I love the fact that you make them realize what they're doing wrong. Not just tell them. great teacher

Hess is a very cerebral instructor. unique. Pay attention kids. It took me years upon years to figure this stuff out. He's giving it to you online.

This guy change my entire approach to playing; I improved more in 30 days than I had in the last 10 years just from watching this video. He's remarkable Good Luck to all.

This clip is not about economic picking at all. The student guy already used economic picking at the beginning. The point here is that you're supposed to consider the sweep pick motion between two string as only 1 stroke that hit two strings rather than two down stroke on each

Good point, I used to play shred guitar w/ distortion and now I primarlily play acoustic bluegrass. You definitely can't hide your mistakes with an acoustic like you an with distortion. When I was a kid I'd turn my amp way up, distortion up, and add an echo effect and I'd sound like i was perfect shedding when in fact it was the sloppiest shit ever.

Student is making full on shoulder and arm motions to try and master scales and sweeping. Good luck, going to take a LOT more time. It's worth starting completely over, once I figured out I was playing with the wrong techniques, I completely started over, from fretting to holding the pick, and even what type of pick I used. It takes a lot less time to relearn it all, than working with bad motions, tension, and not using your wrist to pick. Do NOT move your finger either, your thumb should be stationary. And only your wrist making small movements, you dont even have to slant the pick, if you just practice at a 45 degree angle, and keep the pick neutral as far as pickslant, you can learn to RIP through those strings like butter with a metronome, drum beats, or backing tracks. Also always make sure you lift your fingers when fretting with your left hand (right if lefty obviously) when you're doing a multiple note pattern on one string or multiple strings even, people tend to leave their index down ok the first note, thinking it's going to be easier because it's still there, so when you pull back off, naturally it seems easier. But if you make SURE you LIFT every single finger you will get a lot more control and your finger independence will go through the roof. I'm really tired of these assholes trying to destroy tom hess because they're either jealous or work for opposition. I've met the guy, I've talked with him, multiple times, he has taught me a LOT, very fast too. He truly is a great teacher. Hes a little short with people sometimes but he teaches literally hundred of student a month, personally, online, and through hessfest. The only way he could be "occultist" is if PEOPLE are stupid enough to take it that way, and adopt that narrative. If someone thinks it's a cult, then why the fuck am I not in a cult? I've known him for a decade or more, never heard of anyone ever being tied and manipulated into joining anything any more than any other company out there, you make your own decisions, if you dont like the way it is, then dont use him to get good. But i assure you the prices ARE worth it, he really will teach you very fast, if you listen and dont be knucklehead!! Also met Mike Philippov....same with him. He got very good very fast learning with tom hess, and he doesnt really seem to me to be a guy who just lets people manipulate and brainwash him. If they did, he wouldnt use them as their teacher. Quit starting these trend phrases and words about people slandering their name, and risking their livelihoods please!! There are impressionable people out there who CANT think on their own, and you could really damage someones career and life by being a false trend starter. Think about shit before you start. Its stupid and irresponsible. Stay safe everyone and learn some guitar!!!

tom hess look's like rob halford

I like how he said ,," little girls rip on violins",, "we should be able to play, this" funnyhaha!

Is it normal to feel still hopeless about certain solos when I've only been playing for a month?

Very interesting video. I've never ever seen someone explain or talk about this topic in this way. This guitar instructor is on to something unique in his lessons. Sort of like he made the taboo about guitar learning "untabooed"

Why so much distortion??

One he got the concept, he stopped looking at his left hand, brilliant! Awesome instruction!

i prefer alternate picking.Its more clear

Wow, so simple yet a real breakthrough for me.

this was great advice on speed get a metronome and practice with it to work on timing it is the single greatest piece of gear I have ever bought and helps me soooo much

I have the same collapsed knuckle problem with my pinky... which is why I don't really use it that much and that sucks because it hinders speed.

What a guy. Like a cross between a guitar dude, Dennis Hopper and Rob Halford. Awesome.

Good lesson. For the left hand index problem, I think it looks like the student holds the guitar very limp and isn't using his left arm at all. Instead he is using just his fingers to put the necessary pressure on the strings. For anyone else who might have this issue, the easiest solution is to try playing in a classical posture (like Tom Hess) and make sure that you're lightly pulling the guitar into your chest at all times. Your arms should be doing the pulling, not the fingers.

Yes correct. Called economy picking. But make sure that after the 3 notes and when you are about to hit the next string that it is fluid movement from the previous note so it feels more like one stroke and not two.

i think this lesson is fantastic, because he said a detail that personally i never thought about it: sweep picking while changing strings, picking on it, then sweep the 2 strings next again. its obvious, but never thought it like that before..

Excellent lesson Tom! I really enjoy learning tips on how to play guitar in addition to my weekly guitar lessons.

The "ta-ta-tata-ta-tata" at 2:05 comes as a revelation to me. I had problems with the right-hand mechanics too.

Terrific lesson.. As with all the Hess videos, the overall lesson would be greatly improved with just a few close-ups. I understand, however that this is a live classroom, so again......terrific.

Herman Li's guitar!!!

this is incredible! playing guitar as a mindgame! really helps a lot, thanks tom!

Tom, you are a very smart teacher. My picking technique is all wrong. And thanks to your intro video on your website. i am on my way to fixing that. I mean picking with less tension with the left and not picking in a convex shape with my right instead picking straight across the strings parallel with the guitar, and my speed is picking up slowly but it's working..

Real good lesson. That's what's often called 'economy picking'. Essentially with all things in guitar, particularly if you want to get good at fast playing, is that you want to maximize mechanical efficiency - to do the most (or the same amount) with as little movement as possible - that is what he is teaching here.

I wish I could afford his lessons. Can tell right away he is a great teacher

The scale he's playing may be either harmonic minor or the arabian scale (harmonic minor starting on its 5th). not quite sure tho.

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking here, but my advice to you would be to change whatever it is you are doing prior to this event to make it easier in the long run. If you are picking down, up, and then down one string lower, and you want to sweep it, change the picking motion to up, down, sweep. Basically, if I'm reading what you're saying correctly, you are either trying to sweep when it isn't needed/possible, or you're doing something off with your motions. Try changing them.

judas priest Singer?

omg this lesson is an eye opener, I didn't think of economy picking that way! you're awesome!

great lick

this actually works surprisingly well

how to enroll for his classes? i have these kind of small hindrances which im searching answers for and which is hampering my improvement i think.

Hmm, I was wondering about this Tom Hess guy, but this was a very individualized and accurate intermediate lesson... he obviously knows his stuff.

Just what dr.SHRED ordered. This helped me ...Alot! Thanks

Hybrid picking is were you use the pick and your other fingers to pluck the strings. Basically finger picking while using a pick.

thankyou for uploading this ..... simple yet effecting speeding method

Very inspiring, because I have the same problem. Thanks for the upload.

I would focus on only picking the pentatonic licks between two strings before trying to tackle them all. Also you could try playing a lick moving in groups of two strings (E and A to A and D to D and G ect.) so that your picking hand has more time to travel across the strings.

The way you hold the guitar is big factor too. You should hold it like tom does. A relaxed shoulder

awesome. his guitar is placed on his left leg just like in classical guitar.

the kid is a good learner. keep it up guys.

the trick is to minimize your motions, move as little as posible, do it slow and gradually increase the speed. it takes a lot of time, months, maybe years but eventually you`ll get to the level you want.

Why do so many guitar teachers push Alternate picking over this superior method?

Awesome teacher!! I wish i could participate!

Im just now watching this and already I have mastered it and im still practicing I like this instructor

Dude FREAKING BRILLIANT

i have the same guitar as that student! im playing it right now!

It's directional, or economy, picking; same thing. The ONLY unique aspect is that when you switch strings you continue with your last up or down motion. You are still alternate picking on each string, and it does not have to be only with 3 note per string runs.

Nice approach, Tom. Very cool and well broken-down...

Sir, what you taught was economy picking? am I right? what i know is economy picking is 3 notes per string since the student does a 3 note per string exercise...

Spot on.

This is a really good lesson but I have a question....What if the strum before changing to next string is an up stroke while going down? Would the sweep picking not take place there?

Great vid

Gotta love MATH!!!! IT MATTERS

You're great teacher!

Great info! Thanks for sharing & ... Jam ON! -BB

This guy is incredibly clever!

Just want a confirmation: So you're supposed to make it so that when you hit the next string it will be same stroke as the last stroke of previous string? So if you play 3 notes from E string to A, so we start with a down? If we play 4 notes, we start with an up so the last note will be down and sweep to A?

03:30-04:00 is excellent advice. Everyone trying to play a million miles an hour straight off the bat is where people come unstuck.

Yes.

Super! Thank you!

Okay, cool lesson on economy picking, I will practice this. I Really want to play like zakk wylde, with quick pentatonic runs, but i find myself hitting strings i dont want to hit due to the large motion made by constantly changing strings. Any tips would be great. Thank you.

holy FUCK that exercise is hard and makes my brain freak out

where can i find a lick such as that??? if posible the one he plays at the very beginning

What a great teacher !!! I have to work hard until I can play like your student... ^^

Where have you been all my life

what scale is he using?

I'm pretty sure the guy getting taught has Herman Li's custom made guitar :O I want one!

Many useful advices. Thanks you ! =)

@lordloligator yes its up and down picking

Is that the guitarist from Holyhell?

wow very cool

Also known as Economy Picking!

Awesome vid

I'm playing guitar since so many years now. But i never tried this method. I'm a pretty average guitarist and i really hate that fact. Learning something Autarkic with only a short time of music school isn't always the best idea. Good video. I'll subscibe this channel.

the herman li ibanez sounds empty and dull against tom's custom carvin.

How do you get lessons with him?

I love you

anyone know what scale he is playing?

is the problem with his index finger due to maybe being double jointed?

herman li's guitar awesome btw awesome vid

Does anybody know what pickups tome hess uses? They look like active but i cant tell exactly

Ibanez E-gen 18, signature Herman Li

@surfstomp lol yeah i have a collapsing knuckle on my pinky, it sucks ass.. cause it locks up when im trying to play fast with it

I have to go home and see if I have the collapsing knuckle.

What kind of scale did he play in the beginning?

Yeah

Why have the guitar distorted for a lesson?

yeah!!!

What scale are they playing in this video?

what guitar do you have?

My friend had collapsed knuckle when I started he was like whatever you do...make sure to don't do that!! He had to relearn so many things fixing that problem.

Sir. Hess is the Man! =)

Could anyone please tell me what scale were they playing?

"Little girls can rip on the violin"

"Halford-like guy" - is a guitarist in HOLY HELL

Yes, and I kind of envy that kid for having one.