How To Play Djent: A Comprehensive Guide
Hey guys! Ever heard a djent riff and thought, "Wow, I want to do that!"? Well, you've come to the right place. Djent, that super-heavy, syncopated, and often complex sound, has taken the metal world by storm. Popularized by bands like Meshuggah, Periphery, and TesseracT, djent isn't just a genre; it's a whole vibe. If you're itching to learn how to create those crushing riffs and dive into the world of modern progressive metal, buckle up! This guide will break down the key elements of djent and give you the tools you need to start djenting yourself. So, let's get started and unlock the secrets behind this awesome sound!
What Exactly Is Djent?
Before we dive into the how, let's quickly cover the what. "Djent" is an onomatopoeic term, mimicking the palm-muted, high-gain guitar sound that characterizes the genre. Think of it as the sound a heavily distorted, low-tuned guitar makes when you chug on it. But djent is more than just a sound; it's a style. It's a subgenre of progressive metal, known for its complex rhythms, polyrhythms, syncopation, and often, down-tuned guitars. The sound is often described as percussive and djenty (duh!), relying heavily on palm-muted open chords and intricate, syncopated rhythms. Djent bands often incorporate elements of jazz, progressive rock, and even electronic music, making it a diverse and constantly evolving genre. To really understand djent, think of it as a modern evolution of progressive metal, pushing the boundaries of rhythmic complexity and sonic heaviness. It's the sound of a musical earthquake, guys, and it's seriously addictive!
Key Characteristics of Djent
Okay, so we know djent is heavy and complex, but let's break down the specific elements that make djent djent. Understanding these key characteristics is crucial if you want to master the style. First off, let's talk about rhythm. Djent is all about intricate, syncopated rhythms and polyrhythms. This means you'll often hear multiple time signatures or rhythmic patterns happening at the same time, creating a complex and challenging, yet super-cool, sonic landscape. Then there's the tone. The djent sound is typically achieved with high-gain amplifiers, often with a scooped midrange to create a clear, percussive attack. Think tight, focused distortion, not muddy or fuzzy. Palm-muting is your best friend in djent. It's the technique of resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, creating that characteristic "djent" sound. It's what gives the riffs their punch and percussive quality. A lot of djent bands use extended-range guitars, typically 7 or 8-string guitars, to achieve those super-low tunings and create a monstrous low-end rumble. But don't worry, you can still djent on a 6-string if you down-tune! Finally, let's not forget the progressive elements. Djent often incorporates complex song structures, unconventional time signatures, and intricate arrangements, drawing inspiration from progressive rock and metal. So, if you love a good challenge and appreciate musical complexity, djent is definitely for you.
Gear Up: Essential Equipment for Djent
Alright, let's talk about gear! While you don't need the most expensive setup to start djenting, having the right equipment can make a huge difference in achieving that signature sound. The heart of the djent sound lies in the guitar, and while extended-range guitars are common, you can definitely get started with a 6-string. A guitar with a relatively flat fretboard radius and good upper fret access will be beneficial for playing complex riffs. Look for guitars with high-output pickups, as these will provide the clarity and aggression needed for djent. Brands like Ibanez, Schecter, and ESP are popular choices among djent guitarists. Next up, the amp. A high-gain amplifier is essential for achieving that crushing djent tone. Many guitarists favor amp modelers or plugins for their versatility and convenience, but a good tube amp can also deliver the goods. Popular amp choices include models from Peavey, Mesa/Boogie, and Engl. When it comes to cabinets, a 4x12 cabinet is a common choice for its full sound and projection, but a 2x12 can also work well. Effects play a crucial role in djent as well. A noise gate is essential for taming the high-gain signal and preventing unwanted feedback. Overdrive or distortion pedals can be used to further shape the tone. Many djent guitarists also use modulation effects like chorus, flanger, and phaser, as well as delay and reverb, to add depth and texture to their sound. A good audio interface is essential for recording and experimenting with amp sims and plugins. Focusrite, PreSonus, and Universal Audio are popular brands. Don't forget the small stuff either, guys! You'll need quality cables, a reliable tuner, and a variety of picks to experiment with. Thicker picks are often preferred for djent for their attack and precision.
Tuning into Djent: Common Tunings and Why They Matter
Okay, so now that we've got the gear sorted, let's talk tuning. Tuning is super important in djent because it's a big part of the sound and playability. Most djent bands use drop tunings, where the lowest string is tuned down a whole step, or even more. This gives you that super-low, rumbling sound that's characteristic of djent. The most common tuning you'll hear is Drop A (A E A D G B e), which is where the low E string is tuned down to A. It's a super versatile tuning and a great place to start. Another popular tuning is Drop G (G D G C F A d), which takes things even lower. This is where those 7 and 8-string guitars really shine, but you can achieve it on a 6-string with heavier gauge strings. Some bands even go lower, using tunings like Drop F# or even Drop E, but those are less common and require specialized equipment and heavier strings. Why do these tunings matter? Well, the lower tunings create a heavier, more aggressive sound. They also provide a wider range of notes on the low end, which is essential for those crushing djent riffs. Drop tunings also make power chords easier to play, which are a staple in djent. The dropped string allows you to play a power chord with just one finger, leaving your other fingers free to play other notes or create variations. Experimenting with different tunings is part of the fun in djent, so don't be afraid to try new things and see what sounds best to you!
Mastering the Riffs: Techniques and Exercises
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: the riffs! Djent riffs are all about precision, syncopation, and aggression. To master them, you'll need to develop a solid foundation in several key techniques. First and foremost, palm-muting is your bread and butter. You need to be able to consistently mute the strings with the side of your picking hand to get that percussive "djent" sound. Practice palm-muting open strings and simple power chords until it becomes second nature. A great exercise is to play a simple rhythm on the low E string while palm-muting, focusing on consistency and evenness. Alternate picking is also crucial for djent riffs, especially those fast, intricate patterns. Practice picking every note, both upstrokes and downstrokes, with equal strength and accuracy. Start slow and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable. You can use a metronome to track your progress. Another essential element is syncopation. Djent riffs often use off-beat rhythms and accents, creating a sense of tension and release. To develop your sense of syncopation, try playing along with djent songs and paying close attention to the rhythmic patterns. You can also try writing your own riffs using syncopated rhythms. Polyrhythms, where two or more different rhythms are played simultaneously, are also common in djent. This can be challenging to master, but it adds a lot of complexity and interest to your riffs. Start by practicing simple polyrhythms, like 3 against 4, and gradually work your way up to more complex patterns. Don't forget about string skipping. Djent riffs often involve jumping between non-adjacent strings, creating wide intervals and interesting melodic lines. Practice string skipping exercises to improve your accuracy and speed. Finally, experiment with different rhythms, tunings, and techniques to develop your own unique djent style. There are no hard and fast rules in djent, so don't be afraid to push the boundaries and explore new sonic territories!
Beyond the Riffs: Song Structure and Arrangement in Djent
So, you've got the riffs down, but what about the song as a whole? Djent songs often have complex and unconventional structures, drawing inspiration from progressive rock and metal. Forget your verse-chorus-verse formula, guys! Djent songs might feature shifting time signatures, multiple sections, and unexpected twists and turns. A common approach is to build a song around a series of riffs, often connected by instrumental passages or breakdowns. These riffs might be in different time signatures or keys, creating a dynamic and unpredictable listening experience. Instrumental sections are often used to showcase the technical prowess of the musicians and to create atmosphere. These sections might feature complex guitar solos, intricate drum patterns, or atmospheric soundscapes. Breakdowns, those super-heavy, slow sections, are also a staple in djent. They provide a contrast to the faster, more intricate sections and create a sense of crushing heaviness. When arranging a djent song, it's important to think about the flow and dynamics. You want to create a journey for the listener, taking them through different moods and emotions. Pay attention to the transitions between sections, making sure they're smooth and logical. Think about the use of dynamics, varying the intensity and volume of different sections to create contrast and interest. Experiment with different instrumentation and textures, layering guitars, synths, and other instruments to create a rich and full sound. Don't be afraid to use silence as a musical tool, creating space and tension. Most importantly, listen to a lot of djent music and analyze how your favorite bands construct their songs. Pay attention to the song structures, arrangements, and dynamics, and try to incorporate those elements into your own songwriting. Remember, djent is all about pushing the boundaries and experimenting, so don't be afraid to get creative and try new things!
Listening to the Masters: Essential Djent Bands
To truly understand djent, you need to listen to the masters! There are so many amazing djent bands out there, each with their own unique style and approach. But if you're just starting out, here are a few essential bands to check out. First and foremost, there's Meshuggah, the band that arguably started it all. Their complex rhythms, crushing riffs, and unconventional song structures laid the foundation for the entire genre. Their albums "Nothing" and "obZen" are considered classics. Next up is Periphery, one of the most popular and influential djent bands of the modern era. Their catchy melodies, intricate arrangements, and soaring vocals have earned them a massive following. Check out their albums "Periphery II" and "Juggernaut: Alpha and Omega". TesseracT is another essential djent band, known for their atmospheric soundscapes, ethereal vocals, and complex polyrhythms. Their albums "One" and "Altered State" are highly recommended. Animals as Leaders is an instrumental djent band that showcases the incredible guitar playing of Tosin Abasi. Their technically demanding compositions and progressive arrangements are truly mind-blowing. Veil of Maya is another influential djent band, known for their heavy breakdowns, complex riffs, and aggressive vocals. Their album "[id]" is a must-hear. Beyond these essential bands, there are tons of other great djent bands to discover, including Volumes, Northlane, ERRA, and Spiritbox, just to name a few. The best way to learn djent is to immerse yourself in the music. Listen to a wide variety of djent bands and pay attention to the different styles and techniques. Analyze the riffs, song structures, and arrangements, and try to incorporate those elements into your own playing and songwriting. Don't be afraid to explore different subgenres and variations of djent, as there's a lot of diversity within the genre. The more you listen, the more you'll learn, and the better you'll become at djenting!
Keep Djenting!
So there you have it, guys! A comprehensive guide to playing djent. It might seem like a lot to take in, but remember, the key is practice and patience. Start with the basics, master the techniques, and gradually work your way up to more complex riffs and compositions. Don't be afraid to experiment, push the boundaries, and develop your own unique style. Djent is a constantly evolving genre, so there's always something new to learn and explore. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. Pick up your guitar, tune it low, crank up the gain, and start djenting! The world needs more djent, and who knows, you might just be the next Meshuggah! Keep practicing, keep listening, and most importantly, keep djenting! You've got this! Now go forth and conquer the world of progressive metal!