Added: 5 years ago
From: HellIVIonkey
Views: 63,738
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  • Nice! I have some sweep and speed picking exercises. Check them out!

  • Great playing! Could you tab this lesson?

  • Thanks. The tab appears at 6:38 or so... probably easier just to jump to here or just copy the tab down. It's only 5 notes anyhow, so it shouldn't be too hard to remember.

  • Hey Bryce,how do you like the direct mounted p/up set up apposed to a guard or ring mounted set up?

  • Damn, Bryce! How'd you learn to play so fast?

  • ultra sloppy.. but your definately great man... ive been playing for 10 yrs and know how much practice it takes to shred

  • 55647, you have chubby fingers. Nuff said.

  • i wouldnt have thought that would have mattered, he played better than this guy, and i would bet you aswell, post videos before flaming bro

  • you're playing was a little shaky there and I see you use the 'index finger flapping in the wind' grip.

    you cover some good ground but you have completely neglected right hand technique. most peoples right (picking) hand tends to be slower than the left (fretting) hand. a few pointers there would have been helpful - like speed comes from the wrist, how to anchor etc.

    good effort though.

  • Good video. Don't worry about these sharks trying to decide who can teach on youtube and who can't. If you help one person, you're doing your job, and with 50k views you have to be helped a few people man. Keep it up.

  • its not the technique you are using thats the problem, you need to relax you are jumping from too many different time zones, and it conflicts with other parts,

    just take your time :)

    nice vid,

  • Good video man. You obviously know your stuff. So hopefully you can answer my question. : )

    When playing a series of triplets and going on to a lower string, wouldn't it be more efficient and easier to just use a down stroke on the next string?

    ex. (low e string) down up down .....then....a string (down (instead of up)up down)

    Your wrist is already going in the down direction, so why not continue it?

  • If you can pull it off, sure. But that's economy picking. My lesson is on alternate picking. I think it's good to master this method (first) because it gives you a new sense of control and mastery of the instrument. Plus, once you really get it, it can be faster (thought that's likely debatable). For a good case FOR alternate picking vs economy, watch Steve Morse. For a good case AGAINST, watch Dave Weiner. Have fun!

  • Ho long have you been playing?

  • I've been playing for over 12 years, but most of those years were "wasted" not taking things seriously.

  • Don't get me wrong, you are very good, but in my books you have to be godly to start teaching.

  • Eh, perhaps. I think as long as you don't overstep your abilities, you can teach at any level. I hope I haven't overstepped mine with an "intro to alt. picking" video, but it's possible.

    Anyhow, this video is almost 2 years old and I'm much better now. I might make a new lesson soon-ish.

  • Pretty good, but your tone is a bit nerve racking. But the playing is good, you're on the way to becoming really good. But I don't think you should be making instructional videos just yet.

  • If you can do the technique, and present it in an articulate manner, there's no reason for anyone not to make a video.

  • *three note per string pents

  • I do that sometimes. Paul Gilbert has some neat tricks with that idea.

  • I dont know if you have one posted, but can you play a regular old pentatonic scale, really fast, shred like? Not can you post it, but can you do it?

  • I'm not really into pentatonics because they feel too old-school to me. But my newest video has a cool pentatonic major run in beginning.

  • whats wrong with old skool?

  • Nothing wrong with it. But everybody has their own flavor, and that's something I personally don't lean towards. Frankly, I'm not really into playing shred, blues, and Yngwie, but I do appreciate them.

  • try three string pentatonics

  • nice technique and exercise. What gauge pick?

  • Thanks. Whichever doesn't bend. (1.14 and above maybe)

  • you look like a soldier holding is gun lol

  • Hey man i like your videos but you need to grow your hair longer. Let it grow all the way down all the way to the muthafukin' earth!

  • 55647, go home and cry emo-ass-kid-stupid-fucking-lam­er!

    Just cus he totaly owns you on guitar and you cry everytime u see a guitar just because of that you dont have to share with us how badly u suck on guitar.

    Cus this is a good lesson for people that actuallt can play and wants to learn to play guitar.

    So go fuck a goat moron!

  • Yeah, you play much, much worse. So why do you post videos then?

  • Aisle11 / 55647: You guys heckled me first. I didn't do anything to you, and you post about how your guitarist is better than me. First of all, who cares who is better than whom? (besides, this video is over 2 years old) Second, now that you mention it, I don't think your guitarist is anything to write home about either.

  • I didn't understand how to manage my wrist.

    And I saw you sometimes use your pinky to support your picking.

    So, if you can, please shed some light on the wrist part.

    Thanks for the lesson.

  • Short answer is there's no one right way. There are a few wrong ways though. While it should not be too loose, the wrist should do most of the motion and pivoting, rather than the fingers. Don't be loose and sloppy, but do NOT put muscle into your arm/hand.

    Also, I anchor the pinky out of habit. I wouldn't recommend it (yet I don't discourage it either). I use it to quickly find strings when string-skipping. But, do whatever works best for you! Experiment.

  • cheers dude that was awesome :) helped a lot

  • Hey man,

    this is a nice vid.

    It really helps.

    you should do more

  • thanks man, i knew all this before but somehow it makes it all so much clearer when u get it all served like this :)

  • at least he is trying to help others who are worse than im sharing his knowledge

    thank u for this video it helped me :)

    sorry for bad english eheh xd

  • At least hes sharing his knowledge

    That's the real trick with teaching

    Screw all the guys who think this is a waste of time

  • Thank you for the support - I appreciate it (and thanks to everybody else too!)

    Yeah, I understand that I'm not the best player out there; regardless, I'm interested in sharing and helping others. Peace.

  • Best Ibanez you can get, you utter git!

  • you hold the pick differently but you're really good

  • donate!!!!!! come on man

  • thks man dont worry about assholes

  • ...... -.-'

  • kicks-ass is a free domain name which I didn't choose. This is an old video and back then I had crap amp equipment. Furthermore, get lost. Go insult somebody who deserves it, not somebody trying to help others.

  • Cool video :)

    And beautiful guitar :p

  • i meant at the beginning of the fith minute

  • ive gotta say helpful vid have been practicing a lot of alternate picking recently, very smoothly done and good use of pinky just before the fith minute :)

  • but other than that good lesson i did actually learn something

  • not to be mean but i dont like the tone...and i dont like the way you hold the pick it looks very un comfortable

  • you sir do not kick ass

  • great lesson but your tone is grating sorry, but your guitar is beautiful so you have no excuse :P i know i used to use one in a band i was in.

    Keep them coming :)

    Peace

    Brian

  • Thank you Brian. Glad you like the lesson. Actually I have a great excuse for the tone. My amp is truly terrible. I've since done some things about that, but the video remains... Yeah, the JCustom is a great guitar huh.

  • Yeah beautiful, the only thing stopping me from getting one is the only model i want is nutoriously hard to find....well without having been owned by some twattish wanker who likes to use these beautiful instruments to hammer nails into the walls....or something equally as silly. And getting it customed is too expensive :( where did you get yours?

    Peace

    Brian

  • Heh I know what you mean. Plus, Ibanez is about to discontinue the JCustom line. I used to work in a music store and knew some guys at Ibanez (Hoshino USA) - hookups I guess. Got it specially shipped from Japan and all too. :-D

  • Great lesson...Bryce can you lower yr camera lower a bit so that I can see the whole of your right hand in action...never mind about yr face

  • Great vid. This is a fundamental technique, and so very difficult and tedious to master--hours upon hours of sacrifice is right. Btw, I notice that people will often complain, but don't themselves posess the knowledge or ability in the skill they are critiquing. Great job.

  • This is a real good teaching video.

    If you already know how to shread and consider yourself better then bryce, then seriously fuck off with all the bitching.

    He teaches the basic and then he shows the newb how fast he can play to impress them a little.

    He is sure as hell good enough for this video. If you bitch at tone and timeing you missed the point. This video is called "Guitar Lesson: Intro to Alternate Picking" not "omg watch me shred I am so fucking awsome"

    /rant end

  • That wasn't "shit" at all. Don't let 'em put you down, Bruce. There is a saying from Omar Khayamm: "The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on."

    Better. though, to keep the camera off of your face and closer to the fingers, no? And yes, the tone is breaking glasses in my room. Thanks for your effort, man, it helped me and I really liked the tab over the video like that.

  • look mate hate to tell u this but i didn't hear a single bit of music come out of your fingers.Firstly your tone shit and your technique isn't that great, most of it wasn't is in pocket and out of time.Try listening guys like bill frisell or if it has to be fast players try brad paisley. good luck getting a gig

    and making a living with that shit

  • I don't mind that you didn't like the tone or playing. It was over a year ago and I've improved a lot since. But it doesn't say much about yourself to be so rude and call everything shit.

  • tone....thats about all there is to say

  • you need to sort that tone out and then practice the technique before yo put a video like this out

  • your tone and left hand need work, but other than that well done.

  • Yontar, if you know everything y checking out an instructional video?? nothing better 2 do?

  • your an absolute wit mate...ssss you are grig

  • cud u paste me some patterns to how u got into sweeping dude i can sort of do it i just need patterns to learn

  • Sure. I might do a lesson on this someday. When ready, check out Mystic Sweeps tab on my website too.

    I started with 3 and 4-string sweeps. A good starter pattern is for the first inversion of major. Example:

    E1╾╾15╾12╾╾╾╾╾╾╾12╾15╾╾

    A2╾╾╾╾╾╾13╾╾╾13╾╾╾╾╾╾

    D3╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾12╾╾╾╾╾╾╾╾

  • good thing ur holding the pick that high so u can pinch harmonic

  • You say to keep your wrist prety firm but what i see is all in your wrist

  • Some wrist is fine, but a lot of people use way too much, sacrificing control and speed. It's about efficiency of motion: minimize the amount of motion you need (obviously you will need SOME motion).

  • "dayum bryce, how do you play so well?".

    ive never heard that. ever.

    sick vid though man.

  • INTONATION please, my ears are bleeding...

  • come on guys, don't be harsh on him , he can't even see the camera :P.

    well sorry dude but you aren't playing that well... thanks for trying though :)

  • thx for the lesson~!!!

  • Crap

  • Thats not Crap You need your ears checked

  • cool, thanks for the help.

  • I just wanted to ask. does the type of guitar your using affect your soloing a lot? I play with a BC rich warlock(heavy looking) so when i get pissed at a solo lick im having trouble with, i blame my guitar out of anger. if i got an ibanez or somekind of solo guitar(reccomend?)what that help a load with performing solo guitar?

  • It's true that a cheap guitar may be much harder to play well on than a well-crafted one. I don't know much about that particular guitar though. With any guitar, when it comes to shred, a few mods help: lower the action above the highest fret to few mm or less and use 9-gauge strings or so.

  • pause it at 00:17 lol

  • Your the first person that holds the pick like me lol.

  • yea i hold it like that too i didnt think any one else did either

  • Man i love ur guitar:D:D:D

  • I guess the old saying is true, those who cannot do teach.

    Again, because your website is "bryce kicks ass", I know that your head is bigger than your talent.

    A little self-critique goes a long way in life, especially in music. When you listen to a John Petrucci or even Matt Rach, and then listen to yourself, surely you can hear the difference...

    right???

  • bruv...you got awsome guitar...but you look like a serial killer...sorry yo, love you

  • why you have spent so long and hard to play so fast, and not even tried (by the sound of things) to clean up your sound is totally beyond me dude! SLOW IT DOWN UNTIL U CAN DO IT NICE!

  • Work on becoming a cleaner player. There are times where your picking and fretting are either slightly out of sync or sometimes just COMPLETELY off. You're not a bad guitarist by any means! I think you just need a little exposure to just how many and what type of amazing guitarists are out there. I look forward to seeing you progress as a player hopefully through your videos. Check out a couple of mine if you'd like! Later bro.

  • PhrAilGuitarist:

    Yeah, you're right with your observations. I'm actually a lot better than this now; this video is old and I've been too jaded by people's rude comments to post better stuff. But I checked out your vids and I really like your stuff. Peace.

  • Aha okay :P well i wandet to buy the RG2620 but because it just had 2 humbuckers i did'nt want it.. You know... I bought the RG1570 instead because it has a single coil between. Nice shred by the way i know that lick since before :P have played since i were 5 yrs and im 16 now... i found that lick from the Michael Angelo Speed kills lesson... See ya kep it up do you have Msn??

  • Hmm is that on MAB's video too? I didn't realize it - but it's a pretty standard exercise. Yeah I have MSN, you can check it at my website.

  • Is your Guitar a Ibanez RG2620 or RG1570???

  • It's an RG 8470 F. That's a Japanese Custom model. It's pretty nice (too bad the amp doesn't do it justice).

  • "A lot of people ask me... damn bryce how do you learn yo play so fast?" hahahahahahahahahahaha you are big star yeah? next G3 wil be:Vai,Satriani,Bryce Fitzsimons !!! :D

  • lots of noise

  • dude ur good but ur distortion sucks balls

  • men you need other pedal for distorsion. Cant be a RP-200 and the EQ ( Low= 5 Mid = 4 Treble= 3)(for solos). You need other pedal, zoom or Digitech or something...

  • thats a funny way to hold the pick. i hold mine different, it makes me tremolo/alternate pick faster.

  • "A lot of people ask me... damn bryce how do you learn yo play so fast?" LOL aren't you an egocentric one, nice vid but you really need to take more lessons and work with a metronome. Cool anyway

  • Nah, I'm not trying to come across as egocentric, just trying to "break the ice." Anyhow I know it's not the greatest playing but the lessons are alrite I think. I might post a better vid sooner or later.

  • Got any tips on how to make your left hand strong. I have no problem with picking, its just my fingers get tired sooo fast

  • I really liked the chords at the beginning. You are quite a good composers.

  • Hmmmm A very coherent and patient instructor. I like this guy a lot. No attitude, no I'm the expert stuff, just straight forward, understandable and friendly help. I appreciate it very much. Please keep posting

  • Good job man, enjoyed your lesson. peace.

  • thats a funny way to hold the pick, i hold mine different it makes me tremolo/alternate pick faster =P

  • cool guitar. love the tree of life inlays ^^

  • nice thx, info i needed ^^ hehe

  • that might help me play the freebird solo... I'm 13 and have been playing since my 12th birthday, and haven't been using alternate picking so thanx for the tips.

  • good guitarplayer-but that amp needs some work-o.k. bryce -go to acoustic insanity or classical shred of doom and happiness-do some more clips dude!no ones better than anybody-we all have our own styles

  • i can play better than him :D lol

  • Wow somebody can play better than me? No way! But are you trying to help other people online by teaching them what you do know? I didn't think so. Dude, save your effort and posts.

  • lol, u owned him :p

  • prove it =>

  • Thanks so much! This helped a lot!

  • I have to admit that somehow ur a cool dude....dunno why...i mean you didn't told me really something new with that video but still you appear as a good teacher! so keep on doin your thing! \m/

  • Very good lesson, or what I've seen of it. I'm decent at alternate picking at a basic level but I'll be sure to watch any videos by you that I can so as to make sure I pick up as much advice I can from other players.

  • you can get a good sound out of a bandit if you mike it line in sounds like shit

  • thanx very helpfull :)

  • Well. I have only one thing to say to you man. I like your guitarlesson. Your cool way of teaching, made me calm. I have only played chords in my whole life. And now have my band decided that I must learn to play solo. So I think you have helped me a lot. Tank you!

  • dude, much, much sacrifice of your social life, but in the long run it's way worth it. Those clowns are haters, any of you who rag on another guitarist are either jealous of talent and commitment, scared, or just a negative person in general. Keep shreddin man. You totally got your own style which is better than playing covers of songs that are all ready written.

  • Hey Dynamiteslick, thank you very much for the encouraging words. Sometimes I forget why I do all this recording stuff, but cool people like yourself remind me of why. Peace!

  • That's hellish right! ALl kiddies are spending time blaming each other but we know better. I respect the performance of this lesson very much and ever wonder how others cannot discuss the technical aspects of playing and stuff, no - they only rag other guitarists.. :-) Poor are those. The instructions of the alternate picking are very helpful to me - I have to get more practice. JR

  • You are a very conceited person my friend.

    At one point you gotta listen to what people are saying.

  • what makes you think he doesn't?

  • What's your set up? I'd like my guitar to sound like yours.

  • I though you were just kidding about this, as I'm not happy with my sound at all. Anyhow, it's a Peavey Bandit 112 line-in to the soundcard. Do NOT buy this amp. The guitar is nice though: Ibanez J-Custom RG 8470f (kind of similar to some of the RG Prestige models, as you probably won't be able to find J-Customs easily). I'm using some simple reverb and a delay pedal. If you can, invest in a nice tube amp and perhaps an effects processor, not a Bandit!

  • As someone who only just started learning to play less than a year ago I thought your video was very helpful. I know how to alternate pick but I have been having a hard time just getting it down. Ignore the rude comments I would love to see you do another video. BTW I love the inlay on that guitar.

  • Thank you Megdidar. I hope it helps. Yeah, I'll probably do some more videos soon, so keep an eye out.

  • How can you call yourself a "shred guitarist" when you can't shred?

  • I can't shred, nedihn? Whoa, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for pointing that out, buddy.

  • Quit the sarcasm, I'm not trying yo insult you, just saying that shredding is supposed to be clear and even, not sloppy and muddy, like the way you play it.

    "Shred guitarist" is definitely the wrong titel for you, maybe slop guitarist would suit you better. Even though I see you're on your way and eventually will be able to play "real fast", I really don't understand why you post pointless, unclear shredding that sounds like crap

  • "Titel." You can't type, so shut the fuck up. lmao

  • holy shit!

    What song do yu play at the beggining?

    thats amazing !

  • It's actually really sloppy, but it's based on STP's "Plush." I took a lot of liberties when creating this cover. I used this as a lead during a live cover of the song with my old band Rockward.

  • your a good player, and have some very good tips and lessons, the only thing i would say though is, you seem a bit idk... bored, try to be a bit more lively, i think it would make it much more interesting. id buy ur dvd thx man.

  • v. inspiring man...keep on playing good

  • very nice, keep it up dude, and who the fuck cares about the other guys, if u dont play like them we're all fucked... omg... fuck em' keep playing, ur fucking good. leave the other guys with their waaaahhhhambulance

  • how did you learn how to play so fast? hahahh.. get off the drugs my brother

  • Hey man!

    You seem like a nice guy, but you don´t play clean

  • your amp doesnt sound too good, also youve got too much delay.. your playing is kinda sloppy but good lesson for beginners nonetheless =)

  • Nice job Bryce pay no mind to all the assholes with the negative bullshit at least this kid is taking time to try and help younger players and for all the know it alls the way this kid holds his pick is the same way STEVE MORSE AND EDDIE VANHALEN hold theirs i guess thats why their playing is so fucked up morons.Bryce keep rocking

  • Hey, thanks for the encouragement, straycat. Yeah, I did notice that Steve Morse holds his pick this way, as does Marty Friedman.

    About assholes: I will always listen to constructive criticism, but not destructive criticism. Not big on online rudeness...

  • a Steve Vai Ibanez?? niceee, i have to say i like the white one more, but its still a damn nice guitar

  • Actually it's not a Vai (Jem) guitar at all. It's a Japanese Custom model. It's got different pickups and better manufacturing. Too bad that amp doesn't do it justice...

  • actually the Sig guitars and the J-customs are made in the same factory buy the same people.

  • Same factory, same team (J-Team), but the J-custom is still higher quality manufacturing.

    Inset, airtight, oiled potentiometers; nicer woodwork; better finish; more fine-tuned neck; more precise jumbo frets (as opposed to machine pressed regular frets).

    I've played many an Ibanez, including several Jems. This is my favorite.

  • dude ur goood

    ignore them

  • Been getting too many rude comments lately. I'll simply say this. If you like the lesson, I'm glad. If you don't like it, I don't care. I admit that this isn't the best resource, but please don't be an asshole. This is FREE advice for beginners. You're getting more than what you pay for, and it isn't bad advice anyhow.

  • Not bad advice? haha sure..

  • Its not.

  • GODDAMN MAN! Buy decent gear first and then try to be a star.

  • im sure you have skill, but damn man, the tone make my ears bleed

  • your tone is ugly as hell..

  • I thought that was a great instructional aid I wish I had that afew months ago when I was recording BUT I think you have it all wrong, as we all can see you have great potential, BUT you are focusing on the wrong aspects of Guitar Its not speed! Its the notes, harmonics, sound, the texture of music. Your a really good "Shredder" already but have you ever tried more slow songs? You got some skills, its how you use them, search for your style, dont listen to these jackass's and what they say!

    HB

  • Thank you very much, I need to get into Alt picking before I get used to downstrokes all the time :)

  • Horrible picking technique, HORRIBLE tone, and awful scale runs. I hope that Ibanez J-custom kills itself before you kill it.

  • hey chotch lets see you do better

  • Your playing sounds like your Monotone speech, Bland Bland Bland. Try teach something that 1172637123 guitar teachers AREN'T teaching already. Ya u need to work with a metronome, cya in a few years

  • true : no sens of rythm when soloing

  • You're going to learn me nothing and you are off key so byeeee

  • bad sound, bad use of the pick, dirty, you're an amateur man..watch gambale and see what's happen...

  • maybe a little more wood shedding would be in order, somethin's off dude, tighten yaself up.

  • ayo te voi acer caso po awonao0o

  • Hey, that was a cool lesson. Thanks :)

  • ave ya tackled any sweep picking tapped arpeggioes yet if so u should post somethign about cause youre pretty clear on every step of doing a technique

  • yea something about your tone and recording man, theres some scratchiness, check your sound card maybe? keep on rocking though, greensleeves was cool.

  • Glad you liked Greensleeves.

    The tone issue stems from 3 main problems: amplifier is crap, microphone is crap when using mic-in, soundcard is crap when using line-in. Oh well, eventually I'll fix all that. :-)

  • Bryce, i checked out your recordings of x-mas tunes one your site and was really impressed! keep up the good work!

    don't listen to these douches who are ripping on you. if you haven't already noticed, none of them have uploaded videos of their own cuz they don't have the guts (or the chops) to do it.

  • Thanks bro. Though I kinda cringe when I go back and listen to those Xmas songs, ha!

    I'm not worried about people talking trash or whatever. I'm just gonna keep doing my thing and do my best not to mislead people too far! :-) Sweep picking videos are on the way...