Practice stuffs-Alternate picking and junk

[MicahC]

Someone delete this if I've offended the jemsite gods.

So after about a year and a half of playing I've decided to start learning a bunch of different techniques that are used to in "shred". Alternate picking seemed like a good place to start.

Is this good to practice with?




If anyone has ANY advice then, I'd love it.

[Ayrton]

Sure is....

Alternate picking is not just for "shred", and you can find many exercises on the web. I recommend finding some Paul Gilbert videos on YouTube or his DVDs one Amazon.

[jaxadam]

Not to be a buzz kill, but I don't find that a very good exercise for alt picking at all, but a better one for economy picking.

If you're just starting out, I'd highly recommend chromatics of 4 notes per string and variations there of. Then I'd highly suggest using all of the different modes in different positions.

[gu1tar]

While any alternate picking practice is overall a good thing, I have to agree with jaxadam here. Two-note-per string isn't the most effective practice for alternate picking.

An excellent book for examples of alternate picking runs to practice is Adam Kadmon's "The Exercise Book".

You could also search the web for three-note-per-string modes and just make up your own patterns based on them, which is what Kadmon's book does.

[jaxadam]

Or get "Chop Builder" by Frank Gambale and have a blast for the next three years. That will get your alt picking up to snuff in no time flat. Well, three years to be exact.

[MicahC]

Thanks for the input

Yes, since I can't find a teacher out here in the middle of nowhere, I have nowhere to turn to but DVD's and other stuff. The stuff you guys mentioned, I'm definitely gonna check out. Any thoughts on PG's Terrifying Guitar Trip?

[CalledToArms]

i too have been looking for a book to go along with my lessons. Ive heard mixed reviews on Adam Kadmon's though. Some people really liked it while others said it was a waste of time.

[jaxadam]

Originally Posted by MicahC

Any thoughts on PG's Terrifying Guitar Trip?

PG's Terrifying Guitar Trip is a super tape. But it is more kinda for fun and a few neat licks here and there. Gambale's Chop Builder is a pretty intense hour-long workout that has a lot of very good stuff on it.

[CalledToArms]

maybe ill check that out. how accessible is it though? Ive heard that he doesnt really show you very well what he is doing, nor does actually discuss the picking styles that much, so that it maybe be hard for intermediate players to pick up.

ie you already have to be a decent sweep picker and decent alternate picker to even get much use from the video.

[Edgeless]

the best things i find for practicing alternate picking is 3 and 4 note chromatic mode runs "if that makes sense" as these also help with finger dexterity along the neck

[Fabio]

Originally Posted by CalledToArms

maybe ill check that out. how accessible is it though? Ive heard that he doesnt really show you very well what he is doing, nor does actually discuss the picking styles that much, so that it maybe be hard for intermediate players to pick up.

ie you already have to be a decent sweep picker and decent alternate picker to even get much use from the video.

Yes, the Chop Builder video is pretty intense allright! It's brutal when you're at that level - but I'd say it's for advanced players. I've played for several years, people say that I have quite brutal chops and I just got this video just to try out something new. First off, it'll require alot of time just to learn all the parts, and tp keep up in that tempo for the whole vid is sick. I've barely managed to get through it, and I've had it for about a month, trying to work with it on a daily basis. It's quite a sweat.

I'd recommend Paul Gilberts Intense Rock I & II, they are GREAT instructional videos to keep you going! Then, when you feel intrigued to try out the Chop Builder vid, give it a shot - I think it works really really well because it includes excercises for almost every technique you'll use and it will increase your stamina - but it doesn't at all explain the technique behind the excercises, so to get anything out of it you must have an at least intermediate understanding of the techniques involved!

[MicahC]

Originally Posted by Fabio

I'd recommend Paul Gilberts Intense Rock I & II, they are GREAT instructional videos to keep you going!

I'm getting these then. I've had several people tell me they were great Thanks everybody for the input.

[andy7jem]

Make that several people plus one

Jaxadam is right. Terrifying Guitar Trip is well worth the money for some cool tips and to enjoy Pablo's playing but for beginners to that world of playing Intense Rock I+II he really goes through the basics and slows everything way down and lays it on a plate!! Very very useful

Plus the girl he uses as an assistant in IR one is a babe

[Batchimp RG]

Originally Posted by MicahC

I'm getting these then. I've had several people tell me they were great Thanks everybody for the input.

These 2 dvds (should come in one dvd set now) will keep you busy for a while They are the best instructional dvds around imho and I have had a few Chopbuilder did not work for me and after using IR 1, my Chopbuilder dvd went to the bay

[MicahC]

Ok, sweet! Thanks for all the help you guys! Very very much.