Trill thrills

[emils]

Hi all,
I have a technique problem and I hope to find some good advices here (I'm sure I will ).
having played guitar for many years, until now I didn't reach a satisfactory (to me) velocity in trilling. The reason is that I always prefered to pick notes and in this way, wrongly I guess, I also didn't develop trills because I wanted to pick every single note (that was my idea, at that time) and trills sounded to me as 'legato-like'. So, now, I'm looking for advices, licks, etudes for practising in order to develop quickly trill velocity (and accuracy, of course).
Something very deeply specific....
And I'd like to know, if anybody remembers, what was the specific exercise that improved his/her trill technique.

For example, I've been using this pattern for a long (I can play it up to 140 bpm), but I can't go beyond it, actually :
on the first (E) string,
2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1
3-1-3-1-3-1-3-1
4-1-4-1-4-1-4-1
3-1-3-1-3-1-3-1
3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2
4-2-4-2-4-2-4-2
4-3-4-3-4-3-4-3
4-2-4-2-4-2-4-2

...a bit painful, something similar to what would come out one of Troy Stetina's series of manuals for metal speed techniques...

Thnx in advance for any suggestions

[rmuscat]

i don't think there is a quick way except practicing them for a long time.

The two main issues are
1. Technique
2. Physical aspect

Technique wise you must use the minimal movements possible, hands close to fingerboard, right placement of fingers (e.g. use of finger tips and the right "spot" on the guitar)

The physical aspect is related to your muscles/tendons. And that naturally takes time just like any physical exercise.

My trilling sucks, but i'm talking through some logic and other discussion over this board.

So my conclusion would be, take your time, there's no hurry and keep watching your technique, refining it as much as possible.

[curiousgeorge]

Also, check out Vai's 30 Hour Workout and Petrucci's stretch and legato exercises from Rock Discipline (DVD or VHS). Make sure you don't 'chase' the metronome. You'll have good days and bad, but before long you'll bump that sucker up a few more notches. Just be patient...but consistent...(!!!)

[emils]

Thanks guys for your wise suggestions.
Yes, I knew that, it's a matter of practising and technique refining.
Probably, I'm stuck with trilling because it's years that I'm playing and I have gained bad habits. For example, rmuscat, your auggestion has made me think a lot. In fact, I don't care that much about fingers' distance from fretboard and I'm sure it can be improved... so, focusing on minimal movement could really be the trick.
CuriousGeorge, I'll give a look at the video you suggest. I'll work on it, consistently!

Thanx all.

[curiousgeorge]

Originally Posted by emils

Thanks guys for your wise suggestions.
Yes, I knew that, it's a matter of practising and technique refining.
Probably, I'm stuck with trilling because it's years that I'm playing and I have gained bad habits. For example, rmuscat, your auggestion has made me think a lot. In fact, I don't care that much about fingers' distance from fretboard and I'm sure it can be improved... so, focusing on minimal movement could really be the trick.
CuriousGeorge, I'll give a look at the video you suggest. I'll work on it, consistently!

Thanx all.

Hey man. Make sure you don't focus too much on worrying about your finger distance from the fretboard. If you watch someone like Satch, his fingers are flying all over the place...