speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

[shred me good]

ok so i want 2 be ingvay malmstene or sumsuch genious!
2 do this i need ur help in curbing my lazy plectrum!
cud u give me some tips on improving tremolo and alternate picking things, such as how you achive those sounds of john pretuci that sound like 1 note ( like its played with a violin bow thingy!) with tremolo picking
and how do you use sweep picking in solos (improvised and the other kind!)?

i think that this would be an interesting one to read for others interested in improving there speed and tecknique.
so go on then, impart your knowlage!
cheers a bunch

 

[Joey_Bones]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Download the trial version of Guitar Pro.

Then go here:

http://www.mysongbook.com/tab-artist_list-id_style=43.htm

That should keep you busy.

 

[rraawwrr]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

2 do this i need ur help in curbing my lazy plectrum!
cud u give me some tips on improving tremolo and alternate picking things, such as how you achive those sounds of john pretuci that sound like 1 note ( like its played with a violin bow thingy!) with tremolo picking
and how do you use sweep picking in solos (improvised and the other kind!)?

i think that this would be an interesting one to read for others interested in improving there speed and tecknique.
so go on then, impart your knowlage!
cheers a bunch

Yeah, I have a similar question along the same track. I was listening to Train of Thought (Dream Theater) and I heard in some of the solos, (all I think) that bowed sort of legato sound you are talking about. I also would like to learn how to get that sound because it is SO awesome sounding.

It's probably just his incredible technique and playing with 3 fingers that does it :eek2:

 

[Joey_Bones]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

...that bowed sort of legato sound...

Which solo in particular are you referring to?

Despite what people say, I freakin' love that album.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

I know hundreds of exercises .... hmmm, for a beginner, try this one.

You have to do this with straight alternate picking, down-up-down-up. Start slow, and accent the 1st note of each group of 4. You're going to pick the pattern UP (from Low E to Hight E) on the 1st fret, DOWN on the 2nd, UP on the 3rd, etc etc until you run out of frets.

You're going to use one finger per fret. Your index finger is 1, your middle finger is 2, your ring finger is 3 and your pinky is 4. For ASCENDING (1st fret going travelling away from the nut), play this pattern:
1-2-3-4. Go as far up the neck as you can. Then play it going backwards, with the fingering pattern being 4-3-2-1.

Other basic patterns you can use are:
1-3-2-4 (Ascending); 4-2-3-1 (Descending)
1-4-3-2 (Ascending); 4-1-2-3 (Descending)
1-2-1-3-1-4 (Ascending); 4-1-3-1-2-1 (Descending)

Practice it w/faster and faster metronome settings.

It's easier to diagram then write out; hope you understand what I'm saying!

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Despite what people say, I freakin' love that album.

Who are these people who don't like "Train of Thought?" Man, it's pure balls-n-chunk. It's a wanker's wet dream. It's their best effort since "Awake" IMO. I will kick the butt of whomever says otherwise.

-Matt

 

[rraawwrr]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Joey_Bones - I think this happens in most if not all of JP's major solos. I know for certain he does it on Track 1 and 6 (forgive me for not knowing the names of the songs)

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

TwilightOdyssey has a good exercise. I'm working on speed/accuracy myself and have found Troy Stetina's book/cd Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar a great book of exercises.

 

[Lee]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

If you were to take up sprinting - you'd never be a Ben Johnson.

If you take up speed guitar - it's unlikely you be another John Petrucci.

Some people are born sprinters, and some guitar players are born megga fast. It's a natural talent that all the practice in the world won't give you.

Concentrate on playing something 'tasteful and intelligent'. Speed is plain boring to most people.


Lee

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

To Quote my teacher, Dennis Sandoli, who knew more about the guitar and music in general than most people can ever hope to achieve: "You never know when you'll have to play really fast."

Being able to play fast doesn't mean that you always will, tho for most shredders, taste and melody are the first things to go out the window. As you become more proficient in guitar, you're gonna learn how to play fast: it's just a fact. To unilaterally knock down fast players as boring or whatever just because they want to play as cleanly (or fast) as possible is silly, and oh-so LEE!

Lee, you're a true non-conformist, and I find most of your arguments stimulating, even tho it's obvious we're from opposite camps when it comes to guitar playing. Keep challenging us!

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Lol I still practise crazy runs...allthough I rarely use them, in most music they are just plainly annoying.
But I like the reserve it gives.

 

[Lee]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

To Quote my teacher, Dennis Sandoli, who knew more about the guitar and music in general than most people can ever hope to achieve: "You never know when you'll have to play really fast."

Being able to play fast doesn't mean that you always will, tho for most shredders, taste and melody are the first things to go out the window. As you become more proficient in guitar, you're gonna learn how to play fast: it's just a fact. To unilaterally knock down fast players as boring or whatever just because they want to play as cleanly (or fast) as possible is silly, and oh-so LEE!

Lee, you're a true non-conformist, and I find most of your arguments stimulating, even tho it's obvious we're from opposite camps when it comes to guitar playing. Keep challenging us!

I actually spend a great amount of time on technique and speed. I pick each note individually up to about 10 notes per second. It gives me the confidence to play 'within' my capability. IE - if I can play it fast, I can play it slow with style.

 

[Ocifer]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

If you were to take up sprinting - you'd never be a Ben Johnson.

If you take up speed guitar - it's unlikely you be another John Petrucci.

Some people are born sprinters, and some guitar players are born megga fast. It's a natural talent that all the practice in the world won't give you.

Concentrate on playing something 'tasteful and intelligent'. Speed is plain boring to most people.


Lee

Practice takes you lot farther than natural talent. If you're passionate about guitar you can get fast...

It seems to me that you're saying that taste and intelligence exclude speed, but I think you're wrong. Listen to Eric Johnson.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Gilmoure is one of those players who can say much with little.
But I also love Satch's playing....and Huff's and and and....doh

 

[RG 2570]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

ok so i want 2 be ingvay malmstene or sumsuch genious!
2 do this i need ur help in curbing my lazy plectrum!
cud u give me some tips on improving tremolo and alternate picking things, such as how you achive those sounds of john pretuci that sound like 1 note ( like its played with a violin bow thingy!) with tremolo picking
and how do you use sweep picking in solos (improvised and the other kind!)?

i think that this would be an interesting one to read for others interested in improving there speed and tecknique.
so go on then, impart your knowlage!
cheers a bunch

I have a few things to recomend to be a shredder and they are,

1,play everthing twice,once with a upstroke starting then play it again(same thing) with a down stroke for the start of the pattern.

2,this is even more important EVERYTHING YOU PLAY make sure you do not exceed the speed of where you still sound articulate and clean, if you practice sloopy you will always be sloopy. make sure every note is deliberate and clean when first learning scales,patterns,etc

3, always use a metronome even if it makes you wanna scream! :laugh2: it is your time keeper and if there is one thing i hate it is a player who cant keep time :laugh2:

4, go online for a vast amount of licks,tricks,scales,etc

5, practice till your fingers bleed :saeek: i recomend at least 6 hours a day of
practice(all things like scales in different keys,patterns,etc),if you wanna keep up with the shredders then ya gotta do the bootcamp thang like we did!

 

[RG 2570]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

6,not a have to but a non bendable thicker plectrum helps, my thin picks used to melt bef ore i switched to a heavier pick, i use extra heavies :saeek:

 

[Shredfast]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

hey guys, im new to the forum

the musts to shreddin are know ur modes, have nice selection of reverb, and practice

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

hey guys, im new to the forum

the musts to shreddin are know ur modes, have nice selection of reverb, and practice

Welcome to the forum. It's a great group here and I find I spend alot of my 'net time here learning from what others are discussing.

 

[robbie]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Yeah, I have a similar question along the same track. I was listening to Train of Thought (Dream Theater) and I heard in some of the solos, (all I think) that bowed sort of legato sound you are talking about. I also would like to learn how to get that sound because it is SO awesome sounding.

i may think it is just the VERY sweet tone of his neck pick up .

 

[Kent S.]

Re: speed tips, sweep/tremolo picking etc!

Most of everything everyone has stated here ... However, regarding cleaning up and streamlining your technique, I'll say it again (because I said it before in another such thread) ... go buy some Stylus picks, they are a training tool for proper economy of motion of alternate picking as well as sweeping ... that's on the technique side of things. On the other side ,referring to practice rountines, well there are a ton out there to choose from, so I'll let the others give suggestions on those. Get some stylus picks, if you practice with them they will improve your technique.