Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar

List Price: $19.95 Discount Price: $11.37

Customer Reviews:

Great! [Posted on 2008-02-01]
This book promises to make players faster, cleaner, and more technically adapt. It does just that. In the short hours I have had this book in my possession, I have already begun to see minor improvements to my general technique. If this can make an improvement (albeit minor) to my playing in such a short time, imagine what it can do to my playing over a longer, more dedicated time!

The content is simply marvelous. The beginner may have frustrations trying to understand the concepts, and Troy doesn't waste too much time explaining some of the ideas, such as modes, chords, and general theory. However, if you've had your fair schooling of theory and guitar basics, and wish to advance your playing technique through serious work and study and practice, this book is perfect for you.

The CD, as many have already noted, does not divide the exercises too well. However, it is still easy to find whatever exercise your heart desires, provided you're playing the CD over a computer. The sound quality is studio-worthy.

The actual print quality is also very crisp and clear. No need to worry about whether that smudge is telling you to hammer on or slide! Some exercises' print is slightly small, leaving plenty of white space on the page, but it is all perfectly readable to even I, with horrid vision.

Overall, it is a must for any guitarist stuck on that blasted speed plateau, or shredders wishing to go even faster and cleaner.

Must be good [Posted on 2008-03-31]
I bought this for my 14yo, along with Metal Lead Guitar/Book and Cd (Vol. 1). They must be good because he leaves them all over the house after he's used them. They keep moving around, so he must be using them.

Lots of fun and challenging. [Posted on 2008-04-07]
Pros
- Helps focus development of technique
- breaks down a method that can be applied for learning to use many different scales and modes
- has a great systematic approach for identifying troubling passages and correcting them

Cons
- can be a little overwhelming when the CD blazes through some of the drills at 250 beats per minute
- while playing chromatic phrases builds finger independence, it is just not very interesting to listen to (this is only part of the book)

I'm have worked with this book for a couple weeks and I have noticed that already my fingers are quicker and my timing is more spot on. It is good for focusing on the important elements of technique.

very useful [Posted on 2008-05-05]
this book is excellent for improving your techinque. if you take your time and follow the directions you'll begin to see improvement very quickly. this book is full of warm up excercises, and speed excercises (starting at slow speeds is emphisized). its divided in sections to focus on picking and fretting and contains a few songs. rythmic abilities are focused on as well as creativity. if you want to learn to shred this will help you get there.

Good book if... [Posted on 2008-05-30]
This is a great book to help build your lead chops IF you know how to practice. Troy does a really poor job of explaining some of the essential things you must know in order to improve. One of the biggest being muscle tension and how you must eliminate it from your hands while playing. He never mentions stuff like that once and that's just really, really stupid cause you can practice those exercises for thousands of hours tensed up and never really get better unless you correct it. Same with muscle memory no explanation. So if you're a beginner and wants to shred buy the book AND get a good teacher and you'll be on your way.

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