Metal in E — syncopated rhythm
Unlike a progression built on open chords, E5, G5 and A5 all use the exact same two-finger shape, just moved along the neck: the left hand never changes shape, only position. The syncopation here therefore tests a different skill than the catalogue's open-chord version: sliding the same shape to the right spot on the neck exactly on the off-beat, without the usual strong-beat landmark to anchor against.
Tips
Learn the fret distances between E5, G5 and A5 with your eyes closed, so you don't depend on looking at the moment of the off-beat.
Practise the slides alone, without syncopation, until the left hand finds each position without hesitation.
Only add the syncopation afterwards, keeping the picking wrist relaxed: a tense right hand amplifies timing slips rather than fixing them.
Chord progression — E
Chords
Related sheets
- Wide exploration riff — B minor (Level 4)
- call and response power riff — F (Level 4)
- Metal in F — alternating bass fingerstyle (Level 4)