Speed And More Speed!

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Speed And More Speed!

Daniel Robinson View Member Profile	Apr 11 2008, 11:47 PM
Apr 11 2008, 11:47 PM	Instructor Posts: 560 Joined: 22-March 08 From: Normal, Illinois	I have seen several posts talking about speed. I just wanted to take a little time to discuss another thing besides practicing with a metronome for hours and hours. Once you reach a certain point in your playing speed your gonna hit a barrier unless your guitar is in top notch shape. Your not gonna win the Daytona 500 in a Geo Metro. So it stands to reason if your playing a guitar thats not set up properly for playing fast your not gonna get much more out of it. As you progress as a player your going to want to start looking for a guitar that fits your hand almost perfectly. Is the shape of the neck too fat? Too thin? Are the strings too close together? Too far apart? What about fret size? For example play 3nps starting on the high E string starting at the 12th fret play 12th 13th 15th. Now completely relax your hand and place your fingers on the fret board in that posistion...does your index finger middle finger and pinky line up naturally with those 3 frets? Maybe your hand is a bit bigger and you need extra jumbo frets....maybe your hand is a bit smaller and needs small frets. Action height plays a large part in speed as well. Is your action on your guitar set as low as it will go without buzzing? The less pressure you have to exert to sound a note the faster you will be able to play. String gauge plays a part as well. The best advice i can give here is use the lightest gauge string possible without compromising the tone you want. Me personally i use .009 to .042 D'Addario Nickel Wound strings they have the tone i am looking for and have a nice light gauge to them. All of these things are going to help you to play faster. Its all about conservation of motion and energy. You don't want to be fighting the instrument. You look at a shred player like Yngwie for example i have played his signature model thats been set up to his exact specs and let me tell ya its the easiest guitar to play i ever picked up. You barely have to exert any pressure at all to fret a note. When you can play as relaxed as possible your going to acheive much great speed because your not expending all your finger strength pushing down on the string. Once you start reaching some of your first speed goals think about how you can improve your own guitar to make it easier to play. Or start shopping for a new axe that fits you better. Daniel You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

Ivan Milenkovic View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 12:12 AM
Apr 12 2008, 12:12 AM	Instructor Posts: 25.396 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Some great tips Daniel, thanks a lot fro sharing! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE - Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)

RIP Dime View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 12:22 AM
Apr 12 2008, 12:22 AM	GMC:er Posts: 1.063 Joined: 2-October 06 From: Hawaii	Good stuff. I have a $200 guitar that plays pretty good, but when I play it next to another guitar that I have that was more expensive and set up with low action, it's like night and day, the guitar isn't in my way anymore, it's an extion of my hands. Preference is also a big factor, some people like thin Jackson or Ibanez necks, some prefer fat necks, there are even guitars out there with a V neck carve(DEAN!), that feel great, so you have a big selection. Body shapes affect playing too, how the guitar fits your body when you're standing up or sitting down, some prefer body and forearm cuts, but I sure don't some prefer strat shapes, pointy shapes, it all matters. Having a guitar that matches your preferences and that is set up well will not get in your way when you are playing. It lets you play the guitar. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! --------------------

Trond Vold View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 12:40 AM
Apr 12 2008, 12:40 AM	Instructor Posts: 3.497 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Norge!	That was a a very good and informative post You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12 FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird. ___________________________________________________ My Lessons! My Instructor Board! My Myspace!

skennington View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 01:38 AM
Apr 12 2008, 01:38 AM	Learning Roadie - Never Give Up - Moderator Posts: 7.461 Joined: 25-November 07 From: Charlotte,NC USA	It's funny you posted this Daniel. I'm at that very point now. I feel like the setup on my guitar is holding me back. Had it in the shop once already but the luthier there came down with the flu the same day I took it in. Never got it setup properly and I know it needs it. Maybe this post is what I needed to force me to take it back and just wait. This guy is really good and atm, has a 3 wk lead time but hell, I know it'll be worth it. Thanks for the tips man! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *Show Off The Lessons You Have Learned Here On The REC Board And Receive Valuable Feedback from Our Instructors!* *Check Out The Virtual Bands* *Want To Join One, Or Maybe Form Your Own?*

Tjchep View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 01:49 AM
Apr 12 2008, 01:49 AM	GMC:er Posts: 1.084 Joined: 16-October 07 From: United States, CT	http://youtube.com/watch?v=_7-zD2IQYTw Amazing video must watch. Follows up perfectly on your economy of motion comment. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by Tjchep: Apr 12 2008, 01:49 AM -------------------- Check out my playing here - https://www.youtube.com/user/tjchep

rokchik View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 03:10 AM
Apr 12 2008, 03:10 AM	The Dark Canuck Posts: 2.729 Joined: 22-March 07 From: The Great White North	An excellent and informative post Daniel. I know we've talked to no end here on the forum about fundamentals that will help you get faster, and loads of practice tips however I think this is the first time I've seen the set up of the guitar discussed (I could be very wrong on that and if I am I apologize) I think this post will be very helpful to anyone who maybe questioning their gear or just what to consider when looking for a new guitar (which is also a frequently discussed topic). Also I think guitar maintenance and set up should be something every guitar player should learn. I mean the more you understand about your instrument the better I think. Thanks for sharing. rok You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by rokchik: Apr 12 2008, 03:11 AM

Nemanja Filipovi... Nemanja Filipovic View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 07:30 PM
Apr 12 2008, 07:30 PM	Singing Instructor Posts: 3.391 Joined: 23-January 08	Great tips there Daniel.....thanks for sharing your knowlege . You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons and instructor board! Participate im my new Crazy Blues Collaboration

Hisham Al-Sanea View Member Profile	Apr 12 2008, 07:32 PM
Apr 12 2008, 07:32 PM	Instructor Posts: 4.085 Joined: 19-October 07 From: middle east / lebanon	agree You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- email me *my video lessons* *instructor board*

Pablo Vazquez View Member Profile	Apr 13 2008, 06:07 PM
Apr 13 2008, 06:07 PM	Instructor Posts: 1.873 Joined: 1-November 07 From: Argentina	Great! Thanks for sharing Daniel!! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

steve25 View Member Profile	Apr 13 2008, 06:47 PM
Apr 13 2008, 06:47 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.197 Joined: 19-April 07 From: Wiltshire, England	Good tips, i'm thinking of lowering my action as i'm not sure if it's too high, but i don't know how to do it You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

kyldeee View Member Profile	Apr 13 2008, 07:09 PM
Apr 13 2008, 07:09 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.602 Joined: 15-July 07 From: Naantali, Finland	Thanks man for the tips You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Music really is a way to reach out and hold on to each other in a healthy way. - Stevie Ray Vaughan

erik View Member Profile	Apr 13 2008, 07:21 PM
Apr 13 2008, 07:21 PM	GMC:er Posts: 391 Joined: 6-November 06 From: Norway	I've never given much thought to this before! Thanks You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Bogdan Radovic View Member Profile	Apr 14 2008, 12:10 AM
Apr 14 2008, 12:10 AM	Bass & Beginner Instructor Posts: 15.614 Joined: 30-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Great tips Daniel ! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now!

Lian Gerbino View Member Profile	Apr 14 2008, 05:21 PM
Apr 14 2008, 05:21 PM	Instructor Posts: 4.426 Joined: 14-April 08 From: Buenos Aires, Argentina	Great tips! daniel nice to know that people like u stay here! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Tersivel's webstore! get my band's new album

Bondy View Member Profile	Apr 14 2008, 05:39 PM
Apr 14 2008, 05:39 PM	Learning Roadie Posts: 2.267 Joined: 27-September 07 From: Telford.Shropshire.England	Top Top tips there thank loads You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- www.minorglance.com www.facebook.com/minorglance www.facbook.com/majorlookband www.twiter.com/minorglance

at lights end View Member Profile	Apr 14 2008, 06:09 PM
Apr 14 2008, 06:09 PM	GMC:er Posts: 552 Joined: 6-December 07 From: England	great post! very useful knowledge, thanks! QUOTE (steve25 @ Apr 13 2008, 05:47 PM) Good tips, i'm thinking of lowering my action as i'm not sure if it's too high, but i don't know how to do it what kind of bridge do you have? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- “You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven.”

coffeeman View Member Profile	Apr 14 2008, 06:26 PM
Apr 14 2008, 06:26 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 1.762 Joined: 15-September 07 From: Bogota,Colombia	Thanks for the tips Daniel , and now that u say it , I feel that the frest from my ibanez are to small for me, I will look for bigger frets. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- The only thing yo can do, is what you love! Visit my youtube

kjutte View Member Profile	Jul 20 2008, 02:21 PM
Jul 20 2008, 02:21 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.710 Joined: 17-July 07 From: Norway	QUOTE (Daniel Robinson @ Apr 12 2008, 12:47 AM) I have seen several posts talking about speed. I just wanted to take a little time to discuss another thing besides practicing with a metronome for hours and hours. Once you reach a certain point in your playing speed your gonna hit a barrier unless your guitar is in top notch shape. Your not gonna win the Daytona 500 in a Geo Metro. So it stands to reason if your playing a guitar thats not set up properly for playing fast your not gonna get much more out of it. As you progress as a player your going to want to start looking for a guitar that fits your hand almost perfectly. Is the shape of the neck too fat? Too thin? Are the strings too close together? Too far apart? What about fret size? For example play 3nps starting on the high E string starting at the 12th fret play 12th 13th 15th. Now completely relax your hand and place your fingers on the fret board in that posistion...does your index finger middle finger and pinky line up naturally with those 3 frets? Maybe your hand is a bit bigger and you need extra jumbo frets....maybe your hand is a bit smaller and needs small frets. Action height plays a large part in speed as well. Is your action on your guitar set as low as it will go without buzzing? The less pressure you have to exert to sound a note the faster you will be able to play. String gauge plays a part as well. The best advice i can give here is use the lightest gauge string possible without compromising the tone you want. Me personally i use .009 to .042 D'Addario Nickel Wound strings they have the tone i am looking for and have a nice light gauge to them. All of these things are going to help you to play faster. Its all about conservation of motion and energy. You don't want to be fighting the instrument. You look at a shred player like Yngwie for example i have played his signature model thats been set up to his exact specs and let me tell ya its the easiest guitar to play i ever picked up. You barely have to exert any pressure at all to fret a note. When you can play as relaxed as possible your going to acheive much great speed because your not expending all your finger strength pushing down on the string. Once you start reaching some of your first speed goals think about how you can improve your own guitar to make it easier to play. Or start shopping for a new axe that fits you better. Daniel I talked to my local guitarshop about gauges, and God said that all pickups are originally desgined for .012 strings, actually. Seemingly makes a huge difference. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Daniel Robinson View Member Profile	Jul 20 2008, 02:26 PM
Jul 20 2008, 02:26 PM	Instructor Posts: 560 Joined: 22-March 08 From: Normal, Illinois	String gauge is personal preference, some people like big beefy strings. Thats why i said, lightest gauge string that "Doesnt" compromise the tone your looking for. As far as .012 gauge strings, unless the action height on your guitar is next to nothing your not going to be able to play very fast with them unless you are some sort of mutant Daniel You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

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