Emil Werstler
From Dååth, Chimaira
Atlanta based guitarist Emil Werstler is a force to be reckoned with. Lead guitarist of the band, DAATH (Roadrunner Records / Century Media), Emil has made a serious name for himself in the guitar world in a very short time. Performing worldwide with his main project DAATH on notable tours such as Ozzfest and along side well established acts such as Unearth, Devil Driver, Dark Funeral, and Job For A Cowboy, Emil continues to gain strength and credibility as one of the most s... (more)
Emil currently offers 57 guitar lessons at JamPlay, with 6 song lessons, 48 lessons in our Artist Series and 3 Lick & Riff Library entries.
Emil Werstler's contribution to JamPlay
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Emil Werstler Artist Series
Tackle advanced playing techniques and theory application with metal talent, Emil Werstler.
Interview Part 1
JamPlay is proud to introduce our newest instructor, Emil Werstler of Daath.
28:09 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Techniques - Down Picking Endurance Exercises
In Emil's first lesson, he teaches his down picking technique using a riff from "Ovum," a song by his band Daath.
5:10 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Techniques - Bending and Vibrato
Emil teaches how to practice bending. He also demonstrates various vibrato techniques and explains how to incorporate them into your playing.
12:09 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Techniques - Wide Form Pentatonics
Emil shows you a different way to play the pentatonic scale by combining boxes and playing in groups of 4.
6:26 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Techniques - Switching Gears From Sweeping To Alternate Picking
Emil shows three example exercises that focus on sweeping up and descending alternate picking.
6:23 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Techniques - Economy Picking The Little Lamb (On Acid)
Emil shows exercise examples on 2 string licks that feature economy picking.
6:14 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Emil Werstler Interview Part Two: Daath
Emil Talks about his band Daath. Topics covered include the history of the band, the writing process, ozzfest, and more.
32:44 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Techniques - One String Soloing Concepts
Emil teaches one string, horizontal soloing concepts.
4:54 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Techniques - Pitch Axis
Emil teaches the concept of pitch axis.
8:05 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
About Emil's PRS guitar
Emil sat down and gave us a little bit of history about his main guitar and also some of the specs.
10:00 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Interview Part Three
Emil talks in depth about various topics including theory, goals and balance in your playing, getting out of a rut, his influences and more.
29:23 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Horizontal Lick Building Part One - Minor Idea
This minor idea lesson is the first part in the five part mini series on horizontal lick building.
4:58 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Horizontal Lick Building Part Two - Major Idea
Here is the second lesson in the mini series of lessons on horizontal lick building. Emil shows you the Major idea here.
4:53 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Horizontal Lick Building Part Three - Pentatonic Idea
In this lesson Emil shows you a horizontal pentatonic lick that you can cycle.
5:00 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Horizontal Lick Building Part Four - Dominant Idea
Emil Werstler shows the fourth lick in this mini series of lessons. This lick is dominant in quality.
5:03 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Horizontal Lick Building Part Five - Master Idea
In part five of the lick building series Emil puts all the ideas together to create this master example.
6:11 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Style - Pentatonic Chromaticism
Emil shows you how he incorporates chromaticism into pentatonic licks which adds a unique twist.
9:30 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Style - Diminished Chromaticism
Emil shows how he incorporates chromaticism into some diminished runs and licks which really makes for some exotic sounds.
4:30 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Interview Part Four - Playing And Performance
Emil covers different topics related to playing and performance in this interview segment.
22:33 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
2010 Interview
Emil talks about what he accomplished in 2010 and his new batch of lessons.
15:34 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
The Importance Of Alternate Picking
Emil provides a lesson on alternate picking warm-up exercises.
16:32 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
Chord Scales
Emil talks in depth about the concept of "chord scales" and how they can be applied to a practical musical context.
15:39 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Jazz Up Your Pentatonics
Emil explains how the use the pentatonic scale without sounding "pentatonic" or bluesy.
16:16 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
What You Can Do With Triads
Emil takes an in depth look at triads.
9:44 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
The Changes: Part One
In this lesson, Emil explains how arpeggios can be used within a solo to effectively outline the chord changes. He uses the 12 bar blues form as an example.
31:27 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
The Changes: Part Two
Emil continues to discuss how arpeggios can be used effectively within a solo.
12:08 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
More Wideform Pentatonics
Emil expounds upon his previous lesson on "wide form" pentatonic patterns and the licks that can be played within them.
16:03 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Convenient Chromaticism
Emil shows more ways to incorporate chromaticism into your playing.
13:21 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Alternative Chords For Metal Part 1 - Standard Tuning
Emil demonstrates some ways to bust out of the power chord rut with some creative voicings that work well with a high gain tone.
22:11 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Alternative Chords For Metal Part 2 - Drop D Tuning
Emil continues his teachings on alternate chords for metal with a look at drop tunings.
14:28 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Drop D Warmups
Emil covers his current warmups that he uses before he goes on stage with his band, Daath.
6:17 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Minor Blues Concepts
Emil covers minor blues concepts.
14:33 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Adding Style To Your Octaves
Emil shows how some of his favorite players use octaves in their own unique way.
9:05 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Pickless Chord Comping
Emil demonstrates some fingerstyle comping techniques that can be applied to a 12 bar blues progression.
7:42 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Emil-isms
Emil takes you through some techniques that he uses frequently in his style of playing.
24:36 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Percussive Muting Techniques
Emil shows some cool muting techniques that produce a unique percussive sound.
7:57 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Rock & Roll Cliches That Need To Stop
Emil talks about what it takes to be a rock musician.
30:00 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Relearn Or Brush Up On Basic Harmony
Emil Werstler is back with a lesson on basic harmony. He explains why it is important for every guitar player to understand harmony and teaches basic chords as a foundation.
18:00 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
The Harmonic Minor Scale
Emil explains some harmonic minor ideas that can spice up even then most generic sounding licks.
20:00 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Warmups Pt. Deux
Emil covers his philosophy on warming up and provides some exercises that will get the job done.
15:00 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Common Chord Progressions To Improvise Over
Emil shows you 3 common blues chord progressions. These progressions are the basis for his improvisation lessons coming up in the series.
6:07 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Blending Dominant And Diminished
Emil shows you how to make diminished arpeggios sound more dominant. Doing this can make your playing sound less neo-classical and predictable.
11:17 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
How To Sound Like You Know What You Are Doing
Emil returns with a lesson on a topic he gets asked about frequently. He explains how to play over chord changes and target tones. Once you get a grasp of these concepts, you'll begin to sound like you know what you are doing when you solo over chord progressions.
18:00 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Alternate Picking
Emil shows you five examples that will help you beef up your alternate picking. He uses the comparison of running ten miles every day to prepare yourself for a one mile jog. Applying this idea to your practicing will allow you to become more consistent and refined in your alternate picking as well as your technique in general.
10:00 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
The Art of the Rest Stroke
Emil clarifies his take on economy picking and the art of the rest stroke.
16:05 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Get Better at Music While Warming Up
Here is a lesson on how to not just get good at warmup exercises but getting better at playing music - while warming up.
15:00 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Know Your Intervals
Emil covers the basic topic of intervals -- a topic that many guitarists overlook. Intervals are the building blocks of music, and in this lesson you'll learn how to identify them by sight as well as by ear.
16:00 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Your Questions Answered
Emil answers top questions asked by his fans. Topics covered include: side-washing cabs, stage presence, practice, programming drums, 7-string guitar approach, incorrect playing, and more. Emil has become kind of known for his unapologizing opinion on all things guitar, and this video will probably make you either love him or hate him. Enjoy!
20:00 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
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