Michael Angelo Batio - Sweep Picking 101

For tabs of this lesson, go to : www.guitarworld...
Hello again, Guitar World readers. It’s nice to be back! I’d like to begin this new series of columns by talking about getting started with sweep picking, which is a very useful and exciting technique that I often use to perform fast arpeggio-based licks and runs.
Let’s get started with the basic mechanics of sweep picking, and then I’ll move on to more complex applications of the technique.
An arpeggio is the notes of a chord played individually and in succession. In FIGURE 1, I’m fretting a first-position Am chord and, starting on the open A string, picking each note one at a time, moving to the first string and then back down to the fifth string. The idea is that the notes of the chord are played melodically, as opposed to being strummed together.
Sweep picking entails dragging the pick across several adjacent strings in a single stroke, either moving from low to high, or from high to low, which is often called a “reverse sweep.”
The technique allows a guitarist to perform what I think of as keyboard-style runs, as long, extended-range arpeggios played up and down a keyboard are typically featured in classical piano pieces. When I was first learning this technique, I often heard it referred to as raking, as the movement is not unlike pulling a rake along the ground in one unbroken movement and direction.
In FIGURE 2, I fret a fifth-position Am barre chord and initially sound each note in succession from low to high by dragging the pick in a single downward motion across all six strings. After the high E string is sounded, I then reverse the process and drag the pick in a single upward motion across all six strings, moving from the highest to the lowest. Notice also that I’m using a slight amount of palm muting, as this helps shorten the decay of each note after it is picked, making each individual note sound distinct and clear and not part of a strummed chord.
The next step is to expand upon this idea by incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs into the shape, as demonstrated in FIGURE 3. While still fretting the Am barre chord, I strike the low A note and then hammer-on with my pinkie to C at the eighth fret. At the top of the shape, I use the pinkie again to fret a high C note at the eighth fret on the high E string, then pull-off back to A and descend across the lower five strings.
Now that you understand the concept, let me show you how most sweep-picked licks are typically played. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, I’ve moved the first-position A minor shape up 12 frets, to 12th position, and the idea here is not to barre across any strings but rather to “get off of” each note after it is picked and move quickly from one string to the next, fretting and then releasing the finger pressure so that each note will sound by itself, without the previous note ringing, or “bleeding,” into it. Fret-hand muting is key here.
We can move the idea down to another position, as demonstrated in FIGURES 5-8. FIGURES 5 and 6 present the basic idea, and FIGURE 7 shows how I would play the lick repeatedly in a continuous loop. FIGURE 8 offers a slight twist, in that the lowest and highest notes are sounded twice. Play through all of these shapes slowly and then gradually increase the tempo.

[@joshdraken1]

Batio's "medium speed" did the Kessel run in 12 parsecs.

[@Ject-pm8wh]

josh draken Thats a Good One

[@reetzen0932]

Less than 12 parsecs.

[@quinetastic]

Awesome.

[@warpath6666]

The Michaellinium Falcon 😄🤣

[@TheTimbokick]

😂 😂 😂

[@brandonchapman4922]

I like how he actually tells you how to play it instead of just malmsteening the whole time. Cheers!

[@AKASHSHARMA-uo4dj]

brandon are you making a reference to steve stine? hehehehehe

[@superdog797]

Malmsteen is such a god dam wanker compared to Batio. Sloppy vs. Perfect

[@debuhokontra2006]

@@superdog797 yngwie is precise player too dont hate because he cant teach like MAB but he is a good player, but sometimes I hate yngwies ego, and he didnt play his song in live like in a record, too much shred but I cannot doubt his skills

[@superdog797]

@@debuhokontra2006 Yngwie is skilled but when I hear him play in various contexts he doesn't sound like a virtuoso.

[@debuhokontra2006]

@@superdog797 in what way?

[@Flammuth2]

I love (really hate) comments about his looks. We have a 62 year young man, and some are critical of a bit of dad bod, the dude is in great shape. The thing that's most remarkable, the thing that should drive comments, his playing is still at such a peak level. I love the guy and will never say anything negative about him, one of the nicest musicians I've ever met, proud to know ya Mike.

[@lividlover1]

They poke fun, they're all here admiring his virtuosity though. That level, there is no competing, just a few others stylistically a bit different, playing to admiring fans that sustain them and provide them abundance.

[@lividlover1]

And he has amazing energy. Seems so kind and selfless and humble.

[@petecatalano3843]

Are we overly sensitive Klaus? I'm laughing because your name is Klaus! Get it? Klaus? Are you still there? You better be the best sweep picker ever Klaus!

[@theverminmediaareyourenemi5612]

it's his hair that's ridiculous. I mean come on look at it

[@ArticLight14]

This guy reminds me of someone whom you could also hear some incredible stories from also.

[@charliem.931]

I've been playing guitar for over twenty years, and Michael Angelo and his instructional videos are hands down the most useful and clear videos you can possibly find. He takes the time to explain the why of every exercise and points out any potential errors most guitarist would make. An incredible teacher.

[@KingSargaroth]

"...when you play it at a medium speed..." 7:00 Yeah. Medium.

[@god8347]

XD

[@emilkhan9498]

BRUH

never....ahhha

[@viceroin]

i gave you the 100 like.....

[@KingSargaroth]

IVZ 1990 Haha, thanks I suppose! :D

[@AntoniusRome]

It doesn't matter how good you are, there's about a years worth of information in this 13 minute video. Invaluable, thanks Mike.

[@NoBody-qh9ee]

Great Teacher Great guitarist Great musician Greater Personality Batio you are the man!

[@sirspongadoodle]

not great wig.

[@conmane3341]

not a great composer and songwriter but masterclass teacher

[@sirspongadoodle]

@@conmane3341 better than you..

[@sofanova6542]

This is a free masterclass from the master himself. Thank you youtube!

[@charlescampbell5894]

This is seriously the most helpful sweep picking guide I found after searching for a while. You explain it so well

[@user-gn8ey2gi1m]

He is a father of sweep u know. Who will explain it better than creator himself.

[@ilhamakbar5482]

@@user-gn8ey2gi1m nope, sweep picking has been around before MAB

[@altdelet3778]

Антон Макаренко Frank Zappa was sweep picking decades before him

[@Ruggedystim]

It's cause everyone else is trying to sell their lessons, this is the lesson, not the pitch.

[@edmi8832]

I met MAB on one of his guitar clinics. He was super nice, and awesome. I was so startruck I didnt pay attention or asked him questions about playing. He was super nice and took pictures with everybody. AND I got one of his guitar picks! Thanks MAB!

[@ianlancaster8799]

“But I only used one pick” Me: *puts down the other 5 picks in my hand*

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

Here I was using 6 picks between my fingers. The answer was using just one

[@muhammadfirdaus1613]

It all make sense now

[@AchingGibbon450]

Ah yes, it all becomes clear

[@natebeal18]

Y'all are clowns. Not in a bad way. Thanks for the laughs. 😂

[@edwardedwards6785]

I’m so flattered that MAB replied to me on KZbin comments. The fastest guitar player ever and he got back to me on the internet! !. Nice guy and great teacher. His cassette from the guitar world mail order catalog was the best instructional music material I bought in the 90s.

[@MrZcruzer]

Coolest shredder on the planet, he tries to show people his tricks and actually slows it down so the average person can learn. Cool dude right there!

[@badnamebob]

Man, he’s damn good at explaining this.

[@DanielVerberne]

Batio's sweeps are a thing of beauty, such practised, effortless and efficient playing through the shape.

[@jeffsmith4110]

What I find most amazing and appreciate most is that someone of this ability level is willing to teach and share. So many lesser artists are protective of so much less.

[@Shamino1]

"And when you play that A minor at medium speed..." Fuck me man, if that's medium speed I just don't know what I've been doing with my guitar these past ten years.

[@keyshawest8704]

lol

[@zaelaporrou]

+inspired528 made my day, sir

[@KingSargaroth]

+Shamino1 Oh snap, I just commented the exact same thing hahahaha! Batio troll mode on xD

[@TheBfutgreg]

It's like John Petrucci's Rock Discipline video, he's playing a chromatic warm-up exercise with 16th notes at 200BPM and says "Now let's pretend that was difficult"

[@monsterram6617]

Actually Petrucci said "that was very difficult" and it was when he attempted the exorcise at 216 bpm. 200 bpm (16ths) is very fast to play precisely & evenly for 99.8% of players. Even when Mike is playing these sweeps at a "medium" speed 7:00 he's not playing the arpeggio evenly. Slow down the video to 50% (settings) and you will hear it plain as day. Note: I'm not putting anyone's playing down, just pointing it out for learning purposes.

[@diwa2012]

Considering myself a (amateer) jazz guitar player I found this lesson by far better than what other guitar teacher did deliver: explanations are clear and logical, so everyone should understand what sweep picking is all about. Among all, I learned that it requires a lot of practiice to let sweeping sound well. Thanks a lot, Michael.

[@MeTaLcOrE1616]

A legend once said “prrrrt prrrttt prrrrrtt prrrrt”.

[@aliefwibowo5946]

Marty Friedman, right? ))

[@djentchannel4666]

Lmaooo

[@Jimmysage3273]

Great drummer

[@normjenn23]

I started playing guitar again as a part of therapy from medical issues, I love learning & videos like Michaels really encourage me. Wow ! What a great guitarist sharing his insights for average players with wannabe ambition. When my grandkids sat on my lap & watched this with me, they were awed as well. A mini Strat lefty guitar is the price I paid for sharing your video with my 6 year old granddaughter. Thanks for the motivation.

[@yumadapaka]

hes a really good teacher and an amazing guitar player! i like his friendly demeanor as well

[@trevscribbles]

Delighted this was the first comment I saw. I thought the exact same thing. Few, if any, are as happy to actually teach intricately. He has a genuine delight to teaching!

[@ink5473]

I do too, he is very friendly

[@tinfoilhatter]

YES! he's an american! which is about the coolest thing ever,- nothing against anyone else! haha!

[@ferriswill4929]

Just shook this guys hand, such a nice guy and great teacher.

[@rhydermike]

You forgot to say, "...and I went flying through the roof and the molecules of my body were shaken apart." ;-)

[@dreugh424]

"Michael-Angelo Batio shook my hand. Only problem? The handshake was at 420k bpm, and my wrist was instantly shattered; and, after a second, the extreme speeds of my arm caused an increase in gravitational pressure large enough to cause a massive singularity, in other words, a black hole. This is how I accidentally caused the destruction of the universe as we know it."

[@briang8816]

Such a humble and accessable instructor 👍 Everyone knows he's The shred King but no ego and zero BS !

[@bomaryniuk3639]

This is the most great vid about sweep. Totally bullshit-less. Slowly and clearly spoken, shown and displayed. Perfect! Many thanks for this!

[@udinbata]

Most people can play well, but this guy also an excellent teacher also..

[@aydynslade1656]

Most people cannot play as well as they think 😂

[@sccanj]

Wrong, most people play like ass

[@Bodyknowledge77]

As a guitar player since 89' (and a writer of tunes) even though I'm not drawn to play in this style I marvel at Mr Batio's proficiency and passion!

[@peanutbutterisfu]

Bodyknowledge 77 amen to that. I like more of a bendy player that has a lot of emotion that you can really feel, hit a bad note once in a while. As a player I know the time he put into his talent and completely respect it, it’s very cool but I’m not a fan of it. It gets boring listening to 5 min of just straight shred, It’s more pleasing to hear a really good 30 second solo that really goes somewhere and the rest of the song can be some super fast rhythm stuff with some little runs in throughout. My brain looses interest when the guitars are just exploding notes the whole song. If your having an orgasm all the time you have nothing to look forward to.

[@marca7434]

I agree and feel both you guys, but Michael is the real deal. You can't give your whole life to the guitar and then have someone say you aren't playing with feel. It's just a different type of feel. Search out videos of him playing acoustic guitar. You'd be amazed and you'll see just how much he loves the instrument. Cheers

[@danielcarper1060]

you may not be drawn to a particular style but I am a firm believer that a true musician can take something from any type of music. ive played since I was 9 and I still watch and analyze everything whenever I play with other musicians. someone who has played for 2 years can teach you something.... I bet . if you pay attention. I have friends who play who are no where near the level of playing that I am at at this point, but when we just jam..... I usually walk away with new idea and theories. even their mistakes make me a better player.

[@mojorider8067]

my thoughts exactly. what they can play is awe inspiring but its not for me.

[@elitebicycleracers]

One of my all-time favorite guitarists. And a genuinely nice person and sharing instructor, as it comes across in this helpful video. I have been a fan since the late 80s or early 90s when I got him to autograph my Gibson Wayne Charvel, at a guitar demo somewhere in Texas. Glad he's still around and sharing his knowledge.

[@chrismalcheski9232]

I couldn't see somebody needing any more than what's in this video to get everything down that it shows. So complete, and such a rare (as videos go) total connection with the newbie. No racing ahead; every note is explained, you really couldn't ask for anything better for instruction. Then it's just a matter of 10,000 practice runs until you get it down. It's so rare to find somebody with this much skill who's also this adept at teaching beginners. This video is a rare gift for somebody who is serious about learning.

[@rockero51505150]

Michael Angelo you are one of the greatest!! Thank you for being you!

[@ardipithecus11]

I'll never get why MAB gets so much flak. He always seems cool and he is really good too.

[@edcollante]

ArdipithecusR. He's a down to earth bloke, he doesn't take himself too seriously so he's ok in my book.

[@edcollante]

***** I like your nickname. Honest.

[@ardipithecus11]

edcollante It's a pretty cool name indeed.

[@brandon5pennies]

I've personally met the guy. He was very humble and down to earth not to mention he shreds hard.

[@cosmosgato]

ArdipithecusR. _why MAB gets so much flak._ __________________________________________________________________________ Because the small army of wannabes working at Walmart are *JEALOUS!*

[@richardspillers6282]

He has more room than most to be cocky if he wants but he's the most humble shred teacher on earth.

[@billw577]

Best sweep picking lesson I've seen so far. Thanks!!!

[@yanmpy1]

It´s like my guitar teacher said: "The key to sweeping well is not about being able to move your fingers really fast, it´s about how slow can your brain process a fast movement, and how do you do that? By starting out slow and getting used to the motion of it"

[@skinnybuggo]

But the fast motions are not the same as the slow ones At least in my experience practicing speed

[@AAlfons]

I have never been a huge fan of shredders, sure it is cool and all, but ive never liked it anyway.. But this video is awsome! Really good way to show how it is done with sweeps and all of that! He has really made me open my eyes for his playing again and seem like such a nice guy.

[@RoIIingStoned]

Alfons Pettersson I never got the appeal of shredding either, I mean, yea, it's technically impressive I guess but it should be more about the music, not how fast u can play. I prefer focusing on rhythm and timing to express feelings. Ive been more open to metal recently but I just shake my head at all these shredding videos that all sound the same

[@LosoIAm]

+Alfons Pettersson He is very down to earth and very funny (well at the workshop he did anyway). He's also humble. Regards.

[@OGhomonaama]

+LosoIAm Really? Cuz I feel like he's just egoistic fuck trying to show off.

[@sammccue1359]

+givlyh k eyjhe... Michael is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. A real gentleman, with no ego whatsoever, and he's probably forgotten more about music that most people ever learn.

[@johnt.campbell316]

+Alfons Pettersson He's nearly annoyingly nice. lol... I emailed him one time and he personally emailed me back. It was pre-KZbin days when I had emailed him, so the questions I asked him weren't commonly known yet. Now, I'd say he doesn't respond because he can just say what he wants in a KZbin video.

[@nomadsinn2826]

Batio Scale: Very slow, slow, fast, very fast , MEDIUM, light speed.

[@kaptenblod6877]

.. and then some

[@DirtyHippyStudio]

U put it the best hahah

[@tonyjones1560]

I think he's on the verge of causing a rift in the space-time continuum. Hopefully, demons won't be charging through to feast on us...

[@rossrollinson3239]

Ha!

[@zeppelinmexicano]

And another thing, I know about Michael's talent. Don't tell me about his talent. Tell me you understand how hard he has worked. I respect two things about Michael: he's a gentleman and he has a great work ethic. People don't give him credit for the hours he puts in. Dude rocks but he rocks at things during practice that we don't want to bother with, the details, the repetition, the perfecting of technique. Learn from this man's work ethic!

[@6672rock]

I give Michael credit where it's due, because I don't think I'd have the patience to play the same slow arpeggio 1,000 times in a row. He's dedicated, I'll give him that.

[@foryourlugsonly]

6672rock if you wanna sweep you gotta out the time in man. A lot of shredders have spent countless hours day on end to be better. I spent about a year playing nearly 10 hours a day with minimal breaks to be able to play some vai and a lot of children of bodom amongst other leads. Worth it in the end though 😎

[@cambell9]

Thats the only way to learn it. A metronome makes your proggessiin 2x faster though. I never used a metronome until I learned arpeggios and thought to myself, why havent I been using this from the beginning?

[@willroland9811]

@@cambell9 but the results though...

[@7James77]

@@cambell9 hahaha yes! You begin to feel the sweep more than play the sweep. Big difference. Especially with basic picking exercises, you don't really realize how inconsistent your playing is until you play to a metronome. Slow here, fast in this part, slowed down a bit, then fast again just to make it in time.

[@wonder4208]

There was no Internet back then so.. it checks out

[@davidsauer5831]

This guy can play. Great shredder. And he teaches well too.

[@brettoctane]

MAB is the real deal, one hell of a cool guy ! I’ve sat inches from him and watched in awe ... Mind blowing speed with precision...

[@thealovejoy6427]

As a guitarist playing Club 7921 for 30 years I can honestly say that Michael Angelo Batio is the greatest guitarist in the history of mankind and I don't give a damn what you say ...or who you are !!

[@nancyelizabeth843]

He reminds me of Randy roads some time michael batio

[@joshcollins8727]

Nah...he is good but no one is better than Andy James. Lol

[@ya6655]

MICHAEL !!! WHERE ARE THE KEYS TO MY LAMBORGHINI ???

[@metallicmercury1845]

FUCK YEAH !!!! YOU PROMISED US ON SPEED KILLS

[@1minutecovers76]

hahahah

[@MICKSHRED]

ya6655 just get yourself the keys to a camaro ss and u will do just fine

[@eliyahucruper8145]

ya6655 hahahahaha

[@lukas6550]

ya6655 is this yngwie?

[@charliefoxtrotthe3rd335]

MAB is the best. He can play anything, and play it perfect. His speed, accuracy and economy of motion is a thing to behold. And where he really separates himself from others is he just doesn't focus on the "smoke and mirrors" and play blinding fast just for the sake of saying "hey, look at me" It is musical, it is well thought out and most of all, it rocks. A guy like, I don't know...Vinnie Vincent for example. Ok, so you can pick at 200 bpm. But it just does not sound musical or natural. Just fast.

[@brandon5pennies]

I don't believe in "bests" and MAB himself would disagree with such a statement. Check out Shawn Lane if you want to see a guitarist MAB had an immense amount of respect for. Unfortunately he's no longer with us but his technique was terrifyingly good.

[@marca7434]

I've gotta tell ya, if you've never met this guy, you wouldn't believe what a friendly, normal, humble and helpful guy he really is. He's devoted his entire life to learning about music, performing music and teaching music all over the world. He still lives in the town where he grew up and goes to his hero's concerts (when he's not traveling around the world) and gets just as excited at the shows as we do.

[@johncuriale7085]

Blessed, and gifted with talent,, if he put the same time into a violin as he did the guitar,,he would be a master virtuoso,, on, or close to the level of a Paganini.

[@voronOsphere]

He can play 2 guitar necks at once!

[@pistolp01]

Damn, I never thought of that. Imagine MAB choosing the Violin as his weapon of choice. Boggles the mind at the sounds he would have created. Love the guys humbleness.

[@GioGuitarDude]

Met the dude at a guitar demo in a little music shop one time. Extremely nice guy! He says "listen to how good these guitars sound even with this plastic cover still on the pickups"... That was funny!

[@scottwaszak698]

MAB is a freakish technician, and a cool guy. He plays what he likes; some people like it, some don't. So be it.

[@mantracker-gx1bj]

The man is a genius. And a great teacher.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Thank you Michael! You're a gentleman, scholar, and great teacher. Some of us appreciate it greatly.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Oh yeh, and you play pretty well too.

[@makita3680]

I used to think this dude was just flash in the pan but now I see he's the real deal. This was a helpful video. Thank you.

[@Carvin5150CFH]

You “used to think”he was a flash in the pan?He’s been doing this since the early ‘80s.Just say you weren’t born yet and knew nothing about him until the not very distant past or even recently.

[@makita3680]

@@Carvin5150CFH Well if the "not distant past" is 15 years ago when I found out about him whatever floats your boat buddy.

[@Carvin5150CFH]

@makita Ask yourself this: If you spent your entire life doing something you love and are obviously dedicated to it, for somebody to try to call you a flash in the pan...isn’t that literally the opposite of what you are? Wouldn’t be fair to judge you like that would it?

[@makita3680]

@@Carvin5150CFH Why are you taking it so personally? Are you Michael Angelo Batio?

[@petarsutaric6909]

his medium speed is my super speed

[@nicolastorres8385]

Brian Griffin hahahaha that's my ultra rapid fire speed 😂

[@DavidNwokoye]

That's my dream speed.

[@unowhavethebiggay1430]

Thats my cocaine speed

[@somegreatbloke]

That's my trippin' on speed speed.

[@jeffreymitchell7932]

Chewy. Get ready to make the jump to hyperspeed.⚡⚡⚡

[@jamesgrossnickle8040]

Saw Joe Feingold..a local guitar legend from South Bend Indiana...Play with the Man...both were really BADASS!..Joe is a phenomenal guitarist..one of the few that stand out in my mind where Im from...but micheal was just an inspirational player..his technique is sooo tight that,,I dont think I ve ever heard him play a sour note!.....Both are true to their instruments and both can play circles around most of the "other" players I know.. AAANNNDDDD... Micheal was such a true gentleman and artist...if you have seen his videos and such..you can see he is truely a great person......ROCK ON BROTHER!

[@Traynoramp08]

This guy is so humble. I became a fan of him!

[@stephennewell6459]

Guitarists don’t realise how lucky they are to have this kind of knowledge at ther finger tips on KZbin it’s crazy

[@jtvito8535]

absolutely, yet getting out there as a guitarist is very hard now bc there are so many alien prodigies

[@uyhg7284]

He really needs to work on his speed, maybe guitar just isn't his instrument.

[@dreugh424]

Yeah, needs to work on picking speed and articulation.

[@ethanmorrow4241]

Haha, sarcasm

[@name-ni3jc]

I-

[@collinwolford7808]

Lmfao 😆 I see what you did there

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

🎶 A very knowledgeable guitar player/ teacher who has studied for a long time and gracious enough to show how the master's play 🎸.

[@flatgroundtv7097]

Going practice this from now on. Just started in the 40s. This is what I need. Thank you. 🙏🏼🙂

[@damianb2374]

How's it going/progressing?

[@flatgroundtv7097]

@@damianb2374 to be honest, still struggling with it. It's not an easy task but I'm still working on it. ✊🏽🙂

[@damianb2374]

@@flatgroundtv7097 cool!!! Bloody hard to get speed huh? metronome on phone helps

[@flatgroundtv7097]

@@damianb2374 I still try it slowly and just aimed for clarity and hoping the speed will come later. I like to start practicing on A. I don't know why. That's why this is one of my favourite practice routine even though it's far from to achieve it.

[@scottsmith4145]

This guys dexterity is out of this world!

[@DrewPeaballs]

he's originally left handed

[@hubblebublumbubwub5215]

I used to figuratively play keyboard style riffs but after watching this video I can play them literally

[@bobayersquebec]

The thing that i like the most from this Genius, is not his playing, no, it' s is passion, even all thoses years ! Bravo MAB

[@jaytc3218]

I was in Frankfurt, Germany around 1993 and he was doing a demo at a music trade show. A skilled guitarist and very cool to talk to.

[@isaacnunesoficial2425]

Batio' s medium Speed looks like the fastest Malmsteen

[@bixstar1469]

No

[@edymoon4021]

DonutZ

[@vegaunknown]

'n' LUCA TURILLI too

[@bencepatyi4032]

7:00 "Medium" speed... Medium my ass..

[@rockisrealmusic5338]

Bence Patyi 😂😂😂

[@hassaanguitarist8175]

slow to medium is like a bicycle to aeroplane

[@susantenpenny2178]

Slow to medium = slug to motorbike

[@aDheLuvAdiNdA]

Bence Patyi hahahahaha.... Its not easy...

[@KirillBezzubkine]

Bence Patyi yeah... Lol

[@rayberczik5192]

Seen him in houston and was two feet from the stage and was just blown away!! He signed my shirt and ticket stub. He is really a normal guy, no ego and friendly. Thank you mab for all your instructions, they made a big difference in my playing!!!!

[@PraiseDog]

I'll bet he is a really nice fellow. None of us are angels, but I suspect people who know him well tend to like him. My sweeps really have never been right, I do other things well but I have known my sweeps have never been right. I just thought "seek out the Master's advice". I have confidence that he has now shown me the road to sweeps that I will be satisfied with. Being obscenely over educated, I have listened to a lot of teachers. It is a rare person in my experience who not only "knows his stuff", but who also is a great teacher. Thanks MAB!

[@VoidSixx]

Just so people don't get confused: A sweep and a rake is not the same thing. Sweeping is as described/taught in the video Raking is fret muting (and less commonly, palm muting) a bunch of notes on different strings before picking a final, un-muted note. Here's an example: e------------------------5~~~~~ Key: x = Fret mute B-----------------6x--------------- ~ = Vibrato G----------7x---------------------- D-----7x--------------------------- A----------------------------------- E-----------------------------------

[@stopthehate1749]

VoidSixx I know exactly what you are saying. However, MAB is talking about BEFORE the term "sweep picking" became the universally recognized term for this techniqe. I have seen old tab books (sometimes with a cassette tape - if you are old enough to have those!), and even some old instructional VHS videos, where the term "rake picking" was used to describe sweeps. It took a few years for everyone to use the same term sweep picking.

[@osmanbahadir6233]

VoidSixx thats a great explanation

[@dohoeijmans2432]

Raking is best demonstrated by Gojira.

[@dushk0]

You can palm mute any type of picking, those are two different things. What you say is probably unnecessarily made up terminology to distinguish indistinct stuff (a.k.a. bullshit).

[@koa3952]

Or nirvana smelks like rake spirit

[@jimmars1083]

Awesome lesson! I never tried to learn sweep picking but I seen this in the latest GW mag and I will give it shot. Well explained lesson.

[@wattsinaname6975]

This is definitely the clearest I've seen sweeping explained. 🤘

[@monstersaint]

Michael, you're one of the first instructor/ players who actually gave an indication of how many repetitions you did to master a lick. Very cool and most informative.

[@The314moses]

He seems like a genuinely nice guy. Monster player too!

[@jayearley5218]

I'm pretty sure that's the healthbar from Goldeneye 007 on his guitar.

[@cassianandor4103]

LOL YES

[@ZyklnAeon]

The colorfull lines look like an F-zero X race with the healthbar of goldeneye this is the perfect guitar for the n64 fans

[@Simp_Zone]

OMG YES

[@Simp_Zone]

Let me just check my spy watch oh wait its on my guitar

[@americafuckyea2789]

he's not wearing body armor, what a badass.

[@larrydrozd2740]

Thanks Mike! Good to see your still at it after all these years. Rock on!

[@tomhughes5891]

Had the honour of meeting this guy at a demo event...brilliant musician and really nice guy.

[@dylan.606]

Im convinced batio is the most skilled guitarist to ever walk the earth

[@b0gdan491]

Dylan Taylor there is also Guthrie Govan and Shawn Lane

[@retrorewind6042]

Tosin abasi and jason richardson

[@mountzod]

Buckethead

[@Ramskull5]

Satch

[@1amokcorda]

Mmmm...Jeff Loomis

[@dylan.606]

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MEDIUM SPEED??!!

[@evilcowboy]

This is the man to listen to when it comes to guitar playing. Not because he is fast or anything like that. It's because he is clear and concise about what he says, knows how to slow it down and gives more than one example. This man was made to be a teacher in terms of playing guitar because his patience shows. Its just a plus he is considered one of the fastest if not the fastest guitar players in the world. This allows him to show examples slow, medium and fast and ungodly fast. He also seems like a really nice guy.

[@Mattacaster2112]

This is the best lesson I've seen on this topic. Plus he Sounds like Kasey Kasem.

[@SuperPsychoterror]

Michael is a genius and a very talented player. What I find funny is how you have posters come in and say negative things about the technique. "I've never understood why", "Blah blah blah". You notice how you don't see the same comments on a Eric Clapton video? It's because he was "Slow hand" and any experienced guitarist can play every lick Clapton can. However to achieve what Michael does.....you have to be a EXCEPTIONAL guitarist and those who talk shit are the ones who are not exceptional and should stay with playing Clapton.

[@StephenPurington]

SuperPsychoterror I Totally agree with your comment , MAB Is an amazing player , I believe people watch him and are pissed 😡 they don't have the skills and lash out , Haters should start respecting Living legends 👍✌🏼😎

[@IGotSoupProductions]

I like watching his videos to learn and improve technique or add new concepts to my playing, but I don't really care for his music. Take away all that raw technical skill and, musically, I don't find it all that interesting. I'm not really sure why people need to fight so much about guitar players, though. Insecurity? Immaturity? Just play what you want to play and stop worrying so much about other people's opinions.

[@fanboys247]

what i find funny is how, despite your acting as Michael's personal virtual youtube jihadi, he never sent you adoption papers in the mail

[@MICKSHRED]

SuperPsychoterror awesome and well put comment, :)

[@silspieard7417]

SuperPsychoterror Music is not about being exceptional, you’ve got it wrong there haha. Music is about playing what you find sounding good and what appeals to you (having fun, remember?). Imo this is very impressive, but i’m not interested in playing like this (im not bashing it, thats silly).

[@alexcarvalho4274]

5:46 The notes in between(are fucked whith me),what a legendary words

[@shaman9934]

Very well described, great examples as well. Your an excellent teacher my dude.

[@mattgardiner313]

I met him in a little bar in romford (uk) back in the 90's. I was blown away by his playing and nervously asked him to sign a vhs of his lessons. I still have never really mastered arpeggios. He was a nice guy 👍

[@PiotrFoot]

WHERE IS THE FRINGE?

[@nobodyimportant4264]

the fringe has left the building xD

[@joshwaterman5526]

Dog groomer wasn’t around this week

[@juliancasablanka77]

Yo ni verga entiendo

[@juliancasablanka77]

Is spanglinsh

[@juweee_yt]

My Guitar Teacher keeps saying that Mr. Batio's skill is nothing... I don't know, I think he's just Jealous of what Mr. Batio can do with his guitar. 😑

[@SparkySINN]

U speak 100% truth.... all are completely jealous haters. Batio is GOAT.

[@km-jp2sc]

Batio is STALe....................go listen to Rick Graham on here.......its possible to shred with TASTE.

[@SparkySINN]

@@km-jp2sc there are millions of legendary guitarists... with soul.... the thing is Batio can play anything anyone in the world can with either hand.... and practically nobody can do what he can with both hands..... But i get it ... super shedding kinda loses the point of music.... Nobody is going to whistle or hum this stuff.... it's definitely not catchy....

[@danielcarper1060]

I would simply just say show me how simple it is... then when he makes it a mess... get another teachernot to mention a real musician doesn't snub others. different styles different skill levels... its all good if it sounds good. if its played clean and especially if its original I could care less about how hard it is to play. that's garbage. difficulty will never equal perfection. sometimes the absence of what some might call technical playing just sounds better. if it sounds good its good. period

[@km-jp2sc]

@@danielcarper1060 ....... Vinnie moore---Yngwie-----jason becker---marty friedman . Go listen to them. Batio is stale and mechanical....Zero feel.

[@erics3454]

MAB always seems like an incredibly nice and humble guy who is happy to teach.

[@stoneage6379]

This man gets such a lot of negativity. I'm amazed at how many thumbs down this has. He seems to be such a lovely guy, both kind and considerate. Listening to him, it's very clear that he would be an incredible teacher. I imagine that most couldn't achieve his frankly extraordinary skill during a single lifetime. You may not like his music, but please show some respect for this remarkable musician.

[@s-progaming5213]

dat medium speed tho

[@besteverepicmillennial5927]

tho

[@sundigest1121]

@@besteverepicmillennial5927 tho

[@user-lw9tu1tj7c]

@@sundigest1121 tho

[@adriankovacs4133]

@@user-lw9tu1tj7c tho

[@TheReliableBeacon]

tho

[@zil7692]

He uses surprisingly good vocabulary.

[@dantimmerman6693]

Very intelligent man he is. Most individuals with abilities like his are.

[@metawyrm]

Why would a guitar virtuoso having a good vocabulary be surprising? where's the logic in that?

[@dantimmerman6693]

Lmfao do you not realize that most musicians are very intelligent? Must not because you probably listen to radio music.

[@gene_Code]

Geniuses normally do.

[@alyssav.9796]

literally

[@stavrosxan]

I told myself it's time to learn sweeping, started practicing over some videos. Then I was wondering "who is the greatest at picking fast and maintaining crystal clear notes?". Mr. Batio instantly poped in my head and found this video, he never disappoints! A true legend!

[@geraldsounier6523]

The best guitar player I have ever listened to

[@JackMorris916]

Anyone else notice he was playing an A flat arpeggio the entire time and not an A natural arpeggio?

[@MHSlypher1]

***** Guitar tuned down half a step, its easier to refer the strings etc as if they weren't for simplicity

[@ambotlks]

play it literally 1000 times to get it. he said.

[@ambotlks]

but that is the only sweep picking. he must have played more than 10k hour

[@cambell9]

Hes right tho

[@MrOwl1985]

Correction: play it 1000 times PER SESSION.

[@joeybankier8906]

Pretty sure he plays like 100 shows and does hundreds of guitar expos every year, plus countless tutorials like this... and its his hobby haha

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

He did it 1000 in one session lmao

[@ShootNeutrality]

This is actually one the better explanations of sweep picking out there. This will take a lot of time for me to master it, but it's explained well enough to understand. Good job.

[@atomaalatonal]

batio is a really great teacher. calm voice and precision in detail

[@oddo1121]

Goldeneye 64 paintjob, nice lol

[@crispinchadder2154]

Graybeard for a second I though I was the only one thinking the same.

[@stickman33]

Practicing slowly ... as I've heard elsewhere, "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast!"

[@pauls8595]

TOTALLY AMAZING STRING SWEEPS IN A MINOR CHORD KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO

[@shazwanjaamat1600]

not only a great guitarist..he is a great teacher too..even the noob can understand what he is talking about here

[@Defenseman61913]

Him: "here's the chord in slow speed" Me: "sweet, got it" Him: "Here's medium speed" *throws guitar out the window*

[@constipatedcookie8638]

Here’s the arpeggio at a slow speed: *slow* Now here it is at a medium speed: *faster than most guitar players can play*

[@bobby-k-mastering]

Wow I'm so privileged to have seen you here on you tube for the first time. Michael, you are a legend... Love from Sydney Australia...

[@PowerMTL12345]

Literally the best sweep picking tutorial so far!