OBSCURA | Solaris | Full Guitar Cover | New Song

[@KevinHeiderich]

Hey guys, I wanted to clear up some misconceptions about transcribing and learning something by ear vs learning by tab. It would make a great blog post but since it's fitting for this video I decided to make a short comment as long as it's still fresh. Well let's see how short it's going to be! So a lot of guys seem to be in awe that I learned it so fast by ear, without any reference or tab. Here's the thing: learning the song by ear, including the transcribing process vs learning it with a tab take the same amount of time. I'm talking about the whole process from the start to actually having it down, for a video like this. There's a bunch of benefits you gain from learning by ear but let's start with the hard part first. Yes, learning by ear takes more effort from you, especially if you're insecure about your lack of skill. Even with ear training and the skills it's going to take more effort than just reading a tab. I don't want to say it's harder, but it still takes some effort. There often is this inner resistance you have to fight first. Reading tab is easier, and doesn't require too much skills, except from knowing tab. Transcribing by ear can also be stressful, because it's not a skill you just have. Transcribing itself is a constant test of your skills, not just for ear training, but for your whole knowledge of the instrument, how you can logically connect something that is inaudible, or connect something just with music theory. And last, it's a constant test of your dedication and patience. But it still doesn't take much more time than learning by tab. How so? Here are some positives about learning by ear, and some negatives about learning by tab. Learning by ear engages way more senses, and in that way, you form a lot more, well, I'm not a scientist, but you form a lot more "memory connections". So what you learn by ear actually stays in your memory far easier than tab. Which cuts down actual learning time. How many times did you guys look at the tab, "learned" the riff and forgot it two riffs later already? That doesn't happen too often with ear learning. Actually, it didn't happen once when I learned this. So when you learn by ear, and one of your senses forgets something, like okay your muscles sort of forgot the fingering, or you actually forgot how it sounds like, or you forgot how it looks like on the guitar (or tab if you make one while transcribing), well, it seldomly happens that you completely forget it. You still have one kind of information to fall back on, like okay, I forgot the fingering, but it's still fresh in my ears. No biggie. You might say, how is this different from learning just by tab, it's still the same senses? Well, your brain is lazy. I often notice myself disengaging my ears when using tab. Sounds wrong but you can learn tab without really using your ears. I mean, how many guys think there is either palm-muting or no palm-muting? Like there's no inbetween. Because tabs have that notation, either it's p.m. or it's not. And that was my thinking and playing until I started learning by ear. Here's another negative for tab. You actually don't learn the song properly. Since you think you have all the information you don't listen back to the actual song for all the intricacies the tab can't display. With learning by ear that's basically impossible. You HAVE to listen to all the details. And then you might notice "Oh, there's something like half palm-muting....damn". So as you can see, the whole transcribing process takes a lot more from your brain, but also gives you a lot in return. That engagement solidifies the information a lot better in your memory. Which is the reason why both processes take the same amount of time. I think the reason that learning by tab is not really faster boils down to the speed of which you can process the information, but not actually retain it. Whereas the slower nature of transcribing gives your brain the time for that. With tab you think you have it down, only to discover further down the song that you still have to check a few parts. And for a song like this, this can happen a few times. So in the end you didn't gain any time advantage, because you have to double-check more often or re-learn parts that where not yet solidified in your memory. It doesn't even end here. Filming songs that I learned by ear is also often a lot easier because of that, which then saves time again. To give you the numbers and some words of encouragement: learning a song like this takes around 2 hours for me. That's the whole learning process, excluding practice where necessary. Going through the song with a tab takes maybe only an hour, but the other hour is me going through it again and again because of all the holes in my memory. Again, for me processing the tab is faster than retaining it properly. Here's the encouragement: I don't even have great ears! Okay for a guitar player I might say I have good ears, but compared to anyone who has ever done a bit of serious ear training, either for music school or as part of a proper training, well, compared to them I still only have like novice to intermediate skills. (Intermediate is already stretching it). I did some classical ear training as a preparation for music university (which I never attended) but most of my skills come from transcribing metal songs with the guitar. With a guitar in your hand you can just play along trying to find the right notes until you get them. Even with bad ears you can tell. Music theory might help a bit for logic and stuff, but the most benefit you get for transcribing is actually from transcribing. The more you do it the more you can tell what is being played without too much trial & error. But that's all I do! It's just trial and error, until I get it right. And here's the thing, I don't even give a damn if it's not right. My goal is not 100% accuracy. My goal is to get a playable version in a timely manner most of the time. (I do aim higher when I make tabs though). Often times there will be a small part, where you can't tell what's being played. Either the drums and vocals are too loud or the playing was just sloppy. Then just have to make something up on the fly. That's all I do too. I don't always hear everything. If that's the case, then I try to come up with something that makes sense. For example, the slurred middle part of an arpeggio is easy to figure out even if it's really sloppy, when you have start and end points. Chords are always tricky, especially with hi-gain. (That's where knowledge about chord construction is helpful big time.) But hey, it's metal. Most of the times there are not that many different chord voicings. (It's all about the power chord anyway haha) I could go on and on about this, but transcribing is just sitting down and trying to find the right notes on the guitar. You skill-level doesn't matter as much as you think. The process is still the same. That's all. The hard part is just starting. Do it!

[@ewan-]

From someone who's never bothered to learn a song by ear, I can totally relate to forgetting riffs and lazily learning songs with tabs... May have convinced me to spend a few hours and go down the rabbit hole, but not sure if the current song (involuntary doppelganger) is the best first step haha. Thanks for the advice!

[@KevinHeiderich]

@@ewan- You're welcome, but yeah, Involuntary Doppelganger is maybe not the best start :D Modern technical death metal actually has one good thing for transcribing: It's so edited and/or fake that it's really easy to hear everything. Production also got a lot cleaner, which is a plus. Still, maybe you should start transcribing something where you are sure that you can play it. Just for motivations sake. Sucking at one thing is hard enough, but sucking at two things simultaneously....uff :D Something like The Black Dahlia Murder is always fun to transcribe for example :)

[@Alex-yq2uy]

Can confirm. I have picked soome little bits and pieces by ear -- not only is it satisfying, but also gives you ability to predict what a riff will look like next time as well and overall makes you a better musician, since you can come up with a melody/riff from your memory/mind

[@SylverANGL]

Thank you so much for the Insight Kevin. When you says "transcribing", do you mean finding in out on the guitar, or also writing it down on tabs ? Does "transcribing" in that sense always mean writing down a tab, or you do it all by memory ?

[@KevinHeiderich]

@@SylverANGL Nah transcribing just means transcribing. I didn't make a tab for this song so it was all memory. But I don't think those things are related for that matter. Like, tab or no tab, you're still transcribing, right? And by the way, I just want to add that the way I transcribe is just one way. It's my way. There are different ways to do it. Doing it with your main instrument is just a beginner friendly method for people who are not as experienced in ear training. If you have good ears, you could do it without your instrument. Or with solfege.

[@247Deathmetal]

Didn't this song come out 2 days ago? You figured a song out by ear, that is that complicated, AND managed to play it to speed in 2 days with minor errors. Then on top of all of that you say "playing could be better"... You are too good.

[@KevinHeiderich]

KZbin critics are weird man. You'll never know what thing they will criticize. I've had almost perfect videos where they really complained about that one little bending being different than the original. Then I have videos like this where there are a few things to criticize, but weirdly, nothing. I'm actually surprised about the good reception. Stating that I'm aware of certain mistakes and sloppiness is still a good way to not get bothered by smart-asses :)

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

@@KevinHeiderich mate, I don't tend to like fanboying, but goddamn I could have 10 years to learn and play this song and no be able to do it anything like as good as this. To learn this by ear and nail it like this is flat out unbelievable

[@loganross6436]

This man should do an Inferi cover

[@ori2085]

oh yea

[@timwatchesmovies]

I know they have way crazier songs, but I nominate Wrath of the Fallen One, I just love that outro solo so much

[@mirco4152]

Ohhh yess

[@b2rda]

Agreed!

[@MalcolmPugh]

I'd love to see it.

[@LeonTodd]

That section from 2:42-2:56 gives me massive Cacophany vibes. Unreal job!

[@mura_guitar]

I didn't expect the cover of this song would be uploaded this fast, but there's no wonder because it's uploaded by you! Totally amazing!!

[@MalcolmPugh]

Wow! Well done, bud. The song has been out for a day! haha

[@loganross6436]

Idk if you saw my comment on one of your replies to me but I made A Betrayal Unforetold cover on my channel like I said before the video quality was okay but hopefully my playing was better than the video 🤘🏻

[@loganross6436]

I’m surprised that you even reply to me but thanks for getting to me when you can I appreciate it a lot you and Buckethead are the GOATS also Mike from your band is pretty insane too to be able to help you write those amazing albums and EPs so props to you two

[@KevinHeiderich]

Sometimes I have to find out if I still got it :D

[@Alex-yq2uy]

Lets goooooooo. Couldnt even get grasp on what i hear when i listen to this song, while you were already transcribing it haha. great work!

[@Lokharn5]

I love this song, it has so much Cosmogenesis feel, but more technical. Absolutely amazing job with the cover. I don't know even how you can learn those solos that fast

[@ZuccAF]

This kinda feels more like omnivium than cosmogenesis

[@WeIsDaTyrantz]

​@@ZuccAF Definitely elements of both, plus a little more. Omnivium's intensity and grandiosity, Cosmogenesis's snappy songwriting/structure, however Christian's brought in some of the harmonic/melodic feel from Alkaloid and Eternity's End, from songs like Alter Magnitudes.

[@b2rda]

Covering this new song this quick has got to be one of the sickest flexes I’ve ever seen, you’re an awesome player man

[@KevinHeiderich]

Up to this day I don't understand "flexing". Like I know what it means, I still don't understand everyone using it these days :D

[@b2rda]

@@KevinHeiderich That’s fair, I just figured out it’s context recently lol I don’t use it often myself, (still trying to piece together this modern generation’s slang but not worried about it lol) so instead of saying “flex”, I’ll just say that your video has great showmanship in the way you learned a new song very quickly and impressively imo, keep up the great work man!

[@kristijanfistrek9055]

@@KevinHeiderich it means your playing is so good I'm starting to believe you're an android sent from a distant planet with a purpose to save us from blues pentatonic dad guitar licks.

[@warhammer265]

I had a feeling if anyone was gonna cover their new song and pull it off it was gonna be Kevin here lol Absolutely incredible brother! It’s pretty inspiring for some of us mortals haha

[@nikhilt9671]

That was fast! Killer job as always dude.

[@KevinHeiderich]

Thanks dude :)

[@HKKetoRecipes]

Insane!!

[@govnaizmesare]

Kevin is soon gonna reach the level where he'll be able to master any song by just listening to it once.

[@PROFANITYdeath]

This is absolutely crazy, you are insane Kevin!!!

[@KevinHeiderich]

Thanks!!! I hope you guys won't disappoint at the Death Feast show :D

[@gs970]

This guy’s ears are sharper than my ex’s 👂 How could he listen to a song just came out 2days ago and learnt it all by ear😲👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ajmatri]

Great job, man! I really like how honest you are in your descriptions. It shows you really care about the music and that you focus on playing because you love playing guitar! On that note, in the last few videos you just look like you’ve been having fun, makes me want to get back into playing guitar more. Keep up the great work!🤘

[@KevinHeiderich]

I'd actually even be more honest in my descriptions but for the sake of professionalism I usually hold some stuff back :)

[@lemniscatusofficial]

Mad madman and even madder respect holyshit this is no less than "speedrun"

[@PrimoSchnevi]

Impressive to knock this out of the park this quickly

[@theabsenceofi31]

Hope to see some some spawn of possession from incurso, would be lit

[@aguitusaguitus]

Apparition or The Evangelist would be awesome!!

[@KevinHeiderich]

Sorry, Incurso doesn't really do it for me, so I'm not interested doing a song of that album :(

[@rexrosal1863]

@@KevinHeiderich Good job on the Obscura cover. Question about your response regarding Spawn of possession: Is it because you just don't like their style?

[@theabsenceofi31]

@@KevinHeiderich Oh that's interesting, how come though?

[@KevinHeiderich]

@@theabsenceofi31 I'm generally not interested in tech death anymore. I only did this song because it was brand new and I wanted to see if I could do it in a weekend. Other than that I don't like it too much to be honest. About SoP, I do like Noctambulant very much. But Incurso feels like too much of the same. Even though the production of the album is better I don't like it at all. It's kind of cold. Noctambulants production sucks on a lot more levels but it grew on me. It's special somehow. So whenever I listen to them I only listen to Noctambulant. None of the songs of Incurso sparks any interest in me. I don't know. Maybe it's because when Incurso came out I was already not really interested in that genre anymore. And about cover songs: I do have more than one song from some artists but generally I feel like after a song I'm done with a band. Like after doing Scorched faster I felt that I was done with SoP in terms of videos. Eve of Contempt was always cool to play, but I'm not motivated enough to record it. I hope I don't sound too negative, but I do think people have the wrong impression of me

[@maddix-1234]

Lol I just posted a comment on the official video of Solaris half an hour ago about that you will cover this one and now I see your upload. Amazing work as always 😎

[@KevinHeiderich]

Well, apparently I was too slow :D

[@ucuptri6910]

This is the first time I see this channel, and I think I've seen him.. Oh I saw him on Fountainhead's channel. Obscura member himself (ex) said that Kevin is one of the best metal guitar player-super clean, fast, and precise.

[@msnrc]

Once again you are proving that equipment is not an excuse. Great cover!

[@alexnecro8682]

Amazing skill, man! One of the best tech guitar player on KZbin.

[@sebastiansegovia9866]

you do not stop surprinsing me. You should be the next obscura guitarist.

[@penta-ro]

Too quick to master this song... great job as always!!

[@leoguitorres6304]

F.... ing Awesome 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Soulfide]

Great job

[@TheVengeanceofdefile]

Indeed my brother 🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿

[@mdarbi7927]

Come on dude this is absolutely sick learning this and covering it in a day what a beast dude

[@extraction.official]

dude you're insane

[@kostasts2490]

Just incredible... also amazing guitar

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Love the passionately fierce tone that inspires me as a guitarist and your skill at playing those guitar fills is stunning!

[@tyqwer4570]

'no way it's a cover of the full song already,' I thought as I clicked on the video, seeing the channel name and knowing I'd be wrong

[@TheGhostNotePodcast]

Suuuuubbed!!! Perfect cover dude!What is your action like on that guitar? And what gauge strings do you use??

[@diabolicwaste]

sick dude congrats on learning this by ear so fast your one of the tech death cover guys on here been watching you for years now

[@Soruojax]

dude your playing are so fucking delicious to watch, i'm in love with this new obscura album and see someone playing it is really cool, 1+ sub

[@ronald6dmt]

Amazing!! Saludos desde Colombia.

[@EmanueleFerro]

Very sick playing!!! 🤟

[@melmonic]

kaum erschienen und schon hat er´s drauf! Respekt!

[@2smart871]

Godlike. I totally missed this song, but thankfully this video popped up on my recommendations. You got me subbed to the channel. 🤘

[@Creature---]

You are a legend for covering this so fast. Excited for the full album. Cheers

[@muratklc1078]

You always play great dont need to mention that but that guitar looks amazing

[@xstraightedgejerkx794]

Outstanding guitar work!!!! 💀🤘🔥 I could only dream to play guitar aswell as you!

[@zenyros]

Bruh ALREADY what a god

[@yovo.33]

You are crazy dude 👏

[@stefmikolajczyk]

Your playing is tight and well thought man! Would be sick to hear your own stuff like a solo project or something! I have no doubts it would be super crazy!

[@bladeintoeye4096]

You are one of the best guitarists I've ever seen. I am absolutely impressed.

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

At the risk of stating the obvious; you are insanely talented. Its fukked

[@JouniK86]

The master is at it again! Amazing job!

[@drankurbaruah]

There is a lot of Chuck Schuldiner in this song. Great performance!!! 🤘🏼

[@robertflorea9426]

love the cover and yea i felt the same way about it a little too flashey not enough recognizable parts like normaly but i am still so excited

[@kuniyoshida3521]

awesome!!Amazing guitar play!!

[@ouroboricform]

always killing it kevin :)

[@frenchthrasher]

Dude it's awesome 😳 You are a beast 🤘🏻

[@nihilistzuno6074]

Fkin crazy love it

[@kimitar1390]

This is amazing on a new level!

[@JayKayProductions]

Just wow. 😳

[@BadSensation]

You are literally insane. No sane person would even begin to try this. I love it but please don't murder your fingers just yet!

[@armyadhitya]

insane!

[@timon_2673]

amazing video as always

[@julkian1772]

This is sick man

[@shvartsmattersecret]

Insane bud!

[@Kaitokatana]

Man I was waiting for your cover this one, didn’t expect it to be this quick!

[@olfrud]

at first i didn't read your description and also didn't know about the timeline, so I noticed a little bit of sloppyness in the fast runs and also that very fast arpeggio that's in the verse sections. but after reading what you wrote it's totally understandable. It would take some time to clean those parts up - and even if you didn't put that description up, I would still be super impressed! Great job man! Liebe Grüße aus Wien!

[@theabsenceofi31]

Damn bro this is amazing!

[@Dr.TanmayMehta]

It's such a remnant of Alter Magnitudes

[@lemniscatusofficial]

All my idea of how moderately okay guitarist I thought of myself being is getting flushed by this cover wth

[@raulmunoz3878]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@WolfgangS]

I just saw a holy cow.

[@inabsentia241]

It's all good bro no song is perfect. Nailed it in my book though

[@edmega4481]

OMFG bro

[@yattmanntatt3360]

🔥

[@BlackChanal]

Your face at the end doesnt justify the magic you delivered. Of course you are your own worst judge but this is beyond what 99% of guitar players are capable of in that little time

[@uanra228]

Insane \m/

[@michaelsaurusrox325]

Have you listened to Iconic by obsidious? I’d love to see you (or anybody really) cover that song.

[@pieflies]

I think it would be excellent if not for the clean vocals, which I think sound a bit out of place.

[@barrychuckle5565]

How? Just how Kevin. How!

[@Soruojax]

and could you please teach how to make this tone? it's amazing

[@TomH48]

Awesome job brother 👍 Are you currently in a band of your own? If so please share! Keep up the excellent work! 🤘

[@extraction.official]

holy fucking shit

[@gs970]

Normal people listening to a new metal song : wow this is so incredible, awesome, great etc. Legends : “visualising Jiu-Jitsu 👁” ... um! Yeah that’s easy I can do that. And boom 💥 there’s a cover by kevin heiderich!!!💪🏻

[@CaptnShred]

You madman. I liked the song and Chris' playing is incredible, but I'm also wondering how this will translate in a live setting.

[@ChristianMuenznerOfficial]

What do you mean by that?

[@KevinHeiderich]

I think he's just curious how it will sound live as it contains some pretty hard to pull off parts that could bring difficulties in a live setting

[@CaptnShred]

​@@ChristianMuenznerOfficial I meant this in two ways: first is the sonic aspect - because of the nature of live sound (vs the controlled environment of listening to an album mix at home), I was wondering if some of the more intrincate parts could get lost. And the other is me simply looking at the performers' side - basically how much of a pain in the ass will it be to play live haha. Insane playing and writing btw, even if they didn't announce you rejoined I would've been able to tell within the first few seconds of this song.

[@ChristianMuenznerOfficial]

@@CaptnShred Gotcha! And thanks man! I actually do think it might work better than some stuff from the Omnivium era for example where the guitars played more different stuff against each other which can become a bit messy live especially with a high gain sound. Here things are very much in place for the most part and the guitars, although there is lots of harmonies, play largely similar stuff, and it's all 4/4 except for one bar of 5/4 in the intro, which makes it easier on those high tempos. But we will see haha. We have some really simple and brutal stuff on the album as well which is certainly written more from a live perspective.

[@CaptnShred]

@@ChristianMuenznerOfficial Looking forward to the album release, and of course the live shows!

[@hoodbrotown]

God damn dude

[@Dwellingers]

You can preorder a tab book!

[@Redmat527]

Amazing work, especially for such a short time period! I was wondering if you'd be eager to learn some First Fragment, they released a new song recently and their previous album was just a tech death masterpiece for me Cheers

[@HKKetoRecipes]

That is just ridiculous!!!

[@kamilpreweda4280]

I'd love to see picking tutorial from You

[@BassManqk]

You a certified beast. Could you pls cover some Spawn of Possession or Anata?

[@KevinHeiderich]

I already covered Spawn Of Possession on the channel. It was scorched 15% faster (I think it was 15). kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5LJqnedi9xgfMU

[@BassManqk]

@@KevinHeiderich yeah, but I need moooore

[@AntsofTheSky25]

Next do a cover of Quo Vadis - Silence Calls the storm please

[@michaeljensen8211]

You are damn good 😁🤘 I am beginning to read All you writing and i am happy to read IT is normal to forget a whole Lot of what the Day before was study and playing (i need write tabletur om paper everytime i find some new cool rif and solo). Then i am happy to read english to learn speak and write by myself (some have write me back with a smile and said, you are not doing your own languish).

[@alexnecro8682]

You use Pickslanting technique alternate picking?

[@BlastbeatsRtreats]

Hi Kevin, if it's pitch shifted,are you playing through a plugin?

[@nanthilrodriguez]

1 year ago today.

[@akin519]

dude i am a newbie at theory stuff can you please tell me which time signature is the solo in

[@nikhilt9671]

Just 4/4

[@akin519]

@@nikhilt9671 i didnt think it was going to be simple xd

[@gej300v]

Let's go Kevin!!!! Fuck yeah

[@campagnamatias]

PLEASE do a video playing The Faceless!!!!!!!

[@imehandle]

Next Kevin Heiderich's obscura cover will be released 2 hours prior to the song release

[@kirk711]

Sind das harley benton Stock pickups in der Gitarre?

[@KevinHeiderich]

Jein, da sind Tesla Pickups drin, was aber wiederum die Stock Pickups bei vielen Harley Benton sind. Genauso wie die Roswell Pickups in meiner paula :) Gewechselt hab ich jedenfalls nichts

[@muhammedsuicmez3617]

When are you releasing your music mate ?

[@tromboneman4517]

This one song alone seems more difficult than most of their previous work.

[@SinisaLolic]

Holy fucking Christ on a bike!!!!11