Cantrell, Jerry

Unchained... The grunge and metal pioneer’s playing secrets unlocked

Though known as grunge pioneers, Alice In Chains are heavily influenced by metal and hard rock, with a sound that sets them apart from the loud-soft cliches of some other early-90s alt-rock acts. A big feature of Jerry’s playing is dissonant harmony and a fondness for that staple metal scale, the Phrygian mode – take a listen to the main verse riff in Would for an example. Try out our riff to get a little of Jerry’s magic in your playing.

There’s a great mix of some of Jerry’s favourite chords here – F#7add11 and E5dim will help you capture some essential AIC harmonies. Alice In Chains employ odd time in tracks such as Thembones; count an eighth note pulse to keep time with the unusual feel of our 3/4 and 4/4 time change.