Building Speed and Stamina

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Exercises Style: Any Style

Excerpt: Welcome to the "Building Speed and Stamina" Tutorial! Throughout this tutorial, we are going to be strengthening our ability to control speed changes while playing. It's critical that we are able to transition smoothly from one speed to another with ease. Whether it's a quick burst of fast notes, or a sudden change to slower notes, our transitions should be ...

Media Length: 2:00

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Exercises Style: Metal

Excerpt: Okay! Let's get going on the first exercise. This is a long sequence, and I made it that way on purpose so we can focus on improving our stamina. In this riff, we'll be playing different sequences repeatedly while we modulate to various keys. Play using strictly alternate picking. Also, as far as the drums in the backing track, be sure to notice how the bas...

Media Length: 1:40

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Exercises Style: Metal

Excerpt: Here is the sequence slowed down a bit. Once you learn the notes, practice playing the riff very slowly. Concentrate on your timing and the transitions from 8th notes to 16th notes and vice versa. Before you start applying speed, make sure you can feel the rhythm and the relationship between the slower notes and the faster notes. The transitions need to be s...

Media Length: 2:28

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Exercises Style: Metal

Excerpt: Ready to rock? It's time to play along with the backing track! Make sure you are stretched and warmed up before playing. And if you ever make a recording of yourself playing along to this, be sure to post it in the forums!

Media Length: 1:13

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Exercises Style: Rock

Excerpt: In our 2nd exercise, we're going to be switching back and forth from thirty-second notes to sixteenth notes. Also, be aware of the 6/8 time signature. This one is a little more difficult than the last exercise because we have to move our fret-hand fingers a lot faster. Just relax as much as possible while you learn it at a slow speed. Then gradually build u...

Media Length: 1:46

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Exercises Style: Rock

Excerpt: Ready to try it? Awesome! Make sure you are warmed and stretched before you get started. As I mentioned in the last lesson, there is a 2nd guitar playing in the backing track. For the first eight measures, its playing the melody an octave lower. Then in the last eight measures, its playing harmonies. Also, if you ever record yourself playing this, be sure ...

Media Length: 0:40

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Metal

Excerpt: In our 3rd "Speed and Stamina" exercise, we'll be looking at an excerpt from an old song I wrote called "Repetition". This short solo will definitely test your endurance for both hands. Before you begin, you need to do something important if you haven't already. Do you know what it is? You need to warm up and stretch! Don't attempt this exercise (or any of ...

Media Length: 2:05

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Metal

Excerpt: Wow! If you're ready for the backing track, then you've done a great job practicing! If you ever record yourself playing along, be sure to post it in the forums so we can all hear your mad shredding skills!

Media Length: 0:35