Friday, September 26, 2008

Sweep Picking Mastery

Posted by Jon in • Guitar Instruction in • Reviews

Sweep Picking Mastery
One of the techniques that guitarists are eager to learn in order to impress their mates is Sweep Picking. Unfortunately it is not a simple technique to master and when done badly sounds atrocious. I’ve never been much of a sweep picker which is why I was interested when I received a copy of Ysrafel’s ‘Sweep Picking Mastery’. Now the cover art is not a very good indicator as is often the case with guitar instruction books… why is that? Ah who knows but anyway this book is packed with just about every arpeggio pattern, execution tips and tricks, no wait there is no trick only practice! The book starts with 2 string patterns explaining muting techniques and advances chapter by chapter to 6 string patterns. There is a table showing the bpm that you should start learning each exercise and what you should work up to, this is the key to learning sweep picking, use a metronome to make sure you articulate each arpeggio correctly, something I’ve never had the patience to do but I am going to try and work on it using this book. So where do you go once you have mastered all the major and minor arpeggios? Well, the book moves on to 7th chord patterns, extended 7th chord patterns such as major 13#11 and then adding tapping to further extend patterns to previously unachievable levels!

So if you are looking to master the art of Sweep Picking this book is a very good place to start, it is only $29.95 which I think is a fair price for an arpeggio reference book let alone a technique masterclass. You can get more information at Ysrafel’s site.

Recently on Guitar Noize

Col on 09/27 at 02:24 AM

Let me know how you go with this Jon as I need to brush up a little and am looking for ‘inspiration’. I finally bought that Epiphone Blues Custom!

Jon on 09/27 at 08:25 AM

Will do, been doing a bit every night there are loads of patterns to get your fingers and picking hand working. Sorry to see you’re Blues Custom reverb is buggered, thats a pain! Still looks like a beauty, might save up for one myself!

Learn Guitar DVD on 09/27 at 03:31 PM

Looks like an interesting book. The first time I see a book dedicated to sweep picking. I wonder if it’s any good for advanced players.

Jon on 09/27 at 04:24 PM

Well I consider myself advanced, I’ve been playing 20 years but never really got sweeping down so I’m finding it very useful.

Col on 09/29 at 06:18 AM

Thanks Jon. I’ve replaced the faulty unit with another good ‘un so I shall be seeing how she works out at band on Monday night.

kawasaki fairings on 09/30 at 09:37 PM

Sounds like very interesting book.

San Antonio Attorney on 10/03 at 07:11 PM

Yeah it really sounds like an interesting book. I would love to have one of this.

on 10/06 at 07:22 AM

mike philippov has a book like this.  i have it and it is cool. . . . check it out

the ultimate sweep picker’s guide

thenextstepguitar.com

do you think i need this book also? i want to get way better, but this one seems so similar

Jon on 10/06 at 08:05 AM

Hi Jim, looking at the excerpt from the website I would say that this book is very similar to the one you already have so I would probably stick with that one. Thanks for the link and info though I will check out their other books.

on 10/06 at 08:20 AM

thanks jon. that is what i figured. plus, i have seen mike p play and he is sick.  the other guy, i am forgetting his name, is really good also.  not to take away from this book.  i also just saw a video on youtube for a dvd for the other book!  looks crazy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muZig4i3ECQ

maybe i should find a teacher to i can play like mike.  a new guitar hero of mine:)

Jon on 10/06 at 10:39 AM

Yeah he certainly has a lot of skill, check out Tom Hess’s video too:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=By1nV4HWjGU

Crazy sweeping. He is also a teacher.

on 10/06 at 04:28 PM

I got both of these books.  I found Ysrafel’s more stream-lined and concise, while I felt Philippov’s book was bit less organized and had a bit more fluff.  I suppose it’s more of stylistic differences, but for advanced players who just want to get to the meat of the issues and learn the stuff I think Ysrafel’s is a bit better in this regard…I also enjoyed how he covers SP in all the scales and chord progressions giving one a feel of how varied SP can truly be.  Give them both a try if you’re not sure : )

Jon on 10/06 at 04:32 PM

Great advice Logan thanks for commenting smile

on 10/07 at 04:48 AM

I actually disagree with logan316.  for whatever reason, feel like Mike’s book is more detailed and covers more ground.  maybe i just like that kind of writing wink but….it seems like ysrafel almost copied mike b/c it was released after and is so similar

but whatever, i guess you can buy both like logan316 and me did

on 10/07 at 10:34 AM

Looks great. ive been looking for a book like this for a while…

Todd on 10/10 at 03:55 AM

As mentioned in the review having the patience to work through it can be a challenge for a lot of playger. Watching someone that’s skilled at sweep picking will keep you inspired.

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