Jason Richardson on performing arpeggios without barring

www.jasonrichardsonmusic.com/
From Guitar World March 2019
NO HOLDS BARRED
In this first installment of his new column, Jason Richardson shows you his approach to playing arpeggios, specifically in regard to fret-hand technique.

[@eliasaltman4439]

15:22 "Add the nine in there, just for a second" Best unintentional music pun I've heard

[@aydynslade1656]

So, is he playing without muting with his left hand at all? Only right hand muting?

[@ernestolealislazamora5915]

@Corby Dinsburger The nine is the second note of the scale an octave higher. So he played the second for a second

[@eliasaltman4439]

@Corby Dinsburger The 9th degree in a scale is the same as the second an octave up but he meant a second as in time period

[@alexanderhirst1171]

@Corby Dinsburger sure you were lol

[@alexanderhirst1171]

@Corby Dorian oooohhh lmao, its when you get to you 19th year then it all makes sense...

[@italianfromhell]

In case anyone didn't know or noticed, the last exercise is at least in part used in his solo in Nasty by Polyphia, in fact the whole solo is made from this kind of arpeggios with slides; this is very important because it means they are not only fancy exercises to build up speed, but also an actual part of a song that you can play, or a phrase that you can use in a composition of your own

[@KunalOak]

No wonder he's so clean. I'm so glad he's sharing all this with us. One of the best guitarists by far.

[@keithross7942]

First thing I was taught was pick everything, bend or pull off all notes. Always alternate.. 80s hair metal, and I practice clean.

[@9unslin9er]

When Oli Herbert calls someone amazing... You know they're pretty fucking good.

[@Trohawkk]

@@9unslin9er rip oli

[@reaverdropper2997]

What does showering have to do with guitar skill?

[@bobach6083]

@@reaverdropper2997 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nickguitarrist750]

I bought Jason’s lesson “secret of the sweep” less than a month ago and I practiced the way he mentioned. It really works, I’m amazed how fast I developed playing fast while practicing slow. Before this I was avoiding 6 string arpeggios and barre stuff, looked creepy and difficult, well, it isn’t. Thank you Jason

[@chicken6111]

I got it too man. It really has added a dimension of control and cleanliness that was missing from my playing.

[@nickguitarrist750]

Indeed, same for me, and it's all due to practicing slowly and clean. It also made me play more on the 19+ frets :D, I never thought I'd use the 24th one.

[@deasnutz4ever]

Met too! I noticed these exercises immediately. It was helpful to actually see how fast he will play them with strict alternate picking. Dope lesson

[@snehasishdas8396]

Nick Frankenstein where did you get the lesson?

[@nickguitarrist750]

@@snehasishdas8396 www.jasonrichardsonmusic.com/product/lesson-bundle this is Jason's official website, here you can get some pretty cool stuff. I bought this bundle with both sweeping and string skipping, totally worth it!

[@Karlgolden]

Game changer thanks Jason!!

[@blazecole6376]

I guess im randomly asking but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb lost my login password. I love any tips you can offer me!

[@jairokody8148]

@Blaze Cole instablaster :)

[@pauljude]

I love seeing young blood inspire a new generation. Bitter/jealous people will say 'acrobatics' but those that know and are honest with themselves will appreciate these videos and his playing.

[@x7eroXx]

Yeah man, I used to love listening to Jason's stuff, even though I find it too "wanky" for my tastes now, the guy is a fucking god, especially seeing him slow it down and actually show his technique, it's phenomenal

[@skeletonrowdie1768]

Paul Jude It is that ability is the medium of creativity, so I totally support your comment

[@desideriumincarmen]

I'm musically not interested in his compositions, but his technical skills and physical mastery is something any player can benefit from. Learning how to appreciate something regardless of its personal interest level should be a musician's first ego check.

[@an_38kitkashyap]

@8un3zz if you think that he's just shredding over a simple bit, then you're much mistaken. And yeah, almost 90% of Jason's fans are musicians, ad he's a prog guy. Also, his rythem is as solid as his lead playing. You can say that it's not your taste. But please don't talk stupid things out here. He's not just going randomly up and down the scales. That's the kindest reply I can give to you.

[@EulogyfortheAngels]

@8un3zz That's just a false equivalence to suit your distaste. You're actually arguing that "if he had his dick out during performances, he may think it matters, but it wouldn't affect the sound of his guitar."

[@marksifuentes1002]

I started doing this naturally because I couldn't bar very well but I was always second guessing myself and trying to force myself to bar. I'm glad I saw this. He shows what not barring can do. Definitely worth the time and effort to master.

[@gregorp8406]

most people that use barring on arpeggios have to focus on muting the strings with the right hand as well..i've also had the same thoughts, and even though i've studied classical guitar first and was very familiar with barring, when it came to sweeping on the electric it just didn't cut it!This way is better, takes some work to nail but once you get it, you never go back for sure!

[@jfo3000]

I stumbled onto this as well years ago because barring was impossible to control. Like you I thought it wasn't legitimate. Then I saw Danielle Gottardo demoing this idea years ago, now Jason. It's a legitimate method.

[@Stringmartyr]

Makes me so happy so see that he is Finally getting the Respect that he deserves.

[@houseatlantic8973]

I bet Jason is one hell of a teacher, idk why I just feel like lessons from him would be astronomically great

[@Cooliefuse28]

Elishawan Johnson As someone who took a lesson from him a few years back. I can confirm. He’s definitely a hell of a teacher.

[@deadasfak]

At first I was like, "pff, I can play perfectly fine with barring thankyou" but than I saw how damn smooth the descending was on the first chord. Damn, I gotta practice that

[@Axame1]

7:48 is he really alternate picking with the speed that I'm sweeping that? Absolute legend

[@Frosthorne]

I know replying I’m a year late but Marty Friedman is a big proponent for picking the arpeggios fast rather than sweep picking, I think his bizarre picking technique allows him to do so easily ironically enough

[@unkindestjohnny]

Probably one of the most useful lessons I've seen in a while. Seriously. Badass

[@terryvoorbij6260]

I am so happy Jason is finally doing lessons/tips/tricks videos. He is such an inspiration and has been a huge up and coming musician with his solo work. Its amazing to get an in depth look at the way he thinks and approaches things. I'm a happy boi!!

[@Yord_Music]

This is the perfect lesson for me personally right now. Thank You!

[@LaCooper]

i love that Jason has his own column on Guitar World. I grew up on this magazine. can't wait to see more!

[@shaleensharma2731]

7:39 is where it's all happening

[@James-yt6to]

Thank you Jason and thank you guitar world!

[@garrettp7003]

I love how he breaks down the process so well.

[@dominicmosher1307]

I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG TO FIND A VIDEO LIKE THIS!!!

[@AlphaWatt]

He explains this really well. Looking forward to more lessons from him!

[@JaySnowMusic]

About time! Hope he makes tons of these videos

[@Metalltool]

Best sweep lesson I've seen in a while

[@amisj2612]

It's about time... I've been waiting for this since he dropped his solo album

[@jesselevyvieira3588]

I was dreaming for this day to come

[@ranajoyshil]

Jason is probably the best modern guitar player out there, no doubt about that, so clean, perfection and accuracy, that's godly level, thanks Jason for all your Music, you inspired me to play guitar the way I never thought to play, you inspired me to shred and thanks for your Music and your inspiration, I couldn't thank you enough for that.

[@soonerchris1179]

Living on Strings buah hah hah

[@frenchiesfrankieandhenry]

Na. Check out Plini. That dude is a beast.

[@brunoalves3958]

If you’re talking about technique, you have a point. His solos are killer too. But songwriting-wise, I’m sorry, his music is dull as fuck.

[@Laksegrateng99]

Check out guthrie govan. It will change ur mind.

[@ranajoyshil]

@@frenchiesfrankieandhenry I know Plini, I have heard him, he's awesome.

[@sebastianramirez1171]

Jason Richardson is a beast!!! One of my fav guitarists of all time

[@brandonclymer1178]

I practiced along with him, learning each arpeggio along the way and can say that it is an incredibly useful lesson that I am now incorporating into my practice sessions every single time.

[@williammartinez9906]

Ok but he must be tuning down a whole step because I am tuned to 440 and I have to drop down another two frets to G to get the same pitch as him.

[@LevitatedSinep]

Finally! What an inspirational player

[@DeadmansFingers_101]

thanks jason..you saved my life & opened lots of possibilities along the fretboard for me.. kudos from kolkata ..

[@dondocentone1334]

I'm learning those harder shapes using this and it works perfectly! Also must admire that you keep the Steve Morse alt picking arpeggio legacy alive!

[@ErAz3rr]

I found your first clip of you playing all shall songs from over 10 years ago (still still exist today) and I thought you would definitely come a long way. awesome friend

[@joshpetit44]

Pretty sure that watch is just there to cover the seam on his robot hand.

[@nino9273]

I think it's rather to slow down his left hand a little bit so that he seems at least partly human

[@BadOmenRGV]

It's a weighted watch to train with. If he took it off than he would play faster than we can hear.

[@skeletonrowdie1768]

Josh Petit lol!!

[@skeletonrowdie1768]

Tony Nguyen dbz awh yeah boooii

[@gregorp8406]

It works as a pendulum to counterbalance the string tention from the speed he is able to reach

[@alexruka]

Thanks Jason... I learned something new today!

[@joshreece9177]

really informative, thanks JR!

[@olegbmj]

Thank you, Mr. Jason!

[@petervinces.7090]

I needed this.

[@1111wlb333]

I've been barring arpeggios for nearly 30 years and got pretty good and clean that way but tried this and in less than a minute felt how much cleaner and in a weird sense more control over the whole sweep as well - I'll definitely incorporate this into my sweeps even if I only do it here and there = great lesson

[@NickBurbeyGuitar]

The more JR the better! More please!

[@bruceanthony8345]

Jason Richardson it's the awesome mindless shredding and best lesson by arpegios

[@sans-qp9pp]

Great lesson!

[@Lord_Swoledemort]

I bought his lesson which contained figures 1 and 2 from his website about a month ago which was only a PDF/GP5 file (No video). Even without a video I'm not even mad I paid for it. They have become a part of my daily practice routine.

[@jerryinn650]

can you share it bro

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

I bought it too & I'm very mad. I bought 2 tutorials from him. Had NO CLUE they weren't video because it doesn't say that ANYWHERE. All I got was a bunch of words in what of the things I ordered. In the other about 10 pages of tabs with music notes, ( which I don't read. ) Sent a msg saying that both things I purchased are useless to me. He told me NO REFUNDS & stopped replying. In fact that was his ONLY reply. So I'm just out $25 on some stuff that I didn't want or expect. Not to mention you can get it free in about 5 zillion places. I'm pretty bummed cuz I was really looking forward to a new perspective. And on a funny ass note. He tells you to keep practicing all of his, " ideas, " for a couple years to get familiar with it. Wait, WHAT? That's when I knew I'd just been bamboozled. I even asked if there was another way for me to get the info I paid for. He went ghost on me lol. Guess I'll have to call my bank & say I got swindled.

[@lordvampyr]

anthony defabees wanna send me what he sent you??

[@Lord_Swoledemort]

I didn't send him anything. You can purchase Jasons work from his website.

[@JasonRichardsonGuitar]

jerson seen it says nothing about videos because there are none. Everything included is blatantly listed in the description. Digital files cannot be returned because once you download it, you have it. You downloaded it, hence not refundable.

[@iganpparamarta8813]

Thank you Jason.

[@dantheman52420]

It was probably really difficult for him to play those arpeggios at 1/100th speed. Thanks for not melting my face off my skull while I'm learning Jason

[@GremlinGatbuger]

Jason Richardson on performing arpeggios without hands

[@nelsonsimon237]

i like the excersise method. he explained it in detail. such an idol 🙏🏻

[@sunnys3325]

Mr Steve Morse is all about this. Thank U Jason!

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

Tumeni Notes. Ugh.

[@BadOmenRGV]

Morse is a legend!

[@mathewmcconaughey6557]

We NEED more Jason lessons, he is easily the most technically proficient guitar plays of all time. Easily one of the greatest guitar plays of this generation.

[@Incog2k6]

Indeed. In fact, you would know that he's the most technically-proficient player of all time. After all, you flew into a black hole and were able to see every moment in time. :P

[@JayRoc17]

Agreed. Yes he is very technically proficient but OF ALL TIME? LOL bc there are a ton of other guys that are right up there with him and beyond.( ie Frank Gambale, Tosin Abasi, Guthrie Govan, Jason Becker, Emil Werstler etc..) Even old-school Paul Gilbert's Partita in D live demo blows people's minds compared to this stuff. And prog metal heads, don't even start comparing him with world-class fusion-jazz players and master flamenco players like Paco De Luca who use ALL ten fingers. Cheers.

[@swagmoneyboi69]

JayRoc Emil Werstler and Tosin Abasi I can agree with being in competition with Richardson, but Jason Becker and Paul Gilbert? Not a chance. Fantastic and influential players, but they couldn’t hold a candle to this guy

[@Tarkess]

@@swagmoneyboi69 Someone hasn't listened to old Paul Gilbert. What he does nowadays is nothing compared to those old instructional videos you can find on KZbin ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnTWfYlrn8mKsKs ). I also think Becker's sweeps were cleaner than Jason Richardson, if you listen to the isolated audio in this video and old clinic videos of Jason Becker you'll hear it. If those guys were in their prime today I think they would quite comfortably be able to play Jason Richardsons music.

[@reaverdropper2997]

@@Tarkess I like becker but no have you herd behold, titan or chapter 2 from jason Richardson? He is good no doubt and Als took away a great guitarist but. Different generation also guitar isnt a competition.

[@JackWoodman]

Damn! These unwanted bar intervals ruined all of my attempts on sweep picking for so long! Now I got a secret weapon! Thanks, Jason! 💪

[@jbmars7078]

This is so informative 👌

[@hyperboreandesolation]

Jason is king.

[@BadOmenRGV]

13:29 Hyped on this progression and am definitely gonna learn it!

[@MachineGunManUFMS]

That's so clean it probably smells nice hahaha damn Jason, awesome approach. Definitely nicking that!

[@paulgunther9910]

More from Jason please

[@myrthen4321]

thank you jason!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stringsofchaos5312]

Very helpful! Thank you dude

[@borgan1964]

very good teaching 🤘🏻

[@MaxGeorgiev]

awesome!

[@steinnelson4602]

"You're gonna roll, like a champion." I laughed too hard at that.

[@TheNuclearMantis]

Awesome tip. I find it works best if you still bar the top three, as they are easy to mute, but individually finger the 4th and 5th at the bottom. so you don't have to try and transition two bars

[@1tzelG_]

Jason you're the god and the master of technical metal. incredibly tip and technique. by now i had to learn it and apply very slowly plus is funny to play too. so that's your secret to play sweeps. :DDD

[@carloramos7186]

More series pls

[@DaveGOfield]

I came across this method when I bought a Daniele Gottardo instructional DVD some years ago, It sounds way better than the traditional way once you get used to it and shouldn't take long if you already know how to sweep

[@ShrubPlays]

Damn you, Jason. Making this more difficult for me than it already is!

[@frenchiesfrankieandhenry]

Muting with your right hand solves the ringing out problem. And when you sweep, you can mute the previously struck string with the flesh of your finger without barring. Great lesson.

[@jakebergen1837]

I'm so glad this lesson exists. I hate rolling and have always avoided it. Seeing that Jason does too feels good.

[@ALLforROME]

Awesome!

[@pepperjack2795]

Jason is one of the few guitarists of our generation that has his absolute own style of playing that is just out of this world. Always been a major fan. Back in the day i heard someone in guitar center talking about how born of osiris sucked. I walked up to him and said "prove it" and just looked at him holding his guitar. That kid learned the difference between "I don't like the band" and "that band sucks" that day.

[@Jeff-jz5sf]

If there's ONE place you need to leave your ego at the door, it's guitar center

[@kenwayaiden4535]

@@Jeff-jz5sf haha true

[@Juc5i]

Thank you for solving my problem. 😎

[@KRayxKodessA]

More Jason, please.

[@mrcrowly11]

Sounds good. I'll give it a try.

[@dopeykat6653]

I already did it many years ago because of my short fingers & let me tell you, it works well!

[@Bradenh717]

That major/minor blend first part was what he did in the Polyphia Nasty solo. I love how that sounds

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

I've always done arpeggios this way, I could never get the whole rolling thing down

[@eddyguizonde401]

i used to play ska-punk. you know when you're barring badly very quickly when playing barre chords with distortion. rolling chords and strings is practically mandatory in that rhythmic style, so i just reused what i learned when learning how to sweep. i can't for the life of me figure out how to do it any other way. i always had more trouble with string-skipping picking patterns than sweeping, but i just end up 2-hand tapping those anyways just for simplicity's sake.

[@babadraga3114]

Trying to learn the arpeggios in Infant Annihilator - Ov Sacrament and Sincest really turned me off of barring during sweeps. I forced myself to unlearn barring and I am so much happier for it

[@benjammin105123]

Love the thing about just doing them alternate picking to master the shapes. Thats a little aha moment for me. I usually try to sweep them from the get go and end up pushing it to the point of sloppy execution. Thanks Jason

[@AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL]

Ah such a revelation, I had such problems with the rolling aspect on 5 and 6 string arpeggios and now I can really motor them

[@alamajoserogelio9979]

is he tuned at D Standard?

[@jakebergen1837]

@@ranajoyshil this is correct. And hes a half step down from there when hes playing with all that remains in c# standard with a low f#

[@eduardocardoso1121]

at that major arpeggio first position, you could use the pinky to reach the high A note on the B string and then tap/slide the C#, that would be complete without barring. OR he could use the ring finger to get the third in chord below one fret lower too

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you.

[@AlexAlexandrov]

Thank you

[@imannonymous7707]

I do get the fact about intervals and barring not really arpeggios. Very good point.

[@cityscope4652]

Blowing my mind bro - didn’t even know I was doing this

[@mikeysanderson6618]

Jason is the man in younger shred

[@nalla1782]

2:27 Notice how he can easily and independently hold out his ring finger? That's wild...

[@mazterford]

Good lessons man!

[@vybore9494]

Matthew Mills is a beast. That was Jason’s guitar teacher btw.

[@garysalgado9709]

About to study this video for the next year I’ve always wanted to sweep

[@lordPix3lUK]

He's a beast man

[@lordzil]

Holy shit, this is pure magic

[@Sphereal]

Barring when playing arpeggios never made sense to me. So glad to see JR spreading these concepts.

[@mrk4510]

Thanks this is really interesting. Runs and Grabs my guitar!

[@mihneazoican2479]

For the first major arpeggio, you could avoid barring by using the Marty Friedman position. Play the 5th on the G string, skip the B and play the octave on the E string

[@zebes2694]

Moving the hand slightly seems trickier but barring cleanly is difficult specially with the ring finger

[@Naxzgul]

Yeah but he's doing it on a long scale instrument in a lower position. Try doing this fingering higher on the neck and you will see why it's pointless, especially on a standard scale 6 string.

[@arlarl5122]

A 2,1 approach is a much easier way of arranging arpeggios. There are only three shapes to learn in every scale position and they’re always the same in every key. It also addresses his point about notes not ringing together.

[@retrorewind6042]

@@Naxzgul his majesty is 25.5, normal scale

[@MrWarisnake]

Zebes 26 It’s doable. I do it in the first Opeth’s deliverance solo

[@BadOmenRGV]

I was almost sure this was going to be for a major arpeggios only. I didn't realize anyone barred on minor arpeggios. It seems way harder to bar minor arpeggios.

[@ronitravi8523]

Finally!!!!!!!

[@Ryo7_7]

Jason Richardson has become our generations Jason Becker. 🤘🏾

[@Akukog]

Great approach... It's hard at first because it's alternate picking. But it's worth it.. very good exercise. Cool

[@rickfeith6372]

That first thing sounded like Speed Metal Symphony. I was waiting for it to keep going Becker style.

[@mayanktrakru1765]

Rick Feith Sweep picking lessons from Becker would’ve been godlike. None of the modern guitarists could even come close to Becker.

[@jonnyb2020]

Fig1 and 2 I’ve gotten the idea of now, and I’m building up the speed, but fig 3 I just can’t comprehend, I’d love a tab for it 😂😂

[@AusarisTV]

This is actually from his arpeggio lesson on his website.

[@jessesiegel8458]

Thanks. Had know idea you could do this without barfing.

[@MiguelBatalha]

What an interesting hypothesis!

[@ppang]

truly fictional technique for non sloppy arpeg.

[@Slakky100]

Cool licks