Emil Werstler

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

Use the tabs below to learn more or subscribe for unlimited access to all artists and courses.

Emil Werstler Artist Series

Tackle advanced playing techniques and theory application with metal talent, Emil Werstler.

1

Interview Part 1

JamPlay is proud to introduce our newest instructor, Emil Werstler of Daath.

28:09 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

Techniques - One String Soloing Concepts

Emil teaches one string, horizontal soloing concepts.

4:54 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

9

Techniques - Pitch Axis

Emil teaches the concept of pitch axis.

8:05 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

Style - Pentatonic Chromaticism

Emil shows you how he incorporates chromaticism into pentatonic licks which adds a unique twist.

9:30 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

18

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

19

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

20

2010 Interview

Emil talks about what he accomplished in 2010 and his new batch of lessons.

15:34 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

21

The Importance Of Alternate Picking

Emil provides a lesson on alternate picking warm-up exercises.

16:32 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

22

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

23

Jazz Up Your Pentatonics

Emil explains how the use the pentatonic scale without sounding "pentatonic" or bluesy.

16:16 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

24

What You Can Do With Triads

Emil takes an in depth look at triads.

9:44 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

25

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

26

The Changes: Part Two

Emil continues to discuss how arpeggios can be used effectively within a solo.

12:08 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

27

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

28

Convenient Chromaticism

Emil shows more ways to incorporate chromaticism into your playing.

13:21 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

29

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

30

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

31

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

32

Minor Blues Concepts

Emil covers minor blues concepts.

14:33 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

33

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

34

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

35

Emil-isms

Emil takes you through some techniques that he uses frequently in his style of playing.

24:36 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
36

Percussive Muting Techniques

Emil shows some cool muting techniques that produce a unique percussive sound.

7:57 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

37

Rock & Roll Cliches That Need To Stop

Emil talks about what it takes to be a rock musician.

30:00 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

38

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

39

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

40

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

41

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

42

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

43

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

44

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

45

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

46

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

47

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

48

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

Unlock All Courses

Get Started

Get access to all guitar lessons from Emil Werstler along with our full roster of guitar teachers.