- Thread starter Steel
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SteveB
Well-known member
Steel,
I don't know if everyone is capable of playing 32nd notes at 200+BPM, but I think that following JP's regimen will definitely improve anyone's skills.
I made major strides after trying his techniques on that video, after just a week or two practicing for 30 mins each night.
My string-skipping picking made notable improvement, and I've been playing since 1982.
I don't know if everyone is capable of playing 32nd notes at 200+BPM, but I think that following JP's regimen will definitely improve anyone's skills.
I made major strides after trying his techniques on that video, after just a week or two practicing for 30 mins each night.
My string-skipping picking made notable improvement, and I've been playing since 1982.
Ya, I've got the VHS version and it's pretty intimidating... The important part of the process is "discipline"; you have to practice - not noodle - for a period of time EVERY day to see the improvements. But he's good at explaining his techniques and is a competent - if not inspiring - teacher...
... and no, I'll never, ever be able to play half as fast as JP, no matter how much or hard I practice - it's not in my genetic code... but then, I can't play as wildly as Hendrix or as fluidly as SRV either, and I've learned to live with it
... and no, I'll never, ever be able to play half as fast as JP, no matter how much or hard I practice - it's not in my genetic code... but then, I can't play as wildly as Hendrix or as fluidly as SRV either, and I've learned to live with it
beej
Moderator
I've got the DVD and it's a great workout. I go back 'n forth between that, various Steve Morse excercises, and some Frank Gambale videos! Not that I'll ever touch these guys, but hey, you need something to shoot for
> i honestly do not think that everyone is capable of such fast playing
> no matter how much they practice
There's definitely a limit to one's own technique. No matter how hard you practice, not everyone can reach JP or Steve Morse speed! The key is to do the best with the cards that you've been dealt.
> i honestly do not think that everyone is capable of such fast playing
> no matter how much they practice
There's definitely a limit to one's own technique. No matter how hard you practice, not everyone can reach JP or Steve Morse speed! The key is to do the best with the cards that you've been dealt.
dwf1004
Well-known member
beej said:
...so, what if you're like me, and you got all Joker's?
SteveB
Well-known member
dwf,
If you've got a handful of joker cards, tape them so they catch in the spokes of your bicycle wheel and enjoy that sound instead of the guitar!
If you've got a handful of joker cards, tape them so they catch in the spokes of your bicycle wheel and enjoy that sound instead of the guitar!
Supreeth
Well-known member
The Rock Discipline DVD is absolutely amazing. What struck me the most was the clarity with which JP put forth his ideas. A great teacher indeed. After watching the DVD, I realized that I had the "Inside the string picking" problem, and after working out the etudes that JP demonstrated, the improvement could not be more pronounced. This DVD made me learn a lot when compared to the other "Yeah I can play so fast...and oh by the way you gotta be me to play this fast" kind of videos!
mbgreene
Well-known member
SteveB said:dwf,
If you've got a handful of joker cards, tape them so they catch in the spokes of your bicycle wheel and enjoy that sound instead of the guitar!
Actually as a TONE PURIST, I can only recommend you do this with baseball cards, preferably ones which in future years would be worth something.
On topic though, since I was considering picking up this this video up based on prior reviews, but since I'm not a member of the really fast fingers club, is it still worth picking up for the practice "discipline"?
or
can someone recommend something more "slowhand" for old geezers to work with?
beej
Moderator
> I realized that I had the "Inside the string picking" problem
No kidding! That one really hit home with me too. I knew that was a sore spot in my playing, but could never figure out how to get around it.
No kidding! That one really hit home with me too. I knew that was a sore spot in my playing, but could never figure out how to get around it.
koogie2k
Well-known member
I have the DVD, and all I can say is this.....the warm up exercises have done wonders for me. Will I ever play that fast....no. Have I improved in my playing...yes. That is all that really matters to me anyhow. So what if I can't play that fast. David Gilmour can say in 3 notes, what Yngwie tries with 200. It only matters to me that there is substance there. With his warm up routines, I use them, but then I try to work on my music which has some speed (not blazing), but alot of soul.
PurpleSport
Well-known member
I'd recommend any of the Eric Johnson videos at www.hotlicks.com. I have the first one he did, and while I've never quite gotten up to his "Cliffs of Dover" speed, I probably learned more from that one tape than anything else.mbgreene said:
I haven't seen his video, but I found Robin Trower was always amazingly tasty live - he has a video from Hotlicks to that might be worth checking out.
Sure wish there was a priority on getting these older instructional guitar vids on DVD though...I get the impression the companies who made these are sitting on a bunch of new old stock and are in no hurry to convert anything other than their biggest sellers. There's a wealth of material that's going to fade away like old films sometimes do, I'm afraid...
beej
Moderator
> Sure wish there was a priority on getting these older instructional guitar
> vids on DVD
No kidding! Luckily, with a little patience, you can download most of 'em on the Internet. Using eDonkey I've been able to pick a lot of the old vids that I can't find anymore (and some that I should probably be paying for ) Actually have a pretty good collection built up now.
> vids on DVD
No kidding! Luckily, with a little patience, you can download most of 'em on the Internet. Using eDonkey I've been able to pick a lot of the old vids that I can't find anymore (and some that I should probably be paying for
) Actually have a pretty good collection built up now.eliot323
Well-known member
I really enjoy the challenge of the DVD; I know that because I have to do an ordinary day job I'm never going to play as fast as Petrucci or Vai (not enough practice time).
The thing is, you don't have to play as fast as those guys to make or enjoy your music. Music is more about feeling and fun than anything else. Having better technique will enable you to enjoy it more but I don't think you should over-value speed as an end in itself. It never hurt BB King...
eliot323
The thing is, you don't have to play as fast as those guys to make or enjoy your music. Music is more about feeling and fun than anything else. Having better technique will enable you to enjoy it more but I don't think you should over-value speed as an end in itself. It never hurt BB King...
eliot323
SteveB
Well-known member
mbgreene..
I'd say the Petrucci video is worth getting (on DVD) no matter how 'fast' you want to play. He's teaching good technique that will benefit your playing no matter what, as long as you actually spend some time practicing his methods.
I bought mine from CD Universe, which had the best price at the time, and maybe they still do.
I'd say the Petrucci video is worth getting (on DVD) no matter how 'fast' you want to play. He's teaching good technique that will benefit your playing no matter what, as long as you actually spend some time practicing his methods.
I bought mine from CD Universe, which had the best price at the time, and maybe they still do.
steel, I know whatcha mean. when I watched the video, I had only been playing a year or so, but I decided to try and tackle it all since I had learned all the songs on the Images and words album. after about a month I was playing the 32nd note chromatic pattern he uses at 215bpm cleanly. so I'm a believer!
I probably couldn't do it now, since alot of development and style changes have come my way since then, but with practice I could do it again and maybe more, who knows. I used to think achieving the speed of my heroes was impossible...until I actually put in the work. god bless JP!
I probably couldn't do it now, since alot of development and style changes have come my way since then, but with practice I could do it again and maybe more, who knows. I used to think achieving the speed of my heroes was impossible...until I actually put in the work. god bless JP!
JFRICK
Well-known member
I'm definately a believer in the Rock Discipline video. By using his technique with a metronome, I was able to play the 32nd note chromatic passage at 230 bpm, the fastest I could play it cleanly. Of course it took me about a month of practicing it an hour a day, but it worked. I can't do it now b/c of all the practice time it involves to keep up that kind of speed. I had to prove to myself that I could do it.
I think anyone can get that fast. My philosophy is that if he can do, I can do it. Also, like other's have said, soloing is about feeling, not blazing for the sake of blazing.
I think anyone can get that fast. My philosophy is that if he can do, I can do it. Also, like other's have said, soloing is about feeling, not blazing for the sake of blazing.
