STUDY

GUIDE

Igor Paspalj
Learn To Play:
Full Throttle

JTCGUITAR.COM
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 2

INTRODUCTION

This track is based entirely around the key of D – minor (D E

F G A Bb C) and pentatonic (D F G A C).

While it’s not very complex in terms of harmonic or rhythmical aspects, the
main challenges are technical: mainly right-hand picking technique. The
tempo of the song is 195bpm, and it involves alternate, economy, sweeping
and hybrid picking techniques.
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 3

CHAPTER 1

TRACK INTRO

INTRO: Features an aggressive descending pentatonic run. Make sure you

apply heavy palm muting, and place a strong accent on the highest note (D
on the 3rd string) to emphasise the rhythmic characteristic of the lick.

CHAPTER 2

THEME ONE

For the slower versions in the Video Tutorial files, I’ve

chopped up each section into smaller pieces, so you can
study them one lick at a time.

PART I: Controlling the intonation and the whammy bar dips are crucial in
executing this part properly. Also, attention is required for the proper pinched
harmonic.

PART II: The melodic work continues from Part 1, and ends in a descending
alternate picking sequene. Make sure you put the accent on the first note of
each group of patterns. It also helps developing more “tightness”.

PART III: The melodic work continues from Part 1, and ends in a descending
alternate picking sequene. Make sure you put the accent on the first note of
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 4

each group of patterns. It also helps developing more “tightness”.

PART IV: Ascending D minor sequence in the style of Paul Gilbert, ending
with a D minor sweep arpeggio with a quick tap for “flavour”.

PART V: The two-string arpeggio variation is very similar to Part 3, following

the chord progression of the track. There’s a slight accent on the highest
note which forms a melody while outlining rest of the chord.

CHAPTER 3

SOLO

PART I: Starts with a pentatonic lick, combining hammering, pull-offs and

hybrid picking. In the hybrid-picked line, I’m playing the highest note with
my middle finger, while the notes on the B and G strings are played with my
pick. This part ends with same kind of sequence we already had in the Main
theme, but this time combining pull-off, alternate and hybrid picking.

PART II: Ascending palm muted D minor sequence, repeated an octave

higher, followed by a Vinnie Moore–style lick (see Mind’s Eye). This pivots
around an A pedal tone (G string, 14th fret) played with a pick, while I use my
middle finger to pick the melody on the B and E strings.

PART III: Again, a hybrid picking ostinato figure on the top two strings,
followed by a similar pedal note idea to the one in Part 2. Also, pay attention
to one big left hand stretch here – 14-21 between the B and G strings.

PART IV: A short melodic break followed by another descending sequence

similar to those in previous parts. I usually play this sequence with hammer-
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 5

ons and pull-offs combined with some hybrid and sweeping, basically,
combining previous ways of playing that same sequence.

PART V: Same as previous part, familiar sequence first ascending, then

descending to low E on the 6th string. Combining hybrid picking, alternate
picking and legato with palm muting. Play it however you want; the Solo part
is mostly improvisation, so no strict rules here.

PART VI: Ascending sequence in D minor, 3 notes per string, full alternate
picking. Slight accent on the first note of each group.

PART VII: Two-note-per-string descending pentatonic sequence, very similar

to the intro, only running through all 6 strings. Apply a strong accent on the
first note of each group.

CHAPTER 4

TRANSITION

PART I: For best effect in this part, you need to a ping-pong delay effect, set
to a dotted quarter-note in stereo with 50/50 delay and dry sounds. It’s a
hybrid picking melodic lick outlining the chord progression of the track. Apply
heavy palm muting here with heavy attack, also lifting your left hand slightly
from the fret after playing each note – that creates an aggressive staccato
effect.

PART II: Same idea as the previous part, but on two strings, ending this with
short sequence on the 3rd string. Also, after this point, you can switch off the
ping-pong delay.
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 6

PART III: Short break from shredding with singing melodic idea spiced with
some dive bombs and pinched harmonics. Very similar approach to the
main theme.

PART IV: This part features a Paul Gilbert–ish style lick, an ascending
ostinato figure combining palm muting and legato. You can also play it
with hybrid picking, plucking the first note of each group aggressively with
your middle finger, followed by palm muted legato for the rest of the notes.
Alternate picking for last two groups also works well to break up monotony
and build up a tension.

PART V: This is pretty challenging tapping lick using two fingers from your
picking hand. It’s basically a descending pentatonic run. Try to mute the
noise of unwanted open strings, since there isn’t enough time to apply a “fret
wrap” or other muting device. Also, I’m still holding the pick, so I’m tapping
with my middle and ring finger. It’s probably easier to do it with index and
middle finger of your right hand, but I personally found there wasn’t enough
time to palm the pick after the previous lick.
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 7

CHAPTER 5

THEME TWO

PARTS I - V: This is basically a repetition of first main theme with a few

notes changed, or played just a little bit differently. The differences should be
pretty obvious from the video tutorial which goes through it thoroughly, so no
need for any special explanations here.

CHAPTER 6

ENDING

ENDING: This lick ends the track. It’s a 3-note-per-string pentatonic run,
with string skipping. It’s played with alternate picking, and requires special
attention, given the very high fretboard position and wide stretch, which
makes left hand a bit uncomfortable.
Igor Paspalj / Learn To Play: Full Throttle 8

CHAPTER 7

TECHNICAL NOTES

I played this track on Guthrie Govan signature Charvel guitar, using bridge
pickup only.

Amp is an Axe Fx II, BRIT800 amp model, with tube screamer boost in front,
straight into Logic X Pro.

Enjoy learning this track!

Igor
 A
LS
O
AV
A
IL
A
B
LE
Justin Derrico
SOLID ROCK MAYHEM

Justin Derrico unleashes all hell and fury over three classic rock tracks. This
is high-energy rock guitar cranked to the max!

AVAIL ABLE NOW

J T C G U I TA R .C O M
J T C G U I TA R . C O M