Cracking the Code Episode 11: “Eric the Right” - Eric Johnson & Downward Pickslanting + Pentatonics

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  • Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
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    A complete blueprint of Eric Johnson's picking technique, investigating the engineering genius behind his long, flowing pentatonic licks, trademark hybrid fives mechanic, unique one-note-per-string "bounce" technique, and more.
    Watch all Cracking the Code episodes here: troygrady.com/...
    And explore the rest of the Cracking the Code site: troygrady.com

КОМЕНТАРІ • 794

  • @robinghoshmusic
    @robinghoshmusic 9 років тому +910

    I can only imagine how much time and effort goes into producing videos of this quality. The entire guitar community thanks you!

    • @johnqpublic2013
      @johnqpublic2013 9 років тому +5

      +1

    • @anathemar
      @anathemar 9 років тому +1

      ***** forreals

    • @brandoncook2560
      @brandoncook2560 7 років тому +4

      I absolutely agree.

    • @shanemetts5853
      @shanemetts5853 5 років тому +6

      Troy Grady is not only a great instructor but also one of the top players in the history of the guitar.. I've been playing professionally for more than 25 years now, GIT trained many years back but I learn something from Troy everytime i watch one of the many videos he's produced. Thank you sir for all your research and development.

    • @campanis
      @campanis 5 років тому +6

      Yes but the video game noises are almost unbearable

  • @joemysterymusic
    @joemysterymusic 9 років тому +372

    Deconstructing Eric Johnson's style is not easy. This is a tour de force lesson. Laying it out in animation is totally over the top. Now intersperse slow-mo video of Eric himself and then, for emphasis, put it together and see the instructor using his "decoded" concepts to play. This is truly generous and beyond belief. The idea that ten people gave this a thumbs down is freakin' ludicrous. We are so fortunate to have videos like this one and the original source material. Awesome, the best conceptual lesson I have ever seen. Brilliant.

    • @taradead
      @taradead 9 років тому +3

      +Joe Mystery I'm guessing those ten people expected the slow down and tabs to be included free with the vid. Without tabs, the video is pretty useless...except for inspiration (total success, in that regard).

    • @joemysterymusic
      @joemysterymusic 9 років тому +8

      I see what you are saying brother. I love tabs as much as anybody. But It seems reasonable for Troy and his partners to want to make money on this project. I was thinking of the time and effort (and money) involved in a production like this. It takes a team and you can't live on UA-cam approvals. As for myself, I have been slowing down Eric Johnson DVDs on my own to learn licks for years. But I have also been playing for a number of years so that helps. I don't necessarily need tabs although I appreciate their value. Troy has a site where you can buy this lesson in expanded form by download or subscription. I think this would include what you want. The download fee is in the $50-60 range if my memory serves me well. About the cost of two reasonably priced private lessons. Check it out. Best of luck.

    • @joemysterymusic
      @joemysterymusic 8 років тому +6

      +chris sisson Absolutely agree with your assessment. This video emphasizes things that are usually not emphasized, even by experienced teachers. The elements here can be applied to quite a few scale types, especially so pentatonic. Yes, this is all about picking theory. The amazing thing is that guys like Eric and Morse probably evolved this stuff out of trail and error mechanics. Grady is creating a system approach. What was finally needed was the video and slow-mo capabilities and a guy with an iron will- Troy- who was willing to create lessons..

    • @Kyrelel
      @Kyrelel 7 років тому +5

      I'm guessing those (now 50+) thumbs down are from non-Americans.

    • @alfcarlssonmusic
      @alfcarlssonmusic 6 років тому

      word!!

  • @Victor-vx9nu
    @Victor-vx9nu 6 років тому +68

    OMG HOW IS THIS FREE... THIS IS THE MOST VALUABLE VIDEO ABOUT GUITAR I HAVE WATCHED FROM THE DAY I WAS BORN UNTIL THIS VERY MOMENT.

  • @IconicBattles
    @IconicBattles 9 років тому +143

    I don't think people appreciate enough the amazing 8 bit segments, nor the 8 bit music programming (all in Eric Johnson-esque melodic sequences). That took a lot of work I bet!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +35

      NegroMente Cool thanks! The game sounds were actually programmed in Atari BASIC. It was the only way to get the vibe! Adam on our team did the amazing visuals.

    • @ShootoutguitarcablesUK
      @ShootoutguitarcablesUK 9 років тому +7

      ***** You programmed the sounds! OMG! You're already legendary attention to detail clearly knows no bounds!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +10

      Shootout Guitar Cables UK This was easier to do than it sounds! And actually faster than running around sourcing sound effects from other games.

    • @InfinityDz
      @InfinityDz 3 роки тому +1

      @@troygrady wow, I always wanted to do "8-bit" music, but never thought to just use an actual Atari (if I understand correctly)

  • @BoiseG
    @BoiseG 7 років тому +154

    This is the coolest instructional guitar video I've ever seen...I only wish I knew what he was talking about.

    • @zaccyo
      @zaccyo 5 років тому +1

      haahahaah!!!

    • @ksharpe10
      @ksharpe10 2 роки тому

      Watch all those old Hot Licks videos from the late 80's and early 90's, they are a treasure trove.

    • @TheBfutgreg
      @TheBfutgreg Рік тому

      I reckon it's something about guitar, just a hunch

  • @trygveknudsen3809
    @trygveknudsen3809 9 років тому +23

    I am amazed. Not only do you know this technique inside out - you've also mastered the art of making a graphically complex but intuitive and inspiring video lesson. I also like how the audio bits 'weave' together here - those droning chords you've put under Eric's lines, and so on. Very cool.

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +3

      Trygve Knudsen Thanks Trygve!

    • @EthanRidings
      @EthanRidings 9 років тому +2

      ***** Like seriosly... This is the first video I came across from you. You are one of the most talented teachers I have ever listened to.

  • @ganthop
    @ganthop 9 років тому +26

    Troy, you have done a PHD analysis of picking technique , something that was sorely lacking! This depth of research has been common in the harmonic analysis of Jazz and Classical music, and also in the mechanics of various other instruments, but never for our beloved electric guitar! Thank you so much, and the work is brilliant and profound!

  • @stratman006
    @stratman006 9 років тому +23

    Hey Troy, I'm a teacher/ Performer by trade. I make my living with a Guitar. I want to say I enjoy your videos.It's very obvious that you are educated and are not on utube just to be on tv. You have done your research and it shows. Keep it up. Its nice to see a guy work hard and it's about the work not just to hear yourself talk. Keep it up bud.

  • @markyboo
    @markyboo 9 років тому +100

    What makes a lot of Eric's stuff so difficult is that he'll choose to play something in an area of the neck purely for the different tone it gives, as opposed to the most logical for ease of playing.

    • @ShootoutguitarcablesUK
      @ShootoutguitarcablesUK 9 років тому +34

      He's one scary demon of a player for someone so softly spoken!

    • @TimTranGuitar
      @TimTranGuitar 5 років тому +4

      Totally agree
      Its as hard as paul gilbert's pratice

    • @ksharpe10
      @ksharpe10 2 роки тому

      @@ShootoutguitarcablesUK That is his whole persona, Being a Godly person, and in this case sounding Much Larger Than he Physically shows.

    • @thetruthchannel349
      @thetruthchannel349 Рік тому

      thats key to just simply arr. gtr parts in the studio as well. Its compositional and arrangement value but its also a production value as well. A lot of the time Eric is finding a note that works best for whatever is coming next also.

    • @josephhaas7413
      @josephhaas7413 7 місяців тому

      Imagine how good you have to be to make that work

  • @ReductioAdAbsurdum
    @ReductioAdAbsurdum 8 років тому +17

    These are the most ridiculously well produced, informative guitar videos ever created. How did I only now discover them, and where the fuck were they when I was 14? Kids these days have such an unfair advantage. :)

    • @Bigbazz86
      @Bigbazz86 7 років тому +2

      If I had these videos when I was 15 my playing would have been on an entirely different level by the time I was 17. I didn't lack in motivation or dedication back then and practiced 4 hours+ every day, but practicing bad technique leads to dead ends and brick walls! And I hit a lot of brick walls and dead ends!

  • @shreder89
    @shreder89 9 років тому +33

    jesus this is straight up a list material for every guitar nerd on the planet! i just can´t get enough of this stuff! more episodes please! it felt like an eternity to wait for this new episode, thank you thank you thank you sooo much!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +9

      No worries, thanks for watching!

  • @arthur.monticelli
    @arthur.monticelli Місяць тому

    This video is one of the most precious things human race has ever produced. Thank you, Troy

  • @Glupkomatun
    @Glupkomatun 7 місяців тому +2

    This is the greatest gift to all mankind. Amen

  • @WingmanStudios
    @WingmanStudios 3 роки тому +9

    Without a doubt, this is the single best video on explaining advanced guitar technique of all time. If every instructional video was like this, we would all be experts. Bravo. This was 10/10 craftsmanship in this video!

  • @playlistforkids
    @playlistforkids 8 років тому +10

    This is possibly the best thing I've ever seen on UA-cam

  • @zaccyo
    @zaccyo 5 років тому +1

    This is what class and school should be like - regardless of subject. Made with love by true experts and delivered in a brilliant way. Very fun, interesting, capturing, educational, inspiring, etc. I could go all day.
    One of the most amazing eduactional pieces I have ever seen, and Troy Grady's lessons have changed my life by multiplying my love and inspiration for the guitar. Thank you so much to Troy and his team, and if anyone out there is considering buying his lessons. You have no fucking idea. Just do it.

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  5 років тому +1

      Thanks man! Indeed making these features is a big chunk of effort.

  • @Dustypye
    @Dustypye 3 роки тому +7

    I've learn't more this afternoon watching this than I can believe. Its so well done and has been a pleasure to watch, I wished I had watched it in 2014. Many thanks for the massive amount of effort you have put in generating this content.

  • @collinjamesguitar
    @collinjamesguitar 4 роки тому +6

    Love the “Landron Lodge” haha that’s epic. One of Eric’s best solos on Musicom

    • @ksharpe10
      @ksharpe10 2 роки тому

      I will never forget hearing that song on the radio in the early 90's, It was not even released as some kind of single. The radio guy just shared an album cut he heard, something of which they do not do on radio since the early 90's but was commonplace in the 70's/early 80's. High Landrons. I think it might be a idea Eric got from Reading, Hinds Feet in High Places, a novel well worth reading!!!

  • @A2kingsfull
    @A2kingsfull 8 років тому +11

    I can't believe how good your videos. I've been playing for almost 20 years just recently started taking lessons again, my teacher said to watch Yngwie and I stumbled across your vids thank god!

  • @KyleS.1987
    @KyleS.1987 9 років тому +19

    Brilliant teaching and presentation as always, and I think the soundtrack for the episode is your best yet. Love the work you guys are doing.

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +5

      Thanks Kyle! We aim to please.

  • @severalpaperclips
    @severalpaperclips 9 років тому +10

    Ack!!! I just got to the part in the "Cascade" performance notes where you show how EJ vaguely ruminated about two-way pickslanting way back in "The Fine Art of Guitar". He always struck me as a sincere and likeable guy, and he seems to genuinely be trying to share his wisdom, but the difficulty in sussing out his intended meaning from those videos was agonizing. I can only imagine what a person could have learned from some private lessons with the guy, where followup questions and elaborations/demonstrations would have been possible. But you would have had to know the right questions to ask too. So glad you've been able to decipher this for us, and in retrospect, it all starts to seem obvious, though the state of guitar today shows us it really wasn't so obvious. Better late than never, though!

    • @nicksm7980
      @nicksm7980 5 років тому

      Ace Frehley reference?

  • @musihada
    @musihada 4 роки тому +2

    Cracking the Code's editor deserves a medal for giving me goosebumps on the piano playing E major with Eric's descending pentatonic lick!!

  • @JACVA1
    @JACVA1 7 років тому +61

    Cracking the Code - "Guthrie Govan". Please man, keep the wonderful job

    • @elephantricity
      @elephantricity 7 років тому +2

      hopefully one day

    • @ritsmond
      @ritsmond 7 років тому +2

      I think he uses the "spreading butter" technique. He "strums one string". He said it in the 32nd note strumming tutorial.

    • @Bigbazz86
      @Bigbazz86 7 років тому +1

      Definitely!

    • @workerbea3952
      @workerbea3952 4 роки тому +1

      Please please please

    • @RickyBooby95
      @RickyBooby95 4 роки тому +1

      Waves would be the perfect song to do it to.

  • @StrongerAths
    @StrongerAths 4 роки тому +2

    I’m literally only 2.5 minutes in and I’m already blown away by the quality of this video.
    Fantastic work.

  • @SuperLandslide
    @SuperLandslide 9 років тому +3

    Troy, you are to teaching the guitar what Jimi Hendrix, EVH and Yngwie are to playing the guitar. Light years ahead of everyone else! AMAZING!

  • @Xtrememan512
    @Xtrememan512 7 років тому +1

    Troy Grady, the teacher for all teachers, guitarist for all guitarists... And to top it all off, we're all having fun! Incredible... I've been binge watching these episodes and learned more than I ever have the past 8 years of playing guitar... To you sir I tip my hat. Live long and prosper and may the shred be with you!

  • @Scrowsers
    @Scrowsers 8 років тому +6

    Wow, this is amazing. Never thought I would listen to someone talking half an hour about picking technique. xD The work that went into this video has probably been exhausting. Awesome that you shared this with us, and in such detail. Thank you very much and cheers!

  • @SecularSpinach
    @SecularSpinach 8 років тому +7

    Oh my gracious goodness! I just discovered this, and it is exciting, fascinating, brilliantly produced and 'light years' beyond any other guitar tutorial I have ever seen! I'm just a life-long E.J. fan, and without really aspiring to play like him, I always get a thrill out of just listening! I've always been fascinated by the 'math of music' and to me it was obvious that E.J. had some very intricate arrangements woven into the math of his picking patterns. But just listening was good enough for me! (As far as playing, Rock N' Roll rhythm guitar is where I'm at...) Nonetheless, it's awesome, illuminating and thoroughly entertaining to watch your presentation of 'cracking this code'. Thanks and Rock On!

  • @bobbysbackingtracks
    @bobbysbackingtracks 9 років тому +42

    Troy is brilliant.

  • @topazaditia
    @topazaditia 9 років тому +6

    Bravo!! This by far is the best tutorial/lesson/analytical whatever video I've found on UA-cam land.
    You sir, I salute you for your time and effort. Thank you!

  • @timwhite5562
    @timwhite5562 3 роки тому +4

    I was ALWAYS tentative playing the 5 note rolling descending runs. I never stuck with 1 way because they never felt 100% consistent. Sometimes they felt right and sometimes they didn't. It anyways depended on what preceded the lick.
    I've also always utilized downward slanting just because early on it seemed to make sense for playing certain types of phrasing, especially with pentatonics. I used it when playing those EJ runs, but it didn't change the fact that sometimes playing them in those runs sometimes just didn't feel right.
    Id watched the 6 minute video on playing those runs. Then the segment that slowed it down and then had the animation showing what was going on and why it worked well came on. Unexpectedly, after watching that few seconds of animation, and it suddenly clicked. I picked up a guitar and played a few attempts, and i was playing it better than i ever had before, or at least without that inconsistency that always made it feel like i was "fumbling" the run instead of "playing" it was gone.
    It was just a matter of seeing it gave me an "intent/purpose," and it was immediately beneficial. I can only think of 2 other things that paid off that quickly: realizing that i was string-hopping too much when i was playing something requiring more speed than your average classic rock or blues riffs, and; focusing on playing notes and chords ON TOP of the fretboard and not THROUGH it, when i transitioned to thicker/chunkier necks.

  • @Eric-ww2qb
    @Eric-ww2qb 4 роки тому +1

    Eric likes to "pick out" for tonal fullness.. I suspect this is why he prefers to stringhop on slower runs, switching to sweeps when speed is required. He's choosing the right technique for the intended effect.
    these videos are priceless... knowledge is power and you're giving it away freely. Truly awesome.

  • @tfjzz
    @tfjzz 9 років тому +9

    wish videos like this would have been around when i was 15-17....lots of years of exploring could have been saved....anyways such a great effort doing this!..thank you very much troy!

  • @ToneDeth.
    @ToneDeth. 11 місяців тому +2

    I only just discoverd your channel after Ben Eller mentioned it. These videos are ridiculously good!

  • @reaganbrowne6373
    @reaganbrowne6373 9 років тому +1

    The thing that makes E.J so special is he's able to play these incredible things at warp speed, but always making it melodic and musical at the same time. That's what's always drawn me to his playing, along with his amazing tones! Keep up the great work Troy!

  • @Mevlinous
    @Mevlinous 2 роки тому +2

    Makes me appreciate my guitar hero’s even more now, thanks Troy our guitar decoding genius!

  • @jak9990
    @jak9990 3 роки тому +2

    Troy is the guitar community Big Brothers every young Player wishes for

  • @jaxxbridson5233
    @jaxxbridson5233 3 роки тому +3

    This is the first episode I came across. I am now 100% going to go to episode 1 and work my way through. You've done a fantastic job on putting this together.

  • @mjs28c
    @mjs28c 8 років тому +4

    Troy Grady: Yesterday I watched all of Seasons 1 & 2 in one sitting. (Slow day here at the office.) Very impressive, indeed! And it all made so much sense. My thoughts went to how many years I'd spent maintaining strict alternate-picking, working towards keeping the pick perfectly perpendicular to the guitar (though I WAS using edge-picking). Despite seeing Eric J., Yngwie, etc. all slant their guitar picks....it never registered in my brain. When I got home yesterday I tried a few scales and patterns with the slant method......you can guess the results. You deserve much credit for pursuing this and 'cracking the code'.
    I also posted a link to Season 1 Episode1 on my FB page. I told all of my guitar buds what you'd accomplished, and that they should really watch all of these videos (regardless of their own musical taste/style.) Well done!

  • @MattBrownGuitar
    @MattBrownGuitar 9 років тому +1

    Hi Troy! Just wanted to thank you for posting these lessons. I've been playing professionally for about 17 years now, and I've always felt that my picking technique is my achilles heel. I'm now reevaluating everything I do with the pick thanks to your awesome lessons! I can't tell you how much my speed and overall facility has improved just in the last few days. :)

  • @ratfacedudeguy_
    @ratfacedudeguy_ 5 років тому +1

    Wow. Concepts that have flabbergasted me for years, eluding my burning desire and efforts to learn and understand them on a conceptual and modular level, now suddenly completely broken down and presented in easily digestible chunks and illustrative animations, best of all to the definitive recording of this legendary staple in any student of shred/virtuosity in guitar; what's more, incorporating analogous demonstrations from previous lessons without sacrificing a lick of accessibility in doing so.
    Cracked the code you have indeed, sir. Bravo to you for diligence, vigilance, and uncanny penchant for explanation and presentation using just the right balance between lay- and tech-speak.
    Even though I put down the electric guitar and the flatpick now a few years ago to devote my studies to the percussive multi-part methodology of the solo fingerstyle acoustic guitar movement, the day will come when the itch for the electric returns. And when it does, your series here will be indispensable in finally breaking down the barriers I was so frustratedly facing in advancing to a truly virtuosic command of the entirety of the fretboard (who knew, too much Tony Iommi and early Jimmy Page would eventually reveal itself a nigh inescapable shackle to in-the-box pentatonics, give or take a blues scale chromatic here or there, for leads and melodies...) and the picking techniques that for so long embodied the greatest adversary of my legato-centric style's bag of tricks and fake-outs, only realizing after it was too late the degree to which they had turned into more technical crutches than tools of a well rounded and diverse repertoire when relied upon instead of tastefully reserved for economically spaced moments of excitement and accentuation (because accenting *everything* really provides no *accent* at all).
    Anyway, thank you for the obvious mountain of time and effort you invested in analyzing and mastering the techniques, and then creating this outstanding video for guys like me who just couldn't make sense of it before. Made an instant subscriber out of me. Looking forward to catching up on the rest of the series, and eagerly waiting for any upcoming additions.

  • @jenyminor
    @jenyminor 9 років тому +1

    That is why, Eric Johnson is a master guitar player and one of my most favorites. Nice job on the work you did to share with us all.

  • @shawnpatrick7039
    @shawnpatrick7039 3 роки тому +2

    Fantastic mesh of Yngwie and Eric's style in harmony...🤘

  • @HurtboxTV
    @HurtboxTV 9 років тому +37

    I'd love to see something on Kiko Loureiro's picking. It's incredible technique.

  • @absdyna
    @absdyna 8 років тому +4

    Sherlock Holmes once said that genius was an infinite capacity for taking pains, and by his definition you sir are a bona fide genius!

  • @frozencons
    @frozencons 9 років тому

    I can't begin to express my excitement for this series; it, along with the Season Pass and Master's in Mechanics, improved my playing so much in a very short period of time. I always found the segment of Eric's instructional video analyzed here to be a baffling head scratcher. Bounce? The heck is he talking about "bounce?" He's not bouncing at all in the example! I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this to be a bit of a road block. Thankfully, Troy's done a wonderful job of breaking it down and clearing up the fog (which was surely unintentional on Mr. Johnson's part).
    Thanks for your unparalleled work in guitar instruction, Troy and the rest of the Cracking the Code team! Everybody else, go spread the word!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +5

      frozencons The "bounce technique" scene is one of the most interesting segments on any instructional video, ever. Eric was inches away from unleashing downward pickslanting on the world 25 years ago. He had the stature and the audience to do it. Nobody would have doubted him. He got about halfway there, but jumbled the distinction between bounce, edge, and slant, and the message was lost. Had the thought process and the explanation been just a little bit clearer, it's amazing to think what the effects might have been.

    • @YetiOnGuitar
      @YetiOnGuitar 9 років тому

      ***** I have owned that instructional video for years, and I too was always baffled by his explanation in that part upon every fresh viewing. I thought there could be no way to maintain the exaggerated bounce he shows slowly when brought up to his normal tempos. Brilliant analysis to realize that he was conflating many different topics at once, and wasn't exactly practicing what he preached when brought up to speed.

    • @judycouch8343
      @judycouch8343 9 років тому

      +Yeti On Guitar jim

  • @douglasbrauner8687
    @douglasbrauner8687 Рік тому

    I come back to this video every year, it always blows my mind. I mean, it is almost illegal that this is free. Troy is a truly master of diving deep on technique, and the quality of the content is mouth dropping!

    • @TheEricJohnsonExperience
      @TheEricJohnsonExperience Рік тому

      It's not free unless you place little value on the time you took to watch this let alone comment on it.

    • @douglasbrauner8687
      @douglasbrauner8687 Рік тому

      @@TheEricJohnsonExperience dude, what is your point? What does it matter to you what I do with my free time? Go find someone else to bother with your douche comments.

  • @8triagrammer
    @8triagrammer 8 років тому +7

    Amazing video on many levels. Just your attention span a lone in being able to analyze the live footage with such depth and detail is remarkable, and one of the reasons why you're better at guitar than me.. haha
    And I see what you did there at the end with "trademark". ;)

  • @mallrat11
    @mallrat11 8 років тому +174

    it's like im watching an Illuminati video

  • @gtrfrkkkkk
    @gtrfrkkkkk 8 років тому +2

    Troy,you are such a genius.I like you animated illustrations.

  • @KingTabor
    @KingTabor 9 років тому +1

    Has anybody else noticed that Mr. Grady had managed not only to phrase a la EJ´s but he´d mastered his ingenious "two distinct downstrokes in a row" sweep as well?

  • @sotarules
    @sotarules 6 років тому

    Oh, also before I forget. I think that the "space" that Eric Johnson tries to go into is so important, it resonates like an important part of all of us. I am so glad that he fought to go there, and I think it is too important for that to be lost if we lose Eric (everyone dies eventually). You seem to really "get it" and I'm pleased that this style will not be forgotten if only to live on through your playing.

  • @EvanBradfordDavis
    @EvanBradfordDavis 6 років тому +1

    The ideas laid out in this video are going to take my playing places I never thought I could go. Thank you so much for this!

  • @russt6
    @russt6 7 років тому +4

    This is great! I love the excellent dissection you did. Quite logical and very simple... But you are the first to do a really awesome video on it all. My father got me that EJ video when I started playing... It was 1990 and I was 15 (could be off by a year or 2 + or -) I am also a graphic designer for the last 20 years, so the combo of the video graphics and the nostalgic euphoria I got watching this was such an entertaining accidental surprise that I clicked on your video. Glad I did. It's Excellent!!!

  • @WollyChaps
    @WollyChaps 9 років тому +2

    I've watched every one of these so far, and I'm starting to see what was advanced in my early playing and what I was naively trying to muscle through.

  • @kennybonanza6324
    @kennybonanza6324 7 років тому +4

    Troy, this series is amazing! I can't wait to start employing some of the code into my practice!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  7 років тому +2

      +Kenny Pick Thanks!

  • @iodo2004
    @iodo2004 9 років тому

    Troy, if they had a Nobel prize for world class guitar tutorials, you would certainly win. Your work is inspirational and philanthropic to the guitar community. Thank YOU!

  • @1969MARKETING
    @1969MARKETING 7 років тому +15

    Troy's power lies in those massive calves he has :)

  • @arasanhu7993
    @arasanhu7993 Рік тому

    By watching this video i realized that i have been doing this type of techniaque for a while, this helped me to understand it better and to master even better the tech, amazing video

  • @nathangabrielmusician
    @nathangabrielmusician 5 років тому +1

    Troy Grady. You're an absolute legend....
    Every video is a absolute masterpiece.

  • @jamesrobinson529
    @jamesrobinson529 9 років тому +2

    Simplicity is the trademark of genius. Well said!

  • @PoppieFieldsForever
    @PoppieFieldsForever 4 роки тому +1

    Your videos are top notch & entertaining as hell. I’ve been able to iron out flaws in my right hand technique that I was not even aware of for 20+ years, and make ridiculous progress in a just couple of weeks. Right on!!!!

  • @themonotropicguitarist
    @themonotropicguitarist 9 років тому +1

    Well done, sir! My mind is sufficiently blown once again! After I recover I'll go put this new information to use.

  • @Apartekarate
    @Apartekarate 9 років тому +1

    Thank you. Had the same tape with mr Johnson, and I couldn't figure it out either. This makes sense - and shows that he's a genius. Great inspiration as allways. And funny to recognice the struggles you describe you had.
    You are a very generous man, and a great teacher. The visuals are extremely helpfull as well as entertaining.
    Thank you again!

  • @CC-zj2uk
    @CC-zj2uk 5 років тому +1

    This might be the greatest thing i've ever seen

  • @ubatooba8467
    @ubatooba8467 8 років тому +1

    Thanks Troy! Glad to see somebody has rolled their sleeves up and done the hard work.....not only just to figure this stuff out, but to do even more hard work to share it with others. I too have been traveling the road/path learning these things....albeit I'm going slower as I just hobby play to keep my skill up or maintain.....but I'm actually getting much more than that out of what I'm doing as I make sure (because I am 1000% convinced) that what ever I'm doing should and therefore NEEDS to feel as simple and as natural as strumming the guitar. Shouldn't really be too hard and should never have to tighten up and thrash any part of your arm or hand to play fast.....actually it should be the opposite. Your hand or control of the pick only needs to be tight for the nano second it has resistance from the string....just to counter the strings resistance, and thus ultimately retaining a neutral feel at the pick.
    People need to realize that this stuff is certainly attainable to most everyone. You just have to want it and be able/willing to open your mind and rewire the way you thik about it and approach it. Many who have learned this stuff or know it had to figure it out themselves. Edward Van Halen was already a highly skilled piano player (near virtuoso) when he started playing guitar. So what the hell do you do when your brain is so highly advanced and your hands (picking had at the least) are noobs to the game? Ed made his hands catch up and catch up quick! Many who pick the guitar up have NO idea where to begin....sure it's overwhelming. But Ed had a genuis brain and an inept picking hand day one of his guitar learning curve. But the way Ed held the pick solved this & gave him extreme control (3 finger grip) and he can be seen angling the pick on a 45 degree both forward direction and cocked backwards too. Ed didn't have to actually dissect all this picking out (nor do I think most of these guys did?) but just keep playing and beating the same stuff to death (to have a comfort zone & a bag of go to riffs) and then expand outwards from there.
    Again, thanks Troy for putting this together (best instructional videos I've ever seen!) and putting it out there for people to find. I sure wish YT was around (and Troy Grady instruction) back in 1984 when I got started playing. Would have shortened my learning curve by 20+ years!

  • @joeyanderson3720
    @joeyanderson3720 7 років тому

    Guitar is awesome I'm so old school about it I just play but you really get scientific and that's awesome. The world needs people like you

  • @JulioJustiniano
    @JulioJustiniano 7 років тому

    I've never thought about re analyzing everything I do, but these videos are a complete inspiration to nit pick everything I do to assure I'm doing everything efficiently, and maybe absorb any of all these styles to improve my own. These gotta be the most important videos right now. And the production.... absolutely fantastic.

  • @ethanGuitar
    @ethanGuitar 8 років тому +2

    The Eric Johnson vs Yngwie "duel" part is really fucking kick ass :D

  • @jaconova
    @jaconova 9 років тому +1

    Nice shred at the 27 minute mark, Troy! Eric is one of the top electric guitar players of all time for sure!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому +1

      Thanks! That as Eric as I really get. His style is his own, and I'll leave that to him.

  • @playlistforkids
    @playlistforkids 8 років тому

    I am not certain how the internet has not imploded from the awesomeness of a guitar lesson wrapped in chip tunes

  • @carlosclaptrix
    @carlosclaptrix 7 років тому +1

    You work like a detective. Great fusion of mind and emotion.

  • @countchaoss
    @countchaoss 9 років тому +2

    Incredible work as always Troy! Slowing getting the hang of some Eric licks, no easy task, but made a hell of a lot easier with this videos! Keep making them, each one is a gold mine of information!

  • @Disciple0fMetal
    @Disciple0fMetal 7 років тому

    Troy's videos are the most technically in depth and entertaining videos out there. If you don't learn anything from these videos then you never will. I can watch these all morning haha

  • @sshanks
    @sshanks 8 років тому

    This is fun and funny. I'm 61 and went through a lot of these frustrations in the 70's....But I still got paid. One peeve though. Eric Johnson was playing these licks and styles in public long before Malmsteen came on the scene. I used to see him often from the early 70's through the 80's here in Texas.

  • @SoundSeeker2024
    @SoundSeeker2024 9 років тому

    the term "bouncing" threw me off really bad as well when that video came out. Thanks for decoding this.Fascinating.

  • @ajpeagle
    @ajpeagle 9 років тому

    That is the first real look in to EJ's style I've seen that actually looks at exactly what, why, and how. Thanks for all your work Troy.

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  9 років тому

      No worries - thanks for watching!

  • @TahaNasser
    @TahaNasser 9 років тому

    Troy I'm so glad that the project I came across all those years ago didn't just disappear into the ether. I remember thinking about it every now and again and saying to myself 'damn that would have been so useful'! It's awesome to me that you've managed to elucidate and breakdown mechanics that I've been struggling to crystalise in my mind for years. I've only recently started to be able to pick fast and I had no idea what had changed but watching your stuff has made me realise that its because I've started downward pick slanting, meaning I can clear the higher string as I go for the upstroke in an ascending lick, something I've always struggled with before. I will be buying all the material you've published and spending the next (?year or two) getting it under my fingers. This right here is the holy grail of some of the most mystical and inexplicable guitar techniques out there. Awesome work dude.

  • @sonoman9095
    @sonoman9095 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks Troy, you're amazing!

  • @lifeemusicelife112
    @lifeemusicelife112 3 роки тому +1

    Brilliant video. I’ll admit, i had that same EJ hot licks video tape, and he did keep calling it “the bounce”, but I was not smart enough to see what was right there if I’d slowed it down: that the comment he made about “bouncing comes in when you’re playing fast” was simply wrong. And so I kept bouncing for a decade with no success. What an amazing job you guys did with this video series. Thank you.

    • @FeelingShred
      @FeelingShred 2 роки тому

      I would like to know what does the word "landron" means that he uses on the song High Landrons, according to an interview it's a "huge obstacle" that was in his way and when he overcame it his guitar skills "unlocked" in a way. I would like to know what was the precise moment or technique that allowed that "unlocking" to happen. Maybe it was something in Cliffs of Dover?

    • @FeelingShred
      @FeelingShred 2 роки тому

      Or maybe it was the "fast picking while string skipping" picking technique that allowed him to unlock his fast playing

  • @cfmill74
    @cfmill74 7 років тому

    Some players can play and are a so so teacher. You Troy are a great player and very fine teacher! Well done!

    • @troygrady
      @troygrady  7 років тому +1

      +Chris Miller Thanks Chris!

  • @WilliamJohnston
    @WilliamJohnston 9 років тому

    The time and effort for putting these videos together with animations and everything alone is so impressive... Thanks for sharing such an in-depth analysis of this man's genius - it will save many years of work trying to replicate Eric's technique!

  • @TruthSurge
    @TruthSurge 9 років тому +126

    You're too damn smart. The drones are on their way. You have exposed our secrets for too long, Mr. Grady! We tried to hide the sweep picking and confuse players with the Eric Johnson vid but you've meddled where you shouldn't have! Now... you leave us no alternative. Upstroke, downstroke, it won't matter soon. MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH

    • @TruthSurge
      @TruthSurge 9 років тому +2

      +Bill's Cheesy Sitar I was waiting for you to go first.

    • @MrPyroguru
      @MrPyroguru 8 років тому +3

      +TruthSurge Licks are like math problems and finding the correct solution is the only way!
      But....
      Never forget the metronome.

    • @TruthSurge
      @TruthSurge 8 років тому +12

      +Michael Williams Metronomes? We don't need no stinkin' metronomes!

    • @MrPyroguru
      @MrPyroguru 8 років тому +2

      TruthSurge HAHA!

    • @Tricknologyinc
      @Tricknologyinc 8 років тому +2

      He'll be waiting for you at every crossroad, Santa. Stop being such a Grinch! What the hell were you doing on Tim Allen's roof anyway! You know you saw every episode of Home Improvement a hundred times! Go haunt Donald and Hillary!

  • @rustyshackleford4743
    @rustyshackleford4743 9 років тому

    Yes, new episode! I seriously check every week to see if there's a new one and I forgot this last week lol.

  • @danelam8170
    @danelam8170 7 років тому +1

    I like the "CSI" type investigative theme with the whole eerie background music going on and all. Good stuff!

  • @jamescuttsmusicjcm5013
    @jamescuttsmusicjcm5013 6 років тому +2

    This is a fantastic video. Excellent production and very inspiring too. I love the attention to detail in these videos.

  • @ElectricWorld9
    @ElectricWorld9 3 місяці тому +1

    This video is GOLD.

  • @sotarules
    @sotarules 6 років тому

    This is absolutely great and generous, selfless effort. I was particularly moved when you had gained a "critical mass" of information and technique so as to channel Eric Johnson at about 27:30. Not only did you convincingly get it, you seemed to capture what I consider is the most moving and emotional dimensions, the quieter passages. I love the way you added the minor droning background for it, just beautiful. I felt bristling with the intensity and emotion of your breakthrough.

  • @sombresanctum
    @sombresanctum 7 років тому

    So I just took a few of the licks from these episodes and followed the ”rules”... aaaand I'm shredding for the first time. I feel like I progressed a ton in just a couple of days, it's amazing. Thanks for the insight, I never thought my picking was terrible.

  • @johnqpublic2013
    @johnqpublic2013 9 років тому

    Troy, @ 22:49, you have done an absolutely wonderful job at illustrating the edge of the pick use. Bravo!
    I use the leading edge of the pick. Also, I use a sharp tipped pick. It reduces the "drag" of the pick on the string, and keeps the notes crisp and tight at those warp speeds. Plus you can dig into the strings harder when you want to attack the notes.
    You can't do that with a dull tip. You can use the file on your finger nail clippers to sharpen or dull your pick tip, even the side >: or top and bottom side of the tip. You should always have finger nail clippers handy in your gig bag or tool box.
    To Gomm, I agree, Steve Morse needs to be analyzed. I'd recommend the album "Southern Steel".

  • @joeythomas2724
    @joeythomas2724 7 років тому

    I'm just going to add to the pile of praise here, but these videos are extraordinary in quality of information as well as production. Serious respect.

  • @mrkrud
    @mrkrud 5 років тому

    This is a major achievement in instruction. We appreciate the investment of your time and elegance and creativity in explanation and demonstration. Great playing too!!

  • @bernieriegger7447
    @bernieriegger7447 8 років тому

    Thanks. Ive played a long time and practiced like crazy and have never been able to even think about coming close to approaching light speed like you or some of these players. Now with what you're teaching, I think I have a shot at it.

  • @JoeGambleGuitar
    @JoeGambleGuitar 9 років тому

    Just can't let this pass- this episode was the best yet. Absolutely brilliant fusion of instruction, narrative and stylized presentation. You get a standing 'o' from me! Yeah!

  • @JakeHowsamLowe
    @JakeHowsamLowe 9 років тому

    Just stumbled onto this. Actually one of the best deconstructions of how to play faster picking stuff I've ever seen. Thank you. This has given me so much to practice.

  • @HauteGameFR
    @HauteGameFR 8 років тому

    Man.. I love your videos, you see the guitar with your colour/fashion/mode (bad english) like a duty for the evolution of all of us, musician's souls.
    You take the best exemples, you make a FREAKING video montage/editing,
    You talk about Van Halen, Malmsteen, E.Johnson, Crossroads Blues.. You play well and take it seriously.
    All of your videos are gold nuggets.
    Thank you for that !
    Your channel should be called "Nota Codex" :D
    Big Respect from France =)

  • @sevenstringsamurai
    @sevenstringsamurai 8 років тому

    This videos are insanely detailed and were for me at first sight not really interesting. But it made me aware of how i pick what lick and how i could change it. i spent the last 6 Days 3h each day, only focus on Picking and forced myself to change my mistakes and the results is after this short time are, that every thing i try is 10bpm faster and overall more accurate and comfortable than before. Thank you for this amazing input dude!!

  • @6-string6string13
    @6-string6string13 9 років тому

    Troy you have done some amazing work. I just love your videos. I have been playing 45 years still have my 73 and 76 Les Paul and I tell you I wish we had UA-cam in the early 70s. Gosh we use to practice 10 hours a day nothing like UA-cam affords players now. Gosh I love it. Great Job man.

  • @jeffallan3761
    @jeffallan3761 9 років тому +1

    Something else I've noticed, many new students who don't know any better, kinda do what EJ and YJM do. They will favor the downstroke and sweep ascending, but not for descending. Both EJ and YJM players are very self taught and this stuff was what came naturally to them. Like many I see. But we have all these books and things saying to alternate pick, and hold the pick this way.. everything... And then everyone follows that method because that's what's "right". instead of just developing what is more natural. I'm so glad for guys like EVH, or EJ, YJM who played and just developed. Not everyone can do that, of course, or has the desire. But that's what makes them so special. Something I stress to students, it's fun to play like our heroes, but try to find your way, your voice.

  • @blave549
    @blave549 6 років тому +1

    Amazing animations of the strings. Very well done -- I've never seen anything like it.