Lead Guitar (Updated)

[SadisticKeith]

And now for the boring stuff.

First exercise:

Use ALL four of your fret hand fingers and I suggest doing this exercise multiple times. Start with downstrokes only (picking towards the floor), then Upstrokes only (towards the ceiling) and finally finish with alternate picking (down-up-down-up). This will help you not only figure out which of the three is hardest for you to do so you can isolate it and work on but is great practice.

Example 1:

 -----------------------------------------------------------1-2-3-4--
 ------------------------------------------------1-2-3-4-------------
 ------------------------------------1-2-3-4-------------------------
 ------------------------1-2-3-4-------------------------------------
 -------------1-2-3-4------------------------------------------------
 -1-2-3-4------------------------------------------------------------

Notes: Start with your index finger at the first fret and your middle at the second, ring at the third, and pinky at the fourth. Go all the way UP the neck AND back DOWN again. Focus on using the tips of your fingers, NOT the pads and try to be as clean as possible. Start with a comfortable tempo and increase speed as it becomes easier. Also practice in bursts. For example play slowly for the first string, then try to play as fast as you can for the next string and then slowly for the next...This will help improve your speed and co-ordination. And remember to keep the notes spaced EVENLY or you will not be working on your timing.



Sorry it took so long to post this I forgot I never did. Just noticed the original thread had 135 views which reminded me I never posted the exercise. I will keep more in this thread as I post them as well. Any questions? Post away!

[SadisticKeith]

And another great variation to the above exercise. Treat it the same way as above in terms of picking but play it like this:

 -----------------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4--
 ------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4-------------
 ------------------------------------1-3-2-4-------------------------
 ------------------------1-3-2-4-------------------------------------
 -------------1-3-2-4------------------------------------------------
 -1-3-2-4------------------------------------------------------------

Or if you want to add to it even more:

 -----------------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4--
 ------------------------------------------------1-4-2-3-------------
 ------------------------------------4-1-3-2-------------------------
 ------------------------2-1-4-3-------------------------------------
 -------------1-3-2-4------------------------------------------------
 -1-2-3-4------------------------------------------------------------

A good way to practice these would also be to throw in hammer-ons and pull-offs randomly as well to get practice doing both picking and hammering or pulling off.

[Master X]

Thanks for posting these.

[SadisticKeith]

Thanks for posting these.

You're welcome man! Just let me know if you have any trouble with any aspect of playing and I can post more that will help. I have TONS of this stuff. These exercises aren't so musical because they are just to work out your coordination and synchronization. But I have tons of stuff I can post like this. Another great way to practice is to take any scale you want and practice them like above. I will post some later but I wanted to post this stuff first because if your hands aren't physically fit to handle it trying to span a couple frets between two fingers can be really frustrating.

[SadisticKeith]

 ------------------------------------
 ------------------------3-4-3-4----
 -------------2-3-2-3---------------
 -1-2-1-2---------------------------

And here is a good exercise for finger strength and endurance. The most important thing is to "trill" (rapidly hammer on and pull off repeatedly) until you feel the "burn" then rest and try it again later. Try to build up to being able to do the trills non stop for at least 1 minute. If your hands get strong enough for that then try to go longer. And as always be EXTREMELY careful not to injure yourself. And another tip: If you are having problems playing ANY of these exercises lower on the neck because the frets are bigger then just play it on a spot higher up where they are closer together and gradually move down until your hands get used to the distance.

[ovix]

Usefull information, thank you very much, you gived me some ideeas.

[SadisticKeith]

Usefull information, thank you very much, you gived me some ideeas.

Glad some of it helps. Just be creative. The problem with practicing is that it is so boring. But if you can find a way to make it not seem like practice....

[OMEGA BOMBS]

Damn, almost 5,000 views?  This thread needs some more posts!

[miDnIghtEr20C]

Damn, almost 5,000 views?  This thread needs some more posts!

agreed.    

[SadisticKeith]

Here is the A Major scale in a box pattern in the 4th position. Notice how it sounds running up and down. Try to play as clean you can as speed is a natural byproduct of control.

--------------------------------------4-5------------------------------------------
--------------------------------5-7--------7-5------------------------------------
-----------------------4-6-7--------------------7-6-4----------------------------
---------------4-6-7------------------------------------7-6-4--------------------
-------4-5-7----------------------------------------------------7-5-4------------
--5-7--------------------------------------------------------------------7-5-4---

Now if we change some notes in the above scale (as mentioned in other threads) we can make it A minor:

--------------------------------------3-5------------------------------------------
--------------------------------5-6--------6-5------------------------------------
-----------------------4-5-7--------------------7-5-4----------------------------
---------------3-5-7------------------------------------7-5-3--------------------
-------3-5-7----------------------------------------------------7-5-3------------
--5-7--------------------------------------------------------------------7-5-3---

All we did there was take the C#, the F#, and the G# and flat them one half step. If you are familiar with key signatures you would notice that this is also essentially the same key as C Major. Play through these a few times and get familiar with the difference in tones between Major and minor. It is not really needed to learn the note names IF you know what they sound like. Plenty of GREAT guitar players couldn't tell you what they are playing, but they can tell you what sounds right and what doesn't. Adrian Smith comes to mind. While it is important to know the note names, what notes are in what scale and such it is WAY more important to be able to decipher them by ear rather than just musical knowledge.

And as an added bonus to this lesson: TAPPING! This can be A LOT  of fun.

BPM:146
     +
Eb|--------|
Bb|--9p2h5-|
Gb|--------|
Db|--------|
Ab|--------|
Eb|--------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--10p2h5-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--10p4h7-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X7
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--11p4h7-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X1
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--12p5h9-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--13p5h8-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--15p5h8-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--15p7h10-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X7
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--16p7h10-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X1
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--17p7h10-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X8
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--17p9h12-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X8
     +
Eb|-----------|  |
Bb|--17p12h15-|  |
Gb|-----------|  |
Db|-----------|  |
Ab|-----------|  |
Eb|-----------|X2|
     +           |
Eb|-----------|  |
Bb|--17p11h14-|  |
Gb|-----------|  |
Db|-----------|  |
Ab|-----------|  |
Eb|-----------|X2|
     +           |---X2
Eb|-----------|  |
Bb|--17p10h13-|  |
Gb|-----------|  |
Db|-----------|  |
Ab|-----------|  |
Eb|-----------|X2|
     +           |
Eb|----------|   |
Bb|--17p9h12-|   |
Gb|-------------|   |
Db|-------------|   |
Ab|-------------|   |
Eb|-------------|X2 |
     +
Eb|-----------|
Bb|--15p10h13-|
Gb|-----------|
Db|-----------|
Ab|-----------|
Eb|-----------|X2
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--15p9h12-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X2
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--15p8h11-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X2
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--15p7h10-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X2
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--13p8h11-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X2
     +
Eb|----------|
Bb|--13p7h10-|
Gb|----------|
Db|----------|
Ab|----------|
Eb|----------|X2
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--13p6h9-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X2
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--13p5h8-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X2
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--12p4h7-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--12p5h8-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|
Bb|--12p4h7-|
Gb|---------|
Db|---------|
Ab|---------|
Eb|---------|X8
     +
Eb|---------|   |
Bb|--12p5h8-|   |
Gb|---------|   |
Db|---------|   |
Ab|---------|   |
Eb|---------|X1 |
     +          |------Repeat 8 Times
Eb|---------|   |
Bb|--12p4h7-|   |
Gb|---------|   |
Db|---------|   |
Ab|---------|   |
Eb|---------|X1 |

Eb|-------|
Bb|--12p5-|
Gb|-------|
Db|-------|
Ab|-------|
Eb|-------|


That came out like shit. If you want me to clean it up I will. Just remember to hammer-on or "tap" the higher notes with either your the index or middle (I use the middle) finger of your PICKING hand. When you are release the "tap" gently pull your finger towards the floor like you are performing a regular pull-off with your fretting hand. Once you get up to speed you should be VERY familiar with this. Everyone knows this song! Have fun!

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.

[SadisticKeith]

I forgot where I got this from. Maybe Troy Stetina. Anyway, this is another exercise for alternate picking. I don't know how to type a string bend hence the slide at the end. You can play it either way. I have fun with the slide but I recommend doing the string bend to train your ears. This one is for strict alternate picking and is hard as FUCK to play fast and evenly! Have fun fellow shredders!

E:--8-7-5--5-7-8-7-5-----------------------------------------------------5-7-8-7-5--------------------
B:---------8-------------8-6-5-8-6-5---5-6-8---------------------5-6-8-------------8/10--------------
G:---------------------------------------7--------7-5-4----4-5-7----------------------------------------
D:--------------------------------------------------------7-----------------------------------------------