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Posted by: loundzilla Jan 14 2010, 01:50 PM

Hi All,

Firstly sorry i haven't really been chatting much on the forums of late, I've been crazy busy at work and other commitments :S

Secondly...... I've been practicing scales a lot recently (minor pentatonic and major) and I don't seem to be able build up decent speed, especially on the pentatonic!

Will using a metronome really help me improve this? I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel !

Also, should i be muting with my picking hand when going through the scales at speed?

Cheers all!

Zilla,

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Jan 14 2010, 01:56 PM

I think that muting strings is always good. Also good way is to practice many different variations, not just run the scale up and down. For example play strings 1-2-1-2-2-3-2-3-3-4-3-4-4-5-4-5-5-6-5-6 really the more the better most probably.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 15 2010, 02:21 AM

You cannot improve without metronome, you can keep the beat going, but it's not the same. Buy a metronome, and from now on rehearse everything with it. There is a lesson on GMC on how to use it:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/how-to-use-a-metronome.htm

and this topic may help as well check it out:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=24625&st=0&gopid=339533&#entry339533

Also check out how this lesson has metronome incorporated and what method is being used:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-workshop-level1-caged-format-timing-exercises/

If you have any more questions let me know, I'll be glad to help


Ivan

Posted by: loundzilla Jan 15 2010, 02:30 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Jan 15 2010, 01:21 AM)

You cannot improve without metronome, you can keep the beat going, but it's not the same. Buy a metronome, and from now on rehearse everything with it. There is a lesson on GMC on how to use it:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/how-to-use-a-metronome.htm

and this topic may help as well check it out:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=24625&st=0&gopid=339533&#entry339533

Also check out how this lesson has metronome incorporated and what method is being used:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-workshop-level1-caged-format-timing-exercises/

If you have any more questions let me know, I'll be glad to help


Ivan

QUOTE (Marek Rojewski @ Jan 14 2010, 12:56 PM)

Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic Jan 15 2010, 02:48 PM

Without metronome, it's very difficult to improve speed, I mean, it's possible, but metronome makes it sooooo much faster you wouldn't believe it. It is much much efficient.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 15 2010, 02:52 PM

QUOTE (loundzilla @ Jan 15 2010, 02:30 PM)

Thanks Ivan.

I've now been and brought a metronome!

I'll be using the supplied links and see how i get on...... Watch this space

Posted by: Sollesnes Jan 15 2010, 10:53 PM

You can improve speed with or without metronome. The metronome will however help you keep track of improvement AND it will keep you in time. If you practice a lot without a metronome, you will come to a point where you just aren't in time, especially in faster phrases.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 17 2010, 07:02 PM

"The metronome will however help you keep track of improvement AND it will keep you in time." that's the most important thing.

Speed you can develop it without but don't forget that you are ALWAYS tied to a beat in music. Unless you are doing some indian ragghas or some comtemporary music that try to eliminate this parameter but for the most part, use the metronome.

Posted by: GrindGuer Jan 17 2010, 07:23 PM

I think that you also have to vary your exercises. I've been practicing always the sames shapes for a really long time and didn't improve that much. But working on different lessons helped me a lot. I can suggest you to try http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/timing-exercise/ and http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/ap_etude_in_am_triplet_feel/. Of course, you may not play them that fast, but anyway you'll make progress. And as it was said before, always use a metronome. Cheers

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jan 17 2010, 07:51 PM

Using a metronome will help you a lot to see the progress (keep track of it) and to be more efficient when practicing (and keep steady time). Congrats on getting it man, you will feel progress after your first session with it!