Need help building speed

Timbaline · #1 04-13-2009, 01:28 AM

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 · #2 04-13-2009, 02:37 AM

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 · #3 04-13-2009, 04:52 AM

Quote:

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 · #4 04-13-2009, 05:56 AM

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 · #5 04-13-2009, 08:45 PM

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** · #6 04-13-2009, 09:47 PM

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

**moebius** · #7 04-13-2009, 10:03 PM

Or find the pick of destiny.

MicahC · #8 04-13-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moebius

Or find the pick of destiny.

+1 Matrix points.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcid

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

+2 real world points.

Timbaline · #9 04-14-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

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.

callen3615 · #10 04-14-2009, 01:52 AM

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

callen3615 · #11 04-14-2009, 01:54 AM

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

Armann · #12 04-15-2009, 05:53 AM

What helped we was learning flight of the bumblebee, just start slow when your learning the song, 90bpm or something and slowly start working your way up. Get Intense Rock and Terrifying guitar trip from Paul Gilbert, that helped me out a lot.
Give it time but like the greats say play slowly and have a good pick attack and check your alternate picking, are you moving your hand to much, far away from the string, is your fretting hand and pick hand in sync ?
If your doing all that just give it more time.
How long have you been playing ?

HeavyMetal4Ever · #13 04-15-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcid

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

This.

Rock on!

bammbamm · #14 04-15-2009, 12:53 PM

One other trick is play up to your comfort zone, then push beyond it, by say 20%.
Once you dial back down to your strained area, you feel like it's not as hard as way past your initial comfort zone.
Picks:
Try the Dunlop 3.0mm Stubbies. The smaller ones, not the full sized.
Those will help with your speed as well. I use em for stuff I know I'm going to be playing something with a lot of alternate or sweep picking.
http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?p...products/picks

Armann · #15 04-15-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bammbamm

One other trick is play up to your comfort zone, then push beyond it, by say 20%.
Once you dial back down to your strained area, you feel like it's not as hard as way past your initial comfort zone.
Picks:
Try the Dunlop 3.0mm Stubbies. The smaller ones, not the full sized.
Those will help with your speed as well. I use em for stuff I know I'm going to be playing something with a lot of alternate or sweep picking.
http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?p...products/picks

Cool I'm going to try those, should be great for funk playing