SYNYSTER GATES' 25 Greatest Guitar Techniques!

It's finally here. Have fun with these techniques. Also be sure to study up on that Harmonic Minor Scale. :) Thanks for watching.
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Thanks!!!

[@ali965]

0:30 Synyster Slides 0:55 The Doom Bend 1:40 Subtle Bar Dynamics 2:04 Speed Bursts a.k.a. Cluster Plucks 2:40 Tritone / Flatted 5th Vibe 3:20 Trem Pick to Sweep 3:48 Chromatic Chaos 4:17 Sweep to Bend 4:37 Unison / Stacked Unison Bends 5:21 Rhythmic Bends 5:47 Bowing Effect 6:21 Double Picking 6:47 Non-Sweep Picking 7:21 Dive Bomb Layers 8:02 Arpeggiated Progressions 8:35 Synyster Spider 9:00 Pedal Tone Pull-Offs 9:47 Circular 3’s 10:18 Sweep to Slides 10:42 Trem Slides 11:10 Synyster 6’s 11:36 Staggered Arpeggio Climbs 12:36 Reverse Rakes 12:56 Octave Taps 13:28 Busy Chords Great video as always, Mike!

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Thank you!

[@guitarguygaming7300]

@@TheArtofGuitar can you do a solo cover of hail to the king PLEASE!!!!!?

[@joelmacy9558]

Legend

[@karterestill]

Another technique he uses a lot is different speeds in his runs. IE. Beast and the Harlot and Nightmare solos. That's some of his hardest stuff in my opinion.

[@supershaw09]

@@karterestillafterlife and scream are also super hard

[@needlez_burr4059]

I think Avenged sometimes doesn’t get enough credit for the guitar work. They have some killer riffs and solos.

[@masonhoward7826]

What do you mean? Anyone who has heard of A7X knows they have godly guitarists

[@hasakey6199]

Wait what?

[@kozy9807]

I mean your watching a video about them lol

[@-HAYABUSA-]

Yeah they don't get enough credit and take a lot of bullshit. Most people that don't know anything about them don't realize how much time and thought they put in thier songs.

[@billahler7728]

L

[@billahler7728]

I think Brian has become one of the best guitarist of his time if not for a generation. He’s a monster

[@aanadirbloodblade905]

I’ve always loved how he can make the guitar sound like a violin at times. The way he composes his solos to fit the context of the song is masterful. The interlude section of The Stage still gives me goosebumps, the guitar is taking to me… telling me a story

[@H.E.M.]

The Stage has his best lead work

[@andrewmingst1797]

@@H.E.M. closest we've gotten to a syn solo album lol

[@Karsten3]

So I'm not the only one hearing a story being told, starting around the 4m30s mark?

[@grenade.turtle]

He has the smoothest picking I’ve ever seen. His economy and circle picking is so damn fluid

[@sonor72]

7:28 I wouldn’t really call it cheating because his signature guitar has a sustainiac in it, or at-least the more higher end Model that he plays. Amazing playing and video by the way, I love this series and I’ve learned (stole) so many awesome techniques that I use all the time!

[@NateRiversforRever]

I was about to ask "Doesn't Synyster's guitar have a sustainiac?"

[@JerikoAsmodeus]

Just came to the comments to say this as well 🤘

[@Knoxvillemoto]

@@JerikoAsmodeus same here. It's a ferocious guitar. Plays better than any of my other guitars.

[@jeremyswalley8625]

I just got a sustainiac !! 🤘🤘🤘

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Schecter Diamond Series

[@Algebra2Master]

The solos on Exist are next-level. Synyster is always inspiring.

[@gtyrone83]

Exist is a masterpiece!

[@mikehoncho2900]

solo on nobody

[@grenade.turtle]

And Zacky is amazing as well. Even as a rhythm guitar he’s one of the best

[@miromax811]

also he has voice of an angel

[@Yaxxiss]

all that without studying music, just playing

[@TheGreatCumsalot]

He’s definitely an underrated rhythm player

[@TheK20sedan]

No

[@veenoir1991]

Zacky isn't just a rhythm player he's a huge contribution to writing

[@JVR10893]

You’re not cheating by using the sustainiac pickup. That’s exactly how Synyster does it as well. Also wanted to add that Synyster Gates is a master of economy picking, which really adds a lot to his sound as it enables him to do weird note sequences that most guitarist wouldn’t necessarily default to with alternate picking.

[@Billingtano]

Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance are one of my favorite guitarists. The way they harmonize together is pretty amazing and they have written some really killer songs. This was a great video showcasing just how awesome their playing is. Thanks Mike. Well done! 👍

[@kiashangovender5221]

0:29 Synyster Slides 0:55 The Doom Bend 1:40 Subtle Bar Dynamics 2:03 Speed Bursts aka 'Cluster Plucks' 2:40 Tritone/Flatted 5th Vibe 3:19 Trem Pick to Sweep 3:47 Chromatic Chaos 4:17 Sweep to Bend 4:37 Unison/Stacked Unison Bends 5:21 Rhythmic Bends 5:46 Bowing Effect 6:21 Double Picking 6:47 Non-sweep Picking 7:21 Dive Bomb Layers 8:03 Arpeggiated Progressions 8:34 Synyster Spider 9:00 Pedal Tone Pull-offs 9:46 Circular 3rd's 10:18 Sweep to Slides 10:41 Trem Slides 11:10 Synyster 6's 11:36 Staggered Arpeggio Climbs 12:35 Reverse Rakes 12:55 Octave Taps 13:27 Busy Chords

[@TheArtofGuitar]

I feel bad cause someone beat you to it. Thanks for doing it though.

[@kiashangovender5221]

@@TheArtofGuitar no problem, thanks for the heart and for all your help with teaching me and others guitar

[@dust17111]

As a drop d player I'm kind of mad at myself for just now getting into sinister, was a tool fan for years but always wanted to hear a drop d player shred , knew of av7 was just too into tool lol but I'd say currently he is definitely one of my favorite guitar players his ability to mix those chunky crunchy drop d rhythms with the screaming leads is truly inspiring!

[@sTsChronic420]

Been listening to A7X for like 15 years now. Always been my favorite!! You are definitely in for a treat. They have like 100 if not more beautifully executed masterpieces ❤️🔥🤘 Synyster Gates is a God at playing!!! 🤘

[@JauntyWhale]

"Drop D player" is laughable. Guitar players should never limit themselves to one tuning.

[@dakotareynolds3049]

@@JauntyWhale It's kinda funny too because Syn himself has said that he always practices in E standard anyways

[@Glintingbeetle]

Man he got me into shredding! Some licks are so inspirative I like to imagine that I can learn how to solo just by playing A7x songs

[@atonofspiders]

And you’d be absolutely right!

[@arseniowhite8579]

I used to get so pissed when old school metal heads would rag on Syn calling his technique sloppy.

[@fushiguro8913]

This video is ridiculously useful for me. Going to practice every single one of these with a metronome and get good at all of them!

[@_Darth-Revan_1]

13:22 you sneaky bastard Mike 😂😂

[@unpopularopinionguy8206]

Absolutely loved the video!! Synyster and A7X as a whole are some of my favorite musicians and I don't think there's anyone out there who has broken down their techniques and style as well as you did. Absolutely made my day! Definitely inspired me to pick up my guitar today!

[@thedragonofthewest5789]

loved that Ibanez satch signature

[@TheArtofGuitar]

It’s growing on me.

[@jimglass3106]

As soon as you started the circular 3's thing, I got the outro to Mr. Crowley stuck in my head.

[@shredgod6394]

This is the most comprehensive analysis of Syns style I've seen in my life. Well done..thank you.

[@arodd75]

thank you for this syn has been one of my top three guitarist for so long now and seeing this made me feel so enlightening and made me find a new appreciation fir his guitar work

[@rangerdoc1029]

Seriously underrated guitarists.

[@carlosf9278]

@@MonTube2006 not a lot of people mention him compared to Marty Friedman, Kirk Hammet, James Hatfield, Randy Rhoades… some might even mention Cobain before Gates since Nirvana also did Metal/ had metal metal elements in it… there’s also some great modern guitarists out there like Tim Henson and I forget the name of the dude that does that double thumping… point is. There’s a lot of guitarists out there and quite a few names are mentioned way before Synister Gates… Jason Becker.

[@billahler7728]

Not in my book. They are amazing

[@RG049]

Underrated?? He's one of the most popular guitarists of this generation. And A7X is one of the most popular modern metal bands.

[@HenryMcGuinnessGuitar]

7:45 theremin sound :) And yes, "Hail to the King" definitely makes me think of Thunderstruck as an influence.

[@echoesreflected8243]

Synyster is my absolute favourite guitar player of all time, thank you for making this video!!

[@jessibaet5828]

Syn Gates is a combo pack of every style & technique!

[@MadassAlex]

Another sick video. This is so above the level of guitar DVDs I grew up with.

[@claudeman]

its funny cause I fell in love with Beast and the Harlot because of that little lead in the chorus hahahaha I loved that he sang backup vocals live and played it.

[@dougsmith3821]

Hes my second favorite guitarist of all time. Been a a7x fan for as long as I can remember. The first time I heard bat country and that dual guitar solos just melted my brain and I was hooked

[@SIRebrum]

Who's 1st ❓

[@claycroll650]

Can I just say that I’ve only been subscribed to your channel for a month now and I could listen to your videos all day; please keep up the good work and God bless you sir

[@stormsonicspeed1]

I am actually going to order a synyster signature pretty soon! Good timing Mike! But there are no good reviews on youtube. (Getting the black and gold with sustaniac)

[@SyedKhairulhisham]

Talk about good timing, I just got the guitar you mentioned which arrived literally yesterday, the custom-s black gold. Totally loving the aesthetics and playability of it!!

[@JakeRoy96]

Great work! Syn gates is an absolute beast of a guitarist, actually one of the best out there.

[@m.i.t.h.]

The coolest technique I ever stumbled across and haven't heard since... bend up B string (let ring)... hit E string same fret (let ring)...drop B string down and back in (let ring), but simultaneously give a 1/4 bend up on the E string (so the E string is raised while the B string is dropped) and bend them back in together (so that the B string bends up and in while the E string bends back down and in). If executed properly (with distortion) the guitar should sound like the audio is pixelating. P.S. This only works with a floating bridge.

[@UhOh_ItzJDX]

so glad to see you a you do video on Syn, he's such a versatile player, great control in everything he does, he plays with passion with his own style but, as evident by the video, uses many techniques and can incorporate any style when necessary, and 7:33 shows that he had great pitch control and all... whether you like the band or not Syn is exceptionally talented and so is the rest of Avenged Sevenfold, they've always stayed true to traditional heavy metal but they've always been VERY versatile in what they can do

[@12DisturbedGuy93]

Awesome video, very clear you're a big fan! I'd love for you to breakdown their Bat Country solo, specifically why that little walk around section at 2:36 works so well.

[@SyedKhairulhisham]

Syn is literally the reason I got inspired to choose the guitar as my instrument of choice 💯

[@HariA7X]

I listen to the songs you picked for examples, everyday. Appreciating Syn's work even more now!

[@kurtcobain4652]

I love Syn Gates

[@blxkdxhlia]

Got the notification, saw the thumbnail, smiled widely, clicked. 🖤

[@Vampyreheathen]

It was a pleasant surprise to see you cover Synyster Gates. Absolute beast of a player and this break down of some of his techniques was mind blowing. Excellent playing and demonstration!

[@Abhi-ff2cr]

Mann zacky and syn are my favourite duo ever. Maestros

[@Oblivion420]

I literally just looked at the TAB for Afterlife and then saw this video....Perfection

[@moe-lester6977]

Avenged Sevenfold has the best instrumentals of all time in my opinion. Synyster Gates is just sooooo good

[@paulcostelow7713]

Nicely done, looking forward to learning a few of those!

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

Channels that keep on giving! I absolutely don't mind watching videos that have likes and comments from myself from years ago 🥰🥰🥰 Sometimes content gains relevance after time :) Just seen these effers live and what a freaking performance!

[@flavy1000]

YESSS ! I was wondering how had I missed this one, untill I looked at the date... Thanks a lot, I was listening to Avenged just yersterday..Love Syn's music style and knowleddge..=)

[@heinhein54]

Syn is so underrated. Great modern guitar player and very versatile as he can even play classic jazz stuff. I gave up learning the tapping intro from The Stage : crazy AF !

[@RG049]

Wjere have you been all these years to say he's so underrated? He's one of the most popular guitarists of this generation

[@atonofspiders]

My favorite guitarist! So underrepresented as one of the greatest of our generation. I love you for this.

[@ROKZLEON]

Talk about a jam-packed techniques video!!! A ton of great riffage!!!

[@WilltheAstrologer]

Thanks so much man, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for to better learn from Syn & to take my guitar playing to the next level! 😸✨

[@Nightwalk444]

I've waited for this for years

[@joshdoesstuff763]

YOOOOO IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@gergoretvari6373]

Syn is goat! as for recommendations, maybe Mish Mansoor, Mark Holcomb, Jake Bowen, Aaron Marshall. All of them are beasts on their own.

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

The KZbin guitar community is fucking stacked I love it!

[@PureMagma]

This video is such an informative breakdown of the work of Avenged Sevenfold's guitarists!!! Hail to THOSE Kings! (...and also to Mike for verbally articulating and demonstrating the same mastery!)

[@thetoddfather9455]

Would love to see you do a Will Swan if Dance Gavin Dance video. His style is really unique in my opinion. Always has flare and taste in his riffs and leads using several techniques

[@waynegram8907]

ART OF GUITAR< can you make a separate video lesson about Synsters Spider technique licks?

[@patrickshannon4516]

To me synyster is in the top ten best guitarist of all time his speed and smoothness is almost unheard of.

[@neepathius7]

ur a great instructor ty for ur time! 🙏😎

[@sub-zero1885]

Hey i love your videos it really helps me to improve my guitar skills i would love to see a video about Slayer techiques (btw sorry for my english, i'm not American)

[@jayemm2323]

Dude I knew you really good at guitar but I had no clue you were THAT good Edit: I’ve been watching your videos for a few years and have learned a lot from you. I’m seriously mind blown that you can play syn’s stuff so clean lol

[@Dave-nm3xc]

Same here.

[@Kelvin-ud4pz]

Awesomme! been looking forward to one on him. I'd also love to see a technique video on Frank Iero, Ryan Sitkowski or Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein 👍🔥

[@billahler7728]

Great video. Thanks

[@cvptvinwavy3960]

really well done video dogg i can tell you have put time into your work. much appreciated

[@jona9239]

Been waiting for this video for a long time. Love it!!!

[@Drakken_]

Thank you! You are a great help to improve skills. Learned so much with this video.

[@cagecrawford103]

Love these videos. I don't know if you covered it already, but I'd love to see one on Jerry Cantrell, if you have the time.

[@Dadams087]

Insane how many of these tid bits came from bat country.. one song.. from their entire career.. meaning that there is so much more to explore. Love A7X

[@JerikoAsmodeus]

Very well done sir 🤘 I throughly enjoyed this installment

[@Knoxvillemoto]

Syn is far and away my favorite guitarist. This video is sick.

[@nickshepley2566]

Thanks for this

[@gm7388]

Mike, please do an instructional video on the “busy chords” I’ve been trying to find resources to add that to my playing! It would greatly be appreciated of you went in more depth

[@low_easy]

There's one technique that I don't know how to call it. I will try to explain it. It's when he BENDS a string, and right after he releases it, he plays really fast notes DOWNWARDS. After those fast notes downwards, he would either go back to another bend or finish it with any other note. I tried to make myself as clear as I could, it's hard to explain this technique. A good example is on THE STAGE official video on KZbin, happens a lot after 04:55.

[@UndeadArmy420]

Thank you!

[@soggytatty3845]

Awesome video Mike, i'm stealing some of these for sure! An artist series on John Norum would be cool, I feel he's underrated. His solo work in Europe - Ninja is fantastic.

[@COwens]

Sounds pretty damn close to what Synyster does in the live arena. Well done. As for recommendations: Geordie Walker (Killing Joke) Robert Smith (The Cure) Bones (Discharge) Piggy (Voivod) Parris Mayhew (Cro-Mags)

[@redmetalpanda9051]

Piggy would be great. Definitely is a different kind of player, one that is out there. Love this series btw.

[@Purely4subs]

Great video, thanks for putting this together

[@JDrach30]

A7X was my favorite band that got me into metal. I thought their guitar work was top notch for what I liked. Syn and Zacky were definitively huge idols to me. " You should cover Mark Tremonti techniques :) dude is a beast from Alter Bridge work to his solo project Tremonti.

[@RG049]

Man I was just going through the comments to check if anyone has mentioned Mark. Before discovering AB, my absolute favourite guitarist was Syn. Now Mark is my #1 and Syn is #2. Both are guitar Gods.

[@RG049]

But unfortunately AB is not popular much. IMO AB's songwriting is better though A7X is the heavier band.

[@botondpapp8650]

Great video, and pretty good insight into how to implement his style into your own compositions. Btw, Hail to the king intro is picked, no pull-offs there. It goes like 12e, 12e, 12b, 14e, 0e, 12b, 15e, 0e, 12b, 14e, 0e, 12b, 14e, 0e, 12b, 12b Cheers :)

[@JoeR203]

I'd love for you to do a video on Vito Bratta (White Lion) techniques.

[@freddylive4181]

.. Love Vito.

[@DanielGarcia-gt5zh]

Been waiting too much for this

[@tmprillwitz]

Synister’s Father taught him well. Great guitarist himself….

[@kuromikogaming]

Wow such a great explanation about syn's guitar techniques! But i think you missed 1 buddy, when syn perform bat country solo he does some kind of tap-bended, so when his right finger tap on 17th fret and then his left hand bending at 13th fret. Cmiiw

[@Shinzz24]

It’s all about Economy picking. Syn rarely uses alternate picking when he ascends and descends on the fret board. He uses a combination of sweep to economy picking.

[@Knotagamer]

Just subscribed and love the very well focused sections and that it is sectioned out and not meshed together. Very personable and modest. Not flashy and cocky. My recommendation is…. Brad Paisley. Brad Paisley. Brad Paisley.

[@Soily9]

Suggestion : Jeff Waters' best techniques (Annihilator) Also, the late and regretted Alexi Laiho (Chlildren of Bodom)

[@burnsZY85]

You have a great guitar collection but that Martin at the end is top notch.

[@jessecomet]

I’ve always loved Synyster!!…Some one who never gets talked about is my man Richie Kotzen, I’m my opinion the guy is a monster guitarist and hands down the best overall musician because all that he can do. To see an artist rundown on him would be awesome.

[@vascoseesitall]

MIKE! Dude, you rule - Thank you so much for this video!

[@koba5152]

You should do a video on Yuri Kasparyan, guitarist of Kino, he’s not really well known outside of Russia but worth having a listen too, he’s absolutely brilliant.

[@the_wet_snare_ofcl1378]

Can you do mastodon artist series?? Please!

[@awguitarroom8033]

Great lesson. Dear God is one of my favorite songs

[@sazwandysamawi5834]

Thank you for this video!

[@bradbutler]

amazing stuff! Synyster is one of the most unique players out there!

[@hishamhilal8332]

I've been waiting for this

[@kasradaneshgar8430]

Finally! Good job Mike👍♥️

[@VitaEx]

Oh heck yeah one of my favorite guitarist this is awesome

[@M4RCM0NT31R0]

Let's see The Rev's drum techniques!

[@SynysterVengeanceRev]

Hail to the king riff starts with 12 on the e string twice, then start the run on 12 on B then rest of riff, even more crazy because you really need to have pick technique to alternate those two notes in the beginning.

[@matiasdube9486]

I love this series! Could you please do in sometime chuck shuldiner greatest techniques?

[@chewchy9052]

Great demo ty

[@savagehoundz]

I never really have a shit about electric guitar solos untill I got into avenged sevenfold, thanks so much for making this video this means the world to me man