Metallica tremolo picking a la Whiplash

Playing Technique
#1

Hi,

i am new to this forum, but hope to find some answers to my long, long journey of learning old trash metal songs. I am into Kill Em All from Metallica and enjoy songs like Motorbreath, Metal Militia and especially Whiplash. My focus is on rhythm guitar only.

Now most of those riffs are quite easy to play, however getting up to spped is the challenge. Riffs are usually a combination of low E tremolo alternate picking, and power chords. My challenge is to get up to a clean 160-180 BPM tremolo picking on the low E.

Usually I need some warm up time and after that I am able to play 160 BPM, but not as clean as on the album (obviously)… I am using a combination of supinated wrist motion getting up to those high speeds.

What wrist motion would you recommend for the main riff of Whiplash? How would you practice getting up to 160BPM in a clean way? And how is it possible to play with zero warm up time such high speeds ie. sitting down, taking your guitar and just shaking the riff out of your wrist :wink:

Thanks for your feedback, appreciate every comment from you!

Thanks, Mark

#2

Can you post a video to see where you’re at?

Not sure if this is meant to be a joke, but I wouldn’t recommend doing this “cold”. Definitely have to feel where you’re at before going close to your top end speeds.

#3

I am going to post a video later on, but I am interested in your suggested wrist motions for music like that before seeing my style.

Btw, the warm up was not meant to be a joke - I have seen players sitting down and playing along songs like that without any major warm up time.

Please post your feedback,
Thanks Mark

#4

I still don’t have a conclusive idea of my rhythm motion; I would guess forearm rotation, wrist, and some elbow for accents.

Some Lamb of God:

Metallica:

I could potentially sit down and just start going for it, but I would definitely not recommend it. It serves no purpose other than to flex, with the risk being potential repetitive strain injuries (which I’ve had, which is why I advocate against anything that could cause them).