Lead Guitar Tactics

Posts Tagged ‘Ears’

I have heard this question enough times to grow potatoes in my ears. How do I play guitar scales fast?
Or just in general, how do I get faster on the guitar?

I really only know one way and here it is.

First, let me start off by saying that speed is a by product of accuracy. That why it’s a fatal mistake to just try and play fast. You will be sloppy and it will get you nowhere. You have to practice slow and clean and it’s a good idea to practice the same thing over and over, like your scales or a cool lick you are trying to learn.

And it’s important to use a metronome. A metronome give you a numerical value that you can use to track progress. Otherwise, how do you know? One last point here from a technical standpoint. Stay relaxed…this is another problem with trying to go too fast, it creates tension.

Alright, here we go. How to play guitar scales fast step by step.

1. Pick what you want to practice. This should seem obvious but a lot of people screw this one up.
2. Set your metronome at a comfortable speed. Practice playing the scale in time along with the metronome. I would suggest using eight notes for this.
3. Slowly increase the speed of the metronome to find your “breaking point.” What I mean is that at some speed you will no longer be able to play the scale without mistakes. You will be right on the edge of your technical capabilities. This will be a very small change in numbers on the metronome as well.
4. Once you find this “breaking point” drop the metronome back down a few notches and practice the scale at that speed for a few days. Then start to bump it back up again.
5. You will find that you will slowly be able to go faster and then it’s just a matter of repeating this process over and over.

That’s is, it’s not glamorous but that’s’ the way you do it. That’s how to play guitar scales fast.

If you would like to get a report on how to use a metronome with video instruction and a second report on ear training,
click here for details.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Popularity: 26% [?]

I recently had a question about the importance of chords behind a solo and the use of chord tones or just playing a scale. Do the chords matter? If so, how do they make a difference? What do you need to focus on in order to make your solos “sound right?”

This is something that requires some serious consideration and study. In this lesson each note of the major scale is systematically explored against a major chord. Pay attention to the chord tones (arpeggio notes) and the non-chord tones. The chord tones are all safe choices because they match the chord being played. The non-chord tones produce varying degrees of tension.

Understanding this tension and how to use it is one thing to take away from this lesson. Also, knowing the location of the chord tones and how to get a good blend between the chord tones and scale tones is explored. It’s this balance that will ultimately make your solos better.

Here is the jam track.

http://www.leadguitartactics.com/Cmaj.mp3

Sorry I do not have the original file for this lesson so you will not be able to download it. Also I do not have the tab for this lesson either. What I am playing is not as important as understanding the concept. If you like something here that you want to play, use your ears and figure it out.

Popularity: 42% [?]