I'm gonna break it down for ya music nerds. Neo classical metal is played with E phrygian dominant and A harmonic minor. These two scales have the exact same notes except E phrygian dominant starts at E F G# A B C D and A harmonic minor starts at A B C D E F G# they are the same relative scales. What gives it the diminished sound is when you link the two scales together (using arpeggios) with the diminished 3rd triad of the E phrygian scale which is G# B D. Basically what guitarists like Yngwie do is play the E phrygian dominant, then link it with the G# diminished, then play the A harmonic minor. Since they are relative scales it will resonate over the same choruses. The reason Yngwie sounds so distinct is not only his choice of these scales, but that he does not play with blues progressions. He breaks out of the "boxed in" blues progression and playes the scales more-so on fewer strings rather than rifling the three notes per string blues style. He does this by sliding up or down a position once he gets halfway through the scale. Basically what happens is he plays the blues style descending on the E, B, and G strings, but then will slide down on the root note on the G string an entire posiiton, then continuing down the blues progression. In a sense it is still a blues progression, but with the slide halfway through and moving an entire hand position.
Ry Cooder hired Steve after hearing him with Frank Zappa. Ry said he was the only guy who could play exactly what Ry wrote down. He looked the part too.
I bought cracking the code. He spends the first chapter of several lessons discussing different picks. He then does the same on pick grip. The detail is insane lol
this is why pro's don't tell you all the secrets. it's super complex. it what separates the intermediate from the pro's. most people watching this will never execute it properly, 🤣like me.
Ok so you are most definitely a great guitar player and a study of high precision techniques. Whatever :-) Dude, your production on this video is impeccable! And forget about that, how many voice-over gigs have you been called into since this video? You can - and should - make a living just by voicing documentaries for Disney, Nik and PBS. Absolutely immaculate diction, projection, emphasis and tone, all with a flowing, neutral American accent that's both pleasant and easy to understand. Congrats!
This was 2015. I’m almost certain you commented on one of the early Cracking the Code episodes long before this, the animated / dramatic ones from the previous year. We’re getting old!
Troy Grady building his legendary reputation for attention to detail. Not only tracking every minute pick movement of top guitarists. But their TH-cam comments too!
to the guy who made this video - mad respect to you man. you must be one hell of a player yourself to break such a complex piece of music down to that level of detail. awesome work mate!
I came over here to this particular video after watching a few hours of Steve Vai lectures. It's incredible how a guy like Vai can now casually talk about the philosophy of technique and be so down-to-earth and colloquial with his terminology, discussing 'feeling' more than technique. Yet equally as important, especially to those entering intermediate guitar skills, are these utterly academic and technical analysis of the every movement and motion of elite players. All of my comments end up saying the same thing: These videos you do Troy are a wet-dream for future musical historians. You are doing the God of History's work.
This is by far the best technical analysis of a lick or a technique I've ever seen. Historical context, in-depth technique study, a look at the artists' style and technique. All with great production values. Congratulations, this video is the cream of the crop.
Your detailed analysis of picking technique is unparalleled, Troy. So many new players will have an advantage due to these videos. If only we had these growing up!
This is the highest-production-value music instructional video I have ever seen. Actually, it's one of the highest-production-value things I've seen anywhere. Amazing. My mind is blown.
+Troy Grady Incidentally, would love to support what you do. You should email me. chris@quilterlabs.com well... or check out the website. www.quilterlabs.com
This is why I always was impressed by Ralph's acting chops. When I first saw the movie the theater, I swore I couldn't tell if he was playing or not. I knew he couldn't be that great but man his precision of each note is perfect air guitar. Much better than the reining air guitar champion (I'm not kidding, there is such an event).
Six months of cracking the code subscription transformed my playing back in 2020. Even upon viewing this series many times, this stuff never gets old and is still so entertaining!
I can't believe how well this video is done. His editing, narration, filming AHHHHHH it's fucking awesome. It's like a modern-polished 80's Reading Rainbow / Bill Nye / enthusiastic retro instructional entertainment for kids back then. It's so fucking awesome. Troy, my man, I'm not even close to understanding the theory and technique you're going through, but I could watch your stuff all day. Keep this up!!!!
Heck of a tutorial, interesting, not boring, even pleasant to listen to, and I don't even play the guitar. I just love to hear well played instruments. Hell you could definitely solve the JFK conspiracy theory with your sequence of visual demonstration. Good job, well done, dude.
I am learning to craft some of this into my own playing. This is totally different from my old school Merle Travis attempts but also totally cool. I learned it well enough to smoke this hot shot young dude at a jam in Asheville N.C. back in 2010. But you must do what is needed to play that quickly and cleanly as I did.Practice,practice,practice. Great video by the way,well done and have fun !
@Troy on the pickslanting - dude you're right, this is something I do naturally without thinking about it, but I'm already finding clear progress just a few days after seeing this from you pointing out the motion and breaking it down. Actively having that on my mind while playing around with a new lick, especially while practicing slowed down, is making my fullspeed attacks come out so much cleaner. Thanks so much for the effort put into these.
I have been playing for nearly 20 years. I've been editing video for local TV for 15. You, my friend, have schooled me on both skills. Well done sir. Well done.
These videos are GOLD, Troy! Thanks so much for making them. Hey, regarding Steve picking using thumb movement, he actually does it quite a bit. A really great and very visible example is in the 1990 David Letterman debut performance of "Liberty". Another is in the video for "I Would Love To" during the solo section. Check those out and you'll see what I mean. Thanks again. Cheers!
I can't believe it took me nearly 3 years to see this. Amazing breakdown and presentation. It felt like having the same obsessed discussions and playing time with my friends in the 80s. SUBSCRIBED!
I think Paul Gilbert figured this out when he was like 14... it took me like 25+ years of playing, I simply could not play fast enough without changing my picking motion.. nice lesson.
scottglasson1 I like the fact you say 25 years , most people don't understand the time and effort put into becoming a decent guitar player, sure some find it comes naturally but it's normally alot of hard work and dedication.
Absolutely fantastic video. Not just the information, the quality, the meticulousness... Just fantastic. I cut my teeth on blues and spent years trying to break out of the "pentatonic rut" in my teens; this video would have saved me so much time. So much blues encourages slides, hammers, pulls and bends that the alternate picking and arpeggiating (is that a word) in Neo-classical was just something I couldn't figure out for the longest time. I'm sitting here at my desk miming my own picking patterns and didn't even realize I did the upward/downward slant too... That thumb lift thing is something I noticed in myself 3 minutes or so before I saw Steve do it (not saying I'm on Steve's level... far from it, just interesting). Fantastic fantastic video; i'll be checking out others in your channel and you might earn a follower.
That is not his voice (the guy playing the guitar). Sounds like goddamn Ash Ketchum. Oh yeah, good video! Pretty unique even if it is not actually a lesson but more of an analysis of the lick/technique. Edit: I think that is his voice after all! That is crazy, body of a 40 year old and voice of a 16 year old Pokemon master!
I was seriously shocked when I realized the voice belonged to you. You could be a voice actor/narrator(silly to say narrator since that is what you are doing, but it's definitely a great voice for other professional content) with such a unique voice!
I have been playing for almost 20 years, and consider myself a half decent guitar - play paid gigs once a month, and open mics all the time - and this really articulate breakdown of such a simple technique was such a huge epiphany for me and is really helping take my playing to a whole other level after 20 years! Thanks so much!
I don't necessarily like Steve Vai's brand of music, but he is so goddamn good on the 6 string, uh, and the 7 string, it's unreal. Occasionally I'll find something he's done that I can get into and I watch it over and over. He's really something. I really liked that he was in on MJB's cover of "Stairway to heaven". He's definitely a one of a kind.
severalpaperclips That was the idea! The Vai videos always do well with a wider audience, so we did a little "explain it like I'm five" for the new recruits.
I also grew up watching a lot of these types of things especially this Crossroad movie and I really appreciate your videos Troy I really am inspired by your work and I wish people could never be intimidated by anything and learn from the best. Great close up lessons. Thanks for sharing your gift.
Uli Roth already was doing the classical metal before Malmsteen and we should mention that Ry Cooder played all the slide parts that mimicked Steve Vai's stuff
Val's piece is borrowed heavily off of Nicolai Paganini's Caprice #5 and when Paganini died the residents of the town he had lived refused to bury him in the ground because the Devil was coming for his soul so he rotted in a church attic for two years, but while alive he was an ugly dude who was insanely adept at his compositions that will cramp the hands of the mightiest string musicans, used scales banned by the church and got plenty of tail. He was the renaissance Jimmy Page. Here's the piece on Violin. th-cam.com/video/amfCqFUMBkY/w-d-xo.html
Barely Enormous: thank you for brining this up. When ya thinks about it. Caprice #5 is a great choice to beat the Devils best guitar player because of the irony. He used the "devils music" and that beat the devils best shredder. Lol.
I had always been under the impression that Ry Cooder played Eugene's parts and not Vai. If you look at the Crossroads soundtrack on wikki it lists the movie scene musical performances and Ry Cooder is included on almost all of those performances at the end of the movie. Maybe he just played slide or played in the backing band? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_(1986_soundtrack)
All of us have to practice to become great. However, some people are more gifted than others. Someone who is completely tone deaf, for exemple, or who really have no flexibility/skill on his/her finger will probably never come to this level, even with hours of practice every single day... And not everyone is patient enough for that. Patience can also be considered as a gift.
i agree with in some part , don't forget those Icons or some teachers got their job from a guitar! we have second job, they don't have second job , their jobs is play guitar! furthermore some plp haven't either a bit of theory and want to play fast with accuracy that impossible of course! I m going to give you an example how can you run if you don't even know how to walk? also that guy on video Steve Vai his teacher was Joe Satriane! well make a lot of difference! learn from a book with no help or even with some video on youtube it still could be a challenger, play 1 or 2 music in a guitar it is very easy everyone can do, play the guitar it is another level ! but you are right in some point none of the level is equal
Nirond Thats true. Im fuckin 10 Hours every Day on the Work. And when i came Home i have to Deal with other Things. Imagine 10 fuckin Hours. EVERY DAY!! You would become Kirk Hammett after 3-5 Years by playin 7-9 Hours a Day.
i disagree....some of us have put in our ten thousand hours and the magic just never happened.....there are people who are gifted.....to deny that is sillery.
This is an incredible video. The amount of knowledge and the quality of the editing is outstanding. Many people would just sit in front of a camera with a guitar but you made everything so much easier to understand and made it really interesting visually. I can't even describe how much I love this.
Hey Troy, LOVE your videos. Probably the best out there BUT how can you ignore Randy Rhodes? As a guitar player myself, he was a pioneer of neo classical guitar. Please explain why you omitted his contribution because I believe he was integral in that movement.
We haven't really looked at Randy's mechanics yet, but experienced Code viewers can probably already guess he's a downward pickslanter. But we've most certainly covered his contribution to neoclassical guitar, in the "Rise of the Viking" feature here on the channel!
Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to check it out! Also, when you mention downward pickslanter, does that apply to perpetual alternate picking? I'm guessing yes because, unlike Randy's technical performances on his studio album's, his live performances and some of the rare footage of his sound checks show that he has a pretty good handle of rapid alternate picking. Obviously not at the same level as Malmsteen but definitely at a higher level than Van Halen. I digress. Love your shows!
Please disregard my pickslanting question. I completely understand it after watching a bunch more episodes, especially the MAB one. I had the Troy Stetina book that you show in one of your episodes back in the late 80's and I don't recall pickslanting ever being mentioned. But it all makes logical sense and thank you for sharing that info.
Just wanted to confirm that pick slanting is indeed mentioned in Troy Stetina's book, but it appears he offers a different approach, he suggests you to hold the pick perpendicular to the strings in order to avoid "putting one motion of crossing the strings at an advantage and the opposite motion at a disadvantage". He advises small movements to make string hopping possible when crossing strings. I guess that's valid, what do you think?
Wow! It's you again, Troy! I thought I recognized your voice whilst watching this vid on full screen. Then I came out of full screen and noticed it was your channel. I've actually found someone who's sincerely solicitous regarding the importance, dynamics and overall FUN of the picking/strumming hand. NB: Superb vid (as always).
yngwei gets so much credit for the neoclassical thing even though ritchie blackmore invented it. And Blackmore at least knows how to create memorable lead licks. Underrated
Blackmore did no such thing-he merely played some classical influenced licks. If anything, Neoclassical as a subgenre started with Uli Jon Roth. Although, one could argue that none of them did anything special, since they merely covered Bach and Paganini on electric guitar.
Saulo Silva Ry recorded the slide parts. I've never heard it discussed definitively if Steve played the classical or not (someone else did the classical fingerpicking parts).
***** I read many magazines at that time saying otherwise, so I wouldn't take these notes for granted. If one listens to a musician for 20 years or more, they can tell him/her apart from others. A musician will always sound like him/herself, and that doesn't remotely sounds like Steve.
S Des Indeed, I also never heard a definitive discussion. As for credits, they don't tell the truth, 2 quick examples: Kiss, Creatures of the Night, Frehley is on the cover and on credits, it was Vinnie Vincent who recorded that. Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms, it is Terry Williams on the credits, but all drums were recorded by Omar Hakim. But if you spent quite a bit of your life listening to a musician, you can trust your ears and know at least when it is not him. That may not be Ry, but it is definitely not Steve.
***** Look at your original comment. You said ''the '80s. Where all the guitar gods emerge''. Read that. If all the guitar gods emerged from the 80's, then you're saying that there were none before that because they were all in the 80's. So therefore Kevin was correct in his comment. You are actually the one worthy of facepalming considering you can't even understand what was wrong with your own comment.
Various Things Yeah. '80s guitar legends until it emerges & evolve into '90s into d present . Like Mustaine, late Dimebag, Kerry King, Micheal Amott, & Alexi Laiho. I'm talking about d '80s. :))
This is so cool, as over thought as it might seem this is not a video about alternate picking, it is a masterful introduction to the world of alternate picking. It explains the angle of every stroke and it does so in a very memorable and nostalgic manner.
One of the most enlightening videos on picking I've seen in a long time. So that's why Zakk Wylde has that weird picking technique - he down-slants his pick so that he can alternate pick really fast. But I've never seen him do it the other way and also he does not seem to play runs that cross the strings on the upstroke much. Gotta inspect if he does change his pick slanting, because I've never seen him pick any other way pretty much...
If you're not already doing so, try turning your wrist/thumb slightly towards the bridge so the pick attacks the strings on its side, at the 45 degree point. Maybe there is a name for it but I call it skate picking. It dramatically decreases friction, especially when using a very heavy pick like a 1.54mm Clayton. It's like a hot knife through butter.
45 degrees is too much for me, that tends to sound more like pinch harmonics than proper clear notes. I use the 2 mm Dunlop ones (the green or black ones) and around 25 degress is the good angle for me. I was taking about slanting the pick against the direction the pick travels while picking, going dowards or away from the pick guard while playing...
I said 45 degrees is too much for me, because the notes start to come out more like pinch harmonics at that angle. The picks I use are too round and slanting too much agains the strings does not work well for the tone quality.
Steve Vai did all the classical style guitar work - the parts he's seen playing, of course. And, the classical-style parts Macchio is seen playing. Ry Cooder did all the blues style guitar work. So, when you see Macchio playing bluesy-style stuff, that's Cooder you're listening to. Whenever you see him play classical-style stuff, that's Vai you're listening to. And, of course, when you see Vai playing, that's actually Vai playing. Arlen Roth was Ralph Macchio's guitar coach -- the guy who taught Macchio to play guitar well enough so that he could convincingly fake the fingerings.
Dude, great video. I had no idea I was already doing this. You were absolutely right. I had no idea this was happening in my playing till I saw this an analyzed what was going on with my right hand. Thanks a bunch.
+Joe Blankenship Yes they do, they don't even know how they're doing it half the time either they just do what they're comfortable with. I don't know why this guy is over complicating things.
Do self-taught guitarists watch youtube tutorials? Are self-taught guitarists who learn things from youtube tutorials still "self-taught"? Should guitarists who want to be called "self-taught guitarists" stay off the internet? Shouldn't self-taught guitarists arrive at EVERYTHING on their own? All these questions, and more(!), will be answered in next week's tutorial.
Joe Blankenship Not everyone can deconstruct all the elite players right hand techniques, watching Troy helps you get there quicker if that's your goal ;~)
You're my new favorite online guitar teacher. You highlight the musicians in my musical wheelhouse and speak directly to my technical brain. Thank you.
Mehdi Saad ironic considering your profile picture is Rust in Peace. Which features amazing lead work that involves very musical lead work. Not sure why there is this "pentatonic only" and "I'll never use pentatonic" guitar crowd. So bizarre. Why not learn and develop your mind to have many voicings and musical options?
i think alot of it has to do with pentas are easy you can stay safe inside the box lol see what i did there i think you should always broaden you horizens
Wrong. Classical guitar in Heavy Metal was brought in by Randy Rhodes. He was already dead for 2 years before Rising Force was released. Check Blizzard of Oz (1980) or Diary of a Madman (1981) for reference. Otherwise a great video.
Troy, Wow!! you've really accomplished something with this video (and i assume the rest of your videos too)!!! Clear, detailed, thorough. I perform and teach for a living, studied under top notch players and never have I seen such an amazing break-down of a technique aspect of guitar playing like this. Props!
Absolutely FANTASTIC analysis and application, and with perfect videography! Not another video on TH-cam even CLOSE to this one for speed-picking. Dig in, hotshot, this one is for you!
As has been addressed many, many times at this point, Ry only played the slide parts. All the neoclassical parts were played by Vai, and in the notes below the video you can read Steve's own words on this verbatim from an interview he gave at the time.
Paul Hanson [teacher at the Guitar institute of Technology, on the west coast] also tutored the actor to appear to be playing. ;~) From England. POSTSCRIPT i think Vai went to Berklee in Massachusetts, then joined Zappa's band, et all
mel obrien Are you intentionally being an obtuse knobhead? They are tools to help you on your way to creating music, they are valuable techniques needed for some types of music.. .. especially for some of the timeless pieces by composers such as Paganinni , Chopin, Bach ;~)
This is so helpful to me, I actually do this naturally at times (downward/upward slanting) but I struggle with my picking technique more than anything else, despite playing for 30yrs now. I'd never really broken it down like this. This has really made an impact on me and will stick in my mind forever. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Great info here for anyone who doesn't have too much pride to admit they can benefit from this vid. Great job with your broken down and very informative guitar instructions. Thanks! Very helpful, and I've been playing guitar since 1982 so I recognize good tutortials when I see em. Good job bro!!!!!!!!
This is probably the most informative guitar video I've seen. I played professionally for 15 years, and NEVER really solved the speed equation. I could play fast, but not like Eric Johnson or others like him. This video has finally answered most of my questions. Great job and thank you Troy.
I just saw Steve Vai on 11/23/16 in Jacksonville Fl. He was INCREDIBLE! Played entire Passion and Warfare album. He has gotten better. A true icon, virtuoso, alien.
Dude, thank you! And thank you for the Eric Johnson video(s). I have struggled and felt limited when I wanted to be able to pick any note order, not pre-defined licks that require me to start and end on specific strokes/strings/fingerings. I've never been a fan of that. A former teacher would use his same licks in so many solos and it irked me. Your video explains how I can get past that! Thankfully I am starting over again, trying to focus on technique. I refuse to play live (other than the odd family thing or very rare friends thing) until I can play "anything" at 16ths at 140bpm. Ideally, I'd be able to do my "anything" patterns at 16ths at 160 (full patterns, not just 4-12 note bursts). This will help so much! I MUST have good control and above all, RELAX! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
This was a very interesting breakdown of not only the scenes from the movie but of the actual technical aspects that are required to perform them accurately. Thanks
WOW ... mind completely blown when you explained the angled picking!!! no wonder I was finding it so hard and clunky trying to go fast. I tried it out and now switching strings feels so effortless!! I know you didn't invent that technique but thanks a lot anyway :) without running into this vid it might have been years before I found this out.
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Want to transform your technique? Join our incredible community of guitar learning at Cracking the Code! troygrady.com/join/
I'm gonna break it down for ya music nerds.
Neo classical metal is played with E phrygian dominant and A harmonic minor. These two scales have the exact same notes except E phrygian dominant starts at E F G# A B C D and A harmonic minor starts at A B C D E F G# they are the same relative scales. What gives it the diminished sound is when you link the two scales together (using arpeggios) with the diminished 3rd triad of the E phrygian scale which is G# B D. Basically what guitarists like Yngwie do is play the E phrygian dominant, then link it with the G# diminished, then play the A harmonic minor. Since they are relative scales it will resonate over the same choruses. The reason Yngwie sounds so distinct is not only his choice of these scales, but that he does not play with blues progressions. He breaks out of the "boxed in" blues progression and playes the scales more-so on fewer strings rather than rifling the three notes per string blues style. He does this by sliding up or down a position once he gets halfway through the scale. Basically what happens is he plays the blues style descending on the E, B, and G strings, but then will slide down on the root note on the G string an entire posiiton, then continuing down the blues progression. In a sense it is still a blues progression, but with the slide halfway through and moving an entire hand position.
Ry Cooder hired Steve after hearing him with Frank Zappa. Ry said he was the only guy who could play exactly what Ry wrote down. He looked the part too.
Troy Grady Randy Rhoads was even earlier!!
Nah...dude, the reason steve vai can do that is bcoz he sold his soul to the devil ;)
Troy Grady l9
if you're ever at the same party as troy, i imagine someone will whisper, "for the love of god, don't ask him about picking technique"
😂😂😂
I bought cracking the code. He spends the first chapter of several lessons discussing different picks.
He then does the same on pick grip.
The detail is insane lol
Omg left me laughing 😂😂😂😂
"For the love of god"
this is why pro's don't tell you all the secrets. it's super complex.
it what separates the intermediate from the pro's. most people watching this will never execute it properly, 🤣like me.
this is like that sports science show but for shredders. great work.
coolest day ever
tim starkey Yea really huh
Omgosh i hope this guy continued into big time coz he rocks. Very interested!
I fucking loved it and I'm not even a guitar player (drummers kinda like these stuff too :D )
And this isn't bullshit lol
Wait... Have I just watched the most comprehensive guitar lesson I've ever seen?
Yes. Yes I did.
Many thanks! We try.
Ok so you are most definitely a great guitar player and a study of high precision techniques. Whatever :-) Dude, your production on this video is impeccable! And forget about that, how many voice-over gigs have you been called into since this video? You can - and should - make a living just by voicing documentaries for Disney, Nik and PBS. Absolutely immaculate diction, projection, emphasis and tone, all with a flowing, neutral American accent that's both pleasant and easy to understand. Congrats!
JoeyRodz74 so true!!!
The first video of yours I ever saw, and still a source of mechanical inspiration!
This was 2015. I’m almost certain you commented on one of the early Cracking the Code episodes long before this, the animated / dramatic ones from the previous year. We’re getting old!
Troy Grady building his legendary reputation for attention to detail. Not only tracking every minute pick movement of top guitarists. But their TH-cam comments too!
You have one of the best channels in all TH-cam sir.
to the guy who made this video - mad respect to you man.
you must be one hell of a player yourself to break such a complex piece of music down to that level of detail.
awesome work mate!
I came over here to this particular video after watching a few hours of Steve Vai lectures. It's incredible how a guy like Vai can now casually talk about the philosophy of technique and be so down-to-earth and colloquial with his terminology, discussing 'feeling' more than technique. Yet equally as important, especially to those entering intermediate guitar skills, are these utterly academic and technical analysis of the every movement and motion of elite players. All of my comments end up saying the same thing: These videos you do Troy are a wet-dream for future musical historians. You are doing the God of History's work.
Wow, the production value on this is outstanding
This is by far the best technical analysis of a lick or a technique I've ever seen. Historical context, in-depth technique study, a look at the artists' style and technique. All with great production values. Congratulations, this video is the cream of the crop.
Your detailed analysis of picking technique is unparalleled, Troy. So many new players will have an advantage due to these videos. If only we had these growing up!
This is the highest-production-value music instructional video I have ever seen. Actually, it's one of the highest-production-value things I've seen anywhere. Amazing. My mind is blown.
I always loved Steve. But seriously. This gave me a whole new respect.
+Christopher Parks Indeed, he has more chops than he probably even gets credit for -- and considering how popular he is, that's saying something!
+Troy Grady Incidentally, would love to support what you do. You should email me. chris@quilterlabs.com well... or check out the website. www.quilterlabs.com
+Troy Grady "Defeat the forces of evil"? After seeing Vai in this movie, I wanted to be Vai evil! LOL
+Jeffrey P we bow to the great commander vai and await his orders :D
+grand master flash
I thought Ry Cooder played the classical guitar part, not Steve Vai...
This is one of the best guitar tutorials I have ever watched. Superb editing, analysis and playing. Many kudos to you, sir.
The ONLY video I have encountered with such professional composition and thorough explanation. All the things you want to know about picking properly.
OHHHH SNAP Troy Being a BOSS again!!!
It's amazing how Ralph Maccio taught Steve Vai how to play the guitar, so he could play those licks.
...the only thing Ralph Maccio taught Steve Vai was the crane.... lol
and to do it while teaching Bruce Lee karate makes him doubly fantastic
This is why I always was impressed by Ralph's acting chops. When I first saw the movie the theater, I swore I couldn't tell if he was playing or not. I knew he couldn't be that great but man his precision of each note is perfect air guitar. Much better than the reining air guitar champion (I'm not kidding, there is such an event).
Gave him a career tbh 🤷
Very funny.....🤨😐😒🙄
By far the most interesting and entertaining instructional video I've seen. Just goes to show that learning can and should be fun!
Six months of cracking the code subscription transformed my playing back in 2020. Even upon viewing this series many times, this stuff never gets old and is still so entertaining!
I can't believe how well this video is done. His editing, narration, filming AHHHHHH it's fucking awesome. It's like a modern-polished 80's Reading Rainbow / Bill Nye / enthusiastic retro instructional entertainment for kids back then. It's so fucking awesome.
Troy, my man, I'm not even close to understanding the theory and technique you're going through, but I could watch your stuff all day. Keep this up!!!!
Love what ya'll are doing. Season pass has really been an incredible value.
Kyle S. Thanks! We aim to please.
an utterly superb tutorial - well done!
Heck of a tutorial, interesting, not boring, even pleasant to listen to, and I don't even play the guitar. I just love to hear well played instruments. Hell you could definitely solve the JFK conspiracy theory with your sequence of visual demonstration. Good job, well done, dude.
I am learning to craft some of this into my own playing. This is totally different from my old school Merle Travis attempts but also totally cool. I learned it well enough to smoke this hot shot young dude at a jam in Asheville N.C. back in 2010. But you must do what is needed to play that quickly and cleanly as I did.Practice,practice,practice. Great video by the way,well done and have fun !
@Troy on the pickslanting - dude you're right, this is something I do naturally without thinking about it, but I'm already finding clear progress just a few days after seeing this from you pointing out the motion and breaking it down. Actively having that on my mind while playing around with a new lick, especially while practicing slowed down, is making my fullspeed attacks come out so much cleaner. Thanks so much for the effort put into these.
I have been playing for nearly 20 years. I've been editing video for local TV for 15. You, my friend, have schooled me on both skills. Well done sir. Well done.
What an actor, give Steve vai an oscar !
Totally!
Ill take your words for it, havent even watched it yet! This is definitely the only time I have seen Steve Vai lose and Suck in one sitting!
i was 15 when it came out.. loved that movie
@@redwurm6208 exactly the point, he was acting
I feel like this video should be a part of a documentary ,, well done.
These videos are GOLD, Troy! Thanks so much for making them. Hey, regarding Steve picking using thumb movement, he actually does it quite a bit. A really great and very visible example is in the 1990 David Letterman debut performance of "Liberty". Another is in the video for "I Would Love To" during the solo section. Check those out and you'll see what I mean. Thanks again. Cheers!
I can't believe it took me nearly 3 years to see this. Amazing breakdown and presentation. It felt like having the same obsessed discussions and playing time with my friends in the 80s. SUBSCRIBED!
Your combination of observation, guitar skills and nerdiness is fantastic. Thanks for taking the time for making this video.
OMFG!!!!!! THIS VIDEO CHANGED MY LIFE!!!!!!! THANK YOUUUUUU!!!!
I think Paul Gilbert figured this out when he was like 14... it took me like 25+ years of playing, I simply could not play fast enough without changing my picking motion.. nice lesson.
scottglasson1 I like the fact you say 25 years , most people don't understand the time and effort put into becoming a decent guitar player, sure some find it comes naturally but it's normally alot of hard work and dedication.
I am not sure how I stumbled into this, but this is pretty awesome.
Absolutely fantastic video. Not just the information, the quality, the meticulousness... Just fantastic.
I cut my teeth on blues and spent years trying to break out of the "pentatonic rut" in my teens; this video would have saved me so much time. So much blues encourages slides, hammers, pulls and bends that the alternate picking and arpeggiating (is that a word) in Neo-classical was just something I couldn't figure out for the longest time.
I'm sitting here at my desk miming my own picking patterns and didn't even realize I did the upward/downward slant too... That thumb lift thing is something I noticed in myself 3 minutes or so before I saw Steve do it (not saying I'm on Steve's level... far from it, just interesting).
Fantastic fantastic video; i'll be checking out others in your channel and you might earn a follower.
You literally make the highest quality lead solo guitar based content on TH-cam. Fantastic.
narrated by Doogie Howser M.D.
That is not his voice (the guy playing the guitar). Sounds like goddamn Ash Ketchum. Oh yeah, good video! Pretty unique even if it is not actually a lesson but more of an analysis of the lick/technique.
Edit: I think that is his voice after all! That is crazy, body of a 40 year old and voice of a 16 year old Pokemon master!
We greatly appreciate the Ash Ketchum reference!
I was seriously shocked when I realized the voice belonged to you. You could be a voice actor/narrator(silly to say narrator since that is what you are doing, but it's definitely a great voice for other professional content) with such a unique voice!
lol Thank you for the tips!
I'm waiting for Troy to do the voiceovers for a new Unsolved Mysteries series. He could to it!
I came down here to specifically mention the same thing!
I have to watch this film again now.
unblivable, you should have a million subscribers. every time I see your video are highly informative.
I have been playing for almost 20 years, and consider myself a half decent guitar - play paid gigs once a month, and open mics all the time - and this really articulate breakdown of such a simple technique was such a huge epiphany for me and is really helping take my playing to a whole other level after 20 years! Thanks so much!
I don't necessarily like Steve Vai's brand of music, but he is so goddamn good on the 6 string, uh, and the 7 string, it's unreal. Occasionally I'll find something he's done that I can get into and I watch it over and over. He's really something. I really liked that he was in on MJB's cover of "Stairway to heaven". He's definitely a one of a kind.
You ever listen to his David Lee Roth albums?
Is it just me or is his voice so fit for an anime dub? xD
why would you want to dub anime?
"and then I'll take a guitar pick.... and SLANT IT"
swamdono omg stop
Eldrin Paul Gok-ong is anime those chinese cartoons.
Krillin
This looks like a great introduction to pickslanting principles for the uninitiated. Is there a prog-rock band called "Escape Zone" yet?
severalpaperclips That was the idea! The Vai videos always do well with a wider audience, so we did a little "explain it like I'm five" for the new recruits.
I also grew up watching a lot of these types of things especially this Crossroad movie and I really appreciate your videos Troy I really am inspired by your work and I wish people could never be intimidated by anything and learn from the best. Great close up lessons. Thanks for sharing your gift.
I love your series - what a service to the guitar community!! 20 years after picking up my axe for the first time, I'm still learning new things.
Uli Roth already was doing the classical metal before Malmsteen and we should mention that Ry Cooder played all the slide parts that mimicked
Steve Vai's stuff
Cooder played the guitar parts throughout the film except for the duel.
Val's piece is borrowed heavily off of Nicolai Paganini's Caprice #5 and when Paganini died the residents of the town he had lived refused to bury him in the ground because the Devil was coming for his soul so he rotted in a church attic for two years, but while alive he was an ugly dude who was insanely adept at his compositions that will cramp the hands of the mightiest string musicans, used scales banned by the church and got plenty of tail. He was the renaissance Jimmy Page.
Here's the piece on Violin.
th-cam.com/video/amfCqFUMBkY/w-d-xo.html
Barely Enormous: thank you for brining this up. When ya thinks about it. Caprice #5 is a great choice to beat the Devils best guitar player because of the irony. He used the "devils music" and that beat the devils best shredder. Lol.
Barely Enormous: nice comparison: both were egotistical showoffs who never played one note when they could play twenty.
I had always been under the impression that Ry Cooder played Eugene's parts and not Vai. If you look at the Crossroads soundtrack on wikki it lists the movie scene musical performances and Ry Cooder is included on almost all of those performances at the end of the movie. Maybe he just played slide or played in the backing band? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_(1986_soundtrack)
I also thought Rye Cooder played Ralphs guitar parts.
@@lukegabriel7285
I believe Ry Cooder played the slide parts, but Steve Vai played the neo classical parts both for Eugene and Jack.
I can't believe its taking me this long to find you! I've never seen anyone breakdown things like you, it's brilliant!
been watching instructional videos on guitar all night. Definitely the best thing I've seen this eve, and I've watched some amazing stuff tonight.
That's one hell of a video. Great job!
Thanks!
OMG, I have no talent.
Something like Talent dont exist. Its all about practicing hours for every Day.
All of us have to practice to become great. However, some people are more gifted than others.
Someone who is completely tone deaf, for exemple, or who really have no flexibility/skill on his/her finger will probably never come to this level, even with hours of practice every single day...
And not everyone is patient enough for that. Patience can also be considered as a gift.
i agree with in some part , don't forget those Icons or some teachers got their job from a guitar! we have second job, they don't have second job , their jobs is play guitar! furthermore some plp haven't either a bit of theory and want to play fast with accuracy that impossible of course! I m going to give you an example how can you run if you don't even know how to walk? also that guy on video Steve Vai his teacher was Joe Satriane! well make a lot of difference! learn from a book with no help or even with some video on youtube it still could be a challenger, play 1 or 2 music in a guitar it is very easy everyone can do, play the guitar it is another level ! but you are right in some point none of the level is equal
Nirond Thats true. Im fuckin 10 Hours every Day on the Work. And when i came Home i have to Deal with other Things. Imagine 10 fuckin Hours. EVERY DAY!! You would become Kirk Hammett after 3-5 Years by playin 7-9 Hours a Day.
i disagree....some of us have put in our ten thousand hours and the magic just never happened.....there are people who are gifted.....to deny that is sillery.
This is like a PBS documentary.
This is an incredible video. The amount of knowledge and the quality of the editing is outstanding. Many people would just sit in front of a camera with a guitar but you made everything so much easier to understand and made it really interesting visually. I can't even describe how much I love this.
I know shit regarding guitar playing but this upload held me glued to the screen! :)
Hey Troy, LOVE your videos. Probably the best out there BUT how can you ignore Randy Rhodes? As a guitar player myself, he was a pioneer of neo classical guitar. Please explain why you omitted his contribution because I believe he was integral in that movement.
We haven't really looked at Randy's mechanics yet, but experienced Code viewers can probably already guess he's a downward pickslanter. But we've most certainly covered his contribution to neoclassical guitar, in the "Rise of the Viking" feature here on the channel!
Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to check it out!
Also, when you mention downward pickslanter, does that apply to perpetual alternate picking? I'm guessing yes because, unlike Randy's technical performances on his studio album's, his live performances and some of the rare footage of his sound checks show that he has a pretty good handle of rapid alternate picking. Obviously not at the same level as Malmsteen but definitely at a higher level than Van Halen. I digress. Love your shows!
Please disregard my pickslanting question. I completely understand it after watching a bunch more episodes, especially the MAB one. I had the Troy Stetina book that you show in one of your episodes back in the late 80's and I don't recall pickslanting ever being mentioned. But it all makes logical sense and thank you for sharing that info.
Just wanted to confirm that pick slanting is indeed mentioned in Troy Stetina's book, but it appears he offers a different approach, he suggests you to hold the pick perpendicular to the strings in order to avoid "putting one motion of crossing the strings at an advantage and the opposite motion at a disadvantage". He advises small movements to make string hopping possible when crossing strings. I guess that's valid, what do you think?
*Randy Rhoads... how do you misspell the guy's name tho?
Excellent!, now that I "know" how to do it....... I still can't do it lol
+chris W LOL same.
I'm actually starting to get this now
Lets not forget Randy Rhodes has Some influnce going into the 80s
How can anyone dislike Troy's videos? They are insanely well made.
Wow! It's you again, Troy! I thought I recognized your voice whilst watching this vid on full screen. Then I came out of full screen and noticed it was your channel.
I've actually found someone who's sincerely solicitous regarding the importance, dynamics and overall FUN of the picking/strumming hand.
NB: Superb vid (as always).
yngwei gets so much credit for the neoclassical thing even though ritchie blackmore invented it. And Blackmore at least knows how to create memorable lead licks. Underrated
Blackmore did no such thing-he merely played some classical influenced licks. If anything, Neoclassical as a subgenre started with Uli Jon Roth. Although, one could argue that none of them did anything special, since they merely covered Bach and Paganini on electric guitar.
+Novron classically influenced licks is neoclassical yngvei does the same thing
+Novron and at least blackmore and Roth are not one trick ponies. All of malmsteens solos sound the same
Dhruv Kotecha Incorrect.
no.correct.
As far as I know it was not Steve who recorded that, it was Ry Cooder.
Saulo Silva Hi Saulo! It was definitely Steve -- see the video notes for more details.
Saulo Silva Ry recorded the slide parts. I've never heard it discussed definitively if Steve played the classical or not (someone else did the classical fingerpicking parts).
***** I read many magazines at that time saying otherwise, so I wouldn't take these notes for granted. If one listens to a musician for 20 years or more, they can tell him/her apart from others. A musician will always sound like him/herself, and that doesn't remotely sounds like Steve.
S Des Indeed, I also never heard a definitive discussion. As for credits, they don't tell the truth, 2 quick examples: Kiss, Creatures of the Night, Frehley is on the cover and on credits, it was Vinnie Vincent who recorded that. Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms, it is Terry Williams on the credits, but all drums were recorded by Omar Hakim. But if you spent quite a bit of your life listening to a musician, you can trust your ears and know at least when it is not him. That may not be Ry, but it is definitely not Steve.
Saulo Silva Just the slide blues parts...not the neoclassical stuff.
Aahhh...the '80s. Where all the '80s guitar gods emerges. \m/
Hendrix, Beck, McLaughlin, DiMeola, Holdsworth, Van Halen among others disagree with you.
kevinkmny I'm referring to the '80s moron. Not the '60s & '70s. & BTW, I know them all. lmao *facepalm
***** Look at your original comment. You said ''the '80s. Where all the guitar gods emerge''. Read that. If all the guitar gods emerged from the 80's, then you're saying that there were none before that because they were all in the 80's. So therefore Kevin was correct in his comment. You are actually the one worthy of facepalming considering you can't even understand what was wrong with your own comment.
M. Goetz Another moron. Try working on your reading comprehension. lmao
Various Things Yeah. '80s guitar legends until it emerges & evolve into '90s into d present . Like Mustaine, late Dimebag, Kerry King, Micheal Amott, & Alexi Laiho. I'm talking about d '80s. :))
This is so cool, as over thought as it might seem this is not a video about alternate picking, it is a masterful introduction to the world of alternate picking. It explains the angle of every stroke and it does so in a very memorable and nostalgic manner.
One of the most enlightening videos on picking I've seen in a long time. So that's why Zakk Wylde has that weird picking technique - he down-slants his pick so that he can alternate pick really fast. But I've never seen him do it the other way and also he does not seem to play runs that cross the strings on the upstroke much. Gotta inspect if he does change his pick slanting, because I've never seen him pick any other way pretty much...
If you're not already doing so, try turning your wrist/thumb slightly towards the bridge so the pick attacks the strings on its side, at the 45 degree point. Maybe there is a name for it but I call it skate picking. It dramatically decreases friction, especially when using a very heavy pick like a 1.54mm Clayton. It's like a hot knife through butter.
45 degrees is too much for me, that tends to sound more like pinch harmonics than proper clear notes. I use the 2 mm Dunlop ones (the green or black ones) and around 25 degress is the good angle for me. I was taking about slanting the pick against the direction the pick travels while picking, going dowards or away from the pick guard while playing...
+dante4d Not pinch harmonics. Compression picking.
I said 45 degrees is too much for me, because the notes start to come out more like pinch harmonics at that angle. The picks I use are too round and slanting too much agains the strings does not work well for the tone quality.
I thought the same thing about Zakk having curved wrist :)
My conclusion from watching this: I suck at playing guitar.
I unliked just so I could like twice. Great video.
Actually,wasn't it Ry Cooder that played the classical part?
I was just thinking that
Ry Cooder play the blues licks in the movie and I believe in the dual as well
I believe Ry Cooder did the slide work and Arlen Roth did the rest. I may be mistaken but that's the legend.
Or maybe it was just Arlen who taught Daniel san to fake it.
Steve Vai did all the classical style guitar work - the parts he's seen playing, of course. And, the classical-style parts Macchio is seen playing. Ry Cooder did all the blues style guitar work. So, when you see Macchio playing bluesy-style stuff, that's Cooder you're listening to. Whenever you see him play classical-style stuff, that's Vai you're listening to. And, of course, when you see Vai playing, that's actually Vai playing. Arlen Roth was Ralph Macchio's guitar coach -- the guy who taught Macchio to play guitar well enough so that he could convincingly fake the fingerings.
Dude, great video. I had no idea I was already doing this. You were absolutely right. I had no idea this was happening in my playing till I saw this an analyzed what was going on with my right hand. Thanks a bunch.
Love how the stuff I LOVE and grew up with is so well analyzed. Well done.
I'm a drummer, so...
+moresnare -- Illogical. Vulcans do not expend the energy required to vibrate tympanic membranes.
+moresnare ... drool on yourself?
ken frazee - no that’s the Bass Player. Drummers generally drool on others
Mr. Gilbert was on that same magazine.
Don't self-taught guitarists usually arrive at this on their own?
+Joe Blankenship Yes they do, they don't even know how they're doing it half the time either they just do what they're comfortable with. I don't know why this guy is over complicating things.
Do self-taught guitarists watch youtube tutorials? Are self-taught guitarists who learn things from youtube tutorials still "self-taught"? Should guitarists who want to be called "self-taught guitarists" stay off the internet? Shouldn't self-taught guitarists arrive at EVERYTHING on their own?
All these questions, and more(!), will be answered in next week's tutorial.
Joe Blankenship
Not everyone can deconstruct all the elite players right hand techniques, watching Troy helps you get there quicker if that's your goal
;~)
in the 30 years I've been playing, I've never see anyone explain it so perfectly... great job!
You're my new favorite online guitar teacher. You highlight the musicians in my musical wheelhouse and speak directly to my technical brain. Thank you.
Nah ill stick to the pentatonic scale.
Mehdi Saad ironic considering your profile picture is Rust in Peace. Which features amazing lead work that involves very musical lead work. Not sure why there is this "pentatonic only" and "I'll never use pentatonic" guitar crowd. So bizarre. Why not learn and develop your mind to have many voicings and musical options?
***** i just like the pentatonic scale best.
i think alot of it has to do with pentas are easy you can stay safe inside the box lol see what i did there i think you should always broaden you horizens
bob of zimbabwe ok
facebook.com/ImmortalSubstance
if i hear diminished playing at guitar center, swear i will get you.. outside
Wrong. Classical guitar in Heavy Metal was brought in by Randy Rhodes. He was already dead for 2 years before Rising Force was released. Check Blizzard of Oz (1980) or Diary of a Madman (1981) for reference. Otherwise a great video.
Try again pal. Ritchie Blackmore was doing it well before Randy Rhodes.
Uli Jon Roth was doing it for years before Randy. Try again.
Was about to mention Ritchie and Uli too.
Troy, Wow!! you've really accomplished something with this video (and i assume the rest of your videos too)!!!
Clear, detailed, thorough. I perform and teach for a living, studied under top notch players and never have I seen such an amazing break-down of a technique aspect of guitar playing like this. Props!
Absolutely FANTASTIC analysis and application, and with perfect videography! Not another video on TH-cam even CLOSE to this one for speed-picking. Dig in, hotshot, this one is for you!
Ry Cooder did all of the classical and blues in that movie, not Steve Vai. Get it straight. 😟
As has been addressed many, many times at this point, Ry only played the slide parts. All the neoclassical parts were played by Vai, and in the notes below the video you can read Steve's own words on this verbatim from an interview he gave at the time.
that's what I thought Ry Cooder
So you can play little patterns and scales and modes fast as shit; now what? And so what?
Paul Hanson [teacher at the Guitar institute of Technology, on the west coast]
also tutored the actor to appear to be playing.
;~) From England.
POSTSCRIPT
i think Vai went to Berklee in Massachusetts, then joined Zappa's band, et all
mel obrien
Are you intentionally being an obtuse knobhead?
They are tools to help you on your way to creating music, they are valuable techniques needed for some types of music..
.. especially for some of the timeless pieces by composers such as Paganinni , Chopin, Bach
;~)
It makes me feel good about the world that someone took the time do work this out and create this video. Good stuff man.
The production on your videos is amazing and is more than we deserve.
This is so helpful to me, I actually do this naturally at times (downward/upward slanting) but I struggle with my picking technique more than anything else, despite playing for 30yrs now. I'd never really broken it down like this. This has really made an impact on me and will stick in my mind forever. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Great info here for anyone who doesn't have too much pride to admit they can benefit from this vid. Great job with your broken down and very informative guitar instructions. Thanks! Very helpful, and I've been playing guitar since 1982 so I recognize good tutortials when I see em. Good job bro!!!!!!!!
Amazing how Vai and Malmsteen are still household names in music circles after all of these years. Kudos guys!
Hands down my new favorite guitar videos. I’m a very visual learner, and you are an amazing editor/teacher. Keep it up!
This has got to be the best lesson on picking on the internet. Fantastic job guys :)
This is probably the most informative guitar video I've seen. I played professionally for 15 years, and NEVER really solved the speed equation. I could play fast, but not like Eric Johnson or others like him. This video has finally answered most of my questions. Great job and thank you Troy.
Thanks Fred!
I just saw Steve Vai on 11/23/16 in Jacksonville Fl. He was INCREDIBLE! Played entire Passion and Warfare album. He has gotten better. A true icon, virtuoso, alien.
..a warm, subtle nostalgia..now begins...2 awaken..u have my humblest gratitude. Thank u Troy Grady.
Subscribed! Not only has this given me a lot to think about playing-wise, but it's just absurdly well put together.
This is incredible for improving your picking technique, I'm in awe...
Dude, thank you! And thank you for the Eric Johnson video(s). I have struggled and felt limited when I wanted to be able to pick any note order, not pre-defined licks that require me to start and end on specific strokes/strings/fingerings. I've never been a fan of that. A former teacher would use his same licks in so many solos and it irked me.
Your video explains how I can get past that! Thankfully I am starting over again, trying to focus on technique. I refuse to play live (other than the odd family thing or very rare friends thing) until I can play "anything" at 16ths at 140bpm. Ideally, I'd be able to do my "anything" patterns at 16ths at 160 (full patterns, not just 4-12 note bursts). This will help so much! I MUST have good control and above all, RELAX!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
This was a very interesting breakdown of not only the scenes from the movie but of the actual technical aspects that are required to perform them accurately. Thanks
Troy, I love what you're doing man. Keep it going :)
EXCELLENT video. Well done!! Very informative and no BS.
WOW ... mind completely blown when you explained the angled picking!!! no wonder I was finding it so hard and clunky trying to go fast. I tried it out and now switching strings feels so effortless!!
I know you didn't invent that technique but thanks a lot anyway :) without running into this vid it might have been years before I found this out.
What a brilliant and well produced video. You really dissected the style and explained it in a crystal clear manner. Thank you so much.
Thanks Rick!