Black metal riff generator
A black metal riff generator creates cold, fast guitar riffs built on tremolo picking, with long notes picked as fast as possible. This page uses F# natural minor in standard tuning at 180 BPM.
Example riff
This riff was made with the settings below and the seed black-metal2. The same settings and seed always give the same riff.
- Key
- F#
- Scale
- Natural minor
- Tuning
- E Standard
- Tempo
- 180 BPM
- Difficulty
- 3
- Technique
- Tremolo
- Bars
- 4
TP------------------------------------------------------------- e|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| B|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| G|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| D|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| A|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| E|2-------2-------2-------2-------|2-------2-------2-------7-------| TP------------------------------------------------------------- e|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| B|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| G|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| D|--------------------------------|----------------4---------------| A|--------------------------------|--------------------------------| E|2-------2-------2-------2-------|2-------------------------------|
Open this riff in the generator Make a new riff in this style
What makes a riff sound like black metal?
Tremolo picking is the signature: one note picked fast for a whole bar or more while the fretting hand changes notes slowly underneath. The riff sounds like a wall of sound that moves in large steps.
Minor keys are common. Play on the middle strings rather than the lowest ones if you want a thinner, colder tone.
Reading the tab
In the copied tab text, TP marks tremolo picking, and the line stays over the notes for as long as they are picked. Pick with alternating strokes and keep the movement small.
Frequently asked questions
How fast should tremolo picking be?
As fast as it stays even. Sixteenth notes at 160 to 180 BPM are common. Start slower with the metronome and raise the tempo when the picking hand stays relaxed.
Can I use another tuning?
Yes. Standard tuning is used here, but any tuning in the generator works, from Drop D to C standard.