Skipping Strings

You probably know that its possible to play very fast arpeggios (i.e. the notes of a chord, but separated) with sweep picking…but the problem with that approach is that you can only really go “up” or “down”. Any more than that and sweep picking fails (well, you’re not really sweeping if you change direction after [...]

May 1, 2012 at 2:46 pm | Exercises | No comments

Stretchy Pentatonic Lick

This lick is a bit of a stretch! Really make sure you warm-up before even attempting it (unless, of course you have freakishly large hands…but even then I wouldn’t risk it…). The lick starts in the 12th position (i.e. your first finger is on the 12th fret), but your third finger needs to be on [...]

March 22, 2012 at 6:26 pm | Exercises | No comments

Double Picking

Today’s video is about the technique known as “double picking” (at least, that’s what I call it). This is where you’re picking each note twice in an exercise (which, essentially, gives you only half the time to fret it cleanly). I use this, when I practise, myself and it really can help make your playing [...]

February 9, 2012 at 4:31 pm | Exercises | No comments

String Skipping Tips

Just a reminder of the main things to be thinking about when working on string skipping (i.e. when you’re using a pick and need to cross or change strings in the middle of a lick, solo or riff). At the end of the video, I take you through some exercises that you can use to [...]

January 16, 2012 at 8:51 pm | Exercises | No comments

Slippery Legato Lick

I describe this lick as “slippery” because when you’re playing it, it really feels like your fingers are just “Slipping” off the notes! Legato can be great to get that very fluid and smooth sound out of a guitar- and this lick is no exception. Oh, and one more thing, you won’t need your pick [...]

January 11, 2012 at 6:39 pm | Exercises | No comments

More ways to make Exercises Fun!

January 4, 2012 at 3:32 pm | Exercises | No comments

Are Technical Exercises a Chore?

This was originally supposed to be part of the Ways Exercises can be Fun series, but I’ve decided that this point is important enough to warrant taking over an entire post to itself! Don’t worry, there is a post coming up with the rest of the (now only 4) ways that technical exercises can be [...]

December 14, 2011 at 10:18 pm | Exercises, How to | No comments

String Skipping “Slalom”

Here’s another guitar technique exercise for you, as I haven’t posted one of these in quite a while! Sometimes when practising, it’s helpful to focus on one specific technique…and so sometimes I’ll create an exercise that focuses right in on perfecting that technique. If the exercise is really good, and I think it could help [...]

November 23, 2011 at 3:08 pm | Exercises | No comments

Exercises: Warm up Stretch

This exercise is basically a more advance version of this one but we’re going to increase the stretch. The original exercise used these four shapes in sequence (either played up and down as individual notes, or as chords- it doesn’t matter): e———— B-8–8–5–5- G-7–6–6–7- D-6–7–7–6- A-5–5–8–8- E———— The exercise tabbed is to be played in [...]

August 1, 2011 at 7:21 pm | Exercises | No comments

Finger Independence Video

Today’s video is about finger independence exercises. Here are links to the guitar tab for the exercises I talk about: Picking Exercise 3 (the main exercise in the video) Advanced Spider Exercise Finger dexterity Warm up

June 8, 2011 at 11:01 pm | Exercises, Practicing and Practice Routine | 1 comment

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