Practicing and speed exercises

Hi everybody,

Been playing guitar for many years, but only recently started practicing seriously. I'm intermediate when it comes to technique, but got very basic theory knowledge. I'm currently practicing all speed/metal related exercises like hammer ons, pull offs, legato, alternate picking, economy picking, and also a bit of blues theory and exercises.

My question is, if anybody can help me: What do I concentrate on on a daily basis and how do I allocate my time to practice efficiently? My goal is to play Kirk Hammett and Dimebag Darrell style solos one day. I really love the techniques they both use, especially Kirk. If I can play the No Remorse solo (still can't get that technique right at fast speeds) and Cowboys from Hell solo (half way there) then I've achieved something I could have only imagined.

So, does anybody have any advice or Guitartricks links that could help me reach my boyhood dream? ;)

Thanks!

Hey and welcome.

Originally Posted by: Kiepa13What do I concentrate on on a daily basis and how do I allocate my time to practice efficiently?

Devote time everyday to slow, medium and fast scale practice with a metronome. Practice major and minor scales straight up and down, in 3s, 4s, 6s, and pedal point.

Check these tutorials for options:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=419
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=287
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=370
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=770
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=213
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=661
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=404
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=535

Let us know how it goes. Have fun! Best of success.

The tuts look awesome! Just what I've been looking for. Chat again in a couple of months ;)

Originally Posted by: Kiepa13Hi everybody,
My goal is to play Kirk Hammett and Dimebag Darrell style solos one day. I really love the techniques they both use, especially Kirk.

that's not going to be very difficult ...

Yup - I realize it's no Steve Vai equivalent. Kirk has standard licks and scales that he uses over and over again, yet I'm struggling with the picking/pull offs when I play these solos at higher speeds. With Dimebag again I'm struggling a lot with the timing.

I'm going through the tuts now and it's really helpful, but I doubt it'll help me a whole lot with these specific soloing techniques. I suppose it's best to rather start from the ground up and not jump in at the top. These tuts are directed more to exploring the neck and improving your scale speeds it seems ...

Originally Posted by: Kiepa13I'm going through the tuts now and it's really helpful, but I doubt it'll help me a whole lot with these specific soloing techniques
...
These tuts are directed more to exploring the neck and improving your scale speeds it seems ...

Oops! From your previous post I thought you had the basic techniques down and were aiming at increasing those basic skills into shredding across the fretboard.

Have a look at these and see if they help:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=723
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=737
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=843
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=244

Some of them are "pentatonic and blues" oriented. But hopefully you can see that these licks and techniques form a lot of the basis of rock and metal guy's licks (especially the ones you mention). Just faster and with a "rock 'n' roll" attitude. :)

Originally Posted by: Toni Lloretthat's not going to be very difficult ...

Not to be a complete yoyo but that post appears as the online equivalent of 'how many guitar players does it take to screw in a lightbulb'? (A: 10. 1 to actually screw it in and 9 to say that they could have done it better or faster).

It's easy to say that it wouldn't be challenging if you've already passed that threshold. If you have not, it's still a mountain yet to be climbed. 'Easy' is relative to experience.

I would suggest that if he is able to play these solos sometime in the future, it will be quite an accomplishment and commend the effort.

Originally Posted by: JeffS65Not to be a complete yoyo but that post appears as the online equivalent of 'how many guitar players does it take to screw in a lightbulb'? (A: 10. 1 to actually screw it in and 9 to say that they could have done it better or faster).

It's easy to say that it wouldn't be challenging if you've already passed that threshold. If you have not, it's still a mountain yet to be climbed. 'Easy' is relative to experience.

I would suggest that if he is able to play these solos sometime in the future, it will be quite an accomplishment and commend the effort.

normally not achieved the goals ... but if the goals are more ambitious and get half is a triumph, would not be the case ...
Bye.