1 Topic by cj19m (edited by cj19m 2007-11-24 20:08:46)

  • From: Boston
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Topic: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

This question just popped up into my head...Is there a limit to how fast one person can get on the guitar?  For example:  If I practiced chop building for the rest of my life and aimed to only get faster, would I reach a point where I couldn't play any faster or cleaner, and would that potential be more or less than a person who has put just as much work into it?  I was just wondering becuase ive put so much work into my chops latley and i havent seen as much benefit as I would like.  And chops aren't everything, however chops are the key to playing whatever pops into your head, so i consider chops to be one of the most important elemnents in my playing.  Anyone have any really good chops excercises?
Peace
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  • Registered: 2006-09-13
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Here is what I think in terms of speed . . . if you can hear it in your head you can play it on the guitar.  I think of it as a visual thing.  I try to hear each note in my head and then try to mimic it on guitar.  There are just some things that should be felt rather than counted.

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Some People have a more natural propensity to playing fast.  Like anything the more you work at it the cleaner you become not necessarily faster.  Cleaner is better that faster in my book.  Ive long abandoned the notion of being the fastest gun in the west...  Thats for guys like Steve Vai and Rusty Cooley.  Just mind numbing speed.  Hurts my hands to watch it. 
Keep working on it but dont dedicate your life to it.  Work on overall stuff too.
Joe Bonamassa

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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

Some People have a more natural propensity to playing fast.  Like anything the more you work at it the cleaner you become not necessarily faster.  Cleaner is better that faster in my book.  Ive long abandoned the notion of being the fastest gun in the west...  Thats for guys like Steve Vai and Rusty Cooley.  Just mind numbing speed.  Hurts my hands to watch it. 
Keep working on it but dont dedicate your life to it.  Work on overall stuff too.
Joe Bonamassa

I've seen 7 truly great guitar players in my time.....Peter Green, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Sonny Landreth, Eric Clapton (with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker...), Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, and Walter Trout.....

None of them played fast.....at least not fast to cover sumptin' up......

I saw Jimmy Page, too, in '70.  That's the reason he didn't make the list.....

I like the fact that you use "Woke Up Dreamin' " to showcase your speed.  It shuts up the speed freaks.....btw, Walter Trout would like to have a word.....

They're at home still runnin' for bells
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Than that blue collar hell
  • From: Wheeling, IL
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

Some People have a more natural propensity to playing fast.  Like anything the more you work at it the cleaner you become not necessarily faster.  Cleaner is better that faster in my book.  Ive long abandoned the notion of being the fastest gun in the west...  Thats for guys like Steve Vai and Rusty Cooley.  Just mind numbing speed.  Hurts my hands to watch it. 
Keep working on it but dont dedicate your life to it.  Work on overall stuff too.
Joe Bonamassa

You do ok. LOL tongue

I'm just saying.

6 Reply by mikeb (edited by mikeb 2007-11-26 10:40:48)

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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Has anyone heard anything as soulless and cold as Rusty Cooley or latent John Petrucci??

Al Dimeola had warm to hot speed with articulate smoothness and it added dynamic effect to his music. I reckon if you can play as fast AS WELL as Al, you can play fast enuff.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ3HxD8kv9o

Case rested.....

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

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7 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2007-11-26 12:38:25)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

cj19m wrote:

This question just popped up into my head...Is there a limit to how fast one person can get on the guitar?  For example:  If I practiced chop building for the rest of my life and aimed to only get faster, would I reach a point where I couldn't play any faster or cleaner, and would that potential be more or less than a person who has put just as much work into it?  I was just wondering becuase ive put so much work into my chops latley and i havent seen as much benefit as I would like.  And chops aren't everything, however chops are the key to playing whatever pops into your head, so i consider chops to be one of the most important elemnents in my playing.  Anyone have any really good chops excercises?
Peace
Conner

How many years you've been playing?

...B.B. King can kill you with just 1 note - think about that!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Boston
  • Registered: 2006-11-25
  • Posts: 133

Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

I have been playing about 7 and a half years now,  but i recently(within the past 2 years) have started actually practicing(learning note for note solos, chop building, scales, theory, ect.)  I dont want to speak for BB but im sure that he plays what he hears in his head,  which most of the time only 1 or 2 notes and thats what makes BB  as unique and awesome as he is!  For me, i hear things that i cant get across in my playing becuase of my poor chops.  I have trouble with 16th notes above 125 on the metronome,  there must be some technical issue that im not noticing.  any suggestions would be great.
Conner

Fender '62 reissue Stratocaster, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio(Stock), Marshall JCM900 100W Head, Original 1972 Carvin 4/12 Cabinet,Ibanez Ts9 Reissue, Keeley Compressor, Boss DD-3 Delay, Vox Wah
  • From: DeLand Fl
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

I used to think learning to play fast was the key to being a good player. I have been playing for 43yrs. and it took me 30 of them to realize it is how you play the notes that counts. Listen very carefully to the song Sloe Gin. The phrasings Joe uses in that song are awe inspiring. The majority of the song is not played fast but very artistic. Practice phrasings and you will find that you are accomplishing more than you will by practicing fast.

Statocaster Elite , Yamaha SA 2000, Taylor 815c,  Traynor YCV 50 Blue, Indie Fleur De Lis, Indie IPR anniversary

10 Reply by backroad junkie (edited by backroad junkie 2007-11-30 08:52:29)

  • From: Fox Lake, IL
  • Registered: 2007-11-08
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

My favorite guitar players are not known for speed but being melodic in their playing. David Gilmour acomplishes more in one note then most guitar players do in 100. Get his new DVD it is amazing.  however I do love fast guitar when played with great clarity and when it is done with taste. That is why I like Joe so much. He is a master of knowing when to let it rip it makes his jams and solos very memorable. Sonny Landreth and Johnny A are also masters. check them out live if you have the chance they will leave you speechless.

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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

backroad junkie wrote:

My favorite guitar players are not known for speed but being melodic in their playing. David Gilmour acomplishes more in one note then most guitar players do in 100. Get his new DVD it is amazing.  however I do love fast guitar when played with great clarity and when it is done with taste. That is why I like Joe so much. He is a master of knowing when to let it rip it makes his jams and solos very memorable. Sonny Landreth and Johnny are also masters. check them out live if you have the chance they will leave you speechless.

as will a few crisp slide notes from Derek Trucks, mind boggling in their simple yet complex way... Check out a few Michael Firkin's pseudo slide riffs or a couple of tastey Jerry Donahue bends to totally blow your mind, at slow speed......

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

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  • From: Detroit
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

cj19m wrote:

I have been playing about 7 and a half years now,  but i recently(within the past 2 years) have started actually practicing(learning note for note solos, chop building, scales, theory, ect.)  I dont want to speak for BB but im sure that he plays what he hears in his head,  which most of the time only 1 or 2 notes and thats what makes BB  as unique and awesome as he is!  For me, i hear things that i cant get across in my playing becuase of my poor chops.  I have trouble with 16th notes above 125 on the metronome,  there must be some technical issue that im not noticing.  any suggestions would be great.
Conner

I hear you - a buddy of mine barely even plays, but he can play fast. Some people can just do it. For me, my picking hand cannot keep up with playing fast - I probably have some bad habits going on there.

youtube has some good videos on playing fast...they might or might not help

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Boston
  • Registered: 2006-11-25
  • Posts: 133

Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

yeah thats what i was wondering....if its predetermined whether or not you can play fast, Even if you work your butt off at it.  who knows.  keep workin at it i guess huh?  Back to the grindstone,  peace all
Conner

Fender '62 reissue Stratocaster, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio(Stock), Marshall JCM900 100W Head, Original 1972 Carvin 4/12 Cabinet,Ibanez Ts9 Reissue, Keeley Compressor, Boss DD-3 Delay, Vox Wah
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Maybe your current picking technique isn't allowing you to play any faster.

-Jess
Check out my band Beth and The Black Cat Bones http://www.myspace.com/bethandtheblackcatbones
Also my own page for my guitar playing http://www.myspace.com/jesszub

15 Reply by gsj

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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

With all due respect I suggest you get some soul into your playing, just slow down and stop worrying about being 'machine gun kelly'.

cj19m wrote:

I have been playing about 7 and a half years now,  but i recently(within the past 2 years) have started actually practicing(learning note for note solos, chop building, scales, theory, ect.)  I dont want to speak for BB but im sure that he plays what he hears in his head,  which most of the time only 1 or 2 notes and thats what makes BB  as unique and awesome as he is!  For me, i hear things that i cant get across in my playing becuase of my poor chops.  I have trouble with 16th notes above 125 on the metronome,  there must be some technical issue that im not noticing.  any suggestions would be great.
Conner

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

Yeah go for the soul.....

You will NEVER ever be this fast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpP_Eix2INg

Scary.....

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

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17 Reply by Jess (edited by Jess 2007-11-27 18:20:37)

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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

that video reminded me of why I'd never want my chops too good. I wouldn't want to play like that cos I'd probably end up shredding half the time. I think guys like Joe have the perfect level of speed and know how to use it to good effect.

-Jess
Check out my band Beth and The Black Cat Bones http://www.myspace.com/bethandtheblackcatbones
Also my own page for my guitar playing http://www.myspace.com/jesszub

18 Reply by SRV

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Re: Limit to a Person's speed on the axe?

I forgot to mention Sonny Landreth in the truly great guitar players I've seen.....

But, Sonny Landreth is in a class by himself.....

They're at home still runnin' for bells
Better San Juan
Than that blue collar hell