Solo to Fatal Tragedy

[Vai is God]

At the beggining of the solo to Fatal Tragedy does he play it like this:

------------------------------
------------------------------
----------------4-5-7p5p4----
---4-5-7p5p4-----------------
-7------------7---------------
------------------------------

Or does he just pick the entire run?

[Carlo]

I was reading an issue of Young Guitar where they anaylzed John's playing from SFAM. *They tabbed the solo to Fatal Tragedy the same way you did. *But when I looked at the official tab book, it indicates that all notes should be alternate picked. *Weird!? *I'm guessing the official tab is the right one. *That run does sound like that full alternate picking is being used...to my ears at least. *But then again, it is hard to tell because he plays it so fast.

But I don't think it would really make a difference which technique you'd use because I think you'll acheive the same kind effect either which way. * Doing the entire thing alternate- picked would be a good practice workout though.

[jippy]

Petrucci has always been a big believer in the alternate-picking thing. He vary rarely uses hammer-ons and pull-offs. It makes the faster passages sound tight. I was watching him closely during his recent G3 performance and he alternate picks everything!

[yuza]

I think that run is strictly alternate picking.....

[lgascoig]

It sounds like alternate picking, but on John's site someone asked him about it and he said that he uses pull offs. *Personally I think it sounds better w/alternate picking but I can't play it at 136 bpm or whatever it is supposed to be at.

[Vai is God]

It's much easier for me to play it alternate picked because it's easier to be consistent and even.

I don't know why he had so much trouble with that solo on the SFAM DVD. It's not that hard, especially compared to some of his other work.

[Vai is God]

Yeah he does do the pull offs though...

[lgascoig]

I agree that the alternate picking feels better, especially since I got into the habit of starting anything difficult with an up stroke. *I don't like playing hammer-pull stuff anymore even though that was all I practiced the whole time I was in college.

[Devo]

when I play petrucci I use alternat for everything, I feel I get a more petrucci-esque sound that way, I alternate that whole solo except for the sweep near the end ......obviously