triplettes and Zoot Suit Riot intro

edhead · #1 12-09-2008, 06:46 PM

The band I've joined is doing Zoot Suit Riot, and it is up to me to provide the opening lick that is 4 set of triplettes of descending tritones.

I am struggling with the speed of these notes, as I am a finger picker.

Right now I am attempting to do this with only 2 fingers on my picking hand, that is i-m-i for each set of triplettes. I was thinking about using 3 fingers for the pattern of i-m-r, and was hoping for any suggestions of how I should play this.

For giggles, I tried it with a pick and come closer to pulling it off, but would rather not go that way.

thanks

sleeplessknight · #2 12-09-2008, 08:16 PM

Well, there's a couple different ways to skin this cat. I just whipped out my bass, and with my small nimble fingers it doesn't seem all that difficult for me to do it fingerstyle. Then again, I'm "that guy" that attempts (ususally fails, but *shrug* :P ) Jaco licks for grins, so feel free to disregard that. I'd say if the triplet bit is giving you trouble, get out your metronome and do it at the absolute slowest speed you can stand. Make it smoooooooooth and accurate. A good friend (and amazing player) once told me that 'smooth *is* speed, it just doesn't know it yet'. Advance the metronome by a single click, and keep doing it (give yourself a set number of repetitions if you want, something like 40-50). Continue until your tempo is GREATER than the tempo of the tune, and then dial it back to the tune's real tempo. Congrats, you will have just tricked yourself into learning a new lick!

The other way is to use the Victor Wooten 'double-thumb, single pluck' technique. That particular one (hitting through the string with your thumb, pulling back up through with your thumb, and with the same wrist motion plucking the string with your index finger) is REALLY good for doing rapid-fire triplets, especially if you're already a pretty accurate/smooth slap player. Here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF4GYZECVKE

Anyway, hope this helps!

--Lee

4andnomore · #3 12-11-2008, 09:43 PM

I've often found that for certain rhythms starting with the middle finger works better, as in m-i-m. You may also want to alternate patterns so that no two consecutive notes are played on the same finger, that is m-i-m, i-m-i, m-i-m, i-m-i. and so on. Try tapping out he beatwith your fingers on a table top - get the right hand down, then worry about the left.

Get loose - try standing and use more body/appendage movement get the feel of the groove - dance like a maniac if you have to, and then tone it down once you get it This was taught to me long ago by a local guy who was a fantastic jazz performer - dude kicked it on both upright and electric and could play funk like nobody's business.

Good luck.

Dogbertday · #4 12-11-2008, 09:58 PM

It's a guitar lick originally right? (I'm just asking because I remember seeing it in sheet music in high school but I can't remember if it was cues, or optional or what.)

I would use two fingers as stated above (i-m-i- m-i-m etc).

Tips on playing fast....

don't play loud

concentrate on using as little motion as possible

practice slow then work up speed

RELAX!!!!

onlyclave · #5 12-11-2008, 10:08 PM

It's a guitar lick. But Dan Schmidt if the Cherry Poppin' Daddies uses his fingers most of the time anyway.

mrtn400 · #6 12-11-2008, 10:50 PM

You should also try doing three finger triplets.

They're way easier than alternating two finger triplets, and they really help when your band decides to play something like The Trooper.

1-trip-let
R-M-I

ysand · #7 12-12-2008, 05:33 AM

IMO if u're a 2 finger player (like me) , try the i-m-i m-i-m i-m-i thing.
Practice it a LOT and when u'll achieve it (trust me, won't take long) you will feel so much better with your right hand technique

edhead · #8 12-12-2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4andnomore

I've often found that for certain rhythms starting with the middle finger works better, as in m-i-m. You may also want to alternate patterns so that no two consecutive notes are played on the same finger, that is m-i-m, i-m-i, m-i-m, i-m-i. and so on. Try tapping out he beatwith your fingers on a table top - get the right hand down, then worry about the left.

I like the table top tapping practice, that I can do anywhere. Great idead.

And to the others, yes it is a guitar riff, but in the band I joined the old bass player played this riff, so I am expected to. And I actually look forward to the challenge.

greenboy · #9 12-12-2008, 09:07 AM

I guess I need to listen to this tune. But if it's descending octave-tritone-root can't you just use a controlled rake across three strings for each note group?

BobaFret · #10 12-12-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

I guess I need to listen to this tune. But if it's descending octave-tritone-root can't you just use a controlled rake across three strings for each note group?

The trip's are on the same note.

da da da - da da da - da da da - da da da - dum

Or something like that.

greenboy · #11 12-12-2008, 10:13 AM

Ah, right. No rake then.

I'm working on getting my three-finger fingerstyle back in order. Over time I kinda fell back into two.

onlyclave · #12 12-12-2008, 10:36 AM

That should probably be played

i-m-i m-i-m i-m-i m or oppositely depending on which finger you prefer to lead with, but remember that the final note at the bottom of that little run is the most important.

Practice it very, very slowly and cleanly over and over again. You should have it nailed it 2-3 days.