Hi Zsolt,

As odd as this may sound..thank you so much for doing the lesson on Symphony of Destruction! FINALLY the solo is there!

I am practicing that lesson a lot and my question here pertains to soloing. I play in a a thrash metal band and I am rythm/co-lead and vocals. We do a lot of Megadeth covers and Dave Mustaine is my guitar idol. The only thing is that I have trouble learning long solos and doing sweep picking. I usually do "machine gun picking" as Mustaine does in songs like "Wake Up Dead" and "The Mechanix". However, I really want to learn solos like the one in Symphony or Tornado of Souls. How do you approach learning a solo?

Also, I am the main lyricist for my band and I write all the riffs, but I tend to come short on ideas a lot. I know what I want it to sound like but it just tends to sound the same after a while. How do you approach your compositions? I really want to be able to get all these songs on paper and then recorded! :-D

Thank you for any advice.

Connor L

P.S.
Is there any way you could possibly do a lesson on the song Lucretia by Megadeth? The riffs and solos are insane and it is quite an intricate song.

Hi Connor!

Nice to see there's a true Megadeth fan here

Learning higher level solos can be a hard thing and you need to dedicate a whole lot of your time to achieve the desired level of playing.
I don't actually know your level of playing, but I would suggest you to learn the solo from Symphony as it is in the small vids up on GMC. Have them down slow at first, and speed them up -really- slowly. Use a metronome, it should be your best friend .

Creating compositions can also be a hard thing. You have to have an inspiration to compose something. I would suggest you to improvise a lot, and record the stuff That's from where you can have great riffs. As for a song, always try to have a great Chorus part at first, and then try to build a song. That's how I make compositions.

I love Lucretia from Megadeth, and the solo is just killer. I could do it somewhere in the future, but cannot promise anything at the moment.

If you have any more questions regarding anything, please do feel free to ask them

Cheers

Zsolt,

Thank you very much for your quick reply. To give you an idea of my skill level (assuming you know as many Megadeth songs as you seem to), I usually play Mustaine's parts in the songs. Not the lead (like Marty Friedman). I can do Mustaine's solo from Holy Wars...the Punishment Due, perfectly (at least 98%).

I am indeed practicing the Symphony of Destruction videos as well as the Tornado of Souls vid on GMC. The major parts I have trouble with are arpegios and sweeps. What shapes or exercices can I do to improve on these?

Thanks

Connor

P.S.
If I send you a recording of one of my riffs would you give me a professional opinion?

Hi Connor!

Executing speeps/arpeggios in my oppinion are amongst the most difficult techniques. Nothing a guitarplayer can't handle tho with the right attitude. There are very good lessons here on GMC that you can choose to learn, particularly that of Muris' and Emir's. I also have a sweeping lesson.

The best way to learn these is to begin with the basic 2 string arpeggios and shapes, then to 3 strings and so on. Practice as much as you can slowly at first and when you are completely familiar with a shape on a particular tempo, increase it a bit, say with 5 bmp.

To be able to play them smooth, focus on the clarity of every single note. This is very important in the beginning. You want every note to sound even. No compromise.

I would gladly help you and give you an oppinion on your technique if you send me some of your vids or recordings.

Cheers

Zsolt,

Thank you for the advice. I have recently made a facebook page for my band Megido. I recorded my instrumental track in one try on a laptop. It is meant as a tribute to Dave Mustaine and early Megadeth. I did not put the solos in because I could not have a rythm behind them. I am the only one playing in the video. Here is the link.

Please let me know what you think

Connor


http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_23...id=252368061708

Playing wise:

There are some minor issues but your playing is smooth and tight. You have a powerfull attack, just the way I like it These riffs are great and you could build a song of it.

Sound wise:

A bit of bass decrease would do good.

Overall this is a very nice take. I'm also interested in your lead playing.

Zsolt

Hi Zsolt,

Thank you, I am glad you liked the aggresiveness. Actually, big news, I posted a full song. The only thing that is missing is drums but other than that it is a completely original song called Ghost Road Blues.

I did rythm guitar and also did the solo. I went for a lot of reverb and vibrato (I really wanted the song to have a metal blues feeling). Vocals are heavily influenced by Dave Mustaine (you will probably notice this) and might not be enjoyed by everyone. I'm sure when I record the official version of the song they will sound better than recording them on a laptop.

So here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=...id=252368061708

Please don't focus on the vocals haha. Just a demo.

Connor

Hi

For some reason I cannot open it... is it still up there?

Zsolt,

Yes it is still there. Here is the link again. Hope it works

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=...id=252368061708

It worked this time

Well, the composition is good, and your vocals sound just like early Dave

You should however try to find your style of singing.

If you plan to compose songs, my suggestion would be that at first you should try to build it up the traditional way: intro riff, verse, bridge, chorus, intro riff, verse, chorus, solo, chorus, outro riff. When you have it down, try to experiment around by expanding this structure.

Regarding your lead playing, you should focus on bending and vibratos more. Your attack is very strong, just the way I like it. Try to practice some picking patterns as well, like the "Modal Madness" series.

Cheers

Zsolt,

Thanks! I was going for early Dave. I am going to try and make my own style, but I feel that the "snarling" vocals fit Thrash Metal so well! :-p

And I agree, the traditional song structure is better for me to practice with. I am currently working on 2 other songs: Carnivale (by far my best composition) and The Reaping (in which the bridge is heavily inspired by the bridge in Megadeth's The Conjuring). I plan to work on them and have them posted at the end of the week.

As for the solo I do see how it could be improved. I did it in one try (pretty much improvised it) so I will work on the vibrata and different picking patterns.

Do you think you might be able to do an "In The Style of Dave Mustaine" lead and rythm lesson in the near future? Just thought it would be a good idea.

Thanks!

Connor

Hi!

I have videos scheduled way ahead, and I also have to help my instructors a lot, but nothing's impossible. There is a lesson on GMC done by Laszlo Boross here:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Early-Megadeth-Style/

Cheers