~ How To Practice for Maximum Speed ~ (punk, single, Tool, guitarist)

ros · 09-27-2006, 01:34 PM

~ How To Practice for Maximum Speed ~
Part 2: Speed Builder Strategy 2
by Tom Hess

Please be sure to read Part 1 before attempting to follow the advice offered here in Part 2. I am offering a completely different approach to building great speed compared to what I described in part 1, but this new system does not work well unless you have mastered the ability to play cleanly and accurately at slow tempos (this is critical).

Unlike the first system described in part 1, which takes several weeks to complete, this new approach can be done in a single practice session. This new approach is not intended as a substitute for my other method, it is rather a supplemental practice tool intended for more advanced players.

“My Ladder System”

Let’s say you can play a particular technique at 100 bpm (beats per minute) on a metronome cleanly and consistently. Let’s also assume that your goal is to play the same technique at 200 bpm.

Warm up for: 15 minutes in the winter months
10 minutes in the spring and autumn months
5 minutes in the summer months

Play at 60 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 90 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 75 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 105 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 90 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 120 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 105 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 135 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 120 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 150 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 135 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 165 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 150 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 180 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 165 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 195 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 180 bpm for 2-3 minutes
Play at 210 bpm for 2-3 minutes

As you can imagine, the beginning of this routine will be easy if you can already play this without problems at 100 bpm. But it will be totally impossible to play well during the latter part of the routine. Play it anyway! Yes I know it will sound horrible, it will be a huge mess of sloppy musical chaos. Don’t worry about that when doing this routine, because you are not going to practice this way every day.

The ladder system is designed to do two main things:

1. (most important!) It will train your brain that greater speed is possible (even if sloppy for now) for you. To go far beyond what you think you can do well today is important as a psychological tool. You see, speed (like many aspects of music) has more to do with self – imposed psychological limitations than physical ones.

2. It gets your hands to move faster than they ever do in normal practicing (even though the motions are sloppy and not something you will put into a recording of your next solo),

Most speed barriers come as a result of synchronization problems between the two hands – lack of speed is usually not caused directly from how fast you are able to move your hands. BUT because the main cause is synchronization issue between the hands, your practicing becomes limited to synchronization practice and not on sheer speed (even if you are totally aware of it). Your increased synchronization skills will improve your overall technique, but you will have not really trained your hands to move much faster than before…..This system does. I’m sorry to have to keep repeating the point, but it is so important ‡ This system is a supplemental one and not a substitute for normal practicing.

A word of caution: Because this practice system is extremely demanding on your fingers, hands, wrists and arms, you must be very careful to avoid pain. If you feel any pain when doing this technique, you must stop at once and rest before attempting this again. Never play in pain, or excessive stress on your muscles or joints. Doing so can cause you serious long-term physical problems. Also, make sure you are thoroughly warmed up before practicing anything strenuous (especially when attempting any ladder systems!).

DearJenny · 09-27-2006, 02:57 PM

Thanks. I'm picking up my guitar again and really applying myself this time.

littleknowitall · 10-07-2006, 03:55 PM

Speed is a good thing??

right-track · 10-07-2006, 04:00 PM

Only if you can't stay awake.
Or attending an all-nighter.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 10-07-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ros

A word of caution: Because this practice system is extremely demanding on your fingers, hands, wrists and arms, you must be very careful to avoid pain. If you feel any pain when doing this technique, you must stop at once and rest before attempting this again. Never play in pain, or excessive stress on your muscles or joints. Doing so can cause you serious long-term physical problems. Also, make sure you are thoroughly warmed up before practicing anything strenuous (especially when attempting any ladder systems!).

Nothing compared to the pain of having to listen to it

boo boo · 10-07-2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleknowitall

Speed is a good thing??

It is depending on how you apply it.

mosesandtherubberducky · 10-07-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo boo

It is depending on how you apply it.

And then that's a thin line.

boo boo · 10-07-2006, 10:47 PM

Iron Maiden = Good speed.

Rusty Cooley = Bad speed.

End of lession.

mosesandtherubberducky · 10-07-2006, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo boo

Iron Maiden = Good speed.

Rusty Cooley = Bad speed.

End of lession.

Punk guitarist have that line of speed figured out (the ones that play faster leads)

09-27-2006, 01:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
ros Groupie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: manila Posts: 2	~ How To Practice for Maximum Speed ~ ~ How To Practice for Maximum Speed ~ Part 2: Speed Builder Strategy 2 by Tom Hess Please be sure to read Part 1 before attempting to follow the advice offered here in Part 2. I am offering a completely different approach to building great speed compared to what I described in part 1, but this new system does not work well unless you have mastered the ability to play cleanly and accurately at slow tempos (this is critical). Unlike the first system described in part 1, which takes several weeks to complete, this new approach can be done in a single practice session. This new approach is not intended as a substitute for my other method, it is rather a supplemental practice tool intended for more advanced players. “My Ladder System” Let’s say you can play a particular technique at 100 bpm (beats per minute) on a metronome cleanly and consistently. Let’s also assume that your goal is to play the same technique at 200 bpm. Warm up for: 15 minutes in the winter months 10 minutes in the spring and autumn months 5 minutes in the summer months Play at 60 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 90 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 75 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 105 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 90 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 120 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 105 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 135 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 120 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 150 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 135 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 165 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 150 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 180 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 165 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 195 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 180 bpm for 2-3 minutes Play at 210 bpm for 2-3 minutes As you can imagine, the beginning of this routine will be easy if you can already play this without problems at 100 bpm. But it will be totally impossible to play well during the latter part of the routine. Play it anyway! Yes I know it will sound horrible, it will be a huge mess of sloppy musical chaos. Don’t worry about that when doing this routine, because you are not going to practice this way every day. The ladder system is designed to do two main things: 1. (most important!) It will train your brain that greater speed is possible (even if sloppy for now) for you. To go far beyond what you think you can do well today is important as a psychological tool. You see, speed (like many aspects of music) has more to do with self – imposed psychological limitations than physical ones. 2. It gets your hands to move faster than they ever do in normal practicing (even though the motions are sloppy and not something you will put into a recording of your next solo), Most speed barriers come as a result of synchronization problems between the two hands – lack of speed is usually not caused directly from how fast you are able to move your hands. BUT because the main cause is synchronization issue between the hands, your practicing becomes limited to synchronization practice and not on sheer speed (even if you are totally aware of it). Your increased synchronization skills will improve your overall technique, but you will have not really trained your hands to move much faster than before…..This system does. I’m sorry to have to keep repeating the point, but it is so important ‡ This system is a supplemental one and not a substitute for normal practicing. A word of caution: Because this practice system is extremely demanding on your fingers, hands, wrists and arms, you must be very careful to avoid pain. If you feel any pain when doing this technique, you must stop at once and rest before attempting this again. Never play in pain, or excessive stress on your muscles or joints. Doing so can cause you serious long-term physical problems. Also, make sure you are thoroughly warmed up before practicing anything strenuous (especially when attempting any ladder systems!). __________________ isulong seoph \| SEO Philippines

09-27-2006, 02:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
DearJenny Raptor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 1,321	Thanks. I'm picking up my guitar again and really applying myself this time. __________________ So here's to living life miserable. And here's to all the lonely stories that I've told. Maybe drinking wine will validate my sorrow. Every man needs a muse and mine could be the bottle.

10-07-2006, 03:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
littleknowitall Pow! Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,671	Speed is a good thing??

10-07-2006, 04:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Only if you can't stay awake. Or attending an all-nighter.