super fast sweep picking help

[Gdude2]

recently i speeded one of my songs up since I've taken an interest in extreme power metal and I had to play an arpeggio at 187bpm with the right hand (picking hand) sweeping or literally struming in crotchet beats while the fingers follow.
If this happens is it best to just hold the chord when sweeping?

has anybody got any videos of really fast sweep picking

[se_12121]

I can't sweep pick, but I know that people move fingers off the string as each note is played, if you sweep a chord holding all notes down through out it'll sound like ur playing a chord, I could be wrong but i cant see itd be any other way, it mite be possible to hold all notes and mute with your right hand as u move up strings, actually no becuase the other notes would still ring slightly, guess youll just have to work ur speed and coordination up, at www.rustycooley.com (http://www.rustycooley.com) check out some of his shredding videos, he sweeps at super speed.


Sean

[phantom]

hey gdude2,

Hey,

You definately have to lift your fingers!
sweeping arpeggios is not the same technique as strumming chords - and you will have practice is slowly..unfortunately.
there is no trick or shortcut. besides taking care of muting the strings that should not ring properly, it is just you, the arpeggio and a metronome.
Move those fingers - but don't let them fly around.
Always keep them close to the strings 'cause that is where you need them.
it is hard to explain via the net how yo have to execute those sweeps properly, but the big, important points are:
1: start slow - then speed up.
2: always watch left and right hand synchronisation - that's where sloppiness comes from
3: mute the strings that shouldn't ring - only one note sounding at once!
4: make small and efficient moves - don't waste space (using a lot of space is loosing a lot of speed)

good luck ;)

[EricV]

hey gdude2,

1: start slow - then speed up.
2: always watch left and right hand synchronisation - that's where sloppiness comes from
3: mute the strings that shouldn't ring - only one note sounding at once!
4: make small and efficient moves - don't waste space (using a lot of space is loosing a lot of speed)

good luck ;)

As usual great advice, and Sven knows what he is talking about. Regarding small and efficient moves: this also requires a certain relaxation of the left hand. I see a lot of people go for sweep-picking or legato and they lose a lot of speed cuz they tense up to much, and use way too much movement ( fingers moving way too much away from the fretboard ). Relaxing the left hand to a certain degree ( of course only to the point where you´re still using enough strength to fret the note ) seems to help with that.
And muting... don´t forget you can mute with both hands.
And if you haven´t checked out my two articles about sweeping, maybe you wanna do that now as well
And, to quote Sven: Good luck !
Eric

[Gdude2]

I recently recorded the solo with the fast sweep picking part and I was playing a 15 on the high e string, a 12 on the high e string, a 13 on the high b and a, 12 on the high g. Because I was playing two 12's i held the chord but lifted my fingers off the strings I wasn't playing in the chord position in the next thread i'll send you the solo. you could tell me you think of my playing.

[phantom]

At times you can bar 2-3 strings (when playing E- or A-shape arpeggios), but then you have to roll your finger so that the not played note is muted.
In your explained case it should be different though.
It would be:
15 e - pinky
12 e - index finger
13 b - middle finger
12 g - index finger

but NOT barring the index finger - you should "jump over the b string" in that case.
if you play the arpeggio further down it would be

14 d - ring finger
15 a - pinky

What you get is a (bigger) c-major arpeggio.
take care not to place your fingers too pointyon the strings/frets.
By placing them rather flat you touch the adjacent strings and mute them - which is nessecary.
;)

[Gdude2]

yeah I think I was doing something like that phantom
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3216&stc=1

here it is it takes about ten seconds to start though

[phantom]

The link doesn't work. :(

[Gdude2]

try saving it thats what worked for me

[phantom]

Nope, it doesn't for me, sorry.

If you jump over the b string it should be alright though. At what speed did you play it?

[Gdude2]

187bpm try this

[phantom]

That one works - i'll be able to listen to it this evening (now it's 2.10 pm) and will let you know what i think.

Is it 16th notes at 184 bpm?

[Gdude2]

double triplets basically the whole apeggio is played twice up and down in one beat

[jan 87]

do not hold the chord. thats what sweeping is about. all the notes are played individually.

[oRg]

For a second I thought the file name was called "solo wyld stallions"...I was almost expecting to hear a small solo intro by Steve Vai and then a burst into God Gave Rock and Roll to You by KISS...lol.

[phantom]

Hey Gdude2,

I listened to your mp3.
First off all: You got the right attitude in your playing! strong, wild, there is a lot of energy that wants to come out!! that is good!!
The bad thing about that energy is, that it can tense up the muscles and that surely doesn't help when playing - especially not complicated or fast stuff.
Try to keep your body relaxed, even though your playing should display those 100.000 Volt - i know, not an easy task, but one of the keys to a better performance.
Work on your bends, get a little vibrato in there, take the sweeps back into the practice-schedule and start at a slower tempo to get them nice & clean.

.. and keep us informed how everything works out for you ;)

[Gdude2]

thanks for the thoughts though I kinda knew most of the stuff you told and I had to tense for the fast parts since I want to get our demo recorded quick