Michael Angelo Batio's Advice In "Speed Kills" Is... Questionable

[@stopthehate1749]

If you watched Speed Kills, you should know that PPS is just a way to measure your POTENTIAL picking speed, which is what MAB explains. He goes to great depths to explain proper alternate, economy, and sweep picking at slow, medium, and fast speeds throughout the rest of the DVD. You are literally taking just one concept/technique out of a whole DVD full of them and ignoring everything else he taught.

[@Blacksoul444]

yea this video here is pretty weird

[@DarkoPorsche]

@@Blacksoul444 you nailed it :)

[@shredfactor7]

PPS is great advice. It allows you to see what your potential speed is and as well it allows you to see what your picking style is. I still am aware to this day of not switching picking techniques when going fast. I had it on VHS back in the day. Legendary video

[@davidgeorge1121]

I think you’ve taken one comment out of context. In my view MAB makes the point that you can’t reach high speeds with the same finger-thumb based motion you use at low speeds, and that tremolo picking represents your maximum potential picking speed. To me this is clear if you watch enough of the video. I think he’s trying to demonstrate that you can already pick faster than you realise (with tremolo) and to carry that into your practice routine with short multi-string exercises, which he goes on to provide.

[@georgoroth]

Although this video is very well done, respectful and very well made, i think like you, from my point of view, theres an issue with context and interpretation

[@stopthehate1749]

Exactly... 💯

[@JuhaniPaasikangas]

I wonder, did he watch the whole Batio video...

[@aribuzaer3205]

your'e literally the best teacher. I learnt perfect pinch harmonics from you

[@ralphg.curtis9297]

"I don't want to post copyrighted content." *uses clips from four different movies* In all seriousness though, you made some very good points. Speed comes from a multitude of skills. At least to me, right hand-left hand synchronisation feels so much more important for builidng speed than being able to pick fast.

[@johnkirkjenkins416]

Have fun and play loud. You sir are a great teacher. I love MAB.

[@Tonman82]

The thing I remember the most from Speed Kills is MAB’s 4-string 3 nps riff. I agree that tremolo picking can't be all there is to it, however I do start my warmup with tremolo picking, then workup to one string riffs and gradually start incorporating string changes. I go back to tremolo picking when I start feeling tension in my right hand.

[@arnoldzifflebluesguitar]

Mab talks about potential picking speed...which means potential you could pick this fast until you have to fret a note or change strings!!!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

I think tremelo picking is a good place to start, but definitely not one to lock into as if it's the end all be all. Like you said, there are many other techniques to consider. A lot of players, myself included slightly shift the hand for certain things, and the main thing I would like to point out, is that everyone has different hands and finding ones own best technique should be the end goal. If you look at the hands of all the greats, they are anywhere from somewhat similar to drastically different. Basically, I agree, but with that amendment that we're all slightly different. This is all sound advice you're giving though, and so I certainly don't mean to take anything away from it. Thanks as always for the upload. ^-^

[@36samson]

In my experience what works for one guitarist doesn't necessarily work for another. I personally pieced together the puzzle of speed picking from dozens of sources to create the cohesive method that works for me. One such part of the method was in fact the MAB method you just put down. It is only one method/ingredient out of many that may or may not work for an individual. In essence what I'm saying is that the best way to master speed is to experiment till you find the "keys to the Ferrari" that unlocks your potential and never expect or except that one teacher's method is the holy doctrine. To quote Bruce Lee, "Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own."

[@eddiedoyle3607]

When I tried the pps with the tremolo as instructed in speed kills, there was only one configuration of my arm, hand positioning that worked , and it was completely different than my normal positioning, in fact, it looked just like Michael Angelos, the way I had to hold the pick, my wrist felt locked up, most of the movements came from my elbow, which in turn fatigued my forearm, but I gave it time and I went on to the adjacent string exercises as explained, and I didn’t feel like this method was correct, it worked for Michael, but not for me, my normal arm angle, my reference points, my wrist movement, all had to change in order to find my “ so called PPS “ , thank you for this video, I was trying to find anyone who tried the speed kills in order to get another opinion but I couldn’t find anyone commenting on the subject until I found your video about it

[@bradsims5116]

Being a great player isn't the same as being a great teacher. You are not wrong. Michael doesn't feel that way now.

[@JuhaniPaasikangas]

This guy is selling his own lessons + he takes Batio's advices out of context.

[@kingmarke6940]

Old video, but being someone who has practiced tremolo for a year now (played ~30 years of non metal stuff), I've realized how much stuff it opens up. Maybe its due to the fact that I have tens of years of practice from other techniques, but at least for me tremolo told quite quickly what I'm doing wrong. I'm still a bit struggling to keep up high tempos without fatigue, but hopefully getting the hang of it. My very non-scientific thesis therefore is: learning fast and relaxed tremolo can produce other benefits as side products, and if you can't do it reasonably fast for a reasonably long time, then perhaps revisiting your picking technique is in order. If nothing else, that 30 years has taught me in certain music genres you can get away with pretty sloppy techniques and go pretty far - practicing metal humbles you fast :D PS. Top level videos you have, among the best in YT.

[@sookbd2012]

I have problem my guitar shaked when do shred & tremolo picking

[@notgnar8506]

You have to do ALL the things, there's no silver bullet.

[@christian98]

Teachers who take teaching guitar lightly and do not know how to do it like Mike Philippov or Tom Hess or some of the few other great guitar teachers out there do it, are the reason a lot of people get stuck in their technique issues and bad habits that limit their playing forever or they simply give up on guitar cause they eventually get convinced it's not gonna work not in a million years which remains true until they get lucky like I did and meet someone like this genius man.

[@timothyleard]

You're only as fast as your hand synchronization...

[@thevirus7368]

I'm a little confused. You didn't properly demonstrate WHY he was wrong. I'm not saying he isn't but there are a million videos on KZbin telling you how to pick like buckethead etc. Can it be learnt from you tube ?. Many thanks.

[@albertorockmaster1836]

I've seen and recomend another MAB instructional with star licks and he explained the same thing, but i think there are some things you missed there: when he talks about having the same technique slow and fast he talks about people flicking their thumb and that includes the tremolo he mentions this on star licks and speed kills and that is the problem people trying to play at medium speeds and changing speeds in some speeds flicking the thumb,

[@Snowy0123]

I think in the case of batio, his picking motion is the only motion that his advice applies to.. traditional picking motion requires us to change our picking hand position on the strings,where batio fully plants his hand on the pick guard and just has to slightly angle his hand to have access to all 6 strings..

[@pasindumadushanka4493]

Great video man🔥🔥

[@Bricklinsv1970]

Just put in the work and be happy! Different strokes for different folks.

[@timmy9828]

What about speed blinking?

[@udayanmustafi3963]

Thanks.. very good video.. 🎸

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

What about electric tuba?

[@andrewz.3432]

This is actually really great advice thank you.👍

[@nunofrg]

great video as usual! however i got a question, theres outstanding players playing tremolo with the fingers (takayoshi ohmura) and he is one of the cleanest and fastest players ive ever seen. he says he looks at the technique the same was he would write in a piece of paper, he also uses a technique called circle picking. whats your opinion on his technique? thank you!

[@HowToPracticeGuitar]

There are exceptions to every rule and I made a video about this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Znmbd6p8h91jr8k

[@Sthvhvn]

"Good luck" Thats how I pick

[@pinkumani8848]

Hardest part in picking is changing strings. You can't do it as easily as tremolo picking. You can get a decent tremolo picking speed within 2 days but alternate picking requires 2 or more years to master I think. Even MAB said in one video he practiced alternate picking almost 3 years to master.

[@timothyleard]

Agree 👍

[@wstntime2]

The Forrest Gump reference…perfect! Lolololol Great guitar work man.

[@donjoseph73]

That’s not what he said. If he did he retracted it.

[@timothyhendrickson4943]

What would Yngwie say??

[@God4445]

Even rusty cooley starts With tremolo speed first.

[@draco8solo]

I do ive tried this m c b tech and i agree with the practise guitar now guy

[@ozman6602]

Well it obviously works for Micheal Angelo, but really dispute what He's saying in the video hand coordination string noise muting also plays a huge factor in playing fast well playing fast cleanly sound like a pro instead of an amateur.

[@timothyleard]

Sorry, disagree with MAB , tremolo picking becomes easy over a short period of time, being able to pick cleanly and quickly while descending or accending is a bitch and takes tons of practice...

[@draco8solo]

What michael angelo batio means is refering to a single technique ive met mike and talked about this, its a method and to explain simply the one tech hes saying with speed picking learn to play scales by picking fast as you can and the slow that tech right down Nd learn to control it slow and rev it up, its hard to explain and can be misunderstood ill demonstrate and send the link in this comment section, im strong beleiver in learn the ways and find your own way, wat bruce lee said but on guitar instead of martial arts same phelocify aplies

[@kane6529]

Troy Grady also gives this advice. The logic behind it is someone that doesn’t know what it feels like to pick fast can get the sensation of what type of picking they naturally lean towards. I have this very problem though and can’t use the same motion to Alternate pick as I do when Tremelo pick so I get what your saying

[@saudude2174]

i can see your arguments and i think they are sensible but i dont see where you explained how to properly train speed. You only say "there's a lot of factors" etc. ok what are those factors, how do i practice speed better if you dont explain how your own training techniques are better it's just an empty rant

[@godseed2214]

Even a beginner would know the answer.

[@Sean-rawlins]

4:39

[@mmmvendico]

Still MAB is a beast. 90s videos were bit cheese and we all know it but look at the guy. Still playing like no tomorrow. Got ticket for hes show but Corona for f... sake.

[@tashellas]

just play with your ears..if it sounds good its good.

[@optioningthabears861]

Dean from arch spire does tremolo picking with only his 2 fingers and is the best there is. And batio is the best of all time. I'm just saying

[@brandoncrimmins6296]

It’s really dependent upon what your particular definition of speed is. If you’re a sweep guy. You’re not going to much care about speed picking, And that goes the other way too. I do think you made some valid points and I think you had a well thought out explanation and analysis of his video and technique.

[@rbgohome]

As far as I'm concerned you're a horse in a china shop. You have enough power to make up for the lack of finesse, sync and precision with brute force... but I can hear and feel it. Michael Angelo has extreme precision left right synchronization and it comes across as more balanced. I could have appreciated you in your very own right, but when you start denouncing others who have made it big, to put them down in order to get yourself up, then I like to weigh in and adjust the perception you portrait.

[@tjsimon1247]

Michael also says to not move your thumb. I think tremolo is a huge part of alternate picking. I also think you are making a debate video to get views. 👎

[@A.S.-ty7rv]

"Speed is byproduct if many..." No its not. Its byproduct of control and only control.

[@HowToPracticeGuitar]

Cool story bro.

[@zakcrabtree88]

What if you pick slow?

[@winstonsmith8240]

I've noticed both you, and Yngwei appear to have a rather high action on your guitar, but manage to play incredibly well. I don't like it. Please stop.

[@castle6660]

So...do we listen to the random Chach who is decent at guitar... Or... do we listen to arguably the most skilled guitarist who ever lived? Hmmmmmmmm🤔 I wonder The subject is lightning-fast Picking... Batio is without question the fastest guitar player ever. You pick as fast as the rest of us normies.😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂😂😂😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤦‍♂️ This video was clearly made just to generate views. 6:21 Lmfao no one needs to make a video addressing these points...Batio already did...like 30 years ago...it's called speed kills. NO ONE is using his music career "credentials" as an argument and NO ONE just excepts what he say as "dogma" because of his music career. He has proven it to be fact...over and over...FOR DECADES.

[@smesh141]

MAB is not most skilled in history and not the fastest for sure. Everyone has diffrent picking technique, so his speed and skills means nothing, his technique is good for him, but it's not for everybody for sure.

[@JuhaniPaasikangas]

@@smesh141 But then what's the point in this video? This guy is telling "truths" what and how can be played.

[@jimbomctimbo1610]

​@@smesh141he did t say skilled he said fastest

[@joakimsjosteen1305]

Bortom line is still your no way near batio angelo your the king of mediocre guitar players you need to learn alternate picking instead of that inside picking bullcrap you are teaching the tone of inside picking is horrible

[@samroyproductions3476]

Alternate picking is a big joke it will literally take you years to master that it is logical to do economy picking if you think mab is the fastest player then check out Rick grayem and Marshall Harrison - Guitarist

[@samroyproductions3476]

But please don't tell that he is a mediocre guitar player his playing is one of the cleanest I ever seen