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Posted by: Vaidya Jan 15 2012, 07:56 AM

Hi guys
I tried learning this solo a couple of months back from Daniel's lesson.But then i quit when i failed miserably to play the part from 0:53 to 1:03
But yesterday I found some inspiration to try it out and have been practicing the whole day.As if by magic,I am now able to play it almost at full tempo.But there's one problem.This particular part is only about 10 seconds long.But its taking too much out of my left wrist and pinky.If i divide the section into 4 sections i'm able to play each of them at full tempo individually.But when i put them all together my energy drains out after the 3rd one and it gets so painful that i'm not able to hold on to the neck.My picking hand is fine.But my fretting hand is completely drained of all energy and I need to take a couple of minutes break before trying it again.
So my question is how bad is my stamina? It seems like my right forearm is tensing up.And what can I do to improve it?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Marty_Friedman_Tornado_of_Souls_Solo/

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 15 2012, 01:46 PM

Well, the problem might be you are tensing the muscles/fingers too hard when playing the piece. It's a demanding piece, yes, but it's perhaps better to do it on slower tempos now, and try to relax your hand more and more. In time, you will acquire better stamina. For now, it would be better, because it seems to me you are pushing to hard, try not to risk injury or anything. Warm up, and take it slowly and relaxed. Don't worry, even on slow tempos and with relaxed hand, you are still progressing a lot. After couple of days, it will only get better and better. Heads up, and don't stop!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 15 2012, 03:54 PM

I think one thing that I do in this part is that, right when the sequence starts I re-arrange my hand and arm so that I'm already in position FOR THE LAST pattern,

Notice that after the first bar of that sequence I change the position of my arm, I didn't do this consciously but I guess through practice you realise that YOU ARE GOING TO NEED to stretch the pinky quite a bit so you get ready beforehand

For the stamina, I would recommend that you practice the pattern in one position a lot so that your brain remembers it when you need it on the solo,

The reason why your energy drains is because of the position, you really need to stretch on that one so try to prepare, look at when I shift arm/thumb position on the video

Posted by: Alex Feather Jan 16 2012, 08:57 PM

QUOTE (Vaidya @ Jan 15 2012, 06:56 AM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 16 2012, 10:52 PM

hey! the piece is so demanding! Be patient and follow Ivan's suggestions. You should set a slower tempo and concentrate in having your arm and hand relaxed. If you already reached the real tempo you will be playing this piece perfectly very soon. Warming up and stretching your muscles before practising is also very important to avoid hurting yourself.