The number isn't an opus number or a BPM. In the world of Andy James, it refers to Lesson 85 from his legendary Lick Library series or one of his instructional DVDs. This particular lesson is infamous. Why? Because Lesson 85 usually contains a technical monster—a sweeping arpeggio sequence, a ridiculously fast alternate-picking run, or a descending legato pattern that ties your fingers into sailor’s knots. It’s the final boss of weekly practice.
: Ensure your pitch does not go sharp or flat when holding notes over the backing track. Use your wrist—not your fingers—to anchor your vibrato. 2. Hybrid and Speed-Picking Sequences
The melodic shred sections in "85" rely heavily on sweep picking arpeggios, requiring perfect synchronization between both hands.
Since "Andy & James" is an independent act, official tablature isn't always available on mainstream paid sites like Ultimate Guitar’s premium tier immediately. However, user-generated content is your best friend here. andy+james+85+guitar+tab+free
If you are looking to learn this track without spending a dime, here is a breakdown of the song and how to approach the guitar arrangement.
Andy James frequently utilizes dropped tunings for his heavy riffs. For "85," you will need to tune your guitar to Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D) or standard D Drop C , depending on the exact arrangement.
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For many aspiring shredders, the journey starts with finding a reliable . Guitar tablature uses six lines to represent the guitar strings, with numbers indicating which fret to press—making it the fastest way for guitarists to learn complex solos without needing to read traditional sheet music.
I can provide target exercises to help you break through that specific barrier. Share public link
: Features various Guitar Pro files for Andy James , though availability for "'85" specifically can fluctuate based on user uploads. Learning Overview: Andy James' Style in "'85" : Ensure your pitch does not go sharp
To replicate the ultra-clear, high-gain tone heard on Arrival , your equipment configuration matters:
e|------------------12--(pulloff)--| B|--------------13------------------| G|----------14----------------------| D|------14--------------------------| A|--12------------------------------| E|----------------------------------|
Add a touch of noise gate to keep your stops dead silent, a subtle digital delay for space during melodic sections, and a hint of reverb to smooth out the tone. Conclusion
Using the chord chart as our roadmap (which shows a progression cycling through ), we can make some safe assumptions about what Andy is doing on the guitar. In modern metal, a riff using this progression is almost certainly played with heavy palm muting on the lower strings. Here’s a guide to constructing the main riff based on the track: