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Early Days Mr. Kris Norris was born August, 31 1978 in Canton, Ohio. He began playing around the age of 14. Early on the self-taught guitarist took an interest in metal and began playing in a local Virginia metal band. Kris' early influences were rooted in Swedish metal, bands include In Flames, Dark Tranquility, and Edge of Sanity. Norwegian Black metal also played a part in Kris' interest including early Mayhem, Emperor, and Ulver. Kris started Disinterment with futur... (more) Kris currently offers 51 guitar lessons at JamPlay, with 7 song lessons, 41 lessons in our Artist Series, 1 Lick & Riff Library entry and 2 entertainment videos.
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Kris Norris kicks off the JamPlay.com Artist Series with a wide array of ideas and lessons; from changing strings on a floyd rose, to advanced sweeping / legato techniques and soloing applications.
Kris Norris demonstrates how to install new strings on a guitar equipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo system.
13:43 Runtime
1.5 Difficulty
Kris Norris shows you his favorite warm-up exercises. These exercises will prepare you to play the guitar from a physical and mental standpoint.
12:16 Runtime
2.0 Difficulty
Kris covers chromatic and scale pattern exercises. Also, he explains some variations on these exercise and provides you with the knowledge to create your own variations. Now you don't have any excuse for getting bored!
20:23 Runtime
Kris shows you the in's and out's of legato playing. These examples will benefit beginners and and advanced players alike. The patterns Kris uses in this lesson are based on the examples shown in "Scalar Exercises: Right and Left Hand Synchronization".
11:01 Runtime
2.5 Difficulty
Kris covers right hand techniques such as palm muting, tremolo, palm muted string skipping, and upstroke accents.
13:26 Runtime
3.5 Difficulty
Kris covers the right and left hand components of sweep picking separately. Then, he shows you how to synchronize the two. Three string arpeggios and five string arpeggios with hammer-ons are both included in the lesson. Kris includes a short, original etude at the end of the lesson that puts all of these concepts in play.
35:40 Runtime
4.5 Difficulty
Kris presents excerpts from his song "Remaining Foolish" from <i> Icons of the Illogical</i>. He explains the arpeggio patterns used in various parts of the song and also talks about alternate picked arpeggios. At the end, he delves into a little of the theory behind these examples.
17:40 Runtime
4.0 Difficulty
Kris uses Pachelbel's "Canon In D" as a way to practice arpeggio sweeps. He shows how to sweep and alternate pick arpeggios.
10:08 Runtime
This lesson is about the concept of counterpoint and harmony. Kris explores contrapuntal examples from his song "A Shift In Normalcy" off of his solo record <i>Icons of the Illogical</i>.
8:52 Runtime
Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the differences in pick thickness.
32:24 Runtime
0.5 Difficulty
Kris Norris explains how to play a Joe Satriani inspired tapping etude.
11:13 Runtime
Kris Norris takes a look at 8 string guitars and their possibilities. He demonstrates the versatility of an 8 string with jazz and metal applications. Kris also performs a short improv jam at the end.
10:34 Runtime
Kris teaches neoclassical examples from three of his favorite guitar players.
29:17 Runtime
5.0 Difficulty
Kris displays some adventurous ways to use chicken pickin' in a rock and metal environment.
15:25 Runtime
3.0 Difficulty
Kris teaches arpeggio examples that use notes outside of a scale. He also demonstrates an example using the Chinese scale.
12:19 Runtime
Kris shows you how to connect the patterns of a G major scale together.
15:28 Runtime
This is the first lesson in the "Mastering Modes" mini series. Here Kris explains the fundamentals of scale basics.
19:08 Runtime
In this lesson, Kris explains the history behind the modes and then explains the Ionian mode.
9:59 Runtime
In this lesson, Kris covers the Dorian mode, which is the second mode of the major scale.
13:39 Runtime
Kris explains the basics of the Phrygian mode, which is a minor sounding mode of the major scale.
7:43 Runtime
In this installment of the "Mastering Modes" mini-series, Kris covers the Lydian mode. This is the fourth mode of the major scale.
9:47 Runtime
Kris explains the basics of the Mixolydian mode, which is a major sounding mode of the major scale.
10:00 Runtime
Kris explains Aeolian, which is the 6th mode of the major scale. This is also known as the natural minor scale.
7:32 Runtime
Kris covers the Locrian mode, which is the 7th mode of the major scale.
5:48 Runtime
Aaron Miller sits down with Kris in the JamPlay studio to discuss songwriting techniques.
78:38 Runtime
Kris Norris and Aaron Miller are back to finish up what they started. Get ready for more songwriting, playing tips, and inside information. Enjoy
32:00 Runtime
Kris shows how some drum rudiments can be used to make exercises for your right hand.
18:33 Runtime
Kris teaches how to use sliding techniques with arpeggios. He uses an example in the Lydian mode and also plays over a backing.
15:11 Runtime
Kris teaches exercises focused on getting the left hand fingers to be more independent.
26:19 Runtime
Kris explains root triad arpeggios and their first and second inversions.
25:12 Runtime
This lesson focuses on sweep picking major, minor, and diminished triad arpeggios chromatically.
16:33 Runtime
Kris shows you how inversions can be used to create smooth voice leading within a progression.
14:34 Runtime
Kris shows how to combine pentatonic scales from different keys to form new and interesting sounds.
24:06 Runtime
Kris shows you how to learn scales vertically and horizontally on the fretboard.
16:11 Runtime
Named after the "Neapolitan School" from the 18th century and not ice cream, this chord is a major chord built on the lowered 2nd scale degree.
7:13 Runtime
1.0 Difficulty
Kris shows the diatonic chords of G Major.
19:42 Runtime
Kris teaches you how to play diatonic 7th arpeggios and their inversions in the key of G major.
15:47 Runtime
Kris shows you how to play seventh arpeggios with tapping, legato, and string skipping.
7:45 Runtime
Kris shows some common major and minor chord progressions.
27:24 Runtime
Kris installs these new EMG pickups into his guitar.
26:15 Runtime
Kris Norris sat down with Chodypth, aka Cody, and this video is the result of a day of jamming and practicing.
77:35 Runtime
Learn to play songs from Darkest Hour's Kris Norris.
Kris teaches this song from his former band Darkest Hour. It uses the musical form "Passacaglia."
12:56 Runtime
Kris Norris teaches the song "Convalescence" by his former band Darkest Hour.
17:14 Runtime
Kris teaches the solo from the song "Tunguska." This song can be found on the albumDeliver Us by his former band, Darkest Hour.
11:00 Runtime
Kris takes you through this song from Deliver Us by his former band, Darkest Hour.
30:00 Runtime
Kris teaches you this song from Undoing Ruin by his former band Darkest Hour.
36:16 Runtime
Kris teaches you this song from Deliver Us by his former band Darkest Hour.
24:11 Runtime
Kris Norris teaches this sludgy down-tuned metal song from the band Entombed.
12:03 Runtime
Our Lick & Riff Video Library can help you break out of your standard techniques, and can inspire your creativity to move your playing forward.
Random licks and riffs contributed by the JamPlay instructors.
Kris Norris improvises three separate times over "The Life and Times of Sir Walter Sickert". This is a song he did for the Magna Carta Records release Guitars That Ate My Brain.
10:17 Runtime
Kris Norris plays rhythm and lead parts on this demo of his song "Everything Expires". The song is on the album, Icons Of The Illogical, on Magna Carta records.
4:26 Runtime
Mr. Kris Norris was born August, 31 1978 in Canton, Ohio. He began playing around the age of 14. Early on the self-taught guitarist took an interest in metal and began playing in a local Virginia metal band. Kris' early influences were rooted in Swedish metal, bands include In Flames, Dark Tranquility, and Edge of Sanity. Norwegian Black metal also played a part in Kris' interest including early Mayhem, Emperor, and Ulver. Kris started Disinterment with future Darkest Hour bandmate Ryan Parrish. Disinterment lasted over 6 years and developed a local following in the Virginia metal by being some of the first players to incorporate Swedish metal and 3 guitar players.
When Kris was 17 he attended Virgina Commonwealth University School of Music (VCU). He studied Music composition and focused on film with world renowned composer Dika Newlin. Kris also studied classical guitar with John Patykula, prize student of Jesus Silva who was the prize student of Andre Segovia. Kris left the University after 6 years of studies. After college, he began his teaching career instructing private students and giving lessons at Mars Music. Kris' teaching career would eventually be put on hold to join Darkest Hour.
Kris' first album with Darkest Hour ,Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation, the 2005 release was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordstrom. Ironically, the same studio facilitated many of Kris' influences 10 years prior. Darkest Hour's next release, Undoing Ruin allowed Kris to stretch his wings and show what he could truly do on the instrument with the addition of several solos. The record was produced by Canadian metal mastermind Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Steve Vai). Townsend was a big part of pushing Kris to his own musical potential on Undoing Ruin and even more so on the follow up record, Deliver Us. Deliver Us was released in 2007 and debuted at 110 on the Billboard Chart. This would be the last Darkest Hour record with Kris as a member. The album like its predecessor was also produced by Devin Townsend, who was able to take a bigger hand in its production. Devin pushed Kris to experiment with his own playing and to hone in on his strongest abilities. Kris' career with Darkest Hour spanned 6 years, 23 countries, 4 continents, countless tours, 3 albums, near 200,000 album sales, and many lifelong friendships made along the way. With the birth of his son in 2008, Kris felt he needed to take his career closer to home while still focusing on music and guitar. In order for Darkest Hour to devote 100% to their music and touring, Kris came to the decision to amicably part ways with the band.
As of early 2009, Kris has full sponsorships from ESP, EMG, Peavey, DigiTech, InTune, and Morley. Currently, Kris is producing and mixing aspiring metal acts while also working for Final Symphony Studios out of Charlottesville, Virgina. Kris also edits records for James Murphy (Testament, Obituary, Death) at Safehouse Productions. Kris has released his first solo record through Magna Carta Records, entitled Icons Of The Illogical. His solo effort was recorded at Karma Productions with Cory Smoot (GWAR) and features vocals from Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe. Kris is excited to be an addition to the JamPlay Instructor Roster. Lending his metal chops and thorough education to his lessons make him a valuable teacher. Kris is excited to be making lessons for JamPlay and just as stoked to learn new things from our other instructors. Check it out and stay Metal.
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