Static Bloc (easy) · level 1 · goal 150 bpm

Static Bloc is an eight-bar punk riff in standard tuning: Hardcore, F# minor, driving downstrokes, low strings. This is level 1 of 3, played at 150 bpm; the three levels of the riff run from 150 to 190 bpm. It works on palm muting, power chords. 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.

All downstrokes. Lift the palm for the chords and drop it for the muted single notes so they sound different. On each stop, choke the chord with the fretting hand and count the rest out loud.

The three levels

1. Level 1 · 150 bpm · Hardcore, F# minor, driving downstrokes, low strings. All downstrokes.
2. Level 2 · 170 bpm · Hardcore, F# minor, driving downstrokes, low strings. Accent the first hit of every chord change and play the rest of each group a little lighter.
3. Level 3 · 190 bpm · Hardcore, F# minor, driving downstrokes, low strings. For the octave shapes, use the underside of the index finger to mute the unused strings.