#134 - This Exercise SOLVED My Biggest Technique Problems!

Isn't this just like an extended version of the exercise from #82?

Mark Seymour

TY ! Backing track ? :-)

The workouts are from #104 :)

Bernd Brodträger

Question: isn't it necessary to flatten the first finger on your left hand when fretting to mute the strings you're not playing?

Maximilian Schlipf

thanks for all your work - naming error with the files #104 i think!

If you have Guitar Pro you can download the attached tabs to that and just add a drum track. That's what I do.

Hm well... I am not closing my picking hand so I never had any issus with getting the other fingers in contact with the strings... BUT I tried to hold the plek like you showed here and I have the feeling that I am having more grip (slippery fingers and losing tight hold of the pick in the progress is one of my problems since). Also it feels like artifical harmonics are a little easier to play and - maybe the biggest difference I might noticed yet - I do have less noise when sweeping down the fretboard cause my hand is a little closer to the strings, dampening them. It still feels a bit uncommon and unnatural to hold the plek like this (unlike you experienced it) especially when changing it as extrem as you do so I don't move the plek too far from it's common positioning between my thumb and index. As a result the "hole" is still there. A little smaller but not as small or even closed as it is with your grip. But it feels better for me - still uncommon. But I'll trying this positioning for some time... curious if the above mentioned effects stay and really are effects and not just my imagination. But that is a good example for everyone's unique physique. By the way... it could have helped to use the exact same settings and guitar for comparison. ;) So it's a little hard to perfectly tell if different sound is coming from advanced playing or other settings.

Sephiroth

+1 for this, that would be really great ! :)

Just joined.. soo much great content to get through!! One Question though... the video playbacks are fantastic, but would it be possible to include just the backing tracks for them as well? Playing along with you at various tempo's is brilliant, but being able to hear just myself would be really helpful :)

If we were to vote on the best practice exercise for 2020 - #104 has to be it - I've seen improvement, but it def takes time - repetition, repetition, repetition! :)

John H

Do you have any special breathing technique you use when playing fast? I've found that as my speed increases my breath holds get longer and I tense up. I'm trying to work on it but it's tough to break the habit.

I'm no Bernth. But, as someone who really struggles with tension, my main thing is slowing down. Practice at speeds that aren't making me tense up, and slowly speed back up, focusing on staying relaxed. If I reach the point I am tensing up, I am going too fast. If I ignore it, I start getting numbness is my thumb and index fingers. The joys of growing older...

Michael Pisani

any tips on managing tension? I have speed for a bit, but then my fingers and my shoulders tense up pretty tight.

Justin Wagner

Hello Bernth I'm Daniel from Tanzania,your teaching is very helpful to me but i need to download the top ten left hand exercise what can i do i need your help please.

It's great. I wish there were the left fingers number indicated to know exactly which way to stretch the hand (when you have to reach with the pinky, like in 3rd measure).

Good question, Raf! I was wondering about the same thing. Also for other styles like funk rhythm playing, for example, this seems tricky - but maybe just a matter of practice and getting used to?

Paul Ribka

Thanks to you I also noticed that my picking hand was tense, without realizing it. All fingers except the ones that hold the pick were stretched, just by bending there made my hand loosen up massively. Now I need to get the old version out of my system :(. BTW Bernth, do you use a different picking hand technique for rhythm playing ? this seems not handy for palm muted metal madness ? Thanks ! Raf

Raf Aarts

And you and Rick Beato are my it's-an-ill-wind-that-blows-no-good-icky-Googly-YT-FB treasures. Rock on and on while you can, life being (don't forget) very, very short. This ain't no party. this ain't no disco, no Mud Club or CBGB.

Chase A. Johnson

Just like when I (re-)discover a great guitar song, w/ this, like almost every lesson, I can only say to my wife, "I'm going to die." Thank you again B. I've never spent money better, and would gladly pay it as a donation to your mission even if I didn't enjoy these life-important benefits. Please, do not grow weary in well-doing!

Chase A. Johnson

Amazing Jim, thanks so much, could be so great. But Bernth, keep up the gold (and I do mean go-o-o-ld, you gifted bastard), don't fix what ain't even close to broken, and yet please consider ADDING this -- replacement being neither wise nor safe.

Chase A. Johnson

Nice! I had a question. How did you create the backing track on the play-along video? I hear there is a backing rhythm /bass line there. Is that something that can be done in guitar pro?

So helpful, these videos are seriously the best

Luca

Bernth that this is a great video as I can see how your constantly evolving your playing. In your 10 steps to shredding you mention that you dont like holding the pick at an angle because of the scraping sound it makes, but now you are holding it at an angle. I assume this helps you quite a bit? I have tried both ways and the angle certainly helps me more as well. I love when you do videos on lessons you have learned especially at your skill level.

Bobby McKee

Hey Bernth. I thought you might be interested in this. I saw this and immediately thought this POV should be the new standard for instructional videos. It’s so much faster, easier to see and understand than straight on. https://youtu.be/NU5QGtALgXM

Jim McCall

Thanks for the video. I had gotten my speed up to 150 bpm but after watching your analysis of before and after, I realized that my playing at 150 bpm was too sloppy. Thus, I'm going to revert back to around 120 bpm, clean up my playing, and then speed back up after that.

Scott Walden

Thanks Bernth!! I am practicing this exercise for the past couple months with your video play alongs (5 minutes per beats 50-70-100-120) do you think this is sufficient or would you advice some different approach?? Indeed this exercise made a HUGE improvement in my odd picking, I cannot even begin to describe the progress!! (though nowhere near yours :)) Thanks again!!! <3

Emre Yamangil