Need help building speed

[Timbaline]

My top speed is 140BPM with 16th notes, yeah I know its kind of pathetic.......... whenever I play something faster, its very uncomfortable and I become very sloppy.I do a scale or lick about 20 times at a slow speed, and then gradually raise it, but I just can't do anything past 140BPM. Can anybody give me some tips on how you built up your speed.

Oh and yes I'm using a metronome.

[prydogga]

I think that's a respectable speed. I usually either take a form of playing I am rusty in and use it in patterns in different positions with portions of scales and just play it enough that I muscle memorise it, but I take it you're more interested in fast picking runs so I can't really suggest much other than learning a Malmsteen song...
Pathetic help I know but it helped me.

[Timbaline]

Originally Posted by prydogga

I think that's a respectable speed. I usually either take a form of playing I am rusty in and use it in patterns in different positions with portions of scales and just play it enough that I muscle memorise it, but I take it you're more interested in fast picking runs so I can't really suggest much other than learning a Malmsteen song...
Pathetic help I know but it helped me.

Lol actually I started this thread because I was, and still am, trying to learn the Malmsteen son Blitzkrieg, and Perpetual burn by Jason Becker, but I can't play them up to speed.

[prydogga]

I was gunna recommend some Becker too, I've been listening to Altitudes like crazy and I'm gunna start the arps to build up my sweeping skills. I might wait until I've finished Eleven Blue Egyptians.

[nickcoumbe]

Some suggestions:

Don't play them for a week and then try. It works for me sometimes. I find that often the more I try the more tense I am and I don't progress.

Also try a different pick thickness, I just changed mine after 6-7 years back to something closer to what I used when I was learning (not far short of 20 yrs). It made a huge difference immediately.

Try playing the song in a different style. Blues it up, or give it some funk or reggae. A different perspective can sometimes highlight where you are having trouble.

[elcid]

More metronome.
There is no magic secret. Just a **** ton of practice.

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

Originally Posted by elcid

More metronome.
There is no magic secret. Just a **** ton of practice.

This.

Rock on!

[moebius]

Or find the pick of destiny.

[MicahC]

Originally Posted by moebius

Or find the pick of destiny.

+1 Matrix points.

Originally Posted by elcid

More metronome.
There is no magic secret. Just a **** ton of practice.

+2 real world points.

[Timbaline]

Originally Posted by moebius

Or find the pick of destiny.

Sounds like a plan. Sacramento Rock n' Roll history museum here I come!!!


Anyways I might try to rest for a week, my wrist is starting to get sore anyways, so it'll help.


Also about the pick thickness I'm using 1.15 mm picks, so I don't think I need to go much thicker than that.

[nickcoumbe]

Originally Posted by Timbaline

Sounds like a plan. Sacramento Rock n' Roll history museum here I come!!!


Anyways I might try to rest for a week, my wrist is starting to get sore anyways, so it'll help.


Also about the pick thickness I'm using 1.15 mm picks, so I don't think I need to go much thicker than that.

Actually I went thinner and it helped.

[jemaholic]

OK, so your top speed is 16th notes @ 140. I take it you can go faster but it gets sloppy?
Try dropping your BPM down to 70 and practice the run at that speed ONLY for 2 days. Do not play it faster than that during that time. You are creating muscle memory. It's been proven that this works well but you can't deviate - it's forced nerve path and muscle regulation.

~j

[jd]

Originally Posted by jemaholic

OK, so your top speed is 16th notes @ 140. I take it you can go faster but it gets sloppy?
Try dropping your BPM down to 70 and practice the run at that speed ONLY for 2 days. Do not play it faster than that during that time. You are creating muscle memory. It's been proven that this works well but you can't deviate - it's forced nerve path and muscle regulation.

~j

Agreed! No one's mentioned cleanliness however - is each note well defined at 140bpm? If there's any string noise etc then slow it down to a tempo where you're playing it crystal clear - and keep it there for a while, then take it up a notch to push it a bit. Play at a tempo where it's just on the edge but also come down to where its comfy and super clean. When it's super clean you're building muscle memory for playing it right!

Do you have Guitar Techniques magazine in the US? I'd recommend Martin Goulding's current Metal Bootcamp column in there. In the previous issue he started a series about alternate picking - some great advice in there, eg focusing on single string technique first, then focusing on two strings at a time before moving to all six. If you've got the mag then read that, or borrow it off someone!

[callen3615]

My pics are 1.38 i think, there the jazz 3 utlex pics.

[callen3615]

Speed is kinda overrated anyway, I used to worry about my speed. Now I dont care, speed will come in time...