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Here's a killer tribute to Mr Lynott...done in style by Metallica...not my best work but all guitars laid down to a great backing track from GuitarBackingTrack.com...lead double tracked in Guitar Tracks Pro...enjoy
Hi Everyone,
Thanks to everyone who tuned in for my first ever live webcast a couple of weeks ago, I hope you enjoyed it. We had some left over questions that I ran out of time to do on air so we've sorted them out and you'll be able to get them over the course of this week on my blog and on the LickLibrary News page blog aswell!
This week I'm hard at work in rehearsals as Sacred will be hitting the stage at Sonisphere Festival this Sunday!!!! If you're going hope you have a blast!
Cheers
Andy!
______________
Here's the answers to your questions....
Do you think, having the pinky-finger (right hand) as a rack, on the body, while playing, is useful?
Andy: I think you are referring to the technique known as anchoring. It really depends on how stable you feel you're right hand is and whether you feel it needs support. I often find my palm provides a good anchor aswell as being useful for muting at the same time. I used to anchor my little finger but after a while it started to hurt so I changed my technique. Examples of this would be to check out John Petrucci for anchoring and the opposite would be Paul Gilbert who doesn’t anchor at all. It’s all down to personal preference.
I'm a lefty playing a right handed guitar - been playing 6 years - practice about 6 hours a day - i still can only play Slayer at half speed - should I switch over to a lefty guitar?
Andy: I think if you are left handed, you should play a lefty guitar. You're left hand will control you’re picking and general timing and would be more natural for you to use the hand that you would use for anything else. Playing with right hand might be weird at first but you will probably find that you're technique will improve playing the right way.
How do you approach improvising in a metal context?
Andy: How long is a piece of string? What is the meaning of life? These are all questions of the same ilk that can’t be explained in a simple sentence. I’ve learned alot of licks and techniques over the years and used those for practice in different keys. After a while they start to feel natural to play to the point of being able to improvise from the vocabulary you have learned. That and knowing you’re pentatonic 5 positions and the 7 positions of the major scale should see you improve at improvising. It’s no different for Metal, blues or rock etc the same thing applies (at least it does to me). Also you need to use your ear to navigate where you go on the guitar musically. This will only happen over time.
How can I strengthen my fingers to be able to play fast passages?
Andy: Repeating exercises will build strength if you do them over and over again. Much like going to the gym, if you train certain muscles, they too will gain strength over time.
What kind of practicing routine would you recommend for a young shredder?
Andy: Learn you’re pentatonic positions and major scale positions. Learn these till you know them inside out in one key then practise in different keys. Then learn a couple of sequences for each technique such as Alternate picking, then the same for sweeping, string skipping, legato and tapping. There is a whole host of different places to learn these kinds of techniques and my Metal Edge series for licklibrary goes a long way to opening up potential for these types of techniques.
Did you have any favourite exercises that were especially helpful when developing your two-hand synchronization, and could you demonstrate them? Andy: My favourite exercises were the ones off of Paul Gilbert’s videos for REH. He had some really easy to digest but great sounding licks that built synchronisation between both hands. Some of those techniques I still practice today. Always keep it simple and concentrate on the mechanics of the technique you are trying to understand. Once you have done that you can progress that technique to higher levels.
How do I improve my timing?
Andy: Either play with a drum machine or a live drummer. Playing with these will give you a better sense of groove than just practicing to a metronome. Also play along to songs you know and try to keep up with the recorded version. These things will help over time.
What is the best way to tap? With your pick or with your fingers?
Andy: Hold your pick as you would when playing and tap with the middle finger on your right hand in a downwards motion. Check out any tapping by Steve Vai to see what I mean.
DVDs
Which of your metal DVDs would you recommend best to start with as a beginner?
Andy: Metal Rhythm volume 1 or the Kirk Hammett of Zakk Wylde quick licks DVD's.
Has playing all these DVD styles improved your song writing ability?
Andy: I think when you do alot of anything it will inevitably improve your own technique. I’ve done more technique DVD’s than anything else so as far as song writing goes, maybe not. Being in bands has definitely had more impact on me in that department.
Gear
How many guitars do you own?
Andy: 4, all ESP EC-1000 VB, MH1000-FR, H401(main one) and an H1007 7 string.
How important are guitar straps - just buy the cheapest, or should I spend alot?
Andy: Whatever feels comfortable. I tend to use thick leather ones as they feel more comfortable. Also try and get one that locks into its position so once you get it where you want it it’s not likely to move so it’s consistent.
Blackstar HT100 or Marshall DSL100?
Andy: That depends. Marshall has more punch but the blackstar has all round better tone and feel so HT100
What gauge of plectrum do you use?
Andy: At the moment I’m using heavy purple planet waves picks.
When will you custom EMG will be available to the market?
Andy: I have no idea what this question means. I have no deal with EMG at present and have no plans at this stage to release anything signature. But hope to if it ever becomes possible for me to be considered for that.
Apart from ESP who you prefer, are there any cheaper guitars you'd recommend to start with for shredding?
Andy: Ibanez have a great range that is good at all ranges. Esp. do good cheap guitars aswell. Epiphone
What effects do you use in recording your music?
Andy: If I’m doing demos, whatever is lying about, but in the studio its normally a good solid amp (blackstar, peavey, Randall) and tube screamer and any delay or effects are added post production.
Have you tried any of the Zoom pedals?
Andy: Yeah I’ve got a Zoom G1X. I used it for the quick licks DVD’s I’ve done.
Misc:
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Andy: Hopefully still doing music for a living and trying encouraging more people to check out my music. Maybe even do instrumental tours with a band. That’s ultimately where I would like to be. That or in a multi successful band earning load o dosh :) Just hope I’m still alive playing really.
What are your favourite artists outside of metal style, something that may surprise people?
Andy: Gary Moore, Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton. Thanks to my singer in Sacred I’m partial to a bit of Tim McGraw "n that’s why god made Mexico, do di do do do dooooo!"
Please tell more about your writing habits? Do you write melody or riff first?
Andy: The songs you've played during the webcast, what are they called and where can I get them? They were Burn it Down, What Lies Beneath and Angel of Darkness. They are all new tunes that will be available on the new album I’m doing at the moment
I'm currently recovering from tendinitis after too much shredding. Have you had any guitar related injuries or what do you do to avoid them?
Andy: I had RSI and had to stop playing for few months. After that I was ok, I just worked on a few things to prevent that happening again and touch wood I’ve been ok.
Tell us about when you jammed with Zakk Wylde, were you nervous?
Andy: Nervous, are you kidding? He is one of my all time favourite players. We played some blues jams, has a few beers and a laugh. Great player and bloke. It was awesome.
Are you ever going to come to America? I'd love to see a clinic or something.
Andy: January, I should be playing at NAMM for ESP and hopefully doing some other clinic type things around that in LA. I’ll post more on my Myspace once I know the full details.
In your private lessons, are there any certain paths you would lead your students no matter what their musical tastes/interest are?
Andy: I think if you are into a certain style, there are probably things they need to know more than others. Alot of people that have lessons with me though often want the same thing.
Should shred guitarists eat Shredded Wheat for breakfast. Will it help?
Andy: I eat little children, that normally sets me up for the day.
What is the longest time you haven't played guitar for, and have you ever gave up practicing?
Andy: 3 months when I had an injury but I play every day without fail. I’ll never give it up!
Cheers guys!
I made this guitar at home it has zakk wylde emgs
who do you think is the best guitarist in the world leave a comment
vintage bc rich gunslinger.
instrumental metal track....
My American Deluxe Ash Strat in it's G&G tweed case.
A close up of the soundport.
My Taylor 354ce L30 12 string, with a soundport in the form of an ambigram of my initials that I designed and cut into the guitar.
Soundports allow the player to hear much better the sound of the guitar as it appears from infront of the guitar. Contrary to what one might expect it causes a slight increase in volume infront of the guitar too!
This is my 91 (MIJ) Ibanez Artist, fitted with Seymour Duncan Phat Cats and a Schaller Fine-Tune tailstop! Solid mahogany, rather heavy and in need of a refret.
A closer shot of the body.
This weekend ZZ Top are headlining the first Classic Rock Magazine High Voltage Festival in London and we'll be interviewing Billy Gibbons - and we want your questions for the man himself!
Born 16th December 1949 in Texas, of course Billy is best known for being the guitarist and lead singer in the blues-rock band ZZ Top, but did you know he's also however an actor, a car customizer and holds 9 US Patents!
Here's a few fun facts about Billy Gibbons:
- Billy's band before ZZ Top, Moving Sidewalks opened for The Jimi Hendrix Experience on the first American tour.
- ZZ Top formed in late 1969 before releasing their 'ZZ Top's First Album' (Yes that really was the name of the record) on London Records in 1971.
- Billy Gibbons has worked & performed with artists such as Queens of the Stoneage, BB King, Hank Williams, Kid Rock, Sammy Hagar, Jeff Beck and many more...
- He played guitar on the track "Run Rudolph Run" from the We Wish You A Metal Xams and a Headbanging New Year compilation.
- In 2009 he joined Jeff Beck onstage at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert to perform a cover of Jimi Hendrix' "Foxy Lady"- Billy has a large collection of guitars, his main guitar being his infamous 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard called "Pearly Gates". In 1968 he received a pink stratocaster from Jimi Hendrix.
- At the 2010 NAMM show Dunlop and Billy Gibbons unveined a new line of guitar accessories, Rev Willy's which include picks, strings and slides inspired by Billy.
- With ZZ Top he has released 14 studio albums and 42 singles.
- Billy Gibbons is known to frequently be a guest chef around Hollywood, California serving his famous "Renegade Guacamole" and his authentic Mexican Cuisine.
We're looking forward to our interview this Saturday with him in London, and we thought we'd give our members the chance to help us interview him. Send us your questions in the comments of this post or here on facebook, or tweet them to us on Twitter!
Why not learn to play some of ZZ Top's hits check out these links below!
Learn to Play ZZ Top DVD
Video Tutorials for: Heard It On The X, Sharp Dressed Man
hanging around in the basement testing a new zoom G2 trying to play a part of my favorite solo of mr.knopfler
last night 'drink enouph whisky to feel a batleship around'ROCKING AND JAMING with the band
last night in the NAME OF THE ROSE a rock club in athens jaming with the band to all the free spirits out there
Here's one just for Dave C...found some spare time this weekend and just released all that '...looking forward to Monday' feeling out on this classic track from the Priest...To all those metal gods out there, enjoy
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