Schecter Guitar Forum

So I have played for a little over 2 years now and my tremolo picking has come along wonderfully. Rhythmically I can basically play anything I want, metal wise. But with soloing I just can't seem to get my fingers to move correctly. The speed is there picking wise, but my fret just isn't there. Any suggestions?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Chris12Skinner

A metronome is what you need.

Start slowly and build up speed gradually. Before you know it you'll be fast

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Live setup:
05 Schecter C-1 Hellraiser/04 Schecter PT Blackjack/87 Charvel M3
Shure PGX-14 Wireless
Boss GT-8 Processor
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer
Crate SPA-200 Power Amp
Crate BV412 Cabinet
Gemini Power Conditioner

It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black.

Is there any specific thing I should play with that metronome?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Chris12Skinner

nothing to specific. i would say just do it with scales and stuff if you want to get your soloing skills faster and cleaner.

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Guitars
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Syn Custom
1999 S-1

My problem with soloing has always been timing, because I have practically no rhythm. But if all it is is that your fret hand doesn't move fast enough try to run some exercises like Steve Vai's 10-hour Guitar Workout each day and build up that way.

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- Hellraiser C-1 FR [BCH] (2007)
- Hellraiser Avenger [BLK] (2005)

10 hours?! yeah unlike steve some of us work full time lol
thats a days wages right there.

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20010 ESP Horizon NT-II STB
2007 Hellraiser FR Black cherry
Peavey Ultra Plus 120w Head (4x mullard ecc83 4x NOS russian 6l6's
Marshall JCM800 4x12 w/ V30s (Made in england)

there's 14 more hours in the day, work/guitar/work/guitar/guitar/guitar/work
you don't need to sleep, what else do you need? don't say chics because
that only takes 10 minutes.

Yea but they always want to go to the mall and buy knic nacs and go to the VD Clini---I mean uhh go to the mall THAT TAKES TIME Y'KNOW

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http://www.myspace.com/anothervictimdies

Also you can do maybe one exercise at a time. You don't have to do all 10 hours at once.

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- Hellraiser C-1 FR [BCH] (2007)
- Hellraiser Avenger [BLK] (2005)

nahh ill practice sleeping and eating and still be pretty good.

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20010 ESP Horizon NT-II STB
2007 Hellraiser FR Black cherry
Peavey Ultra Plus 120w Head (4x mullard ecc83 4x NOS russian 6l6's
Marshall JCM800 4x12 w/ V30s (Made in england)

lol. well the most that ive ever played in one day was probably around 8 hours....
and that was when i first got my schecter ;)
As far as soloing, it helps to break it down into chunks and pick apart what it is that your actually playing. Kind of like the theory part of it. even if you dont know what it is you can still remember the "patterns" to it, which later on down the road if you start to get into theory, it will be alot easier for you to identify those patterns. Start slowly and work in chunks and it will eventually come to you! just keep up the hard work!

If your picking hand is quick then you should concentrate on finger excersises(scales,modes,etc...). The biggest problem with speed and soloing is syncopation. You have to make both hands work together, if not you will always be stumbling over yourself. To often guitarist tend to favor what they are good at ie: picking fast, analyze your weakness and work the shit out of that. Do odd finger patterns,and definetly work with a metronome all the time. Also practice clean so you can hear all your mistakes and correct them.
You could try frank gambales dvd, either one,they are very good for building clean speed
and are a great workout.

And when working on new runs, it's best to go at each one 30 mins at a time and come back to it later, because if you stay on one thing too long, you'll start messing it up more. Pick a few runs, practice with a metronome, and go back and forth between them. Keep the tempo as slow as you need to, to play it perfectly, then increase the speed from there. Speed ain't shit if it's sloppy. Good luck!

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2 Krank modded heads
2 Krank Rev Cabs
Schecters:
Custom XXX, Blackjack, Blackhawk, C-1 +, C-1 Omen 6
Other:
Dean DOF & ML79
Jackson PS2
Washburn WG333
Ibanez RG320

Damn i gotta get me a metronome. I'm 10 months into playing guitar and I am looking to get faster as well. I just learned a whole song from lamb of god, but i can only play it about 3/4 speed or a little less as its way too fast, hehehe.

PRACTICE

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" My anger management classes are really starting to Piss me Off!"

If you are serious, get a good metranome, like a tama rhythm watch, or a dr. beat. the can subdivide really well and are programable, and loud enough to hear!

This is what I do:
1. Get Guitar Pro 5
2. Get GP5 tabs of Children of Bodom
3. Solo's at half speed
4. Practice it for a week or so

If not, I use some of my practice sheets my guitar teacher gave me. good times

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Metal since Age 9
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http://www.youtube.nl/ferociouspokemachine

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Jimmy Sullivan February 9, 1981 - December 28, 2009

Schecter Synyster Gates Limited Edition Black&Red
Ovation CC44

Its easy if you have find a table or something about waist high and put your fingertips on it and spread your fingers apart then push down and hold it. It is supposed to make them stronger and strength speed. You can also try holding a small soft ball with your palm and one finger then applying pressure with the finger.

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r4 dsi gold

You could try one of these, if you lack finger strength. It works individual fingers.
http://www.tennisexpress.com/products2. ... onshopping

Works pretty well, I used it for a while, helped with speed a bit, but it's useless now, it can only do so much. You could probably find one cheaper on amazon or somthing like that.

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Current Lineup:
C-1 Hellraiser Black Cherry
Peavey Bandit 112 Transtube Combo

Wanted:
Blackjack ATX C-1 FR Aged White
New Syn Custom Jibib told us about
U.S.A Tele
Damien Elite-7 FR Prototype - DSG, ST Black or Sunburst
Mesa Boogie Mark V Combo
A Source of Income

This is what work for me . it may not work for you though. to practice something needs time so dont think there is something that makes you play faster in 1 day .

You need a to have a goal for you practice .

So you need to cover
Left hand ( legato )
Right hand ( alternate picking )
sweep picking
Tapping
String skipping

Those are only the technical part
u also need to practice on
scales ( good for your right hand )
New licks ( to increase your library when you are improvising/soloing )


Now to your question.

Find about 3 licks ( legato licks ) that you want to learn .

play some chromatic patterns 1-2-3-4 , 1-2-4 , 1-3-4 and 1-4-3-2 .

Now create a few licks by your own . These licks should be licks that concentrate on the problems you have with your left hand example changing string or using your pinky .

The first thing you need to know is where is your speed limit .
Lets say you can play this stuff at 140 bpm and it sounds sloppy take the metronome down to 100 bpm or slower and do this For 2 weeks ,

Now when to weeks have passed do the same test again now you can maybe play it at 155 bpm sloppy so now you can practice around 125 bpm . Remember if it sounds sloopy at slower speed you have to take it down to a speed where it sounds perfect , other wise you are practicing sloppy playing and thats not your goal i suppose .
After 1 week i think you master these licks .
And your skills have been better , Now find 3 other licks and create some new licks. But allways keep the chromatic in your practice.

THis you should be aware of when practicing.

* Relaxe your left hand you dont want to play with tension . If you do you never get to play faster . Relaxing is the secret of accuracy.

* relaxe your right arm shoulder . This happens alot that you forgett to relaxe your shoulders

* be accurate at slow tempos allways play with a metronome . It takes some days to get used to it but when you have it nailed you sound more like a pro when you are playing licks even at slow tempos. This becouse of your timing is better.

* remember to stretch your muscles . This way you can be more relaxed when playing.
And btw check out Troy stetinas - Speed mechanics for lead guitar ( Book )

Hope this helps you out . And sorry about my sucky english ( its really sloppy :P )

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http://www.myspace.com/draugrsweden ( symphonic black metal )

http://www.myspace.com/zombiewarhead (Metal )