These are good recommendations Rob. I do have the problem of losing speed when needing to cover more real estate on the fret board. I think these exercises will help me overcome that issue. Thanks for putting this together.
Hey man, I just clicked on your video the firecrackle on the wall immediately caught my attention. I am sitting here with one one my lap. Was a weird moment.
I agree, I can play rock and many riffs and solos but when it comes to play fast and run scales like maniac I kind of lost control like on powerful super-/race car. Finally I see the pattern how it's really played slowly. You can't play fast unless you got that correctly slowly perfectly, not just messing around.
"Anyone can sit there and play fast"... guess I'm not one of these anybody people. Great lesson though, keep more of these coming. Love the speed exercises and tabs. Thanks
It can also hurt your hand if you play too fast, you can practice that same lick for hours everyday for 2 3 5 7 months maybe even 1 year, but it dont mean sheet if you keep getting carpal tunnel syndrome or your tendoms swell like a pufferfish you literally have no other choice then to just "let it be"
I know the feeling. Playing guitar ok was easy. Excelling at guitar has been a long journey. 36 years at it and I'm only a "B" player striving to be an "A"
What kills speed for me is tension in the right wrist/arm. I've noticed how relaxed many great shredders are in their picking arm and wrist. As an older player I know I missed the formative metronome fundamentals and will have to rely on hammer ons and pull offs and for any semblance of speed. Cheers!
No. Stop telling yourself that crap. I get so angry when it read stuff like this. There is no such thing as being too old to learn something. It is just all about time. Young people have more time to practice so they get better quicker and older people just need more time to get to the same goal because there's other life stuff that needs attention. But it's not like older people can't learn anything. If you sit down and practice alternate picking you'll improve INEVITABLY. Instead of doing that you're telling yourself that you can't do it and that you have to rely on legato to get fast. Legato is a challenge in itself. If you can practice legato to become fast you can practice alternate picking to become fast. What Troy Grady's video about upward/downard slanted picking. It'll be a major light bulb moment for you. You can be fast without moving your right hand at light speed.
I woke up this morning and said I need a new exercise to practice... checked my emails and here's Rob. Perfect timing, perfect lesson for me. Thanks again Rob.
I’ve been playing for about 15 years but just recently started taking it seriously when this whole quarantine started. Been learning a lot of cool little tips and practice lessons from your videos man. Glad I found this channel.
I’ve always shied away from P90 pickups (and single coil bridge pickups in general) because I’ve never been a big fan of the thinner, brighter, and clankier tones I’ve heard from them. It’s refreshing to hear the nice rich and fuller-sounding rhythm tones you’re getting out of those pickups. They sound more like humbuckers than I thought they would-which I really like! Thanks for sharing the great tone!
I ran my thumb into a table saw back in 2012. It healed really well and looks normal aside from a big scar on my pad but feeling is not really there. If I'm really shredding I have to put fabric on it so it can slide easier because I can never really tell how much tension is being applied. When I go to slide it's like trying to slide a vise-grip.
How ironic... I was just talking to someone about not worrying about playing fast, but play it comfortably first and you’ll be able to play it faster naturally. Yeah? 🙂 Edit: That thumb tip is so key to playing comfortably.
Another thing that helped me was doing exercises like these on my 70's Fender mexican strat because more stretching is involved because of the longer scale length and the thicker neck then go to my 1984 Gibson Les Paul Studio Lite or my other guitars that are more in that scale length and I could really see the speed progression plus gives me more fret awareness alternating on different scale lengths. That worked for me.
Sporty! Along the same line (thumb). I have double-jointed thumbs (both of them). The first digit can bend backward as far back as I can bend it forward. Because of this I can grip the neck of my guitar and swivel my hand into position without changing the position of my thumb (at least not much). However, after 30 years of playing, arthritis is finding it's way into the second knuckle of my left hand (feels like a ring of fire and pain around that knuckle), but only when I play with my thumb straight (along the neck). I'll keep playing till I can't, but have to be very gentle now. Most of the strength in my playing is now coming from my fingers hitting the strings hard so I 'monkey grip' very lightly.
This is totally a great speed building exercise,and da thumb info is Crucial as stated..... can't wait to start on it for myself. Thanx a ton bro Stay Safe!!🤜🤛😎🎸🎼🎸
I like to play through the modes using position shifting but is what's crazy is I've never thought to teach my students how to shift rather I've always just thought it was natural. I guess it is something that isn't really addressed, thanks man. I'll bring this up when I give my next lesson. It's natural for some people and obviously it's not so natural for others. Personally I've position shifted natural throughout the years, but it's absolutely crucial to shred lightning fast across the fret board.
From JJ Oltvai, descending scales using hammer on easy, ascending pull off not so good. Do you have a lesson for pull offs. If you can help a 67 year old learn how to shred that would be great!
This gold top and Chris Bucks Revstar 502T both single handedly completely changed my opinion on P90s. I've played countless ones, i repaired guitars for a decade and half, but i never had any desire to actually use them. Truthfully whenever i had a high end expensive guitars with them; like a Custom shop LP or PRS i would always think to myself "God, why would you buy one of those for the prices they sell for, and get it with P90s?" Now however I've been gas'ng for one. I'm really eager for one of the Revstars, which is ironic because with the way i used to look at them, id see them as 3 times a loss; 1) it's a Yamaha. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but I've just never desired any guitar that they've put out. 2)P90s, as stated 3) a friggin trapeze bridge 🤮 Now that are the reasons why i want to get one.
I've been focusing on building my speed up for months and this kind of exercise is super useful. Getting that thumb moving, and also getting that index finger moving up diagonally, is a great skill. Use a metronome too and you'll be blazing in... Oh... about 10 months lol. That's how long it's taken me. Plus this is a great picking exercise.
I wish I had known this when I got my first guitar! Tuning to your personal preference definitely makes a big difference too, I'd say it's more important than the type of guitar!
Interesting comment about David Gilmour. One of my early guitar teachers told me if you want to learn some songs try Pink Floyd. Gilmour rarely plays anything very fast so it's easy to figure out what he's playing. What he didn't say, of course, is playing Gilmour's notes and sounding like him are two completely different things.
The thumb thing is definitely more of an issue for those who play thumb over. I used to be almost strictly thumb over for decades. It's only in the last year or so that I've moved to putting my thumb behind the neck. Now my default is kind of a "middle road." I play mostly an EJ Strat that has a very slight V provile. my thumb is now on the flat part between the center and edge.
Robert Baker; cool lesson. My thumb IS the problem. Is there any chance you can do a video where you actually film- maybe in slow motion your thumb moving...so we get it? Thanks.
When I clicked on the TABS (get the tabs here) all I get is the Fretboard decoder which I already have. Is there a specific place for this specific thing you're doing here? Each time I click the link it goes to the signup thing, and the only email I get is the original Fretboard Decoder lesson (which is awesome btw). I also want to / will email you about some private skype lessons for a specific struggle for me. Thanks for all you do!
Hey Rob, I've got a question about the song you played in the background while talking in your intro. I love that track and you used it multiple times in your videos as well. I keep watching your Friedman BE100 Deluxe Demo video, because you played it in the intro. Are there any plans on releasing it somehow or just as an audio on youtube? Totally off topic of the video, sorry! haha
Hi Robert I was wondering I’m having trouble with my pick keeping it steady , and trying to learn alternate picking , I would be so appreciative if you could give me a tip please Thank you Robert , Kev from Australia 🇦🇺👍
is that a JHS Panther Cub under your computer screen in the background? I've seen it there for a few videos now. You should use that in one of your short intro and outro jams. Great vid as usual.
TIME TO SHRED!!!!!
@Glen Chidley Honestly I'm not OCD about anything. But I am weird so theres that lol.
These are good recommendations Rob. I do have the problem of losing speed when needing to cover more real estate on the fret board. I think these exercises will help me overcome that issue. Thanks for putting this together.
Ok I've decided. You need a Crackle Les Paul with a single in the neck. It'll be your new super powerful guitar-O-doom!
Nice intro
Hey man, I just clicked on your video the firecrackle on the wall immediately caught my attention. I am sitting here with one one my lap. Was a weird moment.
"Anyone can play fast on the same lick."
I'm just gonna set my guitar down and start pricing bass rigs...
Anyone ..... well ..... I ain’t just anyone !
Lol, I was going to make a comment on that as well. I guess I am no one, lol.
By far one of the best guitar instructors on UA-cam. Thanks man! Your lessons have improved my playing by tenfold easily
I agree, I can play rock and many riffs and solos but when it comes to play fast and run scales like maniac I kind of lost control like on powerful super-/race car. Finally I see the pattern how it's really played slowly. You can't play fast unless you got that correctly slowly perfectly, not just messing around.
"Anyone can sit there and play fast"... guess I'm not one of these anybody people.
Great lesson though, keep more of these coming. Love the speed exercises and tabs. Thanks
Shredding is quite fun without a doubt! It can open so many possibilities to work into, and play so many more styles! Always awesome man!
I found that by practicing speed I also practiced accuracy, which has profit me in all things guitar.
It can also hurt your hand if you play too fast, you can practice that same lick for hours everyday for 2 3 5 7 months maybe even 1 year, but it dont mean sheet if you keep getting carpal tunnel syndrome or your tendoms swell like a pufferfish you literally have no other choice then to just "let it be"
@@ernestochang1744 true, usually it means you tense up while trying to play fast though, which is hard not to.
How about you just teach all your opening solos ? They all rock !
That’s a great idea his intro solos are badass I would love learning those lots of licks to learn in there
Slow his videos down and figure it out that way.
Exactly!!!
Just got done with your part 2 video and I think you've created a great way of teaching/expanding the use of the major scale!
Excellent job Mr. Baker!
Thanks for the great tips! Been playing for 35 years and still find this refreshing!
I know the feeling. Playing guitar ok was easy. Excelling at guitar has been a long journey. 36 years at it and I'm only a "B" player striving to be an "A"
What kills speed for me is tension in the right wrist/arm. I've noticed how relaxed many great shredders are in their picking arm and wrist. As an older player I know I missed the formative metronome fundamentals and will have to rely on hammer ons and pull offs and for any semblance of speed. Cheers!
No. Stop telling yourself that crap. I get so angry when it read stuff like this. There is no such thing as being too old to learn something. It is just all about time. Young people have more time to practice so they get better quicker and older people just need more time to get to the same goal because there's other life stuff that needs attention. But it's not like older people can't learn anything. If you sit down and practice alternate picking you'll improve INEVITABLY. Instead of doing that you're telling yourself that you can't do it and that you have to rely on legato to get fast. Legato is a challenge in itself. If you can practice legato to become fast you can practice alternate picking to become fast. What Troy Grady's video about upward/downard slanted picking. It'll be a major light bulb moment for you. You can be fast without moving your right hand at light speed.
I woke up this morning and said I need a new exercise to practice... checked my emails and here's Rob. Perfect timing, perfect lesson for me. Thanks again Rob.
What helped me play faster and move my hands, was the ending of Bark at the moon solo. Really great stuff
I’ve been playing for about 15 years but just recently started taking it seriously when this whole quarantine started. Been learning a lot of cool little tips and practice lessons from your videos man. Glad I found this channel.
Brilliant and you are the FIRST and ONLY guitar teacher that I have seen mention the thumb positioning to play faster.
This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for, thank you wonderful human.
I’ve always shied away from P90 pickups (and single coil bridge pickups in general) because I’ve never been a big fan of the thinner, brighter, and clankier tones I’ve heard from them. It’s refreshing to hear the nice rich and fuller-sounding rhythm tones you’re getting out of those pickups. They sound more like humbuckers than I thought they would-which I really like! Thanks for sharing the great tone!
Cant wait to start working on this. Thanks
I ran my thumb into a table saw back in 2012. It healed really well and looks normal aside from a big scar on my pad but feeling is not really there. If I'm really shredding I have to put fabric on it so it can slide easier because I can never really tell how much tension is being applied. When I go to slide it's like trying to slide a vise-grip.
How ironic... I was just talking to someone about not worrying about playing fast, but play it comfortably first and you’ll be able to play it faster naturally. Yeah? 🙂 Edit: That thumb tip is so key to playing comfortably.
Another thing that helped me was doing exercises like these on my 70's Fender mexican strat because more stretching is involved because of the longer scale length and the thicker neck then go to my 1984 Gibson Les Paul Studio Lite or my other guitars that are more in that scale length and I could really see the speed progression plus gives me more fret awareness alternating on different scale lengths. That worked for me.
Oh this was a good one.. knowledge is power.🤘
The gold top LP with P90s is killer. Nice. Great lesson. Thank you.
Nice guitar! Great playing. Awesome video Robert.
Total beast. These are great exercises to get my fingers moving. Thanks
Sporty! Along the same line (thumb). I have double-jointed thumbs (both of them). The first digit can bend backward as far back as I can bend it forward. Because of this I can grip the neck of my guitar and swivel my hand into position without changing the position of my thumb (at least not much). However, after 30 years of playing, arthritis is finding it's way into the second knuckle of my left hand (feels like a ring of fire and pain around that knuckle), but only when I play with my thumb straight (along the neck). I'll keep playing till I can't, but have to be very gentle now. Most of the strength in my playing is now coming from my fingers hitting the strings hard so I 'monkey grip' very lightly.
Excellent series of exercises - thanks Robert.
Love your tone dude!! And playing style!!
This is literally the best lesson I've heard in at least a year from anyone. Thank you
Great lesson and great vibe, thank you🎸 🔥🔥🔥
Very helpful brother Rob. Thanks big time! 🎵🎸🎶👍
This is totally a great speed building exercise,and da thumb info is Crucial as stated..... can't wait to start on it for myself. Thanx a ton bro Stay Safe!!🤜🤛😎🎸🎼🎸
Great lesson! Hope you could touch on some legato or tapping next ala Reb Beach.
I like to play through the modes using position shifting but is what's crazy is I've never thought to teach my students how to shift rather I've always just thought it was natural. I guess it is something that isn't really addressed, thanks man. I'll bring this up when I give my next lesson. It's natural for some people and obviously it's not so natural for others. Personally I've position shifted natural throughout the years, but it's absolutely crucial to shred lightning fast across the fret board.
great lesson.Just by doing the exercises a few times my hands became more fluid and gradually faster. thank you.
Always helpful Robert, thank you. Beautiful Goldtop!
Ohhhh! This is a good lesson. The movement part definitely makes a difference. It’s easy to see.
Great exercises Robert. Thanks so much.
Like this tip a lot. Definitely an issue for me, focusing on unlearning that 'dig-in and play the whole scale so quick nobody notices' thing
From JJ Oltvai, descending scales using hammer on easy, ascending pull off not so good. Do you have a lesson for pull offs. If you can help a 67 year old learn how to shred that would be great!
Awesome playing. I learned from watching this. After practice practice and more practice I played not only faster,but sloppiness.
Very incredible video!,, many thanks!!!
Nice playing dude......nice touch.......nice style.....
Love this lesson! Greetings from Singapore!
Hey Rob. Great lesson. Do you have the tab for the opening solo?
This gold top and Chris Bucks Revstar 502T both single handedly completely changed my opinion on P90s. I've played countless ones, i repaired guitars for a decade and half, but i never had any desire to actually use them. Truthfully whenever i had a high end expensive guitars with them; like a Custom shop LP or PRS i would always think to myself "God, why would you buy one of those for the prices they sell for, and get it with P90s?"
Now however I've been gas'ng for one. I'm really eager for one of the Revstars, which is ironic because with the way i used to look at them, id see them as 3 times a loss;
1) it's a Yamaha. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but I've just never desired any guitar that they've put out.
2)P90s, as stated
3) a friggin trapeze bridge 🤮
Now that are the reasons why i want to get one.
I've been focusing on building my speed up for months and this kind of exercise is super useful. Getting that thumb moving, and also getting that index finger moving up diagonally, is a great skill. Use a metronome too and you'll be blazing in... Oh... about 10 months lol. That's how long it's taken me. Plus this is a great picking exercise.
Thanks for lesson man, like how you jumped straight into it.
Thanks so much for this lesson - got me working!
The opening was fantastically tasteful
I wish I had known this when I got my first guitar! Tuning to your personal preference definitely makes a big difference too, I'd say it's more important than the type of guitar!
Interesting comment about David Gilmour. One of my early guitar teachers told me if you want to learn some songs try Pink Floyd. Gilmour rarely plays anything very fast so it's easy to figure out what he's playing. What he didn't say, of course, is playing Gilmour's notes and sounding like him are two completely different things.
Robert that intro is tight great job
Thank you so much Robert very helpfull!
I love that goldtop.
Robert Baker; never mind I just found a video where you did show your thumb in action...thanks so much!
Move that thumb! Great advice.
The thumb thing is definitely more of an issue for those who play thumb over. I used to be almost strictly thumb over for decades. It's only in the last year or so that I've moved to putting my thumb behind the neck.
Now my default is kind of a "middle road." I play mostly an EJ Strat that has a very slight V provile. my thumb is now on the flat part between the center and edge.
Robert Baker; cool lesson. My thumb IS the problem. Is there any chance you can do a video where you actually film- maybe in slow motion your thumb moving...so we get it?
Thanks.
That was a really helpful lesson thanks for posting it
This is Vol.2 of the lesson by the same title a year ago. Can ever get enough though
This is a very real issue, and this is the Only video where I see it addressed. Exemplary guitar teacher.
Thanks! Looking forward to more of the same.
That shirt is EPIC AF! Great lesson BTW!
Nice video Robert, thanks!
Just the reminder that I needed
When I clicked on the TABS (get the tabs here) all I get is the Fretboard decoder which I already have. Is there a specific place for this specific thing you're doing here? Each time I click the link it goes to the signup thing, and the only email I get is the original Fretboard Decoder lesson (which is awesome btw). I also want to / will email you about some private skype lessons for a specific struggle for me. Thanks for all you do!
How to shred video.
Me: Sees Charvel on the wall.
Robert: Let's use this P90 Les Paul.
Me : WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--------------------
Really good observation, top teaching! \m/
Good stuff!
Great lesson Rob :), just wondering if you could have a camera close up on the back of the neck for your thumb positioning at all?
What amp are you using in this lesson. Sounds incredible
I needed this !! Thank you 😊
Your awesome bud
Dude great advice! Thx
"everyone can go fast on a single lick". you sir, have Cleary never seen me play ;)
.....try the "Spider Walk" exercises too☮️🤜🤛
Thanks for this, man! 🤘
Should I practice #2 in triplets? Thanks for the lesson, you are awesome!
Hey Rob, I've got a question about the song you played in the background while talking in your intro. I love that track and you used it multiple times in your videos as well. I keep watching your Friedman BE100 Deluxe Demo video, because you played it in the intro. Are there any plans on releasing it somehow or just as an audio on youtube? Totally off topic of the video, sorry! haha
Hi Robert I was wondering I’m having trouble with my pick keeping it steady , and trying to learn alternate picking , I would be so appreciative if you could give me a tip please Thank you Robert , Kev from Australia 🇦🇺👍
Thank u so much for this very interesting video, with tab ! You’re 👌🇫🇷👍🏼🍒
Damn! I used to play in a band for a living and if I ever heard you play I wouldn't pick up my guitar again!!
This is the vidoe ive been looking for so damn long
Thanks man
is that a JHS Panther Cub under your computer screen in the background? I've seen it there for a few videos now. You should use that in one of your short intro and outro jams. Great vid as usual.
Oh yeah! on the Macho Man Randy Savage shirt!
Good Lesson
Ohh. Yeah!
Cameron Cooper stuff 👍
I’m sure this has been asked before, what string gauge do you use? I have that same 50s tribute LP with P90s using 11-52
What happened to the old intro with the virtual sound and your logo? It was one of the coolest intros in guitar UA-cam channels!
Thanks UA-cam for recommending "Why you can't play faster"... now they're aware of it.
What distortion are you using?
great video :-))
Hey! Hows aboot a TAB for the great intro 😛
I’ve been practicing that lick for years and still suck at it!
This it a totally different pattern but i guess i must learn it
You not using the Dragon picks anymore??
Cool
Think you could do an Andy LaRouqe hack for us?
Is there an alternative location for the tabs, the link doesn't work anymore lol
You have beautiful hair- do you get a perm every week?