How To Play "Down" by 311 with Nick Hexum

Learn to play "Down" by 311 with guitarist Nick Hexum, and listen as Nick talks about how he gets THAT riff sound!

Watch the FULL Riff Lords episode with Nick Hexum HERE: https://youtu.be/J6oti1E2DNY

▶ Products used in this video:
▶ Shop Gibson ES Guitars like Nick is using HERE: https://bit.ly/3Sh5Huq
▶ Nick is playing a MESA/Boogie Badlander amplifier: https://bit.ly/3LTKQdf

In this excerpt from Riff Lords with Nick Hexum of 311, you’ll learn the track "Down" by 311, as featured on their self-titled album released in 1995, affectionately known as the "Blue album" as Nick calls it. In this guitar lesson, Nick not only breaks down the iconic 311 song "Down," but as a bonus for 311 fans, Nick shares his unique guitar techniques on how he gets that funky riff to really pop, the effects he uses, and of course, a full breakdown on how to play it correctly.

PLUS some trivia on why and how they wrote the track. HINT: they wanted to really rock the crowd!

Although the original track recorded in 1994 was played on a Gibson Les Paul, Nick is using his customized mini Walnut Gibson ES guitar, which he says gets you that distinctive tone you hear on the album and lets him get so many different sounds, especially when you want the touch-wah mixed with distortion sound.

We also get a mini 311 gear guide as Nick explains the gear used, which is a combination of the touch-wah pedal effect with distortion, crucial for achieving the song's unique sound.

One of the cool things about this guitar lesson is that you’ll also learn how the song was influenced by 311 listening to heavy riff rock bands like Helmet - another band that was famous for their big riffs and huge rock tones. Watch how Nick shows you how to get that funky syncopation that makes the song so iconic and instantly recognizable and see how he methodically breaks down the offbeat accents, which you need to get right if you want to nail the "Down" sound.

Learn the G to A transition on the third fret, how he uses power chords to get the power, and the crucial turnaround in the fourth measure. The chorus, played in E Major, gets its sound by muting the strings - really useful tricks if you want to get it right.

Nick also breaks down the mosh-pit bouncing “rock-out session” that we all know and love that follows the chorus, which still adds a slightly bluesy touch for which 311 is famous.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to play "Down" by 311 the CORRECT way, this is the guitar lesson for you, brought to you by the guitarist who actually wrote the track!

Be sure to check out the full episode on Gibson TV to see Nick teach a bunch of other great 311 tracks too!

Chapters:
0:00 The story of the song "Down" by 311
0:50 How to play "Down" by 311
3:38 Nick Hexum’s Custom Gibson ES-356


📼 Related Videos To Watch Next:
▶ Watch the FULL Riff Lords episode with Nick Hexum HERE: https://youtu.be/J6oti1E2DNY
▶ Sound Like Adam Jones from Tool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnmJAyAAYjQ
▶ Watch ICONS with Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT9pwCFMz0k&list=PL7qLGYJiRJ1hr5qFhq3xFlyNNO1iQPjQU&index=5

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