Kung Fu Guitar
Kung Fu Guitar is a look into the different forms of kung fu and how it applies to guitar. If you have not already been to Black Belt Guitar go there to understand where I am coming from. ManyKung Fu styles were develeoped by studying the animals and applying it to a fightng form that imitates the animal they were studying. Kung Fu Guitar is the study of these forms and applying it to guitar. From the Animals, Nature, and Various Forms of Kung Fu we can learn different ways to practice guitar and eventually form our own practice techniques.
The Tiger
The tiger is very aggressive it is where a lot of shredding and "hard" techniques, as opposed to "soft" techniques. Heavy alternate picking and concentrated downstrokes and upstrokes, to really build strength in the forearms. The tiger is at rest until ready to attack. From the Tiger we learn that when we start to shred you shred hard. Once started the tiger is relentless in it's shred attack.
When you think of the tigers legs as your right hand and the Tigers paws as your left hand you can see more similarities. The Tiger's power comes from the legs and shredders power comes from the right hand. The left hand must be fast and accurate. No matter how powerful ones right hand is, if there is no accuracy with the left hand then their will be a weak attack. The hands work together so be careful not to over train.
When you think of the tigers legs as your right hand and the Tigers paws as your left hand you can see more similarities. The Tiger's power comes from the legs and shredders power comes from the right hand. The left hand must be fast and accurate. No matter how powerful ones right hand is, if there is no accuracy with the left hand then their will be a weak attack. The hands work together so be careful not to over train.
The Crane
The Crane Martial Artist is akin to a dancer. It moves gracefully and is not aggressive like it's opposite The Tiger. From the crane we learn to focus on "soft" techniques that require less right hand work. The right hand being the lower half of the body must remain light on their feet. Sweeping and legato are examples of Crane techniques. Furthermore The CraneGuitarist uses any part as a weapon, meaning more exotic techniques can be used. Making use of all ten fingers Tapping can be used and overhand techniques.
The Snake
The Snake Guitarist must be fluid and agile like both the animal and the martial artist. From the show Kung Fu we learn the snake uses "Rhythmic Endurance." From the Snake we learn to develop our rhythm's by changing them. 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, whatever timing you choose. Just like in a fight the timing will always be changing. We must be able to "endure" as well, meaning we need to be able to last over time as opposed to short bursts of power.
The Snake is known for targeting weak points like the groin or eyes. From the snake we learn to target are "weak" points in our playing. Thus the snake can be seen in other styles. One of your weak points maybe be alternate picking which is a "tiger" technique. From the snake we learn to strenghten our style. The snake is also where we get to practice our slides like the snake that slithers on the ground. We develop our vibratos like a snakes his or a snakes rattle. From the snake we further develop our shred like the way a snake slithers. Going from 2-6 string runs all over the fretboard.
The Snake is known for targeting weak points like the groin or eyes. From the snake we learn to target are "weak" points in our playing. Thus the snake can be seen in other styles. One of your weak points maybe be alternate picking which is a "tiger" technique. From the snake we learn to strenghten our style. The snake is also where we get to practice our slides like the snake that slithers on the ground. We develop our vibratos like a snakes his or a snakes rattle. From the snake we further develop our shred like the way a snake slithers. Going from 2-6 string runs all over the fretboard.
The Leopard
The Leopard is like the tiger but more accurate. It has strength and tenacity like the tiger, with precision and muscular endurance. The Leopard has less power but more agility. The Leopard sweeps but not usually six-string sweeps because it is not as big as the tiger.
The Leopard uses economy picking because it is more accurate then alternate picking. The Leopard also makes use of string skipping, and makes use of hammer-on and pull offs for it's speed. This not to be confused with legato which is crane technique of only picking once and using all hammer-on's and pulls-offs. The leopard still picks most of it's hammer-on's and pull offs.
The Leopard is all over the place seeing as how it captures speed and ferocity. The snake and crane are both fast but are more defensive. The Leopards footwork or picking hand is more likely to change as opposed to sticking to one technique. Using economy picking the leopard becomes faster than the tiger and much smoother but not as powerful sounding.
The Leopard uses economy picking because it is more accurate then alternate picking. The Leopard also makes use of string skipping, and makes use of hammer-on and pull offs for it's speed. This not to be confused with legato which is crane technique of only picking once and using all hammer-on's and pulls-offs. The leopard still picks most of it's hammer-on's and pull offs.
The Leopard is all over the place seeing as how it captures speed and ferocity. The snake and crane are both fast but are more defensive. The Leopards footwork or picking hand is more likely to change as opposed to sticking to one technique. Using economy picking the leopard becomes faster than the tiger and much smoother but not as powerful sounding.
The Eagle
From The Eagle we learn hard and soft techniques. "hard" and "soft" are often thought of as Passive and aggressive or Ying and Yang styles. The eagle uses both and some more exotic sounds just like it's fellow bird cousin the crane.
From The Eagle we get our whammy bar dives that are like the Eagles Voice or an eagle plummeting through the air seeking to capture it's prey. The Eagle teaches us to use volume swells which are like the eagles scream fading in and out. The Eagle also teaches us to make use of chicken picking and bends. The Eagle soars like a bend that rings out and makes use of it's talons like a weapon.
From The Eagle we get our whammy bar dives that are like the Eagles Voice or an eagle plummeting through the air seeking to capture it's prey. The Eagle teaches us to use volume swells which are like the eagles scream fading in and out. The Eagle also teaches us to make use of chicken picking and bends. The Eagle soars like a bend that rings out and makes use of it's talons like a weapon.
The Dragon
The Dragon is like all animals in one. The Dragon is a mythical creature that is held in high regard in the east. Though the Dragon was the "King of the Sky" it was also known to sleep in the ocean. The dragon has great external power but also awesome internal power to balance it out. The Dragon could change size and form, in addition to having claws like a Tiger. It is the most spiritual of all Kung Fu Animal Forms.
The Dragon emphasizes on strategy, which means the Dragon Wins without another losing. This means improvisation, chords, and arpeggios. While the dragon encompasses techniques seen in other animals, it is not it's main focus. The Dragon will use a mistake in improvisation and use it to it's advantage. The dragon studies chords and arpeggios so that it may move freely in between heavy and light riffs, as well as rhythm and lead guitar. Many of the best players encompass the dragon.
The Dragon emphasizes on strategy, which means the Dragon Wins without another losing. This means improvisation, chords, and arpeggios. While the dragon encompasses techniques seen in other animals, it is not it's main focus. The Dragon will use a mistake in improvisation and use it to it's advantage. The dragon studies chords and arpeggios so that it may move freely in between heavy and light riffs, as well as rhythm and lead guitar. Many of the best players encompass the dragon.
