By Chris Brooks

Yngwie Malmsteen, the undisputed pioneer of neoclassical metal, famously integrated classical music concepts into hard rock guitar, with J.S. Bach's influence being particularly prominent. A cornerstone of his virtuosic style is the masterful application of pedal tone and inverted pedal tone licks - techniques deeply rooted in Baroque vocabulary.

A pedal tone (or pedal point) in music refers to a sustained or repeated note, typically in the bass, over which other melodic or harmonic changes occur. The term originally came from the use of pedals in organ music. Imagine a drone note that persists while the melody and chords above it evolve.

In a guitar context, a pedal tone lick involves repeating a lower (or higher) note that works as a musical anchor between moving melody notes. In rock especially where use overdriven tones, the pedal tone won't sustain across the melodic variations but occur in between them as a pivot point. Examples of this in Neoclassical Rock include riffs where an open string will anchor a rhythm part as a pivot point between moving figures.

Conversely, an inverted pedal tone lick features a sustained or repeated note in a higher register, usually the highest note of the passage, while the lower voices move around it. This is the focus of today's lesson.

⬆️ Watch the video to see me play and break down today's licks ⬆️

Malmsteen’s adoption of these techniques directly stems from his deep study of Bach's compositions, particularly the organ works and violin partitas, where pedal points are a common structural device. By translating these classical principles to the electric guitar, Malmsteen not only showcased breathtaking technical prowess but also forged a unique sound that remains highly influential in rock and metal. These licks are instantly recognizable as a hallmark of his neoclassical shred style, blending Baroque complexity with rock aggression.

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Chris

Chris Brooks is the founder of Guitar21 as well as the writer of 18 chart topping guitar technique books. His latest creation is Viking Shred Guitar Suite - the ultimate Neoclassical Shred Guitar course.