Originally Posted by Ze_Metal

It's a mental thing. If your brain is so used to an activity, the activity will be like second nature.

Look at it this way, You brush your teeth every day (hopefully). When you are brushing them do you actually have to think to yourself and say "Now I should clean the sides of my teeth" or do you just do it?

That is the reasoning behind this method. It's 21 days because scientists belive that's how long the brain needs before it actually becomes a habit.

This also works on brand new guitarists. If you watch them progress 21 days, around that amount of time they will get one of those "Bursts" in skill. I'm sure this happened to you at some point, right? You suddenly realize that you got a little bit better.

I'm not saying this method WILL work, but it's just a more scientific way of practicing.

Originally Posted by Dr. Faustus

So I guess it is time for me to put up my results. For The Love Of God please read either this post or the video description to know what is going on.

I thought I would make it interesting and also compare it to a few other training methods. For each training method, I'll start at the speed I was able to play the lick at first then speed up until it becomes unnecessarily sloppy - so you can compare the gains made overall, and those made while retaining accuracy. I'll only play small sections of each song for the sake of time.

01. 21 Day Method - One Speed
01. I practiced the insane string skipping solo from Racer X's Scarified at a single speed for the 21 days.

02. 21 Day Method - Burst
02. I practiced the arpeggio section from Jason Becker's Altitudes mostly at a single speed, with a burst in speed - to the maximum possible - every 10 to 20 times through it.

03. Gradual Method - No Burst
03. I practiced one of Paul Gilbert's signature licks by gradually upping the tempo once I had played it cleanly five times.

04. Gradual Method - Burst
04. I practiced the Bach inspired section of Racer X's Scarified - as well as the rest of the song sans solo - sticking generally to the Gradual Method but also throwing in a speed burst every 10 to 20 times through it.

05. Noob Method
05. Just to really emphasize that all of these practice methods have their merits - which may not be apparent since I can't play in front of a camera at all, I decided to try learning the Iron Man solo with only full speed attempts - and it really sucks. I don't even bother to finish it since you guys get the point within a few seconds.

You guys can judge which one seems to be most efficient. To put things into context, I've been playing guitar for a little over 2 years and have practiced: alternate picking for 1.5 years, string skipping for 1 year, and sweep picking for 0.5 years.

And here is the video:

Originally Posted by luke.666

it worked for me with "spit you out" by bullet. mabey because it a hell of a lot easier than what the others r playin.

Originally Posted by VIRUSDETECTED

I nailed my song quicker than expected. This principal is great though.

Originally Posted by Munchlaxatives

After three days, it really worked. Then I had to go back to work and I haven't really practiced since last week. But it really does work!

Originally Posted by codyshredfoo

i did it before i saw this thread. except not for a set time. i played "symbiotic in theory" at 40 bpm and now im playing it at full speed (220 bpm) after like 2 months lol. shh... that song is fkin hard...

Originally Posted by truespin

Im 8 days in, and I'm already able to play the song at full speed from memory...
From not knowing the song at all I think that's a good jump.
The rhythm track, mind you, not the leads.
The leads are later.

Originally Posted by FischmungaXTR

I just tried this exercise with some sweep picking for just 45 mins and I noticed a huge improvement already.

Originally Posted by truespin

There are my results.

Originally Posted by Stian16

i finished some days ago. Still, I'm not surprised. I am able to play F.C.P.R.M.I.X. but not perfectly and solo is totally impossible. I may have played the song too little every day. So now i want to learn a new song. And put some more effort in it because i like it better. Gonna try canon rock :O starting now!

Originally Posted by Mackawade

i was wondering what is some of the stuff you guys would consider better than WOW

Originally Posted by last-1s-out

Getting kicked in the balls repeatedly

Originally Posted by metalman89

I've never understood how to use a metronome along with a song. Can somone explain it to me? Say for instance I wanted to learn the intro to master of puppets. How would I use a metronome along with it?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by metalman89

I've never understood how to use a metronome along with a song. Can somone explain it to me? Say for instance I wanted to learn the intro to master of puppets. How would I use a metronome along with it?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by silvadolla

this is a very cool idea, could you guys do some journaling or something as you progress?

Originally Posted by asfastasdark

I don't use them the way you're supposed to use them, I just look for a beat in the song. An example is in like head-banging music, the head-banging is usually the beat. For me, it's hard to detect a beat in Master of Puppets. Imagine it like a drummer who only had one drum and one drum stick, and he was a robot so he could only hit the drum once every so long. He would be your metronome.
For this 21-day method it's not really necessary to use a metronome, you could also just play it accurate, and then a bit slower, but it won't be as accurate, of course... Anyway, I'm bad at explaining metronomes. I don't use them much, but if you're practicing your speed, they are mighty helpful!

Originally Posted by TNfootballfan62

People with a duck for their avatar always give good advice.

Originally Posted by Dave_Mc

i wanna see a clip of a recto buying some groceries.