Advanced Guitar Diatonic Exercises To Build Speed and Technique for the Shred Metal Guitarist

This is one of two companion books by the same author, the other focusing on theory. After a brief discussion of modal theory (which I skipped because I also purchased the book on theory which goes into much greater depth), this book contains exercises designed to hone technique in legato, alternate picking, and sweep picking. A few exercises are also included on economy picking, combining techniques, and string skipping.What I like: There is a tremendous amount of practical information and advice contained within the text. In particular, the advice on sweep picking clicked for me and took that aspect of my playing to another level. The exercises are scale related. The exercises typically stick to a single scale, A minor, which I think is a good choice and simplifies what is an astonishing amount of material. It also relates this scale back to modal theory and in addition to just dexterity-focused drills, it is relatively straightforward to see how much of what is learned can be applied in a musical context. There is great advice on clean articulation and learning how to learn (guitar). The exercises are progressive and I thought the book was well organized.What I did not like: The tab lacks rhythm notation. Some of the exercises are in unusual time signatures and this made playing to a metronome less straightforward. Sometimes I took this as an added challenge (e.g. 5 notes per beat does appear in some solos and is worth learning), sometimes I added a note and inferred my own rhythms, and for a small number of exercises I had to forgo the metronome and just shred to my internal clock (13/8?). In short, it is a bit annoying but can be dealt with. While I thought the advice on technique was outstanding in most areas, the description of how to cleanly articulate legato was not up to the standard established by the rest of the book.Final perspective: It has probably taken me about 30 very focused hours to go through about half this book. My playing has improved tremendously, and this book has provided a logical and informative guide. Despite the shortcomings, it is one of the most effective technique books I have seen. When I complete the book, I will go through it again, playing exercises backwards, switching pick directions, changing keys, and working on speed while maintaining clarity. It’s that good.

Its about "fricken" time somebody wrote a real instructional book, not only do you get the shapes chords, scales and notes to play but finally somebody also gave the much needed advice of the professional on the many many topics necessary to get a guy playing up to a respectable level, I mean the written advice and guidance in the first chapter of the book is more valuable than every book I ever bought combined....thank you very much, explaining the drive and practice tips necessary to own a lick and gives the most detailed advice with excercises, licks and diagrams on how to get yourself there the most efficient and quickest way fully mapped.....if this book applied dosnt make a guy a shred king hes not trying.

If you are into rock/metal, you really need to buy this book plus the other book by this author, "Advanced Guitar Theory and Technique."Very clear explanations of the scary realms of music like modal theory, sweep picking, etc..There are great pieces of advice regarding your practice and routines you need to include in your daily playing.The print and design of the book is amazing too. I am very impressed with both the content and design of the book.UPDATE 8/1/2017: There is a downside to this book and that is NO CD; NO AUDIO examples :(

Both books by this author are simply amazing!I've been playing guitar for nine years now and both books by L. Herman have only increased my playing. The exercises go from easy to hard and they're all extremely beneficial. I used to teach my students out of this book and it's really just good for every level of player out there. No matter how advanced you are or if you're barely learning to play, this series of books will give you the exercises to take your playing to the next level!

Very good book. More than enough information and exercises!

Great book, easy to understand, written well.

Excellent source of information

Absolutely fantastic. Legato run practices are great.

Me ha gustado las explicaciones que da sobre su experiencia y aplicarlas,no me ha gustado es un poco justo de ejercicios y no tan avanzado más bien intermedio,bueno un libro más de ejercicios y técnica con la diferencia de que está un poco mejor explicado que otros

I have to say this is a good book, with several useful exercises. I'm fully satisfied with my purchase and with the other book of the same author.

Ce livre comporte des exercices appliqués au métal à la guitare, en relation avec des éléments théoriques rappelés en début d'ouvrage. Ces éléments sont explicités dans le premier volume, "advanced guitar theory and technique applied to the metal and shred genre". L'auteur y a une approche très simplifiée qui permet une compréhension rapide avec très peu de théorie à apprendre. Attention c'est en anglais.

This isn't a critique on the content of the book,the immediate drawback for me, is it's all in tablature,which believe it or not is hard work if you read music,usually books have standard notation ,and tab options.