Ashen Choir (hard) · level 3 · goal 160 bpm

Ashen Choir is an eight-bar thrash riff in standard tuning: Teutonic thrash, G minor, half-time. This is level 3 of 3, played at 160 bpm; the three levels of the riff run from 100 to 160 bpm. It works on palm muting, power chords, hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides, vibrato. The player loops the riff with drums and bass, starts at 70% speed and steps up 5% after every clean pass until you play it at full tempo.

Play the melody legato: pick once and let hammer-ons and pull-offs carry the rest. In the riff, the reverse gallops start right on the beat. Keep them muted and even.

The three levels

1. Level 1 · 100 bpm · Teutonic thrash, G minor, half-time. Let the melody notes ring their full length before moving.
2. Level 2 · 140 bpm · Teutonic thrash, G minor, half-time. Make the hammer-ons and pull-offs clear without picking the second note.
3. Level 3 · 160 bpm · Teutonic thrash, G minor, half-time. Play the melody legato: pick once and let hammer-ons and pull-offs carry the rest.