihsahn. I believe him to be one of the less known guitar masters because of the genre he used to shine in, now a true chameleon of music.

[@Pagnah]

Ihnsahnely good.

[@Rob-ys6ot]

Ha!!!! Nice!!!!!

[@Rhyzomect]

lol

[@juliuslim1796]

4:42 I love it how he says "keep it chaotic" in such a calm and placid manner. Awesome!

[@coldacre]

Oh. I thought it was a lesson on how to play Left Hand Path, Entombed

[@foxyou666times]

Me too

[@BillStreetStudios]

Man same

[@Arsenico971]

Me too, I opened the video just because of that ahah

[@opethium647]

yeah what kind of clickbait is this! haha

[@commanderwilliamtriker7449]

This is the best example that to be technically proficient is not what makes a good musician, it's musicians such as Ihsahn, Tom Warrior, Quorthon just to name a few, who have written awesome music and their music will always be memorable, you have tons of people in KZbin who may have impressive skills but , can they write a good song? Music is an expression of oneself, and if Ihsahn can write the kind of music he has, that to me makes a great musician!!!!!

[@MoonOvIce]

He's both actually. Can write a song and is technically proficient, more noticeable in his solo work and Emperor's later albums.

[@Bitcoin_Satan]

Gotta learn this guy's style .. a real black metal master.

[@metixang7806]

he's every swing of the bar is golden

[@6672rock]

Not a black metal or Emperor fan, but I do like the idea of alternating between accenting and backing away with certain target notes within chords. It creates an interesting, pulsating feel in a riff.

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

in black metal we use atonality as a technique for creating tension in the song - technically-speaking, the notes used are often 'wrong', but it works sooooo good! Ihsahn is awesome.

[@izzyalistair]

I finally understand tremolo picking chords....thank you Ihsahn.

[@madcags7954]

I love his guitar tone so much

[@drunkrazy]

Why did I think he was going to play Left Hand Path by Entombed? lol

[@MorrisonsProphecy]

I mostly do Keys and "Darkwave" Synth....... But I *ADORE* Emperor......and Isahn is on of my favorite Frontmen. Thank you for this vid. My Gratitude.

[@Jethu262]

WITH STRENGTH I BURN! One of the greatest songs ever written....

[@epicvsfvror]

Wow, the second riff is fantastic!!!!

[@ArashGhavami-cv5lq]

IHSAHN, ONE OF THE MOST GENIUS AND BEST MUSICIAN'S IN HISTORY OF MUSIC IN THE WORLD 👏👏👏💥💥💥

[@givemeajackson]

he's such a nice, modest guy. i have to meet him somewhere. btw, its sooo awesome he's featured on loomis new album.

[@trouzercoff]

"Keep it chaotic" nice :)

[@astrokid7664]

hahaha love the Varg pic but yes keep it chaotic \m/

[@anonimus966]

I can't even play guitars. I'm only here for Ihsahn senpai

[@IcyScythe]

With strength I burn is probably my favorite on that album.

[@funny-hippo2995]

+IcyScythe lol what?

[@thewildhealer541]

+IcyScythe With Strength I Burn is the best song by Emperor

[@blackmetalrocks1404]

Agreed

[@MABMGuitar]

It’s a tough call. There are a lot of classics on Anthems. Even the songs that didn’t grab me as much at first eventually grew on me as much as the ones I loved right off the bat.

[@joeyuzwa891]

for me it’s gotta be Ye Entrancemperium. those riffs, especially the way he plays them live nowadays, are brilliant, and the “emperium, emperium...” parts are just gorgeous. i think it’s crazy that Ihsahn managed to make a riff that’s literally just two strummed chords one of the catchiest in all of black metal

[@SeetheXIII]

love this sound. and for what it's worth i'm never buying another floating / floyd rose type guitar again. but i will work with it anyway. i'm a lefty and have been teaching myself right handed for almost four years now. perhaps one day i can be even a fraction of the beast ihsahn is. badass.

[@funknotik]

!!! I'm literally playing that Ibanez rga 121 and was looking for tabs for this! WOW mind blown!

[@andreidanciu7]

Ibanez RGA 121 Prestige, Violin finish. My next guitar.

[@emmanuelskywalkers9272]

Hello! IHSAHN , this is great, I am left hand player guitar, I like to learn play Emperor songs.

[@Arktik83]

I had one of those guitars but I ended up selling it...regret it now and they're not easy to get in that colour anymore! Cool tone and cool lesson :D

[@TheTrevasaurusRex]

These riffs are really cool because they achieve a very rich sound quality.

[@BlackMesaSecurity]

Love that RGA. Kinda cool that he uses the stock V pickups too.

[@adidjensen69]

I love Ihsahn's work!! If I could meet any musician in the world it would be this guy. Although probably wont happen :(

[@JerkyChid]

Tremelo picking that (doesn't suck and) creates a wall of sound; awesome!

[@Rob-ys6ot]

Recognise that first riff from ITNE immediately!!! Love that album!!!

[@sisaktamas]

Of course I don't play any instruments at all, I know very little about actual music theory, yet it's amazing to me how he barely seems to move his hands and the massive intricate complex sounds that come out of it - it's amazing!

[@Bitcoin_Satan]

The key is using the natural advantage of the guitar in combining open strings and fretted ones, work the right hand hard , not just the left. You wind up with this huge range of notes, many things going on at ones ... the opposite is baroque-Malmsteen type playing ... more classical violin style.

[@AdrianoWotan]

great video. Ihsahn is a simpatic guy and plays very well.

[@mlody969]

I don't like his music but I respect him. This is a legend

[@Bobjua]

that tone is so crisp

[@tylerjacobson8012]

His picking hand is so fast and precise. Extremely underrated musician in the WHOLE world of metal.

[@ZARATUSTRA8511]

Underrated? Are you kidding????? Ihsahn is a metal legend!!!

[@Vancity-2000]

amazing lessons, thank you for the video

[@Ami85S]

Such a talented guy...

[@dinceror]

i think being artist bring calm in your soul and years too :)

[@666slink]

Good lessons. I miss his column in Guitar World.

[@TheDrumminMan08]

The beginning of the video? Frozen Lakes on Mars from his album After (very, very good)

[@ancestraagrakas2012]

una maravilla, gracias maestro IHSAHN , saludos desde la mitad del mundo Ecuador, gracias por la lección .

[@C-mereSSBU]

"Keep it Chaotic". Words of wisdom from a black metal great.

[@kellymoon3406]

He's a great teacher.

[@StaulkHolm]

i really like Ihsahn's playing.

[@calamityjennetics]

excellent! lots of help!!! thanks!

[@maximunfilth]

Gracias ihsahn i love to music....aguante emperor carajo...

[@CalebNoir]

Because this was filmed at his home studio, not at the GW studios. The amps and microphones GW provide have done a notable disservice to other performers (read: Nile)

[@juanahrw4162]

Emperor is my favourite album.

[@Pirustae]

Godamn! I love his riffs. Awesome! Hail Emperor and Ihsahn!

[@SUPERTOUCHOX2]

Ah the last 2 are my favourite emperor songs, SWEET.

[@AnCapDanny]

Idk about you guys, but I think Ihsahn's guitar work is genius.

[@eNnI088]

This guy is a musical genius

[@DragonsSweetAngel]

LOL 2:55 to 3:05 so makes the diff OMG and thats for YOU if U should ever come by in hope of learning how to PLAY!!! Frickin awesome IHSAHN!!!

[@Aanalleinoneman]

@TheMetalerEricM Actually it's in the Suggestions right over there ----------> Frozen Lakes on Mars. :) there's a melodic intro part then it goes into the riff you hear on this vid.

[@TyPursell]

epic stuff dude

[@chillernz]

I found out for like 5 mins ago that "WOW!!! THATS THE DUDE FROM EMPEROR!!!!" xD I Started listening to Emperor a fev weeks back, but favorited this when it was uploaded. Sorry for my bad english. I`m from Black Metal Land \m/

[@Platibus666]

I thought this a lesson on how to play Entombed's song. Still, it's always good to see Ihsahn play guitar. I've never seen how that part of The Burning Shadows is played \m/

[@corpsie666]

It's great that he gives examples of correct and incorrect

[@hombreg1]

hey, it's called left hand path because of the hand one uses in his/her guitar neck right?

[@profilemorbid83]

very cool

[@glion69]

he would make a great teacher

[@jesusmaster44]

@Mrocznakupa Not if you play left-handed, but you're point is still understandable

[@txcyphek]

The riffs have a lot of meaning within.

[@UnorthodoxWarfare]

im so happy

[@Max_Kleiber]

@andreidanciu7 if you're lucky to find one. it's discontinued, i managed to get my hands on one of the last ones.

[@illevarslendetyrann]

I was thinking of getting an Emperor tattoo but now I'm thinkin of gettin one of Ihsahn's face lmfao!!

[@shadapakap]

I love this guy!

[@darkenedshrine86]

@chunk118 It's a tiny, but really cool and powerful guitar amplifier head! :)

[@grizhall1359]

Into song is "Frozen Lakes on Mars" from his solo album

[@Jose_Buenaventura_Durruti]

What's with Jonathan Davis's voice?

[@camiloth9953]

Hail Ihsahn!!

[@trevormason6317]

What's the song from the opening of the video? I think that's such a badass riff. Simple and brutal!!

[@trevormason6317]

Never mind I found it!!! Frozen Lakes on Mars incase anyone else was wondering.

[@TheVelazquez95]

great guy and guitarest and dose any one know the song in the beging

[@gothicshadow3583]

Nice!

[@RudalPL]

ehh I play drums but watching this guy is amazing and I bow low before Him !

[@JayxMetal]

Ibanez in general makes awesome guitars. I have three of em and wouldn't trade them for anything

[@Mrocznakupa]

helpful. i'm guitarist and i always look what other guitarist do with right hand, it's more importand than left :>:>

[@MrHieronymusBosch]

i would love to know what kind of pick hes using

[@breathingreflection]

I just realized I have this same guitar, or so it seems, with the same finish and pickups. It only went for about $300 :)

[@siegfriedquast389]

Das ist seine eigene spezielle Technik, total faszinierend. Es ist auch bemerkenswert, welche harmonische Vielfalt z.B. Mollmaj 7 Akkorde er einsetzt.

[@valinorean]

@Malachi01 I doubt that's euronymous' skeleton...seeing as that was split up by the members of Mayhem

[@imbaguitar]

what sort of amp settings might you use to get this tone?

[@juliometal666lml]

Thanks!

[@Heavymetalgamer28]

@spideyfanatic93 Now I'm picturing Emperor doing the soundtrack for Star Wars. My god that would be amazing

[@anaemiabag]

@Hansaleus78 na i think hes pretty fucking good actualy ive got the emperor scattered ashes tab book. if you concider the whole drill/tremelo picking riffing was relatively new when emperor started.... it takes alot of imagination to come up with the distinct emperor style of riffing.

[@chunk118]

whats that box in the back ground with "orange" on it?

[@ThatGuy1154]

What song is playing during the beginning of the video?

[@jiricevela3822]

I can't even play so fast on the lower strings, do you guys have any suggestions?

[@kellymoon3406]

Just gotta practice that tremolo technique, there's no shortcut. Just keep at it, we all sucked at first.

[@kellymoon3406]

It may help you some to try and play lighter. I used to try and mash the strings each time I hit them and it would trip me up. Look at Ihsahn, he's playing very lightly.

[@Joeyd1184]

you might want to use a different pick also

[@Heavydoomdeth]

Jumbo frets might help too.

[@Bitcoin_Satan]

JUst break it down and ONLY play 16th notes at whatever speed you can handle ... see the Steve Stine intermediate workout video .. he just has you hit 16th notes for 3 minutes straight ... the key is a metronome which basically tells you where you're at ... in 4 months I went from 90 bpm to 135 ... total breakthrough in picking strength and endurance.

[@gregadethhh]

@Mathaius833 it's an RGA121

[@EZisasEZdoes]

This is great, but I wish there were captions, he's so soft spoken.

[@DangerKitty]

Ihsahn: A God among men

[@brandoneast6625]

Anybody know where the tabs for Ihsahn's Left Hand Path series might be hosted somewhere? I had all the original Guitar World magazines and discs, even, but I don't have them anymore and can't find the content online.

[@ActaSanctis]

i like his nobility

[@Sludge_Grinder]

sweet, now i just have to learn how to play the guitar.

[@gluntford]

@9HereticPrincess9 it's just a name he chose, it's based off his old stage name Ygg, it doesn't really mean anything