#translator near me

[certifiedtranslatornearme]

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[sylvia-forest]

[CN] Shaw's Dual Cultivation Pact Date - Part 2

⚡Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a Date which hasn’t been released in EN yet!⚡

Proceed at your own risk, I guess? 😂 Although it's not that spicy but still, a warning is a warning 🤭

[Section 3]

A month had passed since I had "swept Shaw out the door," and he had not come back since.

He might also feel a bit embarrassed and angry.

MC: But you can't blame me for this; anyone who heard such words would… Villager: What did you say?

I realized that I had gotten distracted thinking about Shaw again, so I quickly cleared my throat and refocused my attention.

MC: It's nothing. You just said that there was evil energy surging under the mountain? Villager: That’s right! I don’t know what happened this time, but the formation barriers you set up don’t seem to have any effect!! Villager: Although Taoist Master Shaw doesn’t permit us to come to find you, we saw his condition and it was truly… MC: Shaw? What happened to him?

Startled, I interrupted him. The villagers were surprised to see me speaking so urgently and were taken aback, but they still answered honestly.

Villager: Wasn't it you who sent Master Shaw down the mountain to help us exorcize demons and spirits? There have been too many demons recently, and he has been busy running around everywhere. Villager: Perhaps it's because he's been working too hard. In the past month, Master Shaw's temper has become increasingly bad, and his methods for exorcizing demons have become more and more…

The villager hesitated, stammering as they began to speak.

Villager: It feels like... Master Shaw is showing signs of being possessed by demons. MC: ...possessed?!

Seeing me gasp, the villager began to sweat profusely, and their speech quickened.

Villager: We know that Master Shaw is a good person! But we're just afraid that if he starts treating people like this in the future… Villager: Ahem, what I mean is that we are worried about Taoist Master Shaw, so, that’s why we want to ask you to come out and help your disciple! Villager: If he really does something irreversible, it would tarnish the good name of Fairy MC! MC: ...I understand. MC: I'll handle the matter with Shaw. After you go down the mountain, instruct everyone not to go out today. Villager: Yes, I'll go right away!

The villager breathed a sigh of relief, thanked me profusely, and left.

I lowered my eyes and counted with my fingers.

MC: On the seventh day of the seventh month, when the yin energy is at its peak... It turns out it's already come to this.

I gathered my loose hair, secured it with a blue lotus Taoist crown, picked up my horsetail whisk, and headed out the door.

Demons' aura. A sky-high demonic presence.

The setting sun was like blood, with white bones hanging from withered branches, and ghostly flames mingling with cooking smoke.

The mortals had long since shut their doors tightly, afraid to speak carelessly. In the distant mountains, unknown creatures were making sharp, piercing cries.

After hiding away on the mountain for so long, I've almost forgotten that the outside world is actually like this purgatory.

MC: I really miss the old Qixi festivals... That was the true human scene.

I murmured in contemplation as I began to search for Shaw's presence.

The flower scent was wrapped in a heavy stench of blood, making it appear both gaudy and acrid.

MC: Shaw?

Soon, I caught the faint scent of familiar Tumi flowers near the abandoned cemetery in the southeast.

?.?: For every person you've harmed, I'll cut off one of your claws. It's actually a favor to you. ?.?: ...Regardless of whether you've done evil during this time, I find you displeasing now, so I want to eliminate you. Is that not allowed? ?.?: Want to beg for mercy now? It’s no use.

I couldn't make out what the demon was shouting, but Shaw's voice came through clearly from the graveyard, each sentence ending with a distinct note of pleasure.

In the next moment, a scream pierced the air, and the stench of blood grew even stronger.

My heart sank and I hurried over.

Boom— —

Thunder rumbled ominously, and flashes of lightning crisscrossed the sky. In the intermittent light, a tall, slender figure stood firmly in the center.

Around him are the remains of monsters and demons, and the young man stands amidst a sea of blood. At this moment, he does not seem like a righteous defender of justice, but more like…

Bloodthirsty demon.

...Shaw's cultivation has already reached its peak.

I watched the scene before me with my heart racing, almost stirring up some repressed impulse.

Shaw's God-striking Whip was swinging continuously in his hand, while a demon beast dodged left and right. In the end, it was struck by a bolt of lightning and was obliterated with a scream.

Shaw: I said it was useless, so why bother running?

Shaw's brows and eyes were full of exuberance, with a smile of extreme pleasure at the corner of his mouth, as he reveled in the brutal scene.

Shaw: I'm in a very bad mood this month. I can only say that you are unlucky and happened to meet me.

As he spoke, he took out the talisman and chanted the incantation.

[He recites an incantation here which is kinda hard to translate]

——He wants to summon the Five Gods of Thunder?! Just to annihilate these monsters?!

Without a moment's hesitation, I waved my whisk and immediately sealed the talisman he was about to ignite.

It was only then that he noticed my presence. In an instant, Shaw's gaze was more dazzling than lightning, nearly blinding me.

Shaw: .......You are finally willing to come. MC: ….Shaw!

I stretched out my hand towards him and spoke hastily.

MC: You can't kill anymore now, otherwise you will become a demon! MC: Come with me, I'll help you stabilize your Taoist mind!

Shaw stared at me intently, and after a while, he finally broke into a smile.

Shaw: Good.

Before he finished speaking, he fell forward.

I quickly teleported over to support him. Even through the layer of clothing, I could feel how intensely hot his body was.

MC: ….It can’t be delayed any longer.

I no longer hesitated and took Shaw to a broken house near the mass grave and began to set up formations for him.

Shaw [in pain]: Mm—

In the instant the light flared, a look of pain immediately appeared on Shaw's face.

MC: Is it difficult? Just bear with it a little longer…

Shaw [breathing heavily]: Not uncomfortable.

Shaw interrupted my words, breathing heavily.

Shaw [hesitantly]: I thought...I thought you didn't want to see me anymore

My breath caught, and I instinctively wanted to respond to the unspoken feelings before me.

However, Shaw's vibrant, living form and the red cinnabar symbols that had fallen around him reminded me of my true purpose for coming here.

MC: How could this be?

Another yellow talisman fell, and the dense array of runes bound Shaw, leaving him unable to move.

My fingers gently caressed his heaving chest and came to rest on his heart.

MC: You are my most precious furnace, why don’t I come to see you?

The light from the talisman illuminated the dim old house and also lit up my path.

A black crane perches on the hem of my skirt, its wings poised to fly.

—

[Section 4]

After Shaw heard what I said, a smile appeared on his lips.

Shaw [In a light voice + breathing heavily x1]: Fairy Xuanhe, you finally don’t want to pretend anymore? MC: The goal has already been achieved; why pretend?

I casually replied to him while drawing symbols, as if we were in my courtyard rather than this run-down house.

MC: I was surprised. When did you know about it? Shaw [x2]: Known it from the beginning.

My fingers paused. He raised his eyebrows at me triumphantly.

Shaw [x3]: Back then, Fairy Xuanhe, burdened with too much bloodshed, was hunted down by ten righteous paths and fell into these mountains. Shaw [x4]: After just three to five years, a Taoist priestess named MC suddenly appeared in the mountains. Shaw [x5]: With profound skills and a kind heart, they set up great formations to protect the safety and security of the people around them. Shaw [x6]: It's really... admirable.

Shaw’s breathing was rapid. Although he was clearly talking about me, his tone was so mocking, as if he were recounting someone else’s story. I felt a surge of irritation rise from the bottom of my heart and couldn't help but retort.

MC: So, you were sent by those idiots to test me?

Shaw [coldly]: Do they even deserve it?

Shaw sneered and raised his chin.

Shaw [whispers]: I just wanted to see you myself.

His gaze slowly moved from my brows, down to my nose, to my lips, to my throat... Finally, as if discovering something, it settled on my heart.

Shaw: .....No wonder you have been staying in that yard and refused to come out. MC: I didn’t refuse to come out. Shaw: In fact, you sealed yourself in that courtyard. MC: I didn't… Shaw: The demonic aura has long invaded your heart and mind; you are the one who has fallen into darkness. MC: I'm just about to become a demon!

I blurted out, my anger surging suddenly. I reached out forcefully, intending to strangle the man in front of me who was spouting nonsense.

However, as soon as my fingertips touched the blood vessels on his neck, they were immediately burned and recoiled.

The burning pain brought me back to clarity. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to calm my emotions.

MC: Shaw, I’m just... about to fall into darkness. MC: And with you as the furnace here, I can definitely dispel all the demonic aura.

Shaw's throat moved slightly as if he had finally realized something.

Shaw [surprised]: You want to practice dual cultivation with me...? MC: What else?

I chuckled and slowly stretched out my arms to hug Shaw from behind.

The intense yang energy filled Shaw’s robust body, like a flame that would never extinguish.

The robe was exceptionally loose after the battle, but with a casual flick, it fell into place.

My fingers measured every inch of his hot skin, and the wonderful touch made me addicted.

MC: Life is so joyful in the mortal world; I have no intention of falling into darkness. MC: Over the years, I have devoted myself to research and finally invented a method of harmonizing yin and yang.

Shaw clearly remembered the books he had borrowed. He raised an eyebrow and made an effort to turn his head to look at me.

Shaw: Because demonic energy is extremely yin, you're planning to find an extremely yang 'container' to balance it out. MC: That's right.

I turned my fingers and lifted Shaw's chin with a whisk.

This is the first time I've seen my... cauldron up close.

From this angle, I noticed his eyelashes were so long, his nose bridge so straight, and there was a thin layer of sweat at the corners of his brows, fine and dense.

MC: Shaw, you came to me of your own accord. MC: It is you who want to practice my techniques.

I silently executed the spell and infused the final incantation into Shaw’s dantian.

The fragrance of tea flowers instantly filled every corner of the room.

I know it's ripe.

Shaw, with no strength to resist, was pressed to the ground by me.

On the Qixi festival, the day of extreme yin, with the body of extreme yang, everything was perfect.

My breathing was even faster than Shaw's. The demonic energy that had been suppressed for a long time was no longer in shackles of the seal. It was jolting left and right in my body and was in desperate need of an outlet.

MC: I…

I was like a moth endlessly circling, instinctively drawn to an untouchable blaze, yet fleeing in panic just a second before being consumed by the flames.

For a moment, I even felt that the decision to practice dual cultivation was extremely stupid.

Because it was too hot and painful.

I bit my lower lip and gripped Shaw's shoulders almost with hatred, my nails drawing faint blood marks on his skin.

——Why? Why should I go through this?

As the Xuanhe Fairy, I have always wanted to live according to my true nature and have never harmed a mortal.

Before the demonic energy entered my body, I was said to be weird, rebellious, and unreasonable; after the demonic energy entered my body, I was said to be cruel and suspected of evil intentions.

These fools have also pinned some baseless charges on me and summoned ten righteous factions to kill me...

Why should I endure this!

Unconsciously, blood began to seep into my vision, and the smell of blood rising in my throat gradually overpowered the floral scent, filling my nostrils.

Shaw: MC, MC….! MC: What?

Shaw called my name several times before I woke up from my daze and looked at him blankly.

He was sweating all over, gritting his teeth, and obviously felt uncomfortable, but his golden eyes were still bright, reflecting only my figure.

Even though I was in a mess and my blue lotus Taoist crown was crooked.

Shaw [HIS HOARSE VOICE SOUNDED SO ASKFSGH x1]: MC, give me your breath. MC: ....Transfer Qi?

My mind was so dizzy that I didn't even understand what these two words meant. Shaw suppressed his breath and sneered.

Shaw [x2]: If you want to practice dual cultivation, of course you have to transfer your Qi.

Oh, indeed, the breath could also settle into the lower abdomen. I thought groggily as I leaned closer to Shaw's lips.

In the instant our breaths intertwined, I was pulled into a vortex named Shaw. 

His tongue entwined with mine, then released, only to forcefully invade again, exploring every corner of my mouth, sending shivers down my spine. 

This wasn't me giving him air at all; it was clearly... him taking it from me.

The sound of the rubbing of clothes mixed with my heartbeat, infinitely amplified in my ears, and the burning sensation that was originally painful to me gradually became less unbearable.

At this moment, it seems that the vigorous yang energy and the deep yin energy have finally found a point of resonance, beginning to tentatively merge.

My vision kept wavering, and the scene before me became a kaleidoscope of colors. The painful memories of the past gradually receded like a retreating tide.

By accident, my mind suddenly recalled a small incident when the evil energy had not poured into China and everything was still too peaceful.

That day seemed to be the Qixi festival. I was wandering in the market and met a young man.

The young man said he had someone he loved and asked me if I had any spells that could help him.

What happened next? Did I help him…?

Shaw [annoyed]: You're distracted. MC: I didn't…

All my words were swallowed up by him, and Shaw didn't want to listen to me at all.

He inexplicably began to refuse to cooperate, causing the yin and yang energy that had already been harmonized to change suddenly. I couldn't help but want to hide, but my waist was firmly held by him.

MC: This… This is not right…

I clutched the nearly shapeless talisman papers tightly and spoke intermittently.

MC [blushing]: It should be me… MC [blushing]: It should be me taking your original yang energy; this is the only solution. Otherwise, I...!

I whimpered briefly, the stimulation was too strong and I had nowhere to escape, I could only scream like a rogue.

MC [blushing]: You are my furnace, you must be willing to help me achieve success!

Shaw [breathing heavily + that low seductive voice of his x1]: Who says I'm not willing?

Hot sweat and Shaw's voice both fell into my ears, as he chuckled softly.

Shaw [x2]: I realized... that although you are a talented demon practitioner, you’re also quite foolish. Shaw [x3]: Why do you think I've been practicing your techniques all along?

It's too hot. My mind can no longer understand his words; I just shake my head, trying to escape, but Shaw won't let me.

His lips repeatedly kissed my earlobe, whispering in the closest proximity.

Shaw [x4]: As I said, I will do my best and risk everything I have for the person I like.

Every time Shaw said a word, I felt the violent demonic energy in my body fade a little—

He didn’t have his original yang energy taken by me; instead, he used his yang energy to completely eliminate the demonic energy.

MC: You... you changed my technique? Were you deceiving me?!

Shaw [x6]: Is that not acceptable? Shaw [x7]: Who told you to lie to me back then?

Shaw lifted me up forcefully as if to punish me, and I fell into his tender kisses.

Shaw [x8]: On that Qixi Festival, I told you I liked you and asked if there was a spell to make you like me too. How did you respond? MC: What?

Was that boy Shaw?

My memory doesn’t quite match up with this. Could it be that the years of demonic energy have damaged my mind?

I was speechless and couldn't explain anything. Shaw’s chest rumbled with laughter as he smiled.

Shaw [x9]: Forget it if you don’t remember. Anyway, I already got what I wanted.

After all, I was pulled into the whirlpool by him again.

In the midst of the chaos, I almost had the illusion that Shaw had risked even more than I had imagined.

No, it's not an illusion.

MC: Shaw. 

I reached out my hand and brushed away Shaw's messy hair, wanting to look into his eyes again.

—

📿 Call 1

📿 Call 2

[l0uterstella]

BUBBLE ENG TL

ARUPEK Making it through one day Epoch makin' with flutter kicks Even living in a bird cage can feel like a city

PIKERO The day and night circling round and round

ARUPEK A fun new experience, Pitch, Chap, Ran

PIKERO Targets all scheduled out TUXAM Longing for the dance floor ARUPEK A peaceful everyday life PIKERO Free to perceive things your own way

TUXAM Ah, at the bottom of the deep waters No one would be able to hear you PIKERO The weak voice being let out forms a bubble ARUPEK Now all you have to do is ascend

ALL Floating in the sky, swimming in the wind No matter how far, just keep going TUXAM The kindness we've received PIKERO The aspirations as well ARUPEK They'll become our wings

ALL Don't care about what they say, even if it's ugly Passion burns up despite the struggles clawing at your feet ARUPEK Like bubbles on a splash of water Rise into the sky

PIKERO I'm not like those guys ARUPEK Using fruits as a midsummer greeting PIKERO Noisily crawling ARUPEK A light that's like a paddle TUXAM There's still plenty of room for growth, just stay tuned

PIKERO (FLY) When times get hard TUXAM (SKY) Without saying a word ARUPEK (CRY) I'll be right by your side And we'll miss out on the evening rain

ARUPEK I can't help being all alone Why do you have just one wing I just can't fly that well Hey, that's why I want you to take my hand

ARUPEK Blending with the colors, going round and round You did this, you gave me a reason Poorly flapping my wings, and in the blink of an eye My heart flutters

ALL Even if you can't fly, you can still spread your wings Like a wandering bird soaring through the sky TUXAM Kick and jump over the current situation PIKERO Decorate a surface of water ARUPEK Even if it seems useless

ALL I won't let things end like this Reach your hand out and touch the sky ARUPEK Someday, I'll be your wings you leave in my care

ARUPEK Like bubbles flying over water Ascend into the sky

[starstuc]

i need ness to have an actual stable relationship in his life where there are no intentions of harm or manipulation please!!

[thevegetablewhichnoonedaresname]

i really want a master's degree in japanese language or translation or something. problem is that it's expensive and useless and there's too much on my plate for that right now. how do i talk myself out of this

[asleepinawell]

wait they nerfed knifegate???

[ask-the-totally-real-peppino]

Don't worry, I won't tell him, but you should try to talk to him eventually.

"Gniht dab... Mih raen og I fi sneppah gnihtemos tub... Dluohs I... I-"

Peppino (from behind door, in flashback): "Stupid door. Jammed again-"

Fake Peppino (in flashback): "Edih ot deen!! Edih! Edih!"

Peppino (in flashback): "Ah! These bags have-a been ripped open again! If I ever get my-a hands on the one causing-a this, I'll show them-a what for!"

Peppino (in flashback): "Or I'll-a finally get a lock for the dumpster..."

Fake Peppino (current time): "Rehtegot... Flesym peek t'nac... Edisni dab sleef..."

"Dab... Dab... Dab... Dab sleef... Dab sleef... Doog ton... Mrof peek t'nac..."

[okitanoniisan]

new rgg fans will never know what they missed back in ye olden days of the fandom (like, 2019), doubly so now that scott strichart's deleted his twitter and jon riesenbach's privated. twitter was so fucking fun and then whatever-the-hell at sega of america happened and caused a fucking snowball effect and now we have shitass localization and resulting discourse that makes every release nigh unbearable, misinformation, confusion, people complaining about "bad writing/mischaracterization" not realizing it's because of the shitass english loc, i'm sitting here like jesus christ these loc bitches massacred saejima's character voice, people will never see him as he was intended, as original yakuza 5 localization Correctly painted him, and now they're coming for kiryu. god help us. we used to be a proper fandom. before everyone was subjected to the remastered localizations and shaky eng characterization. no one had even played yakuza 3-5, people still called morning glory "sunshine" orphanage, kiryu was our only protagonist and people still called him "boring", it was beautiful...

anyway gaiden uses affective instead of effective because the current localization team is full of careless dumbasses who don't give a fuck about ensuring they're using correct english grammar and this is not an isolated incident

[boarcide]

Hindi songs that are so sskk core to me

“I can’t live without you now,

What is my worth without you?

If I got separated from you,

Then I’ll get separated from myself.

Because you’re the one,

Now you’re the one,

Now my life consists of you,

My peace and my pain,

You alone are my love.”

—Tum Hi Ho, Aashiqui 2

“I love/adore you so much,

A hundred times in one moment,

If you leave me and go,

I’ll just wait for my death—

Because for you I have left the universe behind,

My breath stops at you,

I want you more than anything,

You couldn’t even imagine.”

—Soch Na Sake, AIRLIFT

“Your sky, and mine,

Has become all smoke, like a dream,

Your sky, and mine,

Is spread in parts, like breaths…

Wherever you go,

You’ll find me only,

These shadows of mine are comprised in you,

I am a planet now, and you’re a planet too,

And we shall meet again,

In the world of stars now.”

—Saiyaara, Ek Tha Tiger

“You sleep in my sleep,

You cry in my tears,

There is a whisper in my thoughts,

Even if you’re not here it seems like you are,

You’re the disposition of my pain,

They are the prayers of my heart…all the ways leading back to you.”

—Galliyan, Ek Villain

[fullscoreshenanigans]

Hello friend i am so happy to know that at least one (1) person is out there still talking about Promised Neverland because I just recently fall ass backwards back into it and I am going INSANE about the Everything!!!! I’ve managed to get my hands on physical copies of the first ten volumes. Do you have any physical copies of the manga?

Heyyooo welcome back 😎🤝😎 TPNtumblr is tiny but the tradeoff is it's usually pretty chill and cozy. |3

And I do! I own all twenty volumes plus Kaiu Shirai x Posuka Demizu: Beyond The Promised Neverland with the epilogue chapter in it, along with the art book twice. I also have the blu-rays, which for the first season I think are pretty nifty for the box art alone, in addition to the interview booklet that comes with it.

In regards to merch, my favorites are probably these little Ohiruneko figures of the trio and the exhibition trio plate, but I also adore the album art of the OST, the endings of the first season, and the ending for the second season (still genuinely cannot believe that last one is real), and as a trio enthusiast for aesthetic purposes I'm very happy to own copies of the first and fourth light novels. For unofficial stuff, my small smattering of doujinshi.

[harveyverse]

everytime i read from someone here who saw the outsiders live i am 1) super fucking happy for them because i’d sell my soul to see that and 2) super fucking sad because i’d sell my soul to see that. but i live in europe and life is fucking Expensive so no broadway for me 😭 or any good shows that aren’t translated into german

[certifiedtranslatornearme]

Your Trusted Local Translator Near Me - Accurate Language Services

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[afniel]

FINE OKAY I ADMIT IT I'M WRITING A GODDAMN TRILOGY. At the point where I'm about to hit 35k words there's no point in denying it. ARGH THOUGH I WAS PRETENDING SO GOOD THAT IT WASN'T THE THING THAT'S HAPPENING.

[msdk-00]

do you think if i knock on the embassy door and break down and cry they'll accept me for the gks scholarship. i mean im writing the fuck out of this essay but i fear that might not be enough

[cherrylng]

Gears & Playing Analysis - Matthew Bellamy Playing Method [STYLE Series #004 - Muse (August 2010)]

Matthew Bellamy Playing Method The guitar part played by Matthew Bellamy, a dynamic driving force behind Muse's music. Unravelling the personality behind his unique and technical playing, which directly touches the listener's heart. Score and commentary by Yugo Yokoyama

Here we analyse Matthew's guitar playing, which is at the heart of Muse's songs. The three themes are ‘single-note riffs’, ‘backing with chord tones’ and ‘tricky playing’. We will reveal what kind of playing Matthew is good at and what kind of thinking goes into the construction of his phrases based on these three themes. The hand photos in the magazine are Matthew's own. We used the photos taken when we interviewed him at the time of the release of his first album.

P-1: The 3f on the 6th string is pressed with the index finger, not the thumb. The 5f on the first string is pressed with the little finger.

Riff playing that gives the impression of chord progression even in single-note lines

Ex-1 and Ex-2 are played in the style of ‘Supermassive Black Hole’. Both are simple plays based on single-note lines. Ex-1 is particularly simple, with the exception of bar 5, where only two notes appear: the open E on the 6th string and the G on the 5th string 10f! The rhythm is the key to victory. The game is therefore rhythm. It is important to stop the sustain of the note played just before the rest, and to ‘rest’ the rest note firmly. Ex-3, which follows the same single-note riff, is played as a shuffle. It can be described as orthodox blues-rock type playing, but it is important to note that despite the single-note riff, the line is a line that gives the impression of a solid chord progression. The next tune, Ex-4, is played with a pedal on the open E of the sixth string. It is quite unusual for Matthew to play only on the sixth string, even in a range like the second half of bar 4. Also, in [10f12f] and [10f→9 f] [ 9f8f], he seems to be playing with full picking, although hammering and plucking could be used. This style of playing seems to be Matthew's characteristic. Ex-5, reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's ‘Foxy Lady’, which Matthew cites as one of his favourites, is surprisingly played with a single note line. It should be noted that, like Ex-3, Ex-5 is also played with a chord progression, although it is single-note. The key to the playing is the open six-string on the back sixteenth note. The trick is not to play this note too clearly, but to pick it lightly, just to the extent that you feel it. Incidentally, the sixth string is pressed by the index finger, not the thumb (P-1).

Ex-6 to 9 are also played in riffs, utilising drop-D tuning. Again, it is the positioning that is noteworthy. For example, in Ex-7 and Ex-8, the key point is that, as in Ex-4, only the sixth string is used. Ex-8 is, let's say, a drop D version of Ex-4, so it's not hard to understand, but I think it would definitely be easier to play the second bar of Ex-7 using the fifth string. Be that as it may, it is also worth noting that bars 1-4 of Ex-7 are also played to give the impression of a chord progression, despite being single-note lines. In this case, it is a natural arrangement as it is played in a bassline style, but considering the examples of Ex-3 and Ex-5, this tendency may be a characteristic of Matthew's riffs. The following Ex-9 is more about the octave playing in bars 7-8 than the drop D. The same can be said of Ex-10, which follows, but the trick to playing these parts is to place the extra middle & ring fingers on the strings and mute the extra strings.

Backing playing that cleverly utilises some of the chord tones.

Ex-11 is chord cutting using the voicing of the first three strings. However, this is a relatively rare play, as Matthew does not often make backing plays that use simple chords like this. Instead, Matthew often uses playing with chords in the third degree. Ex-12 (P-26) is a good example of this. The technique of building up the backing while cleverly using third degree chords as part of the chord, such as [2 string 10f & 3 string 11f] and [2 string 14f & 3 string 14f] on F#m, is one of Matthew's specialities. The method of string pressing in Ex-12 is also noteworthy. He does not use his index finger at all. As can be seen in P-2 to P-6, Matthew makes extensive use of the mute method, in which he crawls his index finger over the strings to prevent noise from adjacent strings.

P-2: Middle finger on the second string 10f, ring finger on the third string 11f. Note the extra index finger. P-3: The second string, 14f, is pressed with the little finger and the third string, 14f, with the ring finger. Mute the extra string with the index finger. P-4: P-2 moved parallel on the 2f. The index finger is also used to mute the extra string. P-5: Middle finger on the second string 9f, ring finger on the third string 10f. The form is a parallel shift of P-2 down 1f. P-6: Slide down 2f quickly from P-5. P-7: middle finger on string 2, 8f, ring finger on string 3, 9f. Note the extra index finger. P-8: From P-7, keep the ring finger in place, release the middle finger and press the second string 7f with the index finger. P-9: The second string 8f is pressed with the ring finger and the third string 8f with the middle finger. The index finger stands by on the 2nd string 7f. P-10: From P-9, keep the middle finger in position, release the ring finger and press the second string 7f with the index finger. P-11: Tremolo picking form bar 9 onwards. Note the picking position. P-12: Matthew's style is to pick with a twist of the arm from the elbow upwards, without much wrist movement. P-13: Right hand action is similar to Eddie Van Halen's Hummingbird picking form.

This is a significant feature. However, even if the index finger is used for pressing the strings, it is still possible to mute the strings sufficiently by making use of the extra finger, so it is not necessary to play with the same fingerings as he does. The following Ex-13 and 14 (P-7-13) can be seen as an application of Ex-12. These should not only follow the tablature, but also take the chord tones into account. Ex-15 is a play using chords in the sixth degree, which could also be described as an Ex-12 type of play. The reason is that the third and sixth degrees are like the front and back of the chord. The chord progression of this phrase is explained in detail on p. 104, so please refer to that. In Ex-16 to Ex-18, arpeggio backing is given. The key point is that the timing of the chord change at the start of Ex-17 is every two beats, making it difficult to recognise the arrangement as being in 3/4 time.

Ex-18 only plays two notes in the chord, but the phrase still gives the impression of a chord progression, which is typical of Matthew. Ex-19 is not an arpeggio, but it is based on the same idea as Ex-18 in that only two notes are played in the chord. The following Ex-20 is a solo development of the same line of play as Ex-19. It can be seen that arpeggios are effectively incorporated at the ends of phrases.

P-14: Pick-scratching form. The left hand is in the position shown in the picture, while muting the strings.

Tricky play with a variety of ideas.

Ex-21 is played using pick scratching. In normal pick scratching, the pick is rubbed on the strings over some long distance, but here the distance is about 1 cm. For example, if the first sixteenth note is scratched from the bridge side to the nut side, the next sixteenth note is scratched in the opposite direction, from the nut side to the bridge side… (P-14). The point is that you are rubbing a short distance back and forth in time with the rhythm. The same applies to the pick scratch in Ex-22 (P-15-17). The next one, Ex-23, is a bit tricky. The choking in bar 3 is the key point. It may be hard to tell from the score, but the choking is only on the second string, and you just pull the string downwards to avoid hitting the third string. Ex-24, on the other hand, is a much higher level. It combines right-hand tapping with left-hand trills. This alone is tricky enough, but it also involves a whammy pedal, and the pedal is depressed in time with the right hand tapping to produce a note an octave higher. The final ‘Effect Noise’ is probably the result of the guitar's built-in ‘Fuzz Factory’ oscillating. A commercially available ‘Fuzz Factory’ would have a similar effect by turning the ‘Stab’ knob.

P-15: Octave form with index finger on 5th string 5f and pinky on 3rd string 7f. P-16: Form of P-15 with a parallel shift of 2f down. Note how the middle finger mutes the extra string. P-17: Form of P-15 with the pinky position moved down 1f. The middle finger is also used for muting.

Translator's Notes: I honestly didn't expect that the hand pics in the article are Matt's actual hands. So that was a bit of a pleasant surprise.

[xejune]

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