Guitar Lovers

Traditionally, heavy metal bands play a step or two down from standard tuning. Though some may dismiss metal as a bunch of noise, listening to a band like Slayer, early Metallica or even newer bands like The Bled or Killswitch Engage will let you know that these guys can play as well as any bona fide blues guitarist.

The major chords are typically E or D (the latter being the most popular), but it really depends on your own personal tinkering. Personally, I like to alternate between standard (EADGBE) and D-standard when I’m playing on stage and I can do this with ease with a guitar tuner.

Tuning that is catching on, however, is BF#BEG#C#. It’s great for thrash, but if you’re looking for something on the technical side, I highly recommend standard or D-standard.

If this is your last summer before you venture off for college, you might be concerned about what college life is going to bring. Whether you’re in the dorms or you’re going to rent an apartment, life is about to change quite a bit, and it’s natural to worry about that change. The biggest concern among incoming college freshmen is that they won’t find any new friends or that they won’t be popular. But being a popular college freshman isn’t rocket science. It just takes some of the following pointers.

The biggest mistake new freshmen make is not being outgoing or confident. Nobody knows you at college, so you have to make the effort. Introduce yourself to a lot of people, and get them involved in fun activities. Whether you take the initiative to organize a dorm Frisbee game or you teach somebody on your floor the acoustic guitar, just remember to be friendly and involved. The more people you meet, the more likely you are to find people that share your interests. Your high school reputation doesn’t follow you to college, so you’re free to become the person you want to be.