Speed Mechanics

[JGuitar]

Hi there...

I am keen on buying Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar by Troy Stetina.

Has anyone here used this book?
Please could you give me some opinions?

What should I be expecting in terms of content etc?

Thanks a lot.

Cheers!

[LarryJ]

I'm not sure where your from, but here in the states it's quite a common book in the local Guitar Center chains. It won't hurt to look at it in one to get an idea of whats in it. If you really can't find a copy at a store, Amazon.com offers a bunch of sample pages and index/content listing for books, so you can check there and see a limited idea of whats in it. It seems to be a popular book, and alot of people like it; personally I think its the same as any other book out there. Simply put, you get out of it, what you put in. It wont be some incredible new secret, but if you put in the time with the examples, you will get better and faster.

[hellogoodbye]

Here's a short review from Jamie Andreas:

This is an excellent book for the serious rock/metal guitarist. Troy Stetina_ has put together a series of exercises designed to develop all the essential techniques used by the virtuoso electric guitarist. If you want to be blazing like Kirk, Eddie, Steve & Joe, this is the book for you!

Scale patterns, tremelo picking, you name it, its in here!

As usual, Troy provides an organized,_ systematic and progressive approach to technical development. For instance, you will develop alternate picking on a single string, in a variety of exercises, before going on to picking involving adjacent strings. This kind of approach prevents a haphazard training of the reflexes that results from randomly working on songs you happen to like.

The student will gain, over time, an intuitive understanding of the logic of picking, which is an enormous help in learning new material on your own.

Many of the exercises are actual licks from your favorite solos, such as Randy Rhoades (Ex. 38 Suicide Solution), and Malmsteen (Ex. 33)._ All of the material is directly usable for rock soloing.

I got the book myself: it's not just filled with a lot of exercises, but it also shows you where to pay attention to when you practice: you can use the book to learn how to practice yourself. After going through it all (which will take some time...) you know what you can or can't do, where to focus on, how to study other riffs and licks, etc. etc.

It's not a guitar method! If you are just beginning (or intermediate) I'd recommend Total Rock Guitar which teaches you all the basic of playing rock guitar by learning some nice rocking tunes (in different styles). Speed Mechanics is geared more towards intermediate or advanced players. Although it won't hurt for a beginner to go through it all: just don't expect you can play all exercises at the desired speed...

So it depends a little on what you want and what you are now (beginner or pro).

You might also want to check out the forum on Stetina's own site (www.stetina.com): maybe you can get a better impression on all his books from the posts over there.

[ajdowton]

I have this book, as well as his book on Metal Lead Guitar, and Speed Mechanics is definately superior. Definately get it, but also get John Petrucci's book "Rock Discipline". Both are great not only for alternate picking, speed, articulation etc. but also for applying these techniques (ie. sequencing etc.). With these two books, I reckon you'll be busy for about five years. I've already been stuck in for a year!

I got mine off Amazon with no worries so you should be right.

[jov]

I definitely recommend Speed Mechanics if you are interested
in good picking technique.. This book really helped me in locating
the weak points in my picking and my playing improved quite
a lot with help of this book.

BR
jov

[chris]

I have most all of Troy's books and Speed Mechanics is the Magna Opus (spelling) of learning to play fast. There is also some good theory in there including interval training (learning to identify intervals and play them by ear). This book is not meant to be gone through in a year or two... it's meant to be used for the rest of your life. If you master the exercises (there are too many to count) you will be a guitar hero. All exercises are on the cd along with some cool songs (Flight of the Bumblebee is one that is transcribed). You can't lose with this book. It lays out about every kind of exercise you can imagine to improve your playing abilities. The only negative comment I can think of is that there is so much material and Troy's playing is so great, you might get overwelmed.. but think of this exercise book as a lifetime endeavor.

[Koala]

I think pretty much everyhting has been said, but ill add my 2 cents. Stetinas books are good. If youre really willing to invest time into developing your technique his books are a good aid for doing so.

Hope this helps you out,