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Topic: I Wanna Go Fast |
Jason Rumley
From:
Foley, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 16 Dec 2012 4:52 pm |
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I've been focusing on a couple things in my practicing the past couple weeks and it's really helping. Thought I'd throw in out there:
1. Cross-picking - I've been focusing on going up and down while being comfortable and playing smoothly. There are essential two movements to this, the regular pick and the cross pick. I really had to program this into my hand because I was using it on and off. I've found that when I'm cross picking, I never let a finger hit a string other than in the pattern. I've spent time just doing one, then the other, mixing, going forward, backward, and sideways. This technique alone has almost doubled my speed fairly quickly
2. Timing - I keep my metronome relatively low(anywhere from 70 - 90 BPM). I go up the scale smoothly in 16ths and 8ths.
3. Jam Tracks - When I get the scale learned up and down the neck, I use jam tracks. Most the ones I've used so far are blues tracks and I'm getting more and more comfortable in the pentatonic positions.
Throwing this out there. Hopefully someone gets something from it! I've been progressing fairly quickly since I've dedicated myself to getting as tight as possible.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 16 Dec 2012 10:39 pm
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Have you checked out Joe Wright's teaching material ? He has a very good system that sounds right up your ally. What you are describing is the way to go.
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Bob |
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Jason Rumley
From:
Foley, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2012 7:27 am
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I've definitely considered buying some of his stuff. Is there anything you'd recommend specifically? I thought about getting his big pedal steel book but it's pretty expensive. Is it worth it? Or should I look at another program?
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 17 Dec 2012 9:12 am
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I would take a real time lesson with Joe via skype and have him work out a system for you. I took a few one on one lessons with Joe and it did me a world of good. The main thing I use of his these days is his scale spreadsheet program. Really helps me understand the neck.
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Bob |
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Jason Rumley
From:
Foley, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2012 12:01 pm
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Thanks for the recommendation Bob! I just picked up the scale spreadsheet and I'll consider the lesson. It's hard right with not having 'net at the house.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker |
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Zeke Cory
From:
Hinsdale, New York USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2012 4:14 pm To Go Fast ...
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| Start slow ! It seems like it took an incredibly long time but all of a sudden came a noticeable increase in speed. It can be really frustrating and monotonous to do the same lick over and over, but eventually it will seem more of an automatic reaction to play. Thats when you will notice the increase in speed. At least thats the way it was for me. Best of Luck and Happy Holidays to you all. |
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Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2012 7:21 pm
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| The only way I could ever go fast is to buy a Corvette. |
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Jason Rumley
From:
Foley, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2012 8:11 am Re: To Go Fast ...
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| Zeke Cory wrote: |
| Start slow ! It seems like it took an incredibly long time but all of a sudden came a noticeable increase in speed. It can be really frustrating and monotonous to do the same lick over and over, but eventually it will seem more of an automatic reaction to play. Thats when you will notice the increase in speed. At least thats the way it was for me. Best of Luck and Happy Holidays to you all. |
This is definitely how I started a few months ago. But my technique was off. I was using my thumb to cover up places where I didn't feel comfortable yet cross-picking. I just changed the technique and became a cross-picking "nazi" I noticed speed just came. Now I'm almost TOO fast and have to work on my timing. 
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 18 Dec 2012 8:36 am
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I suspect just about ANY drills, starting slow, and building speed, will get it done.
After reading Paul's words, I think they apply to the right hand as much or more than they do to left hand, feet or knees. Unless you're badly arthritic or have a similar challenge, the weak link in speed isn't in the hands, it's between the ears, it's in knowing where those strings are without having to think about it. At one point, the damn thing plays itself: you think the notes, and they come out the speaker.
That said, one on one lessons or Skyping with a good teacher can help guide the drills and maybe shorten that process. It took me FOREVER to teach my steel to play itself.
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| Now I'm almost TOO fast and have to work on my timing. |
Huh? Maybe it's 'cause I'm a goofball, but I don't get that. Why are you telling your fingers to "fire" ahead of the desired beat?
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Jason Rumley
From:
Foley, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2012 8:59 am
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| Lane Gray wrote: |
Huh? Maybe it's 'cause I'm a goofball, but I don't get that. Why are you telling your fingers to "fire" ahead of the desired beat? |
It's between the ears like anything else. I haven't been able to play like this before so it's gonna take a while to get it smooth.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 18 Dec 2012 10:15 am
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| Working on developing speed in a logical and systematic way is a good thing. But I suggest you devote an equal amount of practice time to playing slow and pretty. I've always found that what really gets to an audience is good steel playing on slow tunes. Make them cry!! |
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Jason Rumley
From:
Foley, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2012 10:41 am
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| Paul Sutherland wrote: |
| Working on developing speed in a logical and systematic way is a good thing. But I suggest you devote an equal amount of practice time to playing slow and pretty. I've always found that what really gets to an audience is good steel playing on slow tunes. Make them cry!! |
Absolutely! I've been trying to get my band to add Blue Jade to the set!
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." - Charlie Parker |
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Kirk Eipper
From:
Arroyo Grande, Ca.
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Posted 18 Dec 2012 11:28 am
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Speed is the by-product of accuracy. Just my 2 cents.
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'10 Williams 700 Series SD10 4+5/ '71 Emmons S-10 3+4/ '73 Emmons D-10 8+4/ GK MB 200/ Custom Tommy Huff Cabinets/ Webb 614-E/ Steelseat.com Pak-a-seat/ Magnatone and Fender lap steels/ Cobra Coil bars & Strings/ pod 2.0/ Peterson Tuners/Goodrich V.P./ Boss RV5/Teles and Martins
www.kirkeipper.com |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Dec 2012 5:40 am
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I sort of agree with Kirk, in that I never practice for speed. I think most players that can play very fast are able to for two reasons. Firstly, they practiced for accuracy so much that their speed came naturally. And secondly, they have total familiarity with what they are playing, and do it by reflex, without really thinking about it.
You'll never play really fast if you have to take time to think about what you're doing, counting frets, positioning your fingers, remembering what pedals and levers to hit, etc.
Playing fast is great if it's done well, but too many players loose their intonation and timing because they're not fully adept at it. You can play any way when you're alone, but speed without accuracy can be pretty embarrassing, once you have an audience.
Been there, done that.  |
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