Periphery's Mark Holcomb - Using Chord Changes to Write Prog Metal Riffs

Periphery's Mark Holcomb teaches how to use chord changes to devise inventive prog metal riffs. For full tabs go to:www.guitarworld...

[@mylesmackey2430]

Ive been playing guitar since I was a teenager and no one has ever inspired me to write ugly, jarring, jumpy, yet somehow still beautiful and fascinating music as much as this man. Keep doing what you do Mark; you're an inspiration to many of us!

[@TheMeJustMe75]

You hit it on the head. I can write a song on my acoustic but when it comes to a riff on my electric with high gain I end up with writers block. I grew up on Dream Theater because their first album came out as I was learning to play.

[@xw0ex948]

That guitar is beautiful!! It's dark, yet elegant.

[@JoelSebastianMoreno]

Afortunately, PRS now release the SE Mark Holcomb, for 990 dollars.

[@BenjaminTheBatchelor]

Much like Misha

[@andresoyarzun8758]

+joelmetal yes but looks like crap

[@modernantiques9348]

@@andresoyarzun8758 look at the one in the grey-black satin finish look damn sexy if you ask me

[@pelvis349]

It would look even better if the bridge was black instead of chrome.

[@FernandoRivera-dm7hh]

That PRS is fucking BEAUTIFUL

[@TheAverageGam3r]

Fernando Rivera it's his sig

[@aaronstacey9612]

damn mrak change your clothes its been months

[@wardkdouglas]

+Aaron Stacey are you trolling or are you serious?

[@aaronstacey9612]

The joke Your head

[@wardkdouglas]

+Aaron Stacey wut

[@giirthquakee]

+Aaron Stacey omfg lmao

[@TheDuerden]

The replies to this are almost as funny as your joke.

[@yogengrg7690]

I was never a PRS lover but seeing his signature, I might get one because its so sick!

[@Mateyjo96]

+Yogen Grg 5000 dollars, what about now

[@hammypants]

+Matěj Říha got one mint used, 2.7

[@definitelynotgore]

+Matěj Říha it's not $5000 haha, it's around $3500 max.

[@FearTheReaPeRr]

+Eddie's Guitars Come to Australia.

[@MusicLover2169]

It's not a PRS. It looks like an Ormsby Guitar.

[@jaapmeijaard6106]

This video is what first introduced me to Periphery who have since become one of my favourite bands of all time. The speed and agility of this riff just impressed me so damn much, I had to hear more of where it came from. Thanks for doing what you do, Mrak, you're such an inspiration to me and I think to many others as well!

[@nissougotic]

There's another riff in 'the bad thing' which sounds similar to this one. My two favourite riffs !

[@jaapmeijaard6106]

Lars Sibachir that one's pretty fuckin' sick as well! I'm trying to get both of these riffs down on the guitar, frustrating but fun.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

He answers a lot of my questions in the first minute. Been writing for several years but I always get stuck on riffs. I always get writers block and can never get unstuck. His method seems a lot more freeing.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

I wish Mark, Misha and Jake would do a video where they break down a song or part of a song to show how each part is written then how each part fits together.

[@natec2]

So outside the box on ideas. Wicked

[@jacobgranigan9801]

Not really. This isn't some ground breaking/innovative way of writing music, a lot of people including myself do it. Him and Misha are just really damn good at putting their ideas on the fretboard and banging out awesome riffs.

[@TheAverageGam3r]

Jacob Granigan congrats

[@jacobgranigan9801]

Liljman 94 Hey thanks bud. Was really looking for your approval there.

[@TheAverageGam3r]

Jacob Granigan hey bud. No problem!

[@musabbirhassan6157]

just saw your vids keep up the good work!

[@mnich30]

I love how people bitch about the tone on a youtube video, like he is recording the next periphery album here lol

[@stormcorrosion176]

Matt N true!

[@tenyasha4398]

@Philip Adrien shut up you low life. Hacking your gf's account how insecure are you?

[@nckhed]

@@tenyasha4398 Those are spam accounts and comments. They're extremely annoying.

[@NACHOTHEIST]

He sounds like a true musician.

[@VileVengeance]

Looks like one too

[@bottomtext251]

This is like a science, right up my alley!

[@shadyacr]

"Remember when you thought you were good at guitar?"

[@ASRforeverASR]

You can be good in the second division... guys like this play in the first division.

[@stavomusic2647]

Facts 😂😫

[@civicstar982]

Not once have I ever felt that I was good at guitar 😅when I’m in the zone practicing and someone comes by and says can I play something and they have one single riff or song they wrote or learned and I’m like yes I’m still a beginner

[@dust17111]

Yeah I remember my first beer 🍺😢😮😢

[@john1guitar]

This guitar technique reminds me a lot the riffs from counterparts.

[@jacobfields8396]

first thing that came to my mind

[@jimotten5887]

That Prs looks amazing✨

[@coleemmersonhallman5329]

I listen to, learn from, and love everyone in periphery. Why don't I listen to them more?

[@MindfulProgramming]

Probably because of the vocals. Check out Haunted Shores, his other band :)

[@coleemmersonhallman5329]

+MindfulProgramming ya that's it

[@tyr4489]

Haunted Shores > Periphery except Periphery I instrumental

[@adlerdefender8067]

Because their vocalist sucks.. he sounds emo

[@adlerdefender8067]

Beyond creation, the Faceless and cybiotic..check them out😉

[@jaapmeijaard6106]

Sounds amazing.. Really helpful video as well!

[@deldia]

Ain't talking 'bout love by van Halen uses this idea. Probably a better example to start.

[@jollyjollyO]

damn mark was in van halen? he looks good for his age

[@B3Band]

ok boomer

[@Ghandjaloodah]

This is Gold!!! Thank you Mark!!

[@thelukester999]

much grace such elegance very beautiful.

[@josephharvey1762]

Goodness, what a beautiful guitar!

[@dynatwenty]

god, that guitar.....

[@omairsh8]

PRS make my favourite guitars

[@jasonday8334]

Satan made it

[@prognacio]

Incredible tone!

[@YoLpIsBest]

The example is from a song called Have a Blast.

[@HDvideoedit]

too much gain, dislike. id kill for that tone

[@marrrcelo]

nice

[@rohanahlawat5809]

That's not mark's tone. You sure you want it? There's no presence, very low treble and a weird reverb. This has Paul Riario written all over it.

[@nathanieldoy2151]

Begone rumbdy

[@Take-the-Ticket]

Nice advice focusing on production, thanks. I too often get lost in the little notes.

[@PeterMacLeod88]

There is limited count of 4 piece chord progression, so to say. It's interesting does he ever use the same progression to write another riff? And how much it is acceptable?

[@melvinsilalahichannel]

Hail Holcomb!

[@williamanderson9714]

Absolutely awesome video. Now to write a bad ass periphery song.... damnit i still suck.

[@gumbleshumble6666]

Love his PRS!

[@Demiigodd]

sweet, this helps a lot I am a beginner specially in composition....

[@SMon2023]

Damn that tone is velvet smooth. What's he using? Is it from the MXR overdrive that keeps popping up in ads?

[@sergeantslowpoke1550]

dk if you know already but I know that normally they all three use the axe fx III

[@macanthony1108]

oh hi mark

[@SharpTony]

That is an awesome looking guitar, but I didn't know a PRS could produce such a muddy tone =/. Pretty wicked playing though.

[@SharpTony]

This is true, they need better techniques for recording distortion.

[@jackgough7842]

+SharpTony I'm pretty sure it's the amp

[@LiamBriggs18]

+Jack Gough +SharpTony I can almost guarantee it's something to do with how Guitar World records their video/audio.

[@jordanjames4067]

Honestly, this PRS is quite possibly the least muddy guitar I've ever heard. It maintains insane clarity with high distortion. This particular video sounds like the guitar's had all the tone rolled off or something of that sort, though.

[@thetruesora2111]

I have a PRS SE Torero and trust me PRS guitars produce one of the cleanest tones out there. I'm pretty sure the mix was at fault or he just preferred to use that specific tone

[@dimitrisdimitriou7274]

Chords using and key??

[@SalekeenNayeem]

Great idea!

[@Godspeed961]

very nice ! can anyone change all tabs to E standart tuning? :D

[@ProgressiveMetalist]

Godspeed961 cool profile pic, looks like mine

[@TheAverageGam3r]

Godspeed961 just drop the bottom e to a d and follow the tabs. Will sound the same but in a different key

[@vtchkrcn]

awesome video

[@alexandrosvavatzanidis4850]

How about a SE Mark Holcomb? ;)

[@definitelynotgore]

This is the most brilliant comment I've ever seen, please comment this everywhere, PRS needs to see this.

[@definitelynotgore]

Even a CE model would be nice.

[@3AwesomeLetsPlayers]

It's coming!

[@alexandrosvavatzanidis4850]

I CALLED IT!!!!

[@zildtinio6250]

+Alexandros Vavatzanidis bruh, how did you know? xD

[@theders8590]

I know this is his signature PRS but the matte finish on the body of the headstock looks different from the ones sold online. Is this a different model? 10 Top?

[@Noah-oo7rf]

great video

[@ayeilikecroissants2584]

great technique

[@HowlingFang6258]

what tuning is this in? Drop C?

[@_blake_hunter]

+HowlingFang6258 yea dude, most of the songs they use six strings on are in drop C

[@_blake_hunter]

+HowlingFang6258 yea dude, most of the songs they use six strings on are in drop C

[@B3Band]

@@_blake_hunter 4 years later, and now you need like 16 guitars to play Periphery songs

[@kenddyazzz3519]

Standard or alternative tuning pls thanks

[@LouieNJ]

What I gathered from this video: - There is a white fuzz on his pants.

[@Civey100]

Genius!

[@cjleongson]

what chords are those? they sound nice!

[@MichaelAveryMusic]

+christian jacob leongson After a couple listens, sounds like (roughly) F-9, BbSus4, Eb/G, Ab, EbAdd9, Bb/D. So the progression would be II-, Vsus4, I/3, IV, I, V/3. Hope that's helpful!

[@cjleongson]

+Michael Avery thanks! Godbless!

[@Downtempovibrations]

His Shining shirt!

[@naiyalexic]

I'd like to hear this clean. Nice writing. Pretty either way.

[@eloskuroo]

is he using drop c tunning ?

[@tyleraskelton10]

Yessir

[@visionsick]

Anyone know the name of the intro song? Sounds bad ass

[@skidmark6553]

omega - periphery

[@Orestis91]

em whats the tunning brah?

[@WalrusDoom]

Awesome

[@khxrne735]

thanks for those fucking great chords bro !!!

[@cashewwalnut3589]

Reminds me of distorted mathrock or plini in a nutshell

[@prashuryagoswami6122]

Whats the tuning

[@LomoMop]

How does he get that tone 🙌🏼

[@Jotun184]

+LomoMop Axe FX

[@thescarlett5653]

what kind of chords is he using?

[@MatEnAlks]

This is very interesting, but I thought that we (prog players) all do that... because who wants too much awkwardly empty space? You just HAVE to fill it sometimes, not necessarily with tremolo picking or something like that.

[@gitarthsonowal6703]

Thats a sexy riff man

[@alfonsbeirshlychho]

🤘Mark's is one of the best metal guitar player in this world! 🤘

[@thomasmichael1129]

I like his jacket.

[@martingaspar8364]

Haha what a story Mark

[@katastrophickhaos]

Pretty fuckin awesome

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

tabs?

[@Dino-sx9ct]

How do you remember these riffs after you've written them?

[@zachescarcega]

Record them

[@Reapersealer]

isn't this like chon's "book" song?

[@jamespeterson4275]

"If you notice one thing about my playing its lots of slides and movement" COLLAB WITH BENJI FROM NE OBLIVISCARIS PLS PLS PLS PLA

[@mohithdoushiant]

Hey noob here. So the notes he's playing in the licks are defined by the key and scale he's playing in?

[@friendlyanomaly6109]

If your are talking about intervals, then yes, that and pitch and tambre. Late, but maybe someone who needs it will see it 😅

[@mohithdoushiant]

Jaden Hall intervals?...aaron marshall??...😂. Cheers bud

[@HeavyInHawaii]

I hate this super scooped tone. The sickest guitar! Great lesson.

[@DanielBergonzoni]

He good

[@buckeyeburl0162]

Whats the Intro riffs ? please ?

[@geordihills]

Omega by Periphery

[@williamgreen624]

Intro song?

[@jawgenBeats]

William Green Omega - Periphery

[@DAVEomqqqq]

whats the song @2:40 ????

[@DeOrestes]

have a blast

[@xxMPMchannelxx]

what's the intro song?

[@jozza177]

Omega by Periphery

[@xxMPMchannelxx]

+jozza thanks mate

[@Foxxnioxx]

Good stuff

[@bestboy897]

i really dont like periphery's music but mark gives some good lessons

[@blumax68]

What fu...ng chords are those? tabs please!!!!!!!

[@blazkorazija2310]

www.guitarworld.com/magazine/how-use-chord-changes-devise-inventive-riffs-video

[@TheBryanDrummond]

Why don't they every say what tuning they're in lol

[@Akbar-nc6hz]

Most of theiR 6 string songs is in drop C(CGCFAD) or AGCFAD. I believe Reptile is in GGCFAD.

[@NeepThePeep]

Would be good if he said the chords and their progressions.

[@reno7224]

how to get sound like this on guitar rig 5 standalone ? i live in poor country and poor family , hope u answer my question

[@Baz97__]

In this order: noise gate Tubescreamer with gain at 0, tone at full Amp on a little gain A good cab EQ the very high frequencies out a lil and some low You'll probably get a half decent tone there

[@reno7224]

@@Baz97__ ty

[@Feverdream7777]

... i kind of feel like telling you what all what the actual notes were....and the intervals, and progression numbers are ....just to spite all of you.

[@djentrification1631]

"Oooh look at me, I have perfect pitch." Just kidding, I'd kill to understand perfect pitch.

[@Feverdream7777]

@@djentrification1631 can you remember the color red? or royal blue? you can do the same with sound, you can remember notes, they can replay in your head.

[@kevinpradipta2]

So his pinky finger can bend that much huh.. so thats why im stuck with that position...

[@danfollows9468]

2:50 anyone see his middle finger glitch in real life

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas]

Is he musically literate or does he play by ear?

[@hamon_master1390]

writes mostly from ear.

[@retro_mando]

Fluffed Pillows Mark told everyone at a clinic I went to that no one from the band new any theory :)

[@isaaczaladar1174]

Ches Virden seriously how the fuck???so animals as leaders either??

[@retro_mando]

Isaac Zaladar Idk about animals as leaders, I know the drummer went to Berklee so he obviously had some theory experience. But yeah, I dont know how they do it but all of them just write what sounds good I guess. Even when he was describing chord shapes he used he refered to them by the frets he had his fingers on, rather than the "A chord" for example.

[@Project-yp9ft]

:-)

[@ABCboy5]

How do they always manage to find a worst tones possible for these videos? lol

[@trumpsamerica2862]

Last time I checked, he plays for Periphery and you just comment on videos of him. Sorry, I'm 3 years late. Lmao. Tone isn't bad, just isn't your preference. Def too gainy for me.

[@rohanahlawat5809]

They got Paul Riario dude.

[@isaacthecorncob]

Why does it frickin matter?

[@nuke97]

Name the chords next time.

[@PyroShredder982]

What are the actual chords? Haha

[@codysmith43]

Moist

[@awonderingoneil206]

Can the self proclaimed guitar tonal overlords in the comments stop going on about "Tone" all the time, we get it, you can turn the nobs on your amp, we all can but it doesn't make you a "Tone connoisseur " at all. Skill, personal playing style, gear and hand shape all play into this misused word "Tone". Learn how to play and your sound will find you.

[@RudyAyoub]

Mr O'Neil thanks for this, i couldnt care less about tone as long as it doesnt sound out of place

[@awonderingoneil206]

@@RudyAyoub , An actual player, I salute you.

[@RudyAyoub]

Mr O'Neil cheers!

[@chancewindham1718]

Thank you. So tired of fucking tone snob bitches.

[@stephandevries5069]

Bad tone, good playing.

[@englishsteel-nz6im]

Unimpressive player

[@samgriffithsmusic]

great advice, however the tone is horrible! not clear at all. for the case of teaching use a cleaner tone, so people can hear clearer, can always distort it after 😁

[@Oh_its_Mike]

How is it not clear? Sounds almost exactly like the recorded version of the song lmfao

[@mrgotohell111111]

the worst tone ever from periphery

[@TYFLOL]

* from guitarworld

[@MrRafaelMatiazoguita]

what's the name of the song of intro of this video ?

[@vishnualcyone9170]

+Rafael Matiazo It's called OMEGA from Periphery. =)

[@MrRafaelMatiazoguita]

Vishnu, thanks a lot dude!!