Cowboys From Hell By Pantera

Currently learning some of Dimebags Darrell's riffing madness with a double DVD video lessons of Pantera Album, I was given as a gift.

Thanks to Lian Gerbino, I've got the tone preset for my Line 6 Pod XT, which rocks:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=17827

and also been practicing Pantera Style lessons:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/panter...le-part-1-of-3/

Unfortunity, my DVD doesn't come with tabs and I have to try remember it all. Searching online for tabs so far all seem different than the version I've got? Playing around the 7th string, when on the DVD it goes up to the 15th string. What is the best way to write out these tabs or find some which are like it?

First problem I'm having is with the holding of the pick and it floats around a bit while playing. I've noticed I hold it rather loose while the player in the DVD tucks his index finger in a lot more and anchors his pinkie to the base of the guitar. What's the best position and angle for the pick while palm muting? I need to alternate pick over two string power cords and having some trouble with that. Are you spos to play with just the fingers or the wrist or both? I also need to build up my speed.

I've got some guitar pro tabs if you'd like to take a look at them and compare what you have learnt from the DVDs. It's probably best to try following the DVDs as much as you can rather than confusing yourself as to the different versions. Perhaps find the tab that is most similar and alter it accordingly so you'll have the videos and the tabs to follow for future reference.
With regard to your picking hand and the pick, yes, it won't do to have your pick held too loosely but at the same time I've seen picks held too tightly that players inadvertently tense up. The pick has to brush both past and through the string in a postive fashion. For speed picking I use the same approach that Gilbert has and that is the push the thumb knuckle forward slightly and move the index finger back a little to create a natural angle on the pick without adjusting your wrist - this way the pick should "slice" through the string and meet with less resistance i.e. you'll be able to pick faster and more relaxed. Also, this way, I can palm mute as usual without having to adjust my wrist and so my speed isn't hampered.
Personally I play with my wrist as much as possible, even for tremolo picking - being in a black metal band means that I have to do a lot of sustained tremolo picking and I couldn't keep it up unless I use the wrist and stay relaxed.
And with speed building I think you know - just take it slow and work the speed up gradually with accuracy
Good luck mate! Look forward to hearing some samples. Cowboys From Hell is one rockin' tuuuuuuune!!

Ed: another thing that may help is your choice of pick - I use a thick plectrum with a sharp point (Jazz IIIs) and if I'm after ultra fast shredding I sometimes file it down to a really sharp point. It's all about least resistance, least effort - maximum shred \m/

Thx for the info.

Don't worry about the guitar pro tabs, I'll probably just try get a txt tab from somewhere and try update it to the DVD as ya say is best.

The 'Paul Gilbert' approach with the pick, I think i've got the understanding. Only the tip of the pick is sticking out now and on a slight back angle. I don't seem to play with the wrist at all when palm muting, maybe that's my slow down I need to work on?

I know, accuracy before speed. I'm using 'DUNLOP U.S.A.' 1.14mm picks at the moment, are they okay? I think I also have a 'Big Stubby' but never really tried using that. My guitar strings are Ernie Ball - Regular Slinky custom gauge (10,13,17,26,36,46). Can easily buy others if necessary.

Your set up is fine and the pick is a good choice - I just meant that generally those thin, flimsy picks are great for strumming but not so great for speed picking. When it comes to choice of picks though it really is up to you. Personally I prefer to use a pick that feels like I may as well not be holding anything so that's why I use small ones as opposed to the Pick Of Destiny types.
Yeah, having just the tip of the pick sticking out is the way I'd recommend. You'll be able to get those pinch harmonics off on-the-fly which is useful if you're playing Pantera and want those Dimebag sqeauls

Try to analyze yourself and the way you play more and find the pick position that is suitable for you, and you only. There is no "right" way, you can do it anyway you want really. You can play even with your foot if the sound is right and you feel comfortable like that.

I'm getting to grips with the song, however the solo is quite fast for me. So far just playing at a slowed down tempo.

Well I know there's no wrong or right way in holding the pick, but I think it's better. I'm gonna try change the way I was previously which was rather loose. I want to get the finger more up on the pick so I just use the tip. The less pick, the better as speed picking is all about economy, right? Also try cut down on some of my wasted motion, to play with more speed and accuracy.

Any tips on finger stretches for the solo?

Ah one of my alltime favourite songs! And one of the reasons why I started to play the guitar...

I could play the solo after two years of playing but I still can't nail the song as tight as Dime did.


As for the stretches, either train your fingers to stretch that far or tap the part.

Heres how i do when learning a song.... First i learn the tab and try t play it with the original song. If i find a part i think sound wrong i try fo figure out how to make it sound right. By that way you get some ear training when learning the sog but ofcourse you could try and learn it all by ear and have the tab as help.....

Take it slowly, and precise, bit by bit, you will get there, just don't try to rush the fast parts. Try focusing more on them and it should be OK.

Spot on man! Analyzing the way you hold the pick and minimizing movements is the key. You are heading in the right direction the way I see it.

For finger stretches, just try to train the fingers to stretch more as Zakk said. Do some simple stretches that are similar to the stretches needed to play certain piece of the song. In the beginning it will not be easy, but if you begin slowly and keep it precise all the way, it will come very fast. Stretches are again one of those things that at first seem unplayable, but when you get the technique right, they are very easy to play. Just remember to fret the notes exactly where needed - behind the fret, and focus on fretting the same way every time you rehearse. It will be cool.