Learning Guitar

TheRedZealot · 22 Jul 2009 at 11:10

Jabbs said:
I always wonder what gauge of strings/brands people use i have always used D ADDARIO EXL120 XL 9-42 SUPER LIGHT, been reading that Ernie Ball strings are meant to be ok what do you guys use etc.

I use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (10-46).

Kerplunk said:
Guys, I need some advice please, guitar cable needs replacing as there was a loud hum coming from the amp and when ever I move the cable the 'static moves' now it has completley knackered - no sound at all

What sort of cable do I get? a cheap one?

I'm currently using one of these:
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Guitar_Accessories/Guitar_Leads_and_Pickups/sc1620/p6218.aspx

Kerplunk · 22 Jul 2009 at 11:18

TheRedZealot said:
I use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (10-46).

I'm currently using one of these:
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Guitar_Accessories/Guitar_Leads_and_Pickups/sc1620/p6218.aspx

Do you get any hum noise with that? Do guitars do that? (im a noob) lol

just Scott · 22 Jul 2009 at 13:27

Gustov said:
Here's a recording i made yesterday

Just thought I'd share it with you guys, there is 1 disgusting bend, see if you can notice it

Nice playing.

Hey, a quick question about your other vid - Paul Gilbert alternate picking exercise

What are you actually playing there? Got a tab? I can't figure it out, you're playing too fast.

Kerplunk said:
Do you get any hum noise with that? Do guitars do that? (im a noob) lol

Most amps will hum somewhat, especially when you increase the gain. Single coil pickups are noisier than humbuckers as well. Sitting too close to the amp will increase the hum also.

Nitefly · 22 Jul 2009 at 17:02

H2F Scott said:
What are you actually playing there? Got a tab? I can't figure it out, you're playing too fast.

The lick he plays over and over is a trademark Paul Gilbert lick that sneaks into 90% of his work.

It's essence, it's played on any two strings that are close together, like so:

-----------------highest---------------
---low-mid-high----------high-mid-low--------

So that could be:

e-----------10-----------------10--------
b -10-12-13---13-12-10-12-13-----13-12- etc

It is played with alternate picking (down, up, down, up, down, up etc), which makes is extremely difficult to get clean and requires an ungodly amount of practice to perform fast. The payoff is that mechanical, 'robot' sound that is at the heart of the 'terror lick'.

There are many variations to experiment with. The one which I think sounds the most impressive is this:

e-----------10-----------15--12-10--------
b -10-12-13---13-12-10-------------13-12- etc

But good luck pulling it off. You might as well give up the guitar now

Here is a whole video of the stuff (serious 1980s guitar warning!). The lick starts at 1:30.

Bruce's solo is much better than Paul's... but... Bruce is a prat.

Jamesdavid3 · 22 Jul 2009 at 17:04

I tried to learn then just gave up because i couldnt be bothered.

just Scott · 22 Jul 2009 at 17:53

Nitefly said:
The lick he plays over and over is a trademark Paul Gilbert lick that sneaks into 90% of his work.

It's essence, it's played on any two strings that are close together, like so:

So that could be:

It is played with alternate picking (down, up, down, up, down, up etc), which makes is extremely difficult to get clean and requires an ungodly amount of practice to perform fast. The payoff is that mechanical, 'robot' sound that is at the heart of the 'terror lick'.

There are many variations to experiment with. The one which I think sounds the most impressive is this:

But good luck pulling it off. You might as well give up the guitar now

Here is a whole video of the stuff (serious 1980s guitar warning!). The lick starts at 1:30.

Bruce's solo is much better than Paul's... but... Bruce is a prat.

Thanks mate

Nitefly · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:09

H2F Scott said:
Thanks mate

Most welcome

just Scott · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:12

I can play it at about 50% of Gustov's speed.

if I play really sloppily I can get almost the same speed.

My picking hand sucks. It struggles to keep up.

Nitefly · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:22

H2F Scott said:
I can play it at about 50% of Gustov's speed.

He has, I imagine practiced for eons with a metranome - to try and play at that speed straight out is a bad idea. It will sound sloppy and you will probably be able to keep it up for 10 seconds at a time at best!

I think I got it to 6 notes per click at 110bpm before I gave up. To get any better I would have had to dedicate around 4 hours a day to playing, which I just couldn't do just practising!

If you want to do it seriously, start playing it at 65bpm. Raise it by 5bpm per week playing it for around two hours a day - you will be flying.

just Scott · 22 Jul 2009 at 18:27

Nitefly said:
He has, I imagine practiced for eons with a metranome - to try and play at that speed straight out is a bad idea. It will sound sloppy and you will probably be able to keep it up for 10 seconds at a time at best!

I think I got it to 6 notes per click at 110bpm before I gave up. To get any better I would have had to dedicate around 4 hours a day to playing, which I just couldn't do just practising!

If you want to do it seriously, start playing it at 65bpm. Raise it by 5bpm per week playing it for around two hours a day - you will be flying.

haha yeah don't worry, I know forcing myself to play at that speed is a bad idea. I practise with a metronome most of the time also.

Gustov · 22 Jul 2009 at 19:21

Hello!

Thanks for doing a lot of my work for me nitefly

I had a very successful day amp shopping today, might have found my dream amp, check it out you know where

Anyway, with regards to the question. Here is the best advice I can give. I consider myself to be average at guitar at best...

1.As Paul Gilbert says. 'Don't push the gas if you can't steer'. What he means by this is make sure every time you you pick you are fretting the correct note. Otherwise it's going to sound messy

2.Have patience, it takes time. Did I use a metronome? No. Should have I? Yes. I pretty much played the lick for 3 months non stop

3.Palm muting, learn how to control the sound.

4.Hold your pick at a 45 degree angle

(1.50)

Here a video of the master explaining it.

Nitefly said:
There are many variations to experiment with. The one which I think sounds the most impressive is this:

.

You sure that's it :confused:

Quite a stretch at that speed

just Scott · 22 Jul 2009 at 19:38

Gustov said:
Hello!

Thanks for doing a lot of my work for me nitefly I had a very successful day amp shopping today, might have found my dream amp, check it out you know where

Anyway, with regards to the question. Here is the best advice I can give. I consider myself to be average at guitar at best...

1.As Paul Gilbert says. 'Don't push the gas if you can't steer'. What he means by this is make sure every time you you pick you are fretting the correct note. Otherwise it's going to sound messy

2.Have patience, it takes time. Did I use a metronome? No. Should have I? Yes. I pretty much played the lick for 3 months non stop

3.Palm muting, learn how to control the sound.

4.Hold your pick at a 45 degree angle

(1.50)

Here a video of the master explaining it.

Blackstar eh? I do like the sound of the HT-5, but I've never heard the Series One, or any other Blackstar amps.

You should definitely try out the Rockerverb first though before deciding.

Gustov · 22 Jul 2009 at 19:41

H2F Scott said:
Blackstar eh? I do like the sound of the HT-5, but I've never heard the Series One, or any other Blackstar amps.

You should definitely try out the Rockerverb first though before deciding.

Oh I will.

What's your username over there!?

just Scott · 22 Jul 2009 at 19:43

Gustov said:
Oh I will.

What's your username over there!?

Scottyyy - I don't post much.

Jabbs · 22 Jul 2009 at 20:13

TheRedZealot said:
I use Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (10-46)]

I have always used 9's but getting a bit of fret buzz on the bottom E string so moved to 9.5-44 which helped out, debating if to try another brand like Ernie Ball , just don't know if the jump to 10 will be bad or not.

Jleo · 22 Jul 2009 at 20:18

Gustov said:
1.As Paul Gilbert says. 'Don't push the gas if you can't steer'. What he means by this is make sure every time you you pick you are fretting the correct note. Otherwise it's going to sound messy

2.Have patience, it takes time. Did I use a metronome? No. Should have I? Yes. I pretty much played the lick for 3 months non stop

3.Palm muting, learn how to control the sound.

4.Hold your pick at a 45 degree angle

(1.50)

Here a video of the master explaining it.

Thanks for the links, good lesson from "The Man"

Dirkscooby · 23 Jul 2009 at 01:20

Drill master!!!

Jabbs · 23 Jul 2009 at 07:27

You goto laugh " Its drill time " Paul Gilbert is barmy saw a instructional dvd where he used the drill haha.

Nitefly · 23 Jul 2009 at 11:45

Gustov said:
You sure that's it

Quite a stretch at that speed

Yep - it's one of the licks from the original 'School of Shred' that ran in Total Guitar around 2003. The audio lesson on the corresponding CD remains the most 'what the hell' moment of my guitar playing, erm, career.

Off topic - it is good (for your health

) to see you are posting far more on here. The other place is a terrible forum, I don't even know why I bother

Dirkscooby · 23 Jul 2009 at 17:24

Would be nice to keep this post open for tips, licks,and guitar tricks.(<---sorry lol)
Or maybe just a homage to Paul Gilbert. His picking is what keeps me inspired.