Cracking the Code Episode 11: “Eric the Right” - Eric Johnson & Downward Pickslanting + Pentatonics

[@robinghoshmusic]

I can only imagine how much time and effort goes into producing videos of this quality. The entire guitar community thanks you!

[@johnqpublic2013]

+1

[@anathemar]

***** forreals

[@brandoncook2560]

I absolutely agree.

[@shanemetts5853]

Troy Grady is not only a great instructor but also one of the top players in the history of the guitar.. I've been playing professionally for more than 25 years now, GIT trained many years back but I learn something from Troy everytime i watch one of the many videos he's produced. Thank you sir for all your research and development.

[@campanis]

Yes but the video game noises are almost unbearable

[@joemysterymusic]

Deconstructing Eric Johnson's style is not easy. This is a tour de force lesson. Laying it out in animation is totally over the top. Now intersperse slow-mo video of Eric himself and then, for emphasis, put it together and see the instructor using his "decoded" concepts to play. This is truly generous and beyond belief. The idea that ten people gave this a thumbs down is freakin' ludicrous. We are so fortunate to have videos like this one and the original source material. Awesome, the best conceptual lesson I have ever seen. Brilliant.

[@taradead]

+Joe Mystery I'm guessing those ten people expected the slow down and tabs to be included free with the vid. Without tabs, the video is pretty useless...except for inspiration (total success, in that regard).

[@joemysterymusic]

I see what you are saying brother. I love tabs as much as anybody. But It seems reasonable for Troy and his partners to want to make money on this project. I was thinking of the time and effort (and money) involved in a production like this. It takes a team and you can't live on KZbin approvals. As for myself, I have been slowing down Eric Johnson DVDs on my own to learn licks for years. But I have also been playing for a number of years so that helps. I don't necessarily need tabs although I appreciate their value. Troy has a site where you can buy this lesson in expanded form by download or subscription. I think this would include what you want. The download fee is in the $50-60 range if my memory serves me well. About the cost of two reasonably priced private lessons. Check it out. Best of luck.

[@joemysterymusic]

+chris sisson Absolutely agree with your assessment. This video emphasizes things that are usually not emphasized, even by experienced teachers. The elements here can be applied to quite a few scale types, especially so pentatonic. Yes, this is all about picking theory. The amazing thing is that guys like Eric and Morse probably evolved this stuff out of trail and error mechanics. Grady is creating a system approach. What was finally needed was the video and slow-mo capabilities and a guy with an iron will- Troy- who was willing to create lessons..

[@Kyrelel]

I'm guessing those (now 50+) thumbs down are from non-Americans.

[@alfcarlssonmusic]

word!!

[@IconicBattles]

I don't think people appreciate enough the amazing 8 bit segments, nor the 8 bit music programming (all in Eric Johnson-esque melodic sequences). That took a lot of work I bet!

[@troygrady]

NegroMente Cool thanks! The game sounds were actually programmed in Atari BASIC. It was the only way to get the vibe! Adam on our team did the amazing visuals.

[@ShootoutguitarcablesUK]

***** You programmed the sounds! OMG! You're already legendary attention to detail clearly knows no bounds!

[@troygrady]

Shootout Guitar Cables UK This was easier to do than it sounds! And actually faster than running around sourcing sound effects from other games.

[@InfinityDz]

@@troygrady wow, I always wanted to do "8-bit" music, but never thought to just use an actual Atari (if I understand correctly)

[@BoiseG]

This is the coolest instructional guitar video I've ever seen...I only wish I knew what he was talking about.

[@zaccyo]

haahahaah!!!

[@ksharpe10]

Watch all those old Hot Licks videos from the late 80's and early 90's, they are a treasure trove.

[@TheBfutgreg]

I reckon it's something about guitar, just a hunch

[@Victor-vx9nu]

OMG HOW IS THIS FREE... THIS IS THE MOST VALUABLE VIDEO ABOUT GUITAR I HAVE WATCHED FROM THE DAY I WAS BORN UNTIL THIS VERY MOMENT.

[@Nomadic_Ard]

Completely agree. Genius

[@folkestonehorror2723]

Ditto. Genius.

[@markyboo]

What makes a lot of Eric's stuff so difficult is that he'll choose to play something in an area of the neck purely for the different tone it gives, as opposed to the most logical for ease of playing.

[@ShootoutguitarcablesUK]

He's one scary demon of a player for someone so softly spoken!

[@TimTranGuitar]

Totally agree Its as hard as paul gilbert's pratice

[@ksharpe10]

@@ShootoutguitarcablesUK That is his whole persona, Being a Godly person, and in this case sounding Much Larger Than he Physically shows.

[@thetruthchannel349]

thats key to just simply arr. gtr parts in the studio as well. Its compositional and arrangement value but its also a production value as well. A lot of the time Eric is finding a note that works best for whatever is coming next also.

[@josephhaas7413]

Imagine how good you have to be to make that work

[@TruthSurge]

You're too damn smart. The drones are on their way. You have exposed our secrets for too long, Mr. Grady! We tried to hide the sweep picking and confuse players with the Eric Johnson vid but you've meddled where you shouldn't have! Now... you leave us no alternative. Upstroke, downstroke, it won't matter soon. MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH

[@TruthSurge]

+Bill's Cheesy Sitar I was waiting for you to go first.

[@MrPyroguru]

+TruthSurge Licks are like math problems and finding the correct solution is the only way! But.... Never forget the metronome.

[@TruthSurge]

+Michael Williams Metronomes? We don't need no stinkin' metronomes!

[@MrPyroguru]

TruthSurge HAHA!

[@Tricknologyinc]

He'll be waiting for you at every crossroad, Santa. Stop being such a Grinch! What the hell were you doing on Tim Allen's roof anyway! You know you saw every episode of Home Improvement a hundred times! Go haunt Donald and Hillary!

[@stratman006]

Hey Troy, I'm a teacher/ Performer by trade. I make my living with a Guitar. I want to say I enjoy your videos.It's very obvious that you are educated and are not on utube just to be on tv. You have done your research and it shows. Keep it up. Its nice to see a guy work hard and it's about the work not just to hear yourself talk. Keep it up bud.

[@ganthop]

Troy, you have done a PHD analysis of picking technique , something that was sorely lacking! This depth of research has been common in the harmonic analysis of Jazz and Classical music, and also in the mechanics of various other instruments, but never for our beloved electric guitar! Thank you so much, and the work is brilliant and profound!

[@ReductioAdAbsurdum]

These are the most ridiculously well produced, informative guitar videos ever created. How did I only now discover them, and where the fuck were they when I was 14? Kids these days have such an unfair advantage. :)

[@Bigbazz86]

If I had these videos when I was 15 my playing would have been on an entirely different level by the time I was 17. I didn't lack in motivation or dedication back then and practiced 4 hours+ every day, but practicing bad technique leads to dead ends and brick walls! And I hit a lot of brick walls and dead ends!

[@trygveknudsen3809]

I am amazed. Not only do you know this technique inside out - you've also mastered the art of making a graphically complex but intuitive and inspiring video lesson. I also like how the audio bits 'weave' together here - those droning chords you've put under Eric's lines, and so on. Very cool.

[@troygrady]

Trygve Knudsen Thanks Trygve!

[@EthanRidings]

***** Like seriosly... This is the first video I came across from you. You are one of the most talented teachers I have ever listened to.

[@mallrat11]

it's like im watching an Illuminati video

[@johnnybgood774]

Lol

[@fraserwing8744]

Ha-ha! Solid comment to make me chuckle.

[@travisdh89]

Or an unsolved mysteries lol

[@WingmanStudios]

Without a doubt, this is the single best video on explaining advanced guitar technique of all time. If every instructional video was like this, we would all be experts. Bravo. This was 10/10 craftsmanship in this video!

[@playlistforkids]

This is possibly the best thing I've ever seen on KZbin

[@JACVA1]

Cracking the Code - "Guthrie Govan". Please man, keep the wonderful job

[@elephantricity]

hopefully one day

[@ritsmond]

I think he uses the "spreading butter" technique. He "strums one string". He said it in the 32nd note strumming tutorial.

[@Bigbazz86]

Definitely!

[@workerbea3952]

Please please please

[@RickyBooby95]

Waves would be the perfect song to do it to.

[@bobbysbackingtracks]

Troy is brilliant.

[@shreder89]

jesus this is straight up a list material for every guitar nerd on the planet! i just can´t get enough of this stuff! more episodes please! it felt like an eternity to wait for this new episode, thank you thank you thank you sooo much!

[@troygrady]

No worries, thanks for watching!

[@KyleS.1987]

Brilliant teaching and presentation as always, and I think the soundtrack for the episode is your best yet. Love the work you guys are doing.

[@troygrady]

Thanks Kyle! We aim to please.

[@zaccyo]

This is what class and school should be like - regardless of subject. Made with love by true experts and delivered in a brilliant way. Very fun, interesting, capturing, educational, inspiring, etc. I could go all day. One of the most amazing eduactional pieces I have ever seen, and Troy Grady's lessons have changed my life by multiplying my love and inspiration for the guitar. Thank you so much to Troy and his team, and if anyone out there is considering buying his lessons. You have no fucking idea. Just do it.

[@troygrady]

Thanks man! Indeed making these features is a big chunk of effort.

[@arthur.monticelli]

This video is one of the most precious things human race has ever produced. Thank you, Troy

[@Glupkomatun]

This is the greatest gift to all mankind. Amen

[@A2kingsfull]

I can't believe how good your videos. I've been playing for almost 20 years just recently started taking lessons again, my teacher said to watch Yngwie and I stumbled across your vids thank god!

[@Dustypye]

I've learn't more this afternoon watching this than I can believe. Its so well done and has been a pleasure to watch, I wished I had watched it in 2014. Many thanks for the massive amount of effort you have put in generating this content.

[@severalpaperclips]

Ack!!! I just got to the part in the "Cascade" performance notes where you show how EJ vaguely ruminated about two-way pickslanting way back in "The Fine Art of Guitar". He always struck me as a sincere and likeable guy, and he seems to genuinely be trying to share his wisdom, but the difficulty in sussing out his intended meaning from those videos was agonizing. I can only imagine what a person could have learned from some private lessons with the guy, where followup questions and elaborations/demonstrations would have been possible. But you would have had to know the right questions to ask too. So glad you've been able to decipher this for us, and in retrospect, it all starts to seem obvious, though the state of guitar today shows us it really wasn't so obvious. Better late than never, though!

[@nicksm7980]

Ace Frehley reference?

[@collinjamesguitar]

Love the “Landron Lodge” haha that’s epic. One of Eric’s best solos on Musicom

[@ksharpe10]

I will never forget hearing that song on the radio in the early 90's, It was not even released as some kind of single. The radio guy just shared an album cut he heard, something of which they do not do on radio since the early 90's but was commonplace in the 70's/early 80's. High Landrons. I think it might be a idea Eric got from Reading, Hinds Feet in High Places, a novel well worth reading!!!

[@tfjzz]

wish videos like this would have been around when i was 15-17....lots of years of exploring could have been saved....anyways such a great effort doing this!..thank you very much troy!

[@Scrowsers]

Wow, this is amazing. Never thought I would listen to someone talking half an hour about picking technique. xD The work that went into this video has probably been exhausting. Awesome that you shared this with us, and in such detail. Thank you very much and cheers!

[@SuperLandslide]

Troy, you are to teaching the guitar what Jimi Hendrix, EVH and Yngwie are to playing the guitar. Light years ahead of everyone else! AMAZING!

[@timwhite5562]

I was ALWAYS tentative playing the 5 note rolling descending runs. I never stuck with 1 way because they never felt 100% consistent. Sometimes they felt right and sometimes they didn't. It anyways depended on what preceded the lick. I've also always utilized downward slanting just because early on it seemed to make sense for playing certain types of phrasing, especially with pentatonics. I used it when playing those EJ runs, but it didn't change the fact that sometimes playing them in those runs sometimes just didn't feel right. Id watched the 6 minute video on playing those runs. Then the segment that slowed it down and then had the animation showing what was going on and why it worked well came on. Unexpectedly, after watching that few seconds of animation, and it suddenly clicked. I picked up a guitar and played a few attempts, and i was playing it better than i ever had before, or at least without that inconsistency that always made it feel like i was "fumbling" the run instead of "playing" it was gone. It was just a matter of seeing it gave me an "intent/purpose," and it was immediately beneficial. I can only think of 2 other things that paid off that quickly: realizing that i was string-hopping too much when i was playing something requiring more speed than your average classic rock or blues riffs, and; focusing on playing notes and chords ON TOP of the fretboard and not THROUGH it, when i transitioned to thicker/chunkier necks.

[@musihada]

Cracking the Code's editor deserves a medal for giving me goosebumps on the piano playing E major with Eric's descending pentatonic lick!!

[@topazaditia]

Bravo!! This by far is the best tutorial/lesson/analytical whatever video I've found on KZbin land. You sir, I salute you for your time and effort. Thank you!

[@StrongerAths]

I’m literally only 2.5 minutes in and I’m already blown away by the quality of this video. Fantastic work.

[@SecularSpinach]

Oh my gracious goodness! I just discovered this, and it is exciting, fascinating, brilliantly produced and 'light years' beyond any other guitar tutorial I have ever seen! I'm just a life-long E.J. fan, and without really aspiring to play like him, I always get a thrill out of just listening! I've always been fascinated by the 'math of music' and to me it was obvious that E.J. had some very intricate arrangements woven into the math of his picking patterns. But just listening was good enough for me! (As far as playing, Rock N' Roll rhythm guitar is where I'm at...) Nonetheless, it's awesome, illuminating and thoroughly entertaining to watch your presentation of 'cracking this code'. Thanks and Rock On!

[@Eric-ww2qb]

Eric likes to "pick out" for tonal fullness.. I suspect this is why he prefers to stringhop on slower runs, switching to sweeps when speed is required. He's choosing the right technique for the intended effect. these videos are priceless... knowledge is power and you're giving it away freely. Truly awesome.

[@absdyna]

Sherlock Holmes once said that genius was an infinite capacity for taking pains, and by his definition you sir are a bona fide genius!

[@HurtboxTV]

I'd love to see something on Kiko Loureiro's picking. It's incredible technique.

[@Mevlinous]

Makes me appreciate my guitar hero’s even more now, thanks Troy our guitar decoding genius!

[@mjs28c]

Troy Grady: Yesterday I watched all of Seasons 1 & 2 in one sitting. (Slow day here at the office.) Very impressive, indeed! And it all made so much sense. My thoughts went to how many years I'd spent maintaining strict alternate-picking, working towards keeping the pick perfectly perpendicular to the guitar (though I WAS using edge-picking). Despite seeing Eric J., Yngwie, etc. all slant their guitar picks....it never registered in my brain. When I got home yesterday I tried a few scales and patterns with the slant method......you can guess the results. You deserve much credit for pursuing this and 'cracking the code'. I also posted a link to Season 1 Episode1 on my FB page. I told all of my guitar buds what you'd accomplished, and that they should really watch all of these videos (regardless of their own musical taste/style.) Well done!

[@jak9990]

Troy is the guitar community Big Brothers every young Player wishes for

[@Xtrememan512]

Troy Grady, the teacher for all teachers, guitarist for all guitarists... And to top it all off, we're all having fun! Incredible... I've been binge watching these episodes and learned more than I ever have the past 8 years of playing guitar... To you sir I tip my hat. Live long and prosper and may the shred be with you!

[@jaxxbridson5233]

This is the first episode I came across. I am now 100% going to go to episode 1 and work my way through. You've done a fantastic job on putting this together.

[@reaganbrowne6373]

The thing that makes E.J so special is he's able to play these incredible things at warp speed, but always making it melodic and musical at the same time. That's what's always drawn me to his playing, along with his amazing tones! Keep up the great work Troy!

[@shawnpatrick7039]

Fantastic mesh of Yngwie and Eric's style in harmony...🤘

[@1969MARKETING]

Troy's power lies in those massive calves he has :)

[@jongomm]

Next stop: Steve Morse. :)

[@KingTabor]

Id love Mr Morse as well but maybe Mr Gomm's code deserves the season finale. Youre a monster. Cheers from Brasil!

[@srdjanbosnjak7413]

Well,to me,the most interesting thing about Steve Morse,is not his guitar playing skills,but instead how he manage to compose music that is on another level from everything else.

[@KingTabor]

Srdjan Bošnjak You re right, the man's song library is awesome

[@KingTabor]

beeroosterm sorry cannot see why edge + pickslanting can alone damage anyone´s wrist

[@KingTabor]

beeroosterm To me it seems like overplaying instead of this or that approach. I mean, Vinnie Moore still uses his forearm/doublepickslanting right? And YJM still edge+downslanting. I have seen Mr Morse with his guitar in hands even unplugged and while sitting at a TV late show sofa answering questions.

[@8triagrammer]

Amazing video on many levels. Just your attention span a lone in being able to analyze the live footage with such depth and detail is remarkable, and one of the reasons why you're better at guitar than me.. haha And I see what you did there at the end with "trademark". ;)

[@ToneDeth.]

I only just discoverd your channel after Ben Eller mentioned it. These videos are ridiculously good!

[@MattBrownGuitar]

Hi Troy! Just wanted to thank you for posting these lessons. I've been playing professionally for about 17 years now, and I've always felt that my picking technique is my achilles heel. I'm now reevaluating everything I do with the pick thanks to your awesome lessons! I can't tell you how much my speed and overall facility has improved just in the last few days. :)

[@KingTabor]

Has anybody else noticed that Mr. Grady had managed not only to phrase a la EJ´s but he´d mastered his ingenious "two distinct downstrokes in a row" sweep as well?

[@frozencons]

I can't begin to express my excitement for this series; it, along with the Season Pass and Master's in Mechanics, improved my playing so much in a very short period of time. I always found the segment of Eric's instructional video analyzed here to be a baffling head scratcher. Bounce? The heck is he talking about "bounce?" He's not bouncing at all in the example! I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this to be a bit of a road block. Thankfully, Troy's done a wonderful job of breaking it down and clearing up the fog (which was surely unintentional on Mr. Johnson's part). Thanks for your unparalleled work in guitar instruction, Troy and the rest of the Cracking the Code team! Everybody else, go spread the word!

[@troygrady]

frozencons The "bounce technique" scene is one of the most interesting segments on any instructional video, ever. Eric was inches away from unleashing downward pickslanting on the world 25 years ago. He had the stature and the audience to do it. Nobody would have doubted him. He got about halfway there, but jumbled the distinction between bounce, edge, and slant, and the message was lost. Had the thought process and the explanation been just a little bit clearer, it's amazing to think what the effects might have been.

[@YetiOnGuitar]

***** I have owned that instructional video for years, and I too was always baffled by his explanation in that part upon every fresh viewing. I thought there could be no way to maintain the exaggerated bounce he shows slowly when brought up to his normal tempos. Brilliant analysis to realize that he was conflating many different topics at once, and wasn't exactly practicing what he preached when brought up to speed.

[@judycouch8343]

+Yeti On Guitar jim

[@jamesrobinson529]

Simplicity is the trademark of genius. Well said!

[@ratfacedudeguy_]

Wow. Concepts that have flabbergasted me for years, eluding my burning desire and efforts to learn and understand them on a conceptual and modular level, now suddenly completely broken down and presented in easily digestible chunks and illustrative animations, best of all to the definitive recording of this legendary staple in any student of shred/virtuosity in guitar; what's more, incorporating analogous demonstrations from previous lessons without sacrificing a lick of accessibility in doing so. Cracked the code you have indeed, sir. Bravo to you for diligence, vigilance, and uncanny penchant for explanation and presentation using just the right balance between lay- and tech-speak. Even though I put down the electric guitar and the flatpick now a few years ago to devote my studies to the percussive multi-part methodology of the solo fingerstyle acoustic guitar movement, the day will come when the itch for the electric returns. And when it does, your series here will be indispensable in finally breaking down the barriers I was so frustratedly facing in advancing to a truly virtuosic command of the entirety of the fretboard (who knew, too much Tony Iommi and early Jimmy Page would eventually reveal itself a nigh inescapable shackle to in-the-box pentatonics, give or take a blues scale chromatic here or there, for leads and melodies...) and the picking techniques that for so long embodied the greatest adversary of my legato-centric style's bag of tricks and fake-outs, only realizing after it was too late the degree to which they had turned into more technical crutches than tools of a well rounded and diverse repertoire when relied upon instead of tastefully reserved for economically spaced moments of excitement and accentuation (because accenting *everything* really provides no *accent* at all). Anyway, thank you for the obvious mountain of time and effort you invested in analyzing and mastering the techniques, and then creating this outstanding video for guys like me who just couldn't make sense of it before. Made an instant subscriber out of me. Looking forward to catching up on the rest of the series, and eagerly waiting for any upcoming additions.

[@sshanks]

This is fun and funny. I'm 61 and went through a lot of these frustrations in the 70's....But I still got paid. One peeve though. Eric Johnson was playing these licks and styles in public long before Malmsteen came on the scene. I used to see him often from the early 70's through the 80's here in Texas.

[@sotarules]

Oh, also before I forget. I think that the "space" that Eric Johnson tries to go into is so important, it resonates like an important part of all of us. I am so glad that he fought to go there, and I think it is too important for that to be lost if we lose Eric (everyone dies eventually). You seem to really "get it" and I'm pleased that this style will not be forgotten if only to live on through your playing.

[@jenyminor]

That is why, Eric Johnson is a master guitar player and one of my most favorites. Nice job on the work you did to share with us all.

[@gtrfrkkkkk]

Troy,you are such a genius.I like you animated illustrations.

[@russt6]

This is great! I love the excellent dissection you did. Quite logical and very simple... But you are the first to do a really awesome video on it all. My father got me that EJ video when I started playing... It was 1990 and I was 15 (could be off by a year or 2 + or -) I am also a graphic designer for the last 20 years, so the combo of the video graphics and the nostalgic euphoria I got watching this was such an entertaining accidental surprise that I clicked on your video. Glad I did. It's Excellent!!!

[@troygrady]

Thanks!

[@kennybonanza6324]

Troy, this series is amazing! I can't wait to start employing some of the code into my practice!

[@troygrady]

+Kenny Pick Thanks!

[@iodo2004]

Troy, if they had a Nobel prize for world class guitar tutorials, you would certainly win. Your work is inspirational and philanthropic to the guitar community. Thank YOU!

[@douglasbrauner8687]

I come back to this video every year, it always blows my mind. I mean, it is almost illegal that this is free. Troy is a truly master of diving deep on technique, and the quality of the content is mouth dropping!

[@TheEricJohnsonExperience]

It's not free unless you place little value on the time you took to watch this let alone comment on it.

[@douglasbrauner8687]

@@TheEricJohnsonExperience dude, what is your point? What does it matter to you what I do with my free time? Go find someone else to bother with your douche comments.

[@ubatooba8467]

Thanks Troy! Glad to see somebody has rolled their sleeves up and done the hard work.....not only just to figure this stuff out, but to do even more hard work to share it with others. I too have been traveling the road/path learning these things....albeit I'm going slower as I just hobby play to keep my skill up or maintain.....but I'm actually getting much more than that out of what I'm doing as I make sure (because I am 1000% convinced) that what ever I'm doing should and therefore NEEDS to feel as simple and as natural as strumming the guitar. Shouldn't really be too hard and should never have to tighten up and thrash any part of your arm or hand to play fast.....actually it should be the opposite. Your hand or control of the pick only needs to be tight for the nano second it has resistance from the string....just to counter the strings resistance, and thus ultimately retaining a neutral feel at the pick. People need to realize that this stuff is certainly attainable to most everyone. You just have to want it and be able/willing to open your mind and rewire the way you thik about it and approach it. Many who have learned this stuff or know it had to figure it out themselves. Edward Van Halen was already a highly skilled piano player (near virtuoso) when he started playing guitar. So what the hell do you do when your brain is so highly advanced and your hands (picking had at the least) are noobs to the game? Ed made his hands catch up and catch up quick! Many who pick the guitar up have NO idea where to begin....sure it's overwhelming. But Ed had a genuis brain and an inept picking hand day one of his guitar learning curve. But the way Ed held the pick solved this & gave him extreme control (3 finger grip) and he can be seen angling the pick on a 45 degree both forward direction and cocked backwards too. Ed didn't have to actually dissect all this picking out (nor do I think most of these guys did?) but just keep playing and beating the same stuff to death (to have a comfort zone & a bag of go to riffs) and then expand outwards from there. Again, thanks Troy for putting this together (best instructional videos I've ever seen!) and putting it out there for people to find. I sure wish YT was around (and Troy Grady instruction) back in 1984 when I got started playing. Would have shortened my learning curve by 20+ years!

[@Apartekarate]

Thank you. Had the same tape with mr Johnson, and I couldn't figure it out either. This makes sense - and shows that he's a genius. Great inspiration as allways. And funny to recognice the struggles you describe you had. You are a very generous man, and a great teacher. The visuals are extremely helpfull as well as entertaining. Thank you again!

[@ethanGuitar]

The Eric Johnson vs Yngwie "duel" part is really fucking kick ass :D

[@WollyChaps]

I've watched every one of these so far, and I'm starting to see what was advanced in my early playing and what I was naively trying to muscle through.

[@pedromoose8860]

It would be an even greater feat for someone to make a video analyzing the surreal depth and breadth that this video achieves rather than the current analysis of Eric's playing itself! Well done Sir! This is extraordinary.

[@nathangabrielmusician]

Troy Grady. You're an absolute legend.... Every video is a absolute masterpiece.

[@themonotropicguitarist]

Well done, sir! My mind is sufficiently blown once again! After I recover I'll go put this new information to use.

[@playlistforkids]

I am not certain how the internet has not imploded from the awesomeness of a guitar lesson wrapped in chip tunes

[@sonoman9095]

Thanks Troy, you're amazing!

[@CC-zj2uk]

This might be the greatest thing i've ever seen

[@jeffallan3761]

Something else I've noticed, many new students who don't know any better, kinda do what EJ and YJM do. They will favor the downstroke and sweep ascending, but not for descending. Both EJ and YJM players are very self taught and this stuff was what came naturally to them. Like many I see. But we have all these books and things saying to alternate pick, and hold the pick this way.. everything... And then everyone follows that method because that's what's "right". instead of just developing what is more natural. I'm so glad for guys like EVH, or EJ, YJM who played and just developed. Not everyone can do that, of course, or has the desire. But that's what makes them so special. Something I stress to students, it's fun to play like our heroes, but try to find your way, your voice.

[@kyledrumm7093]

Amazing stuff. I grew up playing and learning during the Yngwie years. Loved Yngwie. Still do. If I could add a couple of notes on this. You mention the pull offs that Yngwie uses to benefit his position to skip to the next string. This is not as easy as it looks because most people don't know and I am not sure if you have mentioned the fact that Yngwie uses a scalloped neck on all 24 frets. This is highly beneficial to him because the pull offs are merely effortless with scalloped necks. 99.9% of people watching this may not even know what a scalloped neck is. This is one of the reasons Yngwie used a scalloped neck. To have a much cleaner lagato sound. Almost indistinguishable between a pull off, and a picked note. Another secret to this technique is the fact that Yngwie used a set of .008 strings. A much thinner string, hence why Yngwie broke so many strings in his live performances. In the end, a scalloped neck and using .008 strings makes playing lagato / pull-offs, a dream. Moral of this story: Playing this with a standard neck and a set of .009 strings is a bit more difficult. Especially today's day in age where a lot of players are using .010 or higher. Even more difficult. Thanks for the amazing information. Love your stuff.

[@lifeemusicelife112]

Brilliant video. I’ll admit, i had that same EJ hot licks video tape, and he did keep calling it “the bounce”, but I was not smart enough to see what was right there if I’d slowed it down: that the comment he made about “bouncing comes in when you’re playing fast” was simply wrong. And so I kept bouncing for a decade with no success. What an amazing job you guys did with this video series. Thank you.

[@FeelingShred]

I would like to know what does the word "landron" means that he uses on the song High Landrons, according to an interview it's a "huge obstacle" that was in his way and when he overcame it his guitar skills "unlocked" in a way. I would like to know what was the precise moment or technique that allowed that "unlocking" to happen. Maybe it was something in Cliffs of Dover?

[@FeelingShred]

Or maybe it was the "fast picking while string skipping" picking technique that allowed him to unlock his fast playing

[@arasanhu7993]

By watching this video i realized that i have been doing this type of techniaque for a while, this helped me to understand it better and to master even better the tech, amazing video

[@jaconova]

Nice shred at the 27 minute mark, Troy! Eric is one of the top electric guitar players of all time for sure!

[@troygrady]

Thanks! That as Eric as I really get. His style is his own, and I'll leave that to him.

[@ShaggyDawg]

Now I realize why I got mostly confusion out of EJ's Total Electric Guitar that's been thrown in my closet for 25 years! Thanks, man.

[@PoppieFieldsForever]

Your videos are top notch & entertaining as hell. I’ve been able to iron out flaws in my right hand technique that I was not even aware of for 20+ years, and make ridiculous progress in a just couple of weeks. Right on!!!!

[@EvanBradfordDavis]

The ideas laid out in this video are going to take my playing places I never thought I could go. Thank you so much for this!

[@countchaoss]

Incredible work as always Troy! Slowing getting the hang of some Eric licks, no easy task, but made a hell of a lot easier with this videos! Keep making them, each one is a gold mine of information!

[@TahaNasser]

Troy I'm so glad that the project I came across all those years ago didn't just disappear into the ether. I remember thinking about it every now and again and saying to myself 'damn that would have been so useful'! It's awesome to me that you've managed to elucidate and breakdown mechanics that I've been struggling to crystalise in my mind for years. I've only recently started to be able to pick fast and I had no idea what had changed but watching your stuff has made me realise that its because I've started downward pick slanting, meaning I can clear the higher string as I go for the upstroke in an ascending lick, something I've always struggled with before. I will be buying all the material you've published and spending the next (?year or two) getting it under my fingers. This right here is the holy grail of some of the most mystical and inexplicable guitar techniques out there. Awesome work dude.

[@joeyanderson3720]

Guitar is awesome I'm so old school about it I just play but you really get scientific and that's awesome. The world needs people like you

[@troygrady]

Thanks Joey!

[@JulioJustiniano]

I've never thought about re analyzing everything I do, but these videos are a complete inspiration to nit pick everything I do to assure I'm doing everything efficiently, and maybe absorb any of all these styles to improve my own. These gotta be the most important videos right now. And the production.... absolutely fantastic.

[@carlosclaptrix]

You work like a detective. Great fusion of mind and emotion.

[@danelam8170]

I like the "CSI" type investigative theme with the whole eerie background music going on and all. Good stuff!

[@ElectricWorld9]

This video is GOLD.

[@SoundSeeker2024]

the term "bouncing" threw me off really bad as well when that video came out. Thanks for decoding this.Fascinating.

[@sotarules]

This is absolutely great and generous, selfless effort. I was particularly moved when you had gained a "critical mass" of information and technique so as to channel Eric Johnson at about 27:30. Not only did you convincingly get it, you seemed to capture what I consider is the most moving and emotional dimensions, the quieter passages. I love the way you added the minor droning background for it, just beautiful. I felt bristling with the intensity and emotion of your breakthrough.

[@ZanderShepard]

I love the mini EJ Vs Yngwie battle!

[@Disciple0fMetal]

Troy's videos are the most technically in depth and entertaining videos out there. If you don't learn anything from these videos then you never will. I can watch these all morning haha

[@adneria]

So what I’ve gathered (haven’t seeing all vids) is; all string runs being even…ascending runs incorporate sweeping, and descending runs incorporate legato pull-offs. Both strategically placed.

[@jamescuttsmusicjcm5013]

This is a fantastic video. Excellent production and very inspiring too. I love the attention to detail in these videos.

[@johnqpublic2013]

Troy, @ 22:49, you have done an absolutely wonderful job at illustrating the edge of the pick use. Bravo! I use the leading edge of the pick. Also, I use a sharp tipped pick. It reduces the "drag" of the pick on the string, and keeps the notes crisp and tight at those warp speeds. Plus you can dig into the strings harder when you want to attack the notes. You can't do that with a dull tip. You can use the file on your finger nail clippers to sharpen or dull your pick tip, even the side >: or top and bottom side of the tip. You should always have finger nail clippers handy in your gig bag or tool box. To Gomm, I agree, Steve Morse needs to be analyzed. I'd recommend the album "Southern Steel".

[@moonloop6]

This guy has been breaking down guitar god techniques for years and still sitting st 200k subs. At the level of the production and quality of videos that is a crime.

[@ajpeagle]

That is the first real look in to EJ's style I've seen that actually looks at exactly what, why, and how. Thanks for all your work Troy.

[@troygrady]

No worries - thanks for watching!

[@sombresanctum]

So I just took a few of the licks from these episodes and followed the ”rules”... aaaand I'm shredding for the first time. I feel like I progressed a ton in just a couple of days, it's amazing. Thanks for the insight, I never thought my picking was terrible.

[@ClickToPreview]

"Like clockwork"... That should be the title of the new Eric Johnson album.

[@sevenstringsamurai]

This videos are insanely detailed and were for me at first sight not really interesting. But it made me aware of how i pick what lick and how i could change it. i spent the last 6 Days 3h each day, only focus on Picking and forced myself to change my mistakes and the results is after this short time are, that every thing i try is 10bpm faster and overall more accurate and comfortable than before. Thank you for this amazing input dude!!

[@robrice2004]

I've been playing for 30 years and I've always used upward pick slanting. I guess i never really realized what I was doing but I think when I was in my early teens I remember trying to solve these problems. I always figured out the best way to play all of these songs that was easiest for me to play them that fit my style of playing.

[@JoeGambleGuitar]

Just can't let this pass- this episode was the best yet. Absolutely brilliant fusion of instruction, narrative and stylized presentation. You get a standing 'o' from me! Yeah!

[@HauteGameFR]

Man.. I love your videos, you see the guitar with your colour/fashion/mode (bad english) like a duty for the evolution of all of us, musician's souls. You take the best exemples, you make a FREAKING video montage/editing, You talk about Van Halen, Malmsteen, E.Johnson, Crossroads Blues.. You play well and take it seriously. All of your videos are gold nuggets. Thank you for that ! Your channel should be called "Nota Codex" :D Big Respect from France =)