String Theory

Latest about String Theory

Ernie Ball String Theory ft. Stephen Carpenter of Deftones

Deftones’ Stephen Carpenter explains why he’s always preferred being a rhythm guitarist rather than a lead player

By Michael Astley-Brown published

The eight-string-toting riff machine also revealed what made Anthrax his favorite thrash-metal band and why he considers himself Deftones’ “odd man out” in a new episode of Ernie Ball's String Theory

Guitarists
Jimmy Brown

How creating chains of dotted-eighth syncopations can revolutionize your rhythm playing

By Jimmy Brown published

It's time to go against the grain with some tricky rhythmic phrasing

Lessons
Guitar playing

Shake up your rhythm playing with shifting 16th-note accents

By Jimmy Brown published

This “rhythm-within-a-rhythm” approach can add dynamism to your playing

Lessons
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Improve your rhythm playing with this guide to 16th notes, the roots of chug

By Jimmy Brown published

Count in the next stage in your rhythm guitar evolution

Lessons
Man playing acoustic guitar

How to borrow chords from a parallel minor key and lend your songs a bittersweet edge

By Jimmy Brown published

Learn a songwriting trick used by everyone from Eric Clapton to The Beatles

Chords
Close-up of guitarist playing a minor chord on a Gibson SG

Give your major-key compositions a moment of darkness by employing the 'four minor' chord

By Jimmy Brown published

How borrowing chords from parallel minor keys can refresh your songwriting

Chords
Man playing Gibson ES-335 electric guitar

Change the mood and spice up your tunes with parallel major and minor keys

By Jimmy Brown published

Impart a touch of sadness or melancholy to an otherwise happy and predictable-sounding progression

Lessons
Close-up of hand playing chord on electric guitar neck

Make your compositions soar using augmented climb progressions

By Jimmy Brown published

How to inject a sense of drama into your songwriting

Lessons
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How using the augmented chord in a minor drop progression can change your songs

By Jimmy Brown published

Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, George Harrison, Tom Petty and many more have done this in their music, so why shouldn't you?

Chords
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This compositional trick has been used to great effect by Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, The Eagles, Queen and many more

By Jimmy Brown published

Learn how to walk down scales with contrary motion

Lessons
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