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This lesson concentrates on a simple way to play fast - using hammer ons and pull offs.
Most
guitarists want to play fast. Be it jazz, rock, metal, blues - when you have
completed a fast solo, you get a great feeling of satisfaction. This lesson
will (hopefully) increase your speed.
The first thing to remember about playing fast is that it takes
practice. The first time you attempt to play something fast it will not be
perfect. The secret is to start slowly and increase the speed. Try to get
yourself a metronome to play along with. Your co-ordination will improve, and
eventually you will be able to play the licks shown in this lesson blindfolded!
This lick (in E Dorian see lesson on modes) is a simple one, that involves pulling off. All
of the notes are quavers (half a beat), and the timing is standard. Set the
bpm on the metronome to about 80 and play the lick.
E
|-15p-14p-12-15p-14p-12--------|
B |-----------------------14p-12-|
G |------------------------------|
D |------------------------------|
A |------------------------------|
E |------------------------------|
E |-15p-14p-12-15p-14p-12--------|
B |-----------------------14p-12-|
G |------------------------------|
D |------------------------------|
A |------------------------------|
E |------------------------------|
At this speed you
should be able to play the lick without any trouble. Get used to it, and
play along at the same tempo for about 5-10 mins. When you feel confident
with it, and able to play it without any difficulty, increase the tempo to
100bpm. Again play at this speed for 5-10 mins, getting used to the
increased speed. Continue with this pattern until at least 180bpm. At this
speed it can be considered 'fast'.
Now we will move on to something slightly harder. This lick involves
hammering on rather than pulling off, and involves
playing across 4 strings rather than just two. As with the previous lick
gradually increase the tempo. Do not increase the tempo if you are
struggling at all to keep the notes accurate.
E
|-------------------------5h-7h-9-|
B |-----------------5h-7h-9---------|
G |---------5h-7h-9-----------------|
D |-5h-7h-8-------------------------|
A |---------------------------------|
E |---------------------------------|
This final lick is the toughest lick in this lesson. This spans all six strings, and requires you to move back down often. Do not try to do it really fast at first, but start at 80bpm as with the previous two licks.
E
|---------------------------------|
B |---------------------------------|
G |---------------------------------|
D |-----------------4h-5h-7---------|
A |---------3h-5h-7---------3h-5h-7-|
E |-3h-5h-7-------------------------|
E |---------------------------------|
B |---------------------------------|
G |---------4h-5h-7---------4h-5h-7-|
D |-4h-5h-7---------4h-5h-7---------|
A |---------------------------------|
E |---------------------------------|
E |-------------------------5h-7h-8-|
B |-5h-7h-8---------5h-7h-8---------|
G |---------4h-5h-7-----------------|
D |---------------------------------|
A |---------------------------------|
E |---------------------------------|
Another technique often used for playing fast is tapping. Click here to go to a lesson on tapping.
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Previous lesson: Arpeggio Shapes
Next lesson: Harmonic Minor
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