A new wave is sweeping across young guitarists like myself. For those whose thirst is not quenched by basic time signatures, six strings, and clean vocals, we have Djent. What is Djent? Djent is a form of heavy metal that derived from progressive rock. The word “djent” is an onomatopoeia for the sound that the guitars make due to the picking style and low tuning. What makes Djent different from everything else? Frankly, Djent is the most difficult form of music to play in my opinion. Why? It is characterized by its “progressive, rhythmic, and technical complexity.”. This is the pinnacle of heavy metal.
To an outsider, this may mean nothing to you. As a guitarist thirsting for more in music, I chuckle. Djent is a very odd type of music. Most of the people I show it to don’t like it. My dad, a fellow metal head, doesn’t even like it. I feel like Djent definitely isn’t for everyone. You have to be into music enough to really enjoy what is going on in the song. I’ve been playing guitar for ten years and I still find some songs hard to understand.
The one piece of equipment that you’re going to find in a Djent band is a seven, eight, or even nine-string guitar. On top of that, the guitars are usually tuned below standard. Normally, a six-string guitar is tuned E-A-D-G-B-E. Think of the intro to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. That low note that Kirk Hammett initially hits is an E. On a seven string, there’s an extra low B string so that the tuning is now B-E-A-D-G-B-E.
The one piece of equipment that you’re going to find in a Djent band is a seven, eight, or even nine-string guitar. On top of that, the guitars are usually tuned below standard. Normally, a six-string guitar is tuned E-A-D-G-B-E. Think of the intro to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. That low note that Kirk Hammett initially hits is an E. On a seven string, there’s an extra low B string so that the tuning is now B-E-A-D-G-B-E.
In “Thank You for Arguing”, Jay Heinrichs states, “Rhetorical decorum is the art of fitting in.” If you show up to a drag strip, you better be ready to race. Similarly, if you play Djent, you usually have one of these ridiculous guitars. Some bands even say to hell with a bassist and get two eight string guitarists such as Animals as Leaders. You don’t djent with a Gibson Les Paul. Instead, you try to fit as many strings on the fret board as possible. Showing up to Djent-Fest 2016 (not an actual event that I am aware of) with a six string is like showing up to play golf and you bring baseball equipment. You just don’t do it. |