Cracking the Code Episode 6: “Punched Out” — Eric Johnson, Eddie Van Halen, & Yngwie Malmsteen

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Episode Description:

The path of discovery is less a gradual slog than a punctuated equilibrium of sudden insights. A chance meeting of CPU and sound had turned a toy synthesizer into the ultimate musical x-ray. Like a glass-bottom boat, it opened a window on a world that had existed only in imagination.

But as the pile of data grew, so did the frustration. Peeling back the armor of the guitar colossi only revealed even more complex rigging underneath. Rock videos and record collections had failed to provide all the answers. And this felt like a defeat. But that's only because they had taken us as far as they could go. What we really needed now was a change of scenery.

[compulsor]

WTH??-- I randomly landed on your channel an hour and a half ago- and have not stopped binge CONSUMING (as opposed to just binge watching), EXCELLENT work- ALL the way around:, presentation, graphics- all AV/ production values are top notch, but the most important, foundational part of all of this is your massive talent!
Not just content to learn the rote methods, you blazed your own eTrail and were persistent, talented and clever enough to crack the code.
Idk if you do all so this yourself (my suspicion, as you would seem to have a TOUCH of perfectionism😳), or if you have "people", whatever the case maybe:
Great work, I wish you every success, and genuinely thank you for taking the time and effort to create and share these installments of your "Journey to Guitar Mastery™" with the great unwashed; and the fat-fingered amongst us (literally & figuratively).
Best Regards

[DookiedoohdahPRO]

14:15 How Id fight Yngwie:
>pull out donut from back pocket
>hold as how i’d show a crucifix to a vampire
>see Yngwie melt before my eyes

[bfitz]

Troy Grady is one of, if not- thee Best guitar instructors ever!!!

[griiseknoen]

Not only is Troy a fountain of knowledge. He also manages to help and guide us viewers through and beyond the Time and time again.
Great teacher.

[johntguitar]

The Lisa Lisa bit killed me. Totally forgot about that. lol Thanks for the history stroll. Great series of videos.

[mdub]

It's amazing because after all these years you'd think that this focus in picking technique would be big in all schools of guitar flat picking but maybe its been the secret that most folks just kept to themselves or got without thinking over time.  When i look at classical and flamenco players they put tons of attention on right hand technique especially the flamenco players who have boat loads of technique.  Even the concept of clearing the nail at the slanted angle happens with flamenco technique which is why they can play fast with their fingers.  Thanks Troy for opening this up to us...i went through everything you went through in the 80's and wish I  knew about this way back then.  I think the first time I even paid attention to the right hand was with micheal batio's video on speed and then you came out with this series and I realise its the key us wanna be shred heads  had been missing :)

[robertpierce]

The best, most interesting video series I have ever seen.

[RealWolfRanger]

The most amazing thing about Eddie Van Halen's playing in the 80's to me was how he was able to play with the amount of alcohol abuse he was doing at the time.

[TheCrimsonIdol]

So when are we going to get the code on Buckethead's picking? That's some ferocious picking, and I'd imagine that the video would be interesting because Bucket himself is an interesting fellow.

[theophany]

dude, I just laughed so hard! the part about your guitar strap failing and having to staple it and everyone walking out on you as you're fighting with your guitar, classic! dude these vids rock man, special thanks to Ben eller for turning me on to these.

[mattyoxide]

Dude. That there's the story of my life.

[bodd]

Hey Troy I love these episodes ha! We're around the same age & I went through exactly what you did back in the 80's. Don't worry about the amount of likes so far...Cracking the Code is going to BLOW UP!!! : )

[frmrchristian]

Love all of these episodes, Man! Just cannot wrap my head around the "Richard Marx" T-shirt! Dude!

[rguitar]

I just can't articulate how indebted I am to you, Troy. I've been stuck where you were, I think --moreover, I considered the amount pick slanting I naturally developed as poor technique. Recently, I began to seriously doubt myself. After sixteen years of playing, and thirteen years of mislead picking, your guidance has triggered a guitar renaissance --the adored EJ riffs that have crowded my mind for a decade are suddenly emerging with satisfying progress. I don't want to stop playing now. I am still looking around, but I'll definitely be following up with one of your full length presentations. Thanks!

[KyleS.]

This series is really wonderfully structured. So much better than just jumping straight into pure mechanics. I can 100% relate to just feeling baffled by some outrageous solo--in my case, the first big one was John Petrucci's shared solo with guest vocalist Theresa Thomason on Live Scenes From New York. Even working for hours on exercises from his instructional DVD didn't get me close to that kind of speed, and it's only ten-plus years later that I'm starting to understand why. 

[ontrakmerchantservices]

not many would get the Perry Mason reference at the intro, not to mention the '70's & '80's tv references throughout... but fun for us on the "inside"

[scottybee]

OMG, I'm so addictied b/c this is the story of my Guitar Playing life too.  Until Guitar for the Practicing Musician came out in the late '80s there were NO tabs.  Only what our circle of friends could figure out by ear and share...  God, I hope to learn what's been ailing me all these years...and fix it.

[juanstor]

The Plane...The Plane! Love the reference to Fantasy Island. You truly are a creature of the 80s Troy lol

[astrostl]

"In the realm of improbably-great guitar, Lisa Lisa was particularly demoralizing" lolololol

[mwilkie]

This guy lives my life. Epic. I'm not alone!