Paul Gilbert's "Ascending Sixes" lick with Swiping?

Playing Technique
#1


Here’s a video lesson I did on Paul Gilbert’s “Ascending Sixes” lick. He shows the lick in “Intense Rock” about 10 minutes into the video. It’s the lick right after Paul’s famous 4 note sequence and it’s variations. I started the lick on the A string, whereas Paul starts it on the E string. I wanted to do this so I could hit the A note at the 17th fret.

I was also able to use a magnet to film my right hand at the end of the video. I’m playing this lick with DWPS as far as I can tell. I seem to be swiping at the string changes. I’ve included a few slo-mo examples of my right hand as well. I should have filmed in 60fps on my phone but I forgot to change my camera settings. Any input you guys have would be great.

8 Likes
#2

First off, sick vibrato dude. :metal:

The part below isn’t meant to be harsh, just the kind of thing I’d hope to hear about if I made a similar request for feedback. Overall I thought it was a good video.

At 1:18 you demonstrate a fingering on the D string starting with a downstroke, though you start it with an upstroke in the full lick and in the tab. Not a huge deal, especially since the rest of the material makes it clear what the picking pattern is supposed to be (such as when you play the six note pattern immediately afterward). But hey, you asked for feedback, and I got out the fine-toothed comb. :wink: You do similarly again at 1:40. And again at 2:06, though your picking hand is obscured at that spot by the on-screen tab. And again at 2:32. :smiley:

Since you don’t talk about the use of the swipe to cross strings, some folks may have trouble making out what you’re trying to show in the magnet footage, or may call you out for “cheating” by hitting the strings as you cross.

3 Likes
#3

Thanks for the feedback! It’s much appreciated. I definitely overlooked doing the upstroke on the strings that needed it as I was shooting the video. I’m still getting used to filming myself and talking on camera, so it definitely slipped my mind and I didn’t think much about it. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind for future videos.

I also should have at least mentioned Swiping as well. I’ll definitely mention that if I do a future video with Swiping in it.

#4

I feel ya man, my talk videos suck. Awesome video. I subscribed. :bear:

1 Like
#5

Nice playing, sounded pretty clean to me.