Author Topic: speed (Read 4405 times)

Tarzan · « **on:** April 03, 2007, 12:39:19 PM »

can anybody suggest any good exercises to get my picking speed up?

cheers

Sekhmet · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2007, 01:57:38 PM »

Lateral or Horizontal picking?

On Single string runs then you want to concentrate on having the smallest possable pick movement, start of really slow with a metronome and gradually build up speed.
Play in 16ths (4 nothes per click) and accent the first note on every click this will help you build up pick control rather than an uncontrolled spasm.
Then start adding notes in, chromatically is a good place to start, then diatonically.

For across string chops my absolute favourite exercise is the Sailors Horn Pipe Jig, has everything you need, alternate picking, economy picking, intervalic picking and string skipping.

If you can affoard it John Petrucci's Rock Discipline DVD is pretty much the bible of melodic shread.
If not try http://www.shredaholic.com for some great shread lessons or http://www.wholenote.com for a really detailed site on guitar playing in genral.

One last thing, if you don't have a metronome, get one, it's one of the most important peices of equipment you'l own (although it does have a tendancy to drive people insane).

Tarzan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2007, 04:34:51 PM »

thanks for that

would the book be as good as the DVD, or should i spend the little extra?

808 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2007, 05:12:26 PM »

You'll need a metronome if ya get John Petrucci's book or dvd.

It helps out alot having a metronome. You can take a fast lick and with a metronome play it at a slow tempo. Then gradually bumping up the speed on the metronome until you get to the original tempo.

Having a metronome done wonders for me as far as scales, chromatic exercises, and learning licks.

Tarzan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2007, 06:24:52 PM »

I've already got a metronome, so that's not a problem.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2007, 07:53:14 PM »

Love my metronome.

Tis a shame it doesn't go faster than 208 =/

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2007, 08:12:14 PM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

Love my metronome.

Tis a shame it doesn't go faster than 208 =/

?!

You need more tha 208bpm? This I gotta hear!!
Lay some shred on us, son!!

808 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2007, 08:13:19 PM »

That makes 2 of us TO! :)

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2007, 08:14:15 PM »

It's not that - I just feel more comfortable when I play half the speed of a metronome, it's a stupid thing I have, and usually means I end up using my PC and w/e programs I have open to tick for me :p

Muso · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2007, 08:26:45 PM »

The only exercise you need is Tumeni Notes by Steve Morse, strict alternate picking just do the high neoclassical arpeggios then the muted low string arps, in my experience there is no other better picking exercise.

Sekhmet · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2007, 10:41:52 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

Quote from: noodleplugerine
Love my metronome.

Tis a shame it doesn't go faster than 208 =/

?!

You need more tha 208bpm? This I gotta hear!!
Lay some shred on us, son!!

Hehe it does happen theres a metronome on the wholenote site that goes up to 300bpm but it goes up in intervals of 10 which can be a pig when your really trying to push for those extra notes.
I'm sure there are other portable ones that go to 300 bpm, or download audacity(free) and program in a click on that, you can have it at an tempo you want in any time signature.

I preffer the DVD as it's more in depth and it helps you analyse your playing more but the book would be just as good if your really good at analysing your own technique or you have a good tutor.

I had the Petrucci Chromatic 16th note exercise off the dvd at 208+ was really weird, has a really odd effect on your tone.

Muzzzz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2007, 08:05:11 AM »

Wha...? The arpeggios in Tumeni Notes are ALTERNATE PICKED??!!? $%&#! (Okay Muz, settle down now..) That's so insane!! But yes, I went to a concert of Steve's and he's most certainly a machine.

Tarzan · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2007, 09:36:47 AM »

I'll have to wait a while to get the DVD, cause i've got barely any money atm, but it sounds worth it

Sekhmet · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2007, 12:55:37 PM »

Quote from: Muzzzz

Wha...? The arpeggios in Tumeni Notes are ALTERNATE PICKED??!!? $%&#! (Okay Muz, settle down now..) That's so insane!! But yes, I went to a concert of Steve's and he's most certainly a machine.

It's like the arrpegios at the start of Stevie Via's solo in Crossroads, all alternate picked.

Crazy stuff.

Muzzzz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:17:24 AM »

^ :o Bloody oath, I thought sweeping them was hard enough.. :oops: