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Brent Mason - Hot Wired


Rocinante

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Posted

Has anyone else learned this? I'm having a bit of difficulty with the D7/F# riff that starts at 00:20, and I was wondering if anyone can suggest the most efficient method of picking across the strings here. I've tried strict alternate picking, and a mixture of alternate and sweep moves, but I still can't get it smooth and even, particularly the C-C# legato move just before he plays the open D string. Any tips for a wannabe country shredder? :confused:

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Posted

I don't know if I can help you much with it I'm afraid. I was hoping someone would make a good tab of it some day. On the other hand I would never be able to play it anyway.
The only advice I can give is to try to come up with the most efficient and easiest way to play the riff. Try to come up with something that will work and just practice it slowly until you get it up to speed. Maybe you already knows it but in case not remember that Brent Mason uses a thumbpick which gives him a lot more options when playing.
You might also want to check out his instructional video because he plays Hot Wired in the beginning of the video and by watching him playing it maybe you can get some ideas.
I just watched that video again and by looking at the video my suggestion is that you try the hybrid picking approach. Use pick and fingers. In the video Brent Mason uses his thumbpick and fingers to play that riff.

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Posted

I didn't know Brent used a thumbpick. Thanks for that -- It should help a lot in deciding how he approaches the piece. I do a lot of hybrid picking myself, but since it sounds like all flat-picked notes, that's how I've been practicing it.

Cheers also for the video heads-up. Didn't know there was one, but I'm gonna look out for it.

:cool:

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Posted

Dammit! :mad: The hybrid picking isn't working for me on this lick. I'm going to try a thumbpick, just for giggles. Looks like I'm gonna have to get the video too.

  • 2 weeks later...
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Posted

Rocinante,

The video absolutely smokes. If you're into Hot Wired and Brent Mason, you've got to get it. It's called Brent Mason: Nashville Chops & Western Swing Guitar, and it's put out by Hot Licks.

I've been toying with that whole hybrid technique and slightly dabbling in Brent Mason's technique -- but not putting in the time to nail it -- for a few years now.

I've come to the conclusion that, while I'm a decent hybrid picker, I'm gonna have to switch to the thumbpick to get the speed that Brent gets, especially on that tune.

The reason is that with my thumb and first finger holding a regular pick, my second and third fingers just aren't fast enough and coordinated enough to play Hot Wired riffs at tempo, or anywhere close.

If I try to play the same type of riffs with no pick -- just fingerpicking, and with my thumb, first finger, and second finger doing most of the work, I'm closer on the speed, but of course, you can't exactly shred using your thumb as a pick on single note lines.

So... It's got to come down to the thumbpick. And Brent manages to play all his single note lines with his thumbpick just like anyone else holding a regular pick.

I still haven't gotten one, but will, sooner or later. And then that video is goin' back in my VCR.

Also, if you're into that kind of playing, you've got to check out Johnny Hiland, who has an album out on Steve Vai's Favored Nations label. Incredible. I saw Brent and Johnny play together in Nashville at the NAMM show in 2003. Unbelievable.

Also, the dude who runs Hot Licks videos, Arlen Roth, is pretty good at that kind of playing too, and has some great instructional videos and books on the style.

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Posted

Hey Adamsj -- It's on my Xmas list! :D:cool:

I came to the exact same conclusions as yourself regarding hybrid vs. thumbpick, and also decided to get some, since two other great musical inspirations of mine also use thumbpicks -- Shawn Colvin and Doyle Dykes.

I tried one of the old Dunlop regular thumbpicks ages ago and couldn't understand how anybody could develop speed with that enormous flange of plastic on their thumb -- Not to mention the fact that it cut off the blood supply to my digit. :eek: Then I discovered that these guys use Fred Kelly's Speed Picks, so I've ordered some from Doyle Dykes' website. You might want to consider this, if you haven't already.

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