Kris shows you the in's and out's of legato playing. Kris shows some exercises that he uses to practice his legato technique. Then, he includes some exercise variations to help mix things up. These examples will benefit beginners and and advanced players alike.
Taught by Kris Norris in Kris Norris Artist Series seriesLength: 11:01Difficulty: 2.5 of 5
Kris Norris kicks off the JamPlay.com Artist Series with a wide array of ideas and lessons; from changing strings on a floyd rose, to advanced sweeping / legato techniques and soloing applications.
Lesson 1
Kris Norris demonstrates how to install new strings on a guitar equipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo system.
Length: 13:43 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
Kris Norris shows you his favorite warm-up exercises. These exercises will prepare you to play the guitar from a physical and mental standpoint.
Length: 12:16 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 3
Kris covers chromatic and scale pattern exercises. Also, he explains some variations on these exercise and provides you with the knowledge to create your own variations. Now you don't have any excuse...
Length: 20:23 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 4
Kris shows you the in's and out's of legato playing. These examples will benefit beginners and and advanced players alike. The patterns Kris uses in this lesson are based on the examples shown in "Scalar...
Length: 11:01 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 5
Kris covers right hand techniques such as palm muting, tremolo, palm muted string skipping, and upstroke accents.
Length: 13:26 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 6
Kris covers the right and left hand components of sweep picking separately. Then, he shows you how to synchronize the two. Three string arpeggios and five string arpeggios with hammer-ons are both included...
Length: 35:40 Difficulty: 4.5 Members OnlyLesson 7
Kris presents excerpts from his song "Remaining Foolish" from Icons of the Illogical. He explains the arpeggio patterns used in various parts of the song and also talks about alternate picked arpeggios....
Length: 17:40 Difficulty: 4.0 Members OnlyLesson 8
Kris uses Pachelbel's "Canon In D" as a way to practice arpeggio sweeps. He shows how to sweep and alternate pick arpeggios.
Length: 10:08 Difficulty: 4.5 Members OnlyLesson 9
This lesson is about the concept of counterpoint and harmony. Kris explores contrapuntal examples from his song "A Shift In Normalcy" off of his solo record Icons of the Illogical.
Length: 8:52 Difficulty: 4.5 Members OnlyLesson 10
Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the differences in pick thickness.
Length: 32:24 Difficulty: 0.5 FREELesson 11
Kris Norris explains how to play a Joe Satriani inspired tapping etude.
Length: 11:13 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 12
Kris Norris takes a look at 8 string guitars and their possibilities. He demonstrates the versatility of an 8 string with jazz and metal applications. Kris also performs a short improv jam at the end.
Length: 10:34 Difficulty: 1.5 Members OnlyLesson 13
Kris teaches neoclassical examples from three of his favorite guitar players.
Length: 29:17 Difficulty: 5.0 Members OnlyLesson 14
Kris displays some adventurous ways to use chicken pickin' in a rock and metal environment.
Length: 15:25 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 15
Kris teaches arpeggio examples that use notes outside of a scale. He also demonstrates an example using the Chinese scale.
Length: 12:19 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 16
Kris shows you how to connect the patterns of a G major scale together.
Length: 15:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 17
This is the first lesson in the "Mastering Modes" mini series. Here Kris explains the fundamentals of scale basics.
Length: 19:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 18
In this lesson, Kris explains the history behind the modes and then explains the Ionian mode.
Length: 9:59 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 19
In this lesson, Kris covers the Dorian mode, which is the second mode of the major scale.
Length: 13:39 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 20
Kris explains the basics of the Phrygian mode, which is a minor sounding mode of the major scale.
Length: 7:43 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 21
In this installment of the "Mastering Modes" mini-series, Kris covers the Lydian mode. This is the fourth mode of the major scale.
Length: 9:47 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 22
Kris explains the basics of the Mixolydian mode, which is a major sounding mode of the major scale.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 23
Kris explains Aeolian, which is the 6th mode of the major scale. This is also known as the natural minor scale.
Length: 7:32 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 24
Kris covers the Locrian mode, which is the 7th mode of the major scale.
Length: 5:48 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 25
Aaron Miller sits down with Kris in the JamPlay studio to discuss songwriting techniques.
Length: 78:38 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 26
Kris Norris and Aaron Miller are back to finish up what they started. Get ready for more songwriting, playing tips, and inside information. Enjoy
Length: 32:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 27
Kris shows how some drum rudiments can be used to make exercises for your right hand.
Length: 18:33 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 28
Kris teaches how to use sliding techniques with arpeggios. He uses an example in the Lydian mode and also plays over a backing.
Length: 15:11 Difficulty: 4.0 Members OnlyLesson 29
Kris teaches exercises focused on getting the left hand fingers to be more independent.
Length: 26:19 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 30
Kris explains root triad arpeggios and their first and second inversions.
Length: 25:12 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 31
This lesson focuses on sweep picking major, minor, and diminished triad arpeggios chromatically.
Length: 16:33 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 32
Kris shows you how inversions can be used to create smooth voice leading within a progression.
Length: 14:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 33
Kris shows how to combine pentatonic scales from different keys to form new and interesting sounds.
Length: 24:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 34
Kris shows you how to learn scales vertically and horizontally on the fretboard.
Length: 16:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 35
Named after the "Neapolitan School" from the 18th century and not ice cream, this chord is a major chord built on the lowered 2nd scale degree.
Length: 7:13 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 36
Kris shows the diatonic chords of G Major.
Length: 19:42 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 37
Kris teaches you how to play diatonic 7th arpeggios and their inversions in the key of G major.
Length: 15:47 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 38
Kris shows you how to play seventh arpeggios with tapping, legato, and string skipping.
Length: 7:45 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 39
Kris shows some common major and minor chord progressions.
Length: 27:24 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 40
Kris installs these new EMG pickups into his guitar.
Length: 26:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 41
Kris Norris sat down with Chodypth, aka Cody, and this video is the result of a day of jamming and practicing.
Length: 77:35 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
About Kris Norris
View Full Biography
Mr. Kris Norris was born August, 31 1978 in Canton, Ohio. He began playing around the age of 14. Early on the self-taught guitarist took an interest in metal and began playing in a local Virginia metal band. Kris' early influences were rooted in Swedish metal, bands include In Flames, Dark Tranquility, and Edge of Sanity. Norwegian Black metal also played a part in Kris' interest including early Mayhem, Emperor, and Ulver. Kris started Disinterment with future Darkest Hour bandmate Ryan Parrish. Disinterment lasted over 6 years and developed a local following in the Virginia metal by being some of the first players to incorporate Swedish metal and 3 guitar players.
College Days
When Kris was 17 he attended Virgina Commonwealth University School of Music (VCU). He studied Music composition and focused on film with world renowned composer Dika Newlin. Kris also studied classical guitar with John Patykula, prize student of Jesus Silva who was the prize student of Andre Segovia. Kris left the University after 6 years of studies. After college, he began his teaching career instructing private students and giving lessons at Mars Music. Kris' teaching career would eventually be put on hold to join Darkest Hour.
Darkest Hour Days
Kris' first album with Darkest Hour ,Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation, the 2005 release was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordstrom. Ironically, the same studio facilitated many of Kris' influences 10 years prior.
Darkest Hour's next release, Undoing Ruin allowed Kris to stretch his wings and show what he could truly do on the instrument with the addition of several solos. The record was produced by Canadian metal mastermind Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Steve Vai). Townsend was a big part of pushing Kris to his own musical potential on Undoing Ruin and even more so on the follow up record, Deliver Us.
Deliver Us was released in 2007 and debuted at 110 on the Billboard Chart. This would be the last Darkest Hour record with Kris as a member. The album like its predecessor was also produced by Devin Townsend, who was able to take a bigger hand in its production. Devin pushed Kris to experiment with his own playing and to hone in on his strongest abilities.
Kris' career with Darkest Hour spanned 6 years, 23 countries, 4 continents, countless tours, 3 albums, near 200,000 album sales, and many lifelong friendships made along the way. With the birth of his son in 2008, Kris felt he needed to take his career closer to home while still focusing on music and guitar. In order for Darkest Hour to devote 100% to their music and touring, Kris came to the decision to amicably part ways with the band.
His Future:
As of early 2009, Kris has full sponsorships from ESP, EMG, Peavey, DigiTech, InTune, and Morley. Currently, Kris is producing and mixing aspiring metal acts while also working for Final Symphony Studios out of Charlottesville, Virgina. Kris also edits records for James Murphy (Testament, Obituary, Death) at Safehouse Productions. Kris has released his first solo record through Magna Carta Records, entitled Icons Of The Illogical. His solo effort was recorded at Karma Productions with Cory Smoot (GWAR) and features vocals from Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe.
Kris is excited to be an addition to the JamPlay Instructor Roster. Lending his metal chops and thorough education to his lessons make him a valuable teacher. Kris is excited to be making lessons for JamPlay and just as stoked to learn new things from our other instructors. Check it out and stay Metal.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Why no supplement for the part that he opens with?
We provide supplemental content only for the teaching portion of the lessons. It helps keep confusion at a minimum as the lesson itself has the tab.
I was always told lets say your scale bottom strings you should use 1 3 4 fingers when you play you use fingers 1 2 4! does that matter when you do whole steps ? the way your taught or what feels more comfortable?
nice n hard hahaha
hammer on and play offs is more difficult to play on clean guitar than in distortion. So, how do you work on that to make it sound better?
Awesome lesson series man.
Fuck Kris is the best teacher in jam play seriously.when i watch a lesson of Kris i always understand it.more lessons Kris!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA KRISS AWSOME