Robben Ford Discussion

[bobc]

I'm going through Robben's Blues and Beyond and am trying to use the diminished scale runs as a passing scale going from I7 to IV7. Having problems playing those 16th notes at the right (fast) tempo.

Anybody have any ideas on how to build up a little speed here ? The diminished scale runs sound pretty lame when played at a slower tempo (IMHO). When Robben plays it the notes just cascade out in perfect time.... I wonder how he built up his speed on difficult runs like this ?

[kirk95]

How are you fingering the scale?

The key thing with the half/whole dim is that it is symetric - the same fingering repeats as you move from string to string or up/down in minor 3rds or tritones....use that and you can fly around the neck picking, using hammer/ pulloffs, or even using legato.

Robben does a lot of fast runs where he picks the first note and then the rest of the run is just left hand.........
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[bobc]

This particular run is the first diminished run in example 3 from 'Revelation'. It basically spans 4 frets except for 1 note so I am fingering it with all 4 fingers in 7th position and picking every note.

[Caputo]

Bob, you need to see where the desired tempo "clocks" in at on the met.

I have been following this as recommended by Tom Hess and have been building CLEAN speed:

then follow this:
Practice the lick at 20%-35% of Robben's speed. Do this for 5 consecutive practice sessions. Resist the temptation to go faster during this stage. Make sure everything is still very clean. There must be NO excessive tension anywhere in your arms, hands, wrists, shoulders, neck, head or anywhere else. Watch to make sure you have no excessive or unnecessary movements in either hand. For some guitarists, this first step is very boring. You MUST remain patient with yourself, and the process, during this time. This is absolutely critical! If you skip this step, you will probably train your hands to play incorrectly, inefficiently and ineffectively. At this stage you are developing the proper muscle memory for this technique. If you are currently studying with a great guitar teacher, your progress will be much faster, easier and better than if you attempt to do this on your own. Once you have mastered stage two, you may move on to stage three, but not before! Above I said you should practice this stage for 5 consecutive practice sessions. That is only a general guideline, after the 5th session, reevaluate your progress. If you have not mastered this step, continue practicing at 20%-35% before moving on to stage 3.

Stage 3: Practice at 50% of Robben's speed. Do this for 3 consecutive practice sessions. Again, make sure everything remains very clean. Play relaxed without tension anywhere in your arms, hands, wrists, shoulders, neck, etc. Watch to make sure you have no excessive or unnecessary movements in either hand. Do not move on until this step is mastered (it could take longer than 3 sessions, but do NOT move on to stage 4 before practicing for 3 sessions.

Stage 4: Practice at 60-65% of Robben's speed. Do this for 3 consecutive practice sessions. Again, with total relaxation and economy of motion (no unnecessary movements).

Stage 5: Practice at 80% of Robben's speed. Do this for 5 consecutive practice sessions.

Stage 6: Practice at 85% of Robben's speed for the next (1) practice session only.

Stage 7: Practice at 90% of your Robben's speed for the next 10 practice sessions.

Stage 8: DRILL IT! TOTALLY RIPPIN (translation play at 100%) FOR an entire week!