Marty Friedman - Tech Session by Andy James

Overview

Welcome to the "Marty Friedman - Tech Session" by Andy James, an in-depth guitar lesson series from Licklibrary.com that delivers note-for-note tutorials designed to elevate your playing to new heights. This masterclass focuses on the unique techniques and signature styles of the legendary guitarist Marty Friedman. Led by the skilled Andy James, this series not only dissects Friedman's complex playing style but also demonstrates how to integrate these techniques into your own performances. Whether you’re an advanced player looking to refine your skills or an intermediate guitarist ready to tackle more challenging material, this tech session offers invaluable insights and practical knowledge.

Lesson Breakdown

Lesson 1: Vibrato and String Bending

In this lesson, Andy James delves into the expressive techniques of vibrato and string bending, two cornerstones of Marty Friedman’s playing style. Vibrato adds a singing quality to your notes, making your solos more emotive. String bending involves pushing the string to raise the pitch, a technique that requires both precision and control. Mastering these will allow you to add more feeling and emotion to your playing, essential for any lead guitarist.

Lesson 2: Alternate Picking and Legato

Alternate picking is a fundamental technique that increases your picking speed and efficiency. Andy James provides detailed exercises to improve your alternate picking, ensuring you can play fast runs cleanly and accurately. Additionally, this lesson covers legato, a smooth and fluid technique that involves hammer-ons and pull-offs. Legato playing is key to achieving Marty Friedman's flowing and seamless sound.

Lesson 3: Tapped Harmonics and Pinched Harmonics

Andy demonstrates the use of tapped harmonics and pinched harmonics, which add a unique, almost ethereal quality to your playing. Tapped harmonics involve tapping the string at specific frets to produce bell-like tones, while pinched harmonics produce a high-pitched squeal by striking the string with the thumb and pick simultaneously. These techniques are perfect for adding texture and variety to your solos.

Lesson 4: Arpeggios and Sweep Picking

Incorporating arpeggios into your solos can create intricate and melodic lines that stand out. Andy James breaks down various arpeggio shapes and patterns, making them accessible for practice. Furthermore, he introduces sweep picking, a method that allows you to play arpeggios at high speed by using a sweeping motion with your pick. This technique is essential for executing fast, fluid passages reminiscent of Marty Friedman’s solos.

Lesson 5: Dive Bombs and Whammy Bar Tricks

For a dramatic and dynamic playing style, Andy James explores dive bombs and other whammy bar tricks. These techniques, made famous by guitarists like Friedman, involve using the whammy bar to drastically change the pitch of notes, creating a wild and unpredictable sound. These tricks are not only fun to perform but also add a new level of excitement to your playing.

Performance Context

One of the standout features of this tech session is the performance by Andy James. Watching a skilled guitarist apply these techniques in a musical context is incredibly beneficial. It allows you to see how the techniques are used in real-time, providing a practical reference point. You can observe how transitions are made between different techniques and how they fit within a song structure. This not only reinforces your learning but also inspires you to incorporate these elements into your own performances, enhancing your overall musicality.

Conclusion

The "Marty Friedman - Tech Session" by Andy James offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the techniques that define Friedman's unique style. By focusing on each technique in detail and demonstrating them in a performance context, these lessons provide both theoretical and practical knowledge. Whether you're aiming to replicate Marty Friedman’s iconic sound or develop your own signature style, this tech session is an invaluable resource.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Pinched Harmonics
• String Bending
• Arpeggios
• Sweep Picking
• Dive Bombs
• Whammy Bar Tricks

Embark on this exciting journey and transform your guitar playing with the "Marty Friedman - Tech Session" by Andy James today!