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Empires of Eden



Last Updated: 12/22/2009

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Status: In a Relationship
State: New South Wales
Country: AU
Signup Date: 12/29/2008

Who Gives Kudos:

Kuze (1)
October 15, 2009 - Thursday 
Hey Everyone

October 25 I will be down in sunny Tasmania for an ESP  / Randall clinic. The clinics that I do focus on shred based techniques and if your interested in see exactly what I go into, check out youtube and you'll find it easy enough.
The aim is to cut through the bullshit about playing guitar and really, showing younger players that will a little targeted practice, anything is attainable.

There are two sides to playing, the technical and the spiritual. Not spiritual in a "God" context, but where the musician taps into the core of what makes their voice, then transfers that to the instrument. Much like what separates the greats like Malmsteen, Satriani and Vai. They all play well, they use the same notes (relatively) but they all sound very different.
This is the hardest thing to convey, I don't think it can be taught but encouraged.
Am I there yet? not as much as I'd like to be.

The other thing guitarists forget easily is that we are 50% percussionists.
Take the time to watch what your picking hand does and I guarantee you it not musical, it's percussive... to produce a musical outcome. Kinda weird when you think about it.
So my focus and mantra is to become at one with timing and a metronome. Especially for metal, timing is the absolute key to being the player you want to be. If you can't syncopate against a 4/4 your finding a huge limitation in your ability to convey what is in your brain.

The speed picking thing has been my "thing" for a while, not that it's mine, but it's a technique I favour and find pretty easy to integrate now. For the heaps of emails I get on "who to play fast" the answer is simple but sometimes hard to swallow.
It is, "Practice and consistency" - shredding with articulation is a skill that takes time to develop so don't be in too much of a rush, I have been playing for 25 years and still practice almost every day.
My theory... "Shredding without a melodic context is a waste of time"

Anyways, enough ranting from me.
For the Tassie people, I hope to see you there or at the masterclasses -
If your interested in online lessons I teach all week on Skype and few a few open slots.
Write to me, I'll write back ;-)

Bring the shred!
Stu
7:35 AM
 
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Kuze
Hideo Kuze

 
An excellent and insightful blog entry, Stu, I think you've really nailed the balance of what it takes to be an outstanding guitar player. Bizarrely, I was thinking of cruising down to Tas and just being a stalker, but unfortunately this time round it is not to be. Take care, my friend.
 
Posted by Kuze on October 19, 2009 - Monday - 6:12 AM
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