Betcha Can't Play This: John Petrucci
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John Petrucci assumes the position
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Alternate picking is a big part of my guitar playing style. This is really nothing more than playing a sequence of single notes and picking them down-up-down-up, and so on, throughout an entire lick or phrase. I find it particularly challenging to use alternate picking when playing a long, continuous succession of notes at a fast pace. But doing this consistently and flawlessly requires some diligent practice.
The following lick is one that I like to play when I'm practicing because it's a good warm up for alternate picking. It's challenging to play through the entire phrase cleanly, with uniform precision, and without missing any notes or stopping at any point.
The entire phrase consists of an uninterrupted stream of 16th notes. It begins with the index finger on the low E string at the seventh fret, sounding B. The first eight notes are played on the low E and A strings. You then shift your fretting hand up to the next note in the scale. Starting on beat three of bar 1, the index finger shifts up two frets on the A string to the ninth fret, sounding F#, and the same fingering pattern is then repeated on the A and D strings.
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This pattern continues three more times, after which the line descends and the pattern changes slightly. If you examine the left-hand fingerings provided below the tablature, you'll see that the index finger initiates all of the downward position shifts.
This lick comprises two major elements of my playing style: the constant succession of alternate-picked over a long melodic line, and the altering of the phrase's shape, which makes the melody more interesting. I was inspired to play this way by guitarists, such as Al Di Meola and Yngwie Malmsteen, that play linear-style diatonic patterns. But there is also a "baroque" flavor to this lick, which no doubt comes from the time I spent studying J. S. Bach's violin sonatas and partitas.
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Damage Inc.
September 28, 2011 at 7:08pm
I don't get why some people say "alternate picking is part of their style".
I mean... I personally use alternate picking because something is too fast to downpick constantly and it would be more efficient to use alternate picking.
It goes automatically...It's quite a general technique, which does little for the style of playing...
Wouldn't set you apart from many players anyway.
It's nothing special if you ask me.
ipod13dude
March 28, 2010 at 12:32pm
some people thing he's fast... he's not!!! Compare him with other shredders and he sucks!!!
fvanschoor
August 14, 2009 at 7:07am
Reply:bet i can play it? i dont
Submitted by sg_king on Sun, 2007-06-03 08:04.bet i can play it?
i dont wanna play it...
noone likes shredding.
u cant play guitar petrucci----------------
Dear wet dreamer.
I wish to just throw in a little pisser for the well, noob, that dares to criticize Petrucci.
Well my friend, if you are willing to rehearse for close to 8 hours a day during your forming years and not waste all your time with whatever it is that results in you feeling insecure about your own playing and then criticizing John, then you really need to fuck off from this site. This is a place for musicians who share knowledge, ideas,motivation, skill, etc. and I desire to keep it like that!!
That's all...
Happy dreaming Mr. sg_king on Sun, cause that's all you are gonna do with that attitude!
Scrutinize away!
]-)
shreddaholic
April 13, 2009 at 5:56pm
if you can play 16th notes consistently at 200 bpm( if anyone looks at the tab thats what its set at) then you would be considered shredding
LeePeel (not verified)
October 06, 2008 at 3:34pm
How can anybody call John Petrucci a 'noob.'
Firstly, he has been invited to the G3 gigs by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, more than any other person, and incase you haven't noticed, none of you arsehole's have played a G3.
Secondly, he is in Dream Theater, THE most technically proficiant band in the world, and i ask you, can any of you play any Dream Theater solo's, or any of JP's solo tracks... I doubt it.
He is a genius, a credit to guitar, and certainly a huge help in my development on the guitar. Without him, and his technically demanding songs, that i practise at for hours upon hours, i wouldn't be half as good as i am today.
So all you faggots, shut up, you're just jealous.
And thanks John Petrucci for helping my playing become what it has today.
Peace.
airborne46q
October 18, 2008 at 3:32pm
I don't believe he was calling Petrucci a noob. As I understand the comments, everyone above was calling the disrespectful commentator on Petrucci's playing style the "noob."
sg_king
June 03, 2007 at 4:04am
bet i can play it?
i dont wanna play it...
noone likes shredding.
u cant play guitar petrucci
jsneasler
April 05, 2008 at 11:46am
Disrespect & ignorace must run deep in your thin guitar playing blood mister sg-king on sun
metalx666
March 13, 2008 at 4:35am
How can anyone say john petrucci can't play guitar, This is the man who inspired Herman Li, Corey Beauli... (cant spell his name but u no hu i meen) and he is considered shred enough to tour with steve vai and joe satriani. i had to perform under a glass moon and i wasx amazed with all the new stuff i had to learn to get it.
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