So to start with here is a cool alternate picking study. This lick is based around power chord shapes with an added 9, similar to those you'll see in many Police songs. This lick is useful to help you develop your alternate picking proficiency as well as helping you to extend your ability to stretch. If you are struggling with the stretches try moving the exercise to a different position - i.e. start at the 10th fret rather than the 5th. The aim is to alternately pick every note even when changing string.
If you have any questions just give me a shout, and I'll be back next week with another lick.
Awesome thread Gabe, I was gonna do one of these (Fran's Shred Shed) a few years back but never got round to it. DEFINITELY KEEP IT ONGOING!!
It would be helpful if you played the licks at half tempo as well
Nice lick by the way, most folks would cheat with a Delay pedal set at one repeat.
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:16 pm
by Mo Law-ka
Here's my stab at it:
[youtube][/youtube]
I think I need to invest in a metronome.
Keep these things coming - they're really helpful!
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:54 am
by lorez
nice one gab, this is a great idea.
fran, if you are giving up on the bands maybe doing the shred shed might spark the fire again
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:27 pm
by Fran
lorez wrote:fran, if you are giving up on the bands maybe doing the shred shed might spark the fire again
I'm actually finding most pleasure messing with Effects at the moment, layering with Delays, soundscaping etc. Trying to find a sound that isn't a direct rip off of MBV or KoD..
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:37 pm
by Doog
Cool stuff, consider me SUBSCRIBED
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:10 pm
by Gabriel
22/11/12 - A Minor/A Diminished Sweeping Patterns
This lick has a definite Malmsteen vibe to it. It is quite tricky to play (I struggle to play it much above 80bpm as I haven't really learnt it) as it not only incorporates large stretches and sweeping but there is an open string and the patterns are slightly different to those most people are used to. The first half of the lick is based around different inversions of an A- chord with the second half being inversions of Aº these shapes are useful to learn as you can apply them to chordal playing as well as solo lines.
Cool idea. I attempted the first lick. Find the stretching fairly easy, probably due to my classical guitar stuff, but am pretty crap at doing the alternate picking whilst moving across the strings. Especially on the way back up the strings. I WILL PRACTICE.
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:40 pm
by Gabriel
DanHeron wrote:Cool idea. I attempted the first lick. Find the stretching fairly easy, probably due to my classical guitar stuff, but am pretty crap at doing the alternate picking whilst moving across the strings. Especially on the way back up the strings. I WILL PRACTICE.
The trick is just slow it right down until your picking is tidy then bring it back up, you'll get there and the practice will show immediately. I spent a lot of time when I first really got into guitar practicing my alternate picking and it is one of my strongest points - it's my economy picking that sucks.
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:49 am
by lorez
I found a metronome and patience was all you needed to build up the alternate picking skills Dan, I spent hours working on it just as a drill type thing (I don't have need for it in my playing if I'm honest) starting slow, 60 bpm & one pick per click and working up to 4 picks per click. although you probably know this already.
Gab, I'm looking forward to the next installment video
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:23 pm
by Simon
This is a really cool idea.
My technique is utter rubbish. I can play chords and stuff all day long but I really struggle with practicing teh riffz. I know I need to improve that area of my playing so this is a great thread for me to keep checking back on and practicing.
I know that if I was motivated enough to warm up for 5-10 minutes beforehand, my playing would improve.
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:43 pm
by James
I only saw this thread for the first time recently but I've really enjoyed the first exercise.
Moar please.
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:18 pm
by Gabriel
29/11/12 - Jim Hall Sweeping Lick
This is a cool lick from the solo that Jim plays on My Funny Valentine. It's an interesting lick as the movement and rhythm emphasis is different to the usual sweeping style.
Things to look out for within in this lick:
- Make sure to keep the picking accurate
- Emphasis of certain notes, the rhythm is important to the feel of the lick
- Make sure to maintain a fluid picking style
just now found this thread. will try when I have a few second (maybe next week)
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:20 pm
by Gabriel
9/12/12 - Chromatic Sweeping Exercise
This is a great lick to help build the coordination needed during sweep picking. The goal is to execute the passage without any extraneous string noise.
This is a great lick to help work on your picking style. The pattern is in triplets which allows for an even spacing of down and up strokes. Try this piece slowly to help work your picking accuracy before speeding it up to work on fluency.
