getting up to SPEED!

Squonk

I have just realized that I have been wasting my time with acoustic guitar and need to become a shredder ?

Not quite, but I have been listening to Petrucci and more recently Michael J Romeo and their fast, fluid shredding is good stuff. But how do you practice getting up to speed? What techniques are used? Will I have to buy a pointy guitar?

I do have a Peavey T-60 with Humbuckers but no whammy! Years ago - one of the GFSA competitions involved doing something metal and this was my feeble attempt, peavey into Pocket Pod into the computer, I think the guitar sounds metally enough. https://app.box.com/shared/3klrt8uar6

I want to play stuff like this

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What can I do to start shredding? I need a kind of Shredding 101. What to practice etc.

Thanks

Shibbibilybob

So, as with anything guitar, the key is to start slow and work your way up, ALWAYS.

The other key, is Steve Vais legendary 30 hour guitar work out.

http://picksnlicks.com/Guitar%20Lessons/Exercises/30_hr_workout/30_hr_workout_1.html

NorioDS

John Petrucci's rock discipline is also a very good video. And the guitar trainer software that Rene posted a while ago is good. I've tried it and saw some improvement.

NorioDS

Shibbibilybob wrote: The other key, is Steve Vais legendary 30 hour guitar work out.
http://picksnlicks.com/Guitar%20Lessons/Exercises/30_hr_workout/30_hr_workout_1.html

Damn that's a nice resource!!

IceCreamMan

Norio wrote: John Petrucci's rock discipline is also a very good video. And the guitar trainer software that Rene posted a while ago is good. I've tried it and saw some improvement.

Squonk,i have this petrucci dvd ..welcome to borrow it sometime ....

Squonk

Norio wrote:
Shibbibilybob wrote: The other key, is Steve Vais legendary 30 hour guitar work out.
http://picksnlicks.com/Guitar%20Lessons/Exercises/30_hr_workout/30_hr_workout_1.html
Damn that's a nice resource!!

Looks like good stuff! Thanks Shibbibilybob!

Thanks Norio and ICM.

BMU

Squonk wrote: I have just realized that I have been wasting my time with acoustic guitar and need to become a shredder ?

Lol! That's cool. I find shred so inspiring, it was quite a puzzling revelation at first to learn that others don't. ("Nur nur no feel nur nur" :? )

You DO NOT need a whammy bar! ? Or any particular shape guitar or any specific pickup. Just time. Time, patience, practice and more time.

Psean

Norio wrote: And the guitar trainer software that Rene posted a while ago is good. I've tried it and saw some improvement.

Norio, could you please share the link? I can't find it with the search function. Thanks

arjunmenon

Kudos for taking the leap Squonk :goodtimes:

Besides the JP Rock Discipline DVD, off the top of my head might i also suggest the following:

Frank Gambale's Chop Builder
Frank Gambale's Concert with class
Shawn Lane's Power Solos
Steve Morse's Power Lines

Squonk

Arjun Menon wrote: Kudos for taking the leap Squonk :goodtimes:

Besides the JP Rock Discipline DVD, off the top of my head might i also suggest the following:

Frank Gambale's Chop Builder
Frank Gambale's Concert with class
Shawn Lane's Power Solos
Steve Morse's Power Lines

Good Stuff Arjun

@ BMU - practice and then some more ?

NorioDS

Psean wrote: Norio, could you please share the link? I can't find it with the search function. Thanks

It's actually in every issue of the newsletter - go check out today's copy ?

Psean

Oh, THAT software! Cool ?

Stoffeltoo

Thanks ~~ShilliwillyBob~~ Shibbilibilybob! Now I am going to be in trouble again. Reading and Practicing.

PaulJ

I have the Andy James "Shred in 6 weeks program" let me know if you want it.

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Squonk

PaulJ wrote: I have the Andy James "Shred in 6 weeks program" let me know if you want it.

Andy James is good stuff!

BMU

Squonk wrote:
PaulJ wrote: I have the Andy James "Shred in 6 weeks program" let me know if you want it.

Andy James is good stuff!

Oh yeah?!! Then why do I get so sad and jealous when I listen to him? "Good stuff" gmmf!!!

?

Squonk

Get home and go straight to alternate tunings...this is going to take some discipline.

Going to have to change my mindset completely.

Shibbibilybob

And? How did it go?

NorioDS

I think, from past experience, the hardest part about this is committing to at least 1 hour of daily FOCUSED, precise practise with a metronome. If you can do that every day for a month, you'll see HUGE improvements but it can be so boring. That's why I never really got far.

That said, if you look at your idols, each one is particularly good at (and fond of) one area of speed. Joe Satriani is a legato god (and that's my preference too), Frank Gambale is a sweep picking god, Petrucci picks a billion notes a second, etc.

My point is that there's nothing wrong with focusing on just one area that is your favourite. You will find it easier to make progress and you'll enjoy yourself more.

So if I had to try and improve speed again (it's been years since I've practised diligently), I'd probably focus about 60% on legato, and 10% on the other methods (for variety but knowing full-well that I won't excel in all methods).

NorioDS

PS: I also think it's helpful to take this approach when you're not a teenager with 4-10 hours every day available to practise. ie: Someone with a full-time job, and little time to dedicate to music. My point is that, if you have the time, and the desire, go ahead and practise ALL methods of speed. I just don't think it's viable for ME to do - there's just no time.