Judas Priest. The name itself conjures images of leather, studs, roaring motorcycles, and twin guitars screaming in perfect harmony. For generations, they’ve defined heavy metal, and for aspiring guitarists, their catalog is a treasure trove of iconic riffs, blistering solos, and timeless anthems. If you’re a new player looking to dive into the world of heavy metal guitar, learning to play Judas Priest is an electrifying place to start.
Young guitarist inspired by Judas Priest in the 1980s.
Why Judas Priest for a new player? Because beneath the thunderous sound and stage presence lies a foundation of fantastic guitar work that’s both challenging and rewarding to learn. From the early blues-infused metal of “Rocka Rolla” to the speed and aggression of “Painkiller” and the modern power of “Invincible Shield,” Judas Priest’s guitar evolution provides a diverse and exciting learning journey.
Understanding the Twin Guitar Attack of Judas Priest
The core of Judas Priest’s signature sound is their twin guitar attack, pioneered by K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, and now carried on by Richie Faulkner alongside Tipton (and Andy Sneap on tour). This dynamic duo weaves intricate harmonies, powerful riffs, and dueling solos that are instantly recognizable.
For new players, understanding this twin guitar approach is key. It’s not just about two guitars playing the same thing louder; it’s about interplay, counterpoint, and creating a massive wall of sound. When learning Judas Priest songs, pay attention to how the two guitar parts interact – you’ll often find one guitar laying down a solid rhythm while the other adds melodic flourishes or harmonic textures.
Essential Judas Priest Guitar Techniques for Beginners
To start your Judas Priest journey, focus on mastering these fundamental techniques:
- Power Chords: The backbone of heavy metal. Judas Priest riffs are built on powerful and precise power chords. Practice your barre chords and learn to move them smoothly and rhythmically. Songs like “Breaking the Law” and “Living After Midnight” are excellent for power chord practice.
- Palm Muting: This technique gives heavy metal guitar its characteristic chunky, aggressive sound. Experiment with different levels of palm muting to achieve the right attack for Judas Priest riffs. Listen to “Electric Eye” or “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” to hear palm muting in action.
- Alternate Picking: Essential for speed and precision. Judas Priest solos and faster riffs require solid alternate picking technique. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed while maintaining accuracy. “Painkiller” might be a bit ambitious for beginners, but even attempting parts of it at a slower tempo can be great practice.
- String Bending and Vibrato: These techniques add emotion and expression to your playing, crucial for those soaring Judas Priest solos. Practice bending strings accurately to pitch and developing a controlled vibrato. Listen to Glenn Tipton’s solos in “Beyond the Realms of Death” for inspiration.
- Harmonic Minor Scale: Often used in heavy metal for its dramatic and exotic sound. Familiarize yourself with the harmonic minor scale, as it appears in many Judas Priest solos and riffs.
Easy Judas Priest Songs to Learn for New Players
While some Judas Priest tracks are incredibly demanding, many are surprisingly accessible for beginner guitarists. Here are a few excellent starting points:
- “Breaking the Law”: An iconic anthem with a simple, repetitive riff based on power chords. Perfect for practicing rhythm and palm muting.
- “Living After Midnight”: Another classic with a straightforward, catchy riff. Great for building power chord stamina and learning song structure.
- “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”: Features a slightly more complex but still manageable main riff. Good for developing alternate picking and rhythm variations.
- “Heading Out to the Highway”: A slightly faster tempo, but the main riff is still based on power chords and relatively easy to learn.
- “Turbo Lover”: While from their “Turbo” album which received mixed reactions at the time, the main riff is quite melodic and not overly difficult. It introduces a slightly different, more synth-influenced side of Priest that can still be fun to play.
Vintage Hit Parader magazine cover featuring Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, iconic heavy metal bands.
Gear Up for Metal: Essential Guitar Equipment
You don’t need to break the bank to get a Judas Priest-inspired guitar sound, but having the right gear can definitely help:
- Guitar: Humbucker pickups are essential for that thick, heavy metal tone. Guitars like Les Pauls, SGs, or even Superstrats with humbuckers are great choices. Don’t worry about expensive guitars at first; a good quality beginner guitar with humbuckers will do the job.
- Amplifier: A high-gain amplifier is crucial for heavy metal. Look for amps that offer a good distortion channel. Combo amps are perfect for practice, and amp modeling software is also a great affordable option for experimenting with different tones.
- Distortion Pedal (Optional): If your amp doesn’t have a strong distortion channel, a distortion pedal can help you achieve that heavy metal crunch. Overdrive pedals can also be used to boost your amp’s gain for solos.
- Guitar Picks: Medium to heavy gauge picks are generally preferred for heavy metal for a stronger attack and more control.
Tips for Learning Judas Priest Guitar Songs
- Start Slow: Don’t try to play everything at full speed immediately. Begin by learning riffs and solos slowly and accurately. Gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable.
- Use Tabs and Tutorials: Guitar tabs and online video tutorials are invaluable resources for learning songs. Websites like Ultimate-Guitar and YouTube are packed with lessons for Judas Priest songs.
- Break it Down: Learn songs in sections (verse, chorus, solo). Practice each section repeatedly before putting them together.
- Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the original recordings. Listen for the nuances in the guitar parts, the rhythm, and the dynamics.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to improvement. Even short, focused practice sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.
- Have Fun! Learning guitar should be enjoyable. Choose songs you love and celebrate your progress.
Beyond the Basics: Exploring Deeper into Judas Priest’s Guitar Style
Once you’ve mastered the beginner-friendly songs, you can start exploring the more challenging aspects of Judas Priest’s guitar playing:
- Complex Rhythms and Time Signatures: As you delve into their later albums, you’ll encounter more intricate rhythms and even some songs with odd time signatures. This will challenge your rhythmic accuracy and counting skills.
- Advanced Soloing Techniques: Judas Priest solos are legendary for their speed, melody, and technicality. As you progress, try learning some of the more challenging solos, focusing on techniques like sweep picking, tapping, and legato.
- Harmonic Complexity: Judas Priest’s songwriting often incorporates sophisticated harmonies and chord progressions. Analyzing their songs can deepen your understanding of music theory and composition.
- The Evolution of Their Sound: Explore Judas Priest’s discography chronologically to appreciate how their guitar style evolved over time. From the bluesy beginnings to the thrash-influenced “Painkiller” and the modern metal of “Invincible Shield,” there’s a wealth of guitar styles to discover.
Judas Priest Invincible Shield album cover, showcasing the band's latest heavy metal release.
Judas Priest’s latest album, Invincible Shield, is a testament to their enduring power and guitar prowess. Even after decades in the metal scene, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton continue to deliver killer riffs and solos. Exploring this new album can also be a great way to stay inspired and see how Judas Priest’s guitar sound continues to evolve. Tracks like “Panic Attack,” “The Serpent and the King,” and the title track “Invincible Shield” showcase the band’s signature twin guitar attack in a modern context, offering fresh material to learn and analyze.
Become a Metal God Yourself
Learning to play Judas Priest guitar is a journey that will challenge and reward you as a musician. It’s a path that will lead you through the history of heavy metal, teach you essential guitar techniques, and unlock a world of incredible music. So pick up your guitar, crank up the amp, and start learning the riffs of the Metal Gods. Your journey to heavy metal guitar mastery begins now!
