Trusting a Hope

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: Welcome my friends! In this song tutorial, we're going to learn a rock piece called "Trusting a Hope". The majority of this piece is at an intermediate level, but we'll also be mixing in some advanced techniques here and there. Once you've checked out the above video, head on over to the next page to get started!

Media Length: 1:43

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: To start the piece, we'll be using alternate picking to play a riff spanning over strings 3 through 6. We'll be playing sixteenth notes exclusively. Also, when you look at the tablature, be sure to observe the palm mutes throughout. You'll be palm muting all the notes on the Low E and A strings. Keep your alternate picking steady as you go from string to s...

Media Length: 1:25

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: Here we have a short breakdown for the piece where the drums fade out. I'd recommend using all downstrokes here. Any idea why? Well, if you look at all the D string notes, you'll see that they're palm muted. So since that's the case, I'd prefer to use downstrokes, since a downstroked palm mute has much more attack than an upstroked palm mute. Be sure to pr...

Media Length: 1:08

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: This is where the song starts to get kicking! We're primarily going to be using power chords here. First we'll start out playing an E chord in bar 13. Then in bar 14 we'll play a G. At the end of bar 14 and the beginning of bar 15, you'll notice we'll be playing a couple octave chords. First an A octave, then we'll move down to the F# octave. In the middle ...

Media Length: 1:02

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: Here we have another 16th note pattern, and we'll again be using only downstrokes to help our picking attack. When you practice this riff to the backing track, you'll hear guitar harmonies playing along with you. Let those harmonies guide you with your timing. Also, the last measure in this section will be our "transition measure" into the solo. We'll be pl...

Media Length: 1:28

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: On to the solo! When you look at the tablature, the first thing you might notice are those wavy lines throughout. Those lines simply mean to give vibrato to the notes. Anytime you have a note with significant duration, be sure to give it some tasty vibrato. Also, please watch your pitch when you play the bends. For example, take a look at bar 24 where you'...

Media Length: 0:49

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

Excerpt: The second half of the solo is a little more challenging. We'll be playing 32nd notes to an aggressive picking and legato pattern. I strongly suggest playing along with your metronome for this exercise in particular. Nail it at a slow speed before trying it at full tempo. The pickstrokes are a bit mixed throughout this part. Be mindful of the pickstrokes I...

Media Length: 1:27

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Cool Riffs Style: Rock

Excerpt: Awesome, you're ready for the backing track. Have fun! You'll hear a few guitar parts accompany you as you play throughout the track. If you ever make a recording of yourself playing along, be sure to post it in the forum!

Media Length: 1:44