Tension

[SpiderVenom]

It's amazing how much tension can build up when you're trying to learn a new riff. I've just been trying the intro riff to Travel in Stygian and the chorus riff to The Reckoning (both Iced Earth songs) and just kept tripping up on them... then I realized how rigid and stiff my hands were getting. So I just concentrated on keeping them moving as effortlessly as possible, and bam, everything's gliding along.

I know I'm the technique advice nut, and I'm the first to say how bad tension is, but it's amazing how quickly it builds without you noticing.

[larry_emder]

THats what ya get for playing metal , hehe....(i'm assuming its a metal band....the avatar looks like it)

My guitar teacher told me that a good guitarist will be totally loose and relaxed when theyre playing....so much so that you could knock the pick outta their hand easily

Hows the weather over the other side of the tasman??? Its bloody rotten here

I'm actually considering moving to NZ when i'm older....better waves over there i htink?

[SpiderVenom]

It's definitely quite metal.

Your teacher is exactly right. There should be very, very little physical effort involved in playing the guitar. Harder pieces should involve more concentration, but not more exertion. It takes a lot of work to reduce that tension and stop it building, though.

The weather has been great for the last week, nice and sunny for a change. 'bout time, with all the rain we've had recently.

There's definitely some decent waves to be had around the country, although I'm not sure how they compare to Australia's. Certainly more green grass overall Despite how I may rant on, I do like my country. Just wish we had more guitar and computer stores

[TimmyPage]

It's definitely quite metal.

*downloads whole song*

[SpiderVenom]

*downloads whole song*

It's definitely the most 'crushing' song on the album. I recommend listening to more tracks, especially the Gettysburg ones - while a bit less violent than The Reckoning, they're absolutely amazing displays of songwriting, and Owen's vocals fit perfectly.

[Loserchief]

to play iced earth you'll need a near mechanical righthand to play through whole songs. If your hand is anywhere near stiff you'll fail on IE stuff.
The Glorious Burden is a decent album but the stuff with Matt Barlow on the vocals is just so much better. I don't say owens is bad, but Barlow was THE singer for Iced earth.

[SpiderVenom]

to play iced earth you'll need a near mechanical righthand to play through whole songs. If your hand is anywhere near stiff you'll fail on IE stuff.

Indeed. I only noticed the tension buildup before I had to go and get some other work done, but I tried out a few riffs, and the intro to Travel in Stygian was wonderfully easy when I concentrate on eliminating all the stiffness. It's interesting that tension is hardly ever a problem for lead playing; it's these galloping type grooves and mechanical type rhythm figures that really give me trouble.

One piece I'm really having trouble relaxing on is the main riff of Creeping Death. It seems that when I play the E5 4th diad, having to string skip back to pedal the low E really causes my wrist to tense. The fact that I have no problems with Master of Puppets, which only crosses the two low strings, seems to support this. More practice and concentration, I guess.

The Glorious Burden is a decent album but the stuff with Matt Barlow on the vocals is just so much better. I don't say owens is bad, but Barlow was THE singer for Iced earth.

Like all music, it's a matter of preference. The Glorious Burden is my personal favourite, and I actually prefer Owen's fit in the music more.

[Osensei]

LOL! There is a point to this rant! I don't want to rattle any gun control proponents here. But I remember when I was first learning to shoot my .45 cal handgun. As a noob, I was so rattled by the anticipation of the impending shock of the guns recoil, that I tensed and jerked every shot off target. It's harder to hit something with a gun than most people think! So to calm my nerves I just sprayed bullets like a madman a few times to get it outta my system. The feeling of letting go, as it turned out, was liberating. Afterwards, the memory of what it felt like to just let go and liberate myself helped improve my shooting and calm my fears.

Now naturally, there is a big difference between playing your axe and bustin a cap in someone! But the principle of letting go still applies I suppose. Once you feel the liberation of playing in a relaxed state then burn that feeling permanently into your memory. Think of it as a pleasurable experience. That way each time you play it will come as a forethought instead of an afterthought.

[SpiderVenom]

Once you feel the liberation of playing in a relaxed state then burn that feeling permenantly into your memory. Think of it as a pleasurable experience. That way each time you play it will come as a forethought instead of an afterthought.

I think you just saved me a few months of practice.