HXC/2 Step Guitar

[megadeth600606]

I am in a hxc breakdown 2 step type band and I don't really how to write this type of music. From what I have gathered os far, its basically minor based, with some major chorus.... Thats relaly all I have. I know it has a taste of metal to it, which is where i come from, but I still don't understand the theory behind some of this music. Also, I don't understand what bands like glassjaw are doing? Any help??

[HTD]

It's all about making the music sound heavy as hell as is probably pretty obvious. MOST hxc is primarily minor based, but it shouldn't be restricted to that. By no means. My band and I played with this one hxc/two step band that had a song in major and never went to minor. And really, it was the heaviest thing I heard all night.
It's important though to have some metal riffage however. If you come from a metal background that shouldn't be too hard... stick to more simplistic and driving riffs.
I'm at a loss for any good examples right now, but if you haven't checked out bleeding through you should. Might provide a little more insight into the genre.
I personally don't understand what any hardcore music is trying to achieve (I'm a metaller as well) but it can make the right crowd go nuts.... which is always a good thing :)

I don't know if that helps at all, I kind of feel like I'm stating the obvious.
But I'm happy to help with any other questions.

[megadeth600606]

It seems like all the stuff we do is ALL straight aeolian. And I mean its all good, but I don't know. I'm the only one who knows anything about theory, but the other guitarist makes up songs, and its like the same thing. I dunno. Have a listen if you'd like. www.myspace.com/rightsofcorruption

we are getting a new singer soon. haha

[bananaguitarist]

try using the harmonic minor scale.
if you listen to a lot of the new british metal/hardcore music. its pretty much just harmonic minor.

if you are new to hardcore i recommend listening to Bring Me The Horizon, Job For A Cowboy, The Architects or Johnny Truant.

All these bands are pretty much all each other's friends on myspace so you can find more hardcore bands there.

peece out

[HTD]

Sweet stuff man!
Love the half time part during the opening riff in Bolted.
Annnnnddd... I can see why you're getting a new vocalist. No offense.
Hmm, it's hard when your trying to write and are the only one with any theory knowledge. I guess really you don't have hold on too much to theory when writing this kind of music though. I'd say just go for it. Try and write anything that sounds good and can be made into a heavy, kick you in the pants type song and try and use theory too clean up anything that doesn't work for you.
there's one hardcore band my band used to play with... I don't think they are around anymore but I think they still have their myspace.

www.myspace.com/lostformillenia

Don't even know if they have the song up there but they had a really good song that kind of broke out of the aeolian hardcore thing.

Goodluck finding a new vocalist!

[HTD]

yes, harmonic minor is a very good thing as well. And definitely check out Job For a Cowboy if you haven't already. Personally they are the best hardcore band out there (but then again I don't listen to a lot of hardcore sooo.... I could be wrong.)