In the Belly of a Guide - How to FC the Beast

[DarkDucky]

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Downloads
3. The Song
I. Intro + Chorus 1
II. Verse 1A
III. Verse 1B
IV. Riff 1 + 2
V. Bass Break
VI. Chorus 2
VII. Solo A + B
VIII. B Section
IX. B Section – Lead
X. Outro
4. Star Power
5. Terms
6. Credits


1. Introduction

Alright, so this is a guide on how to FC the beast known as In the Belly of a Shark. Now, this is by no means an extremely difficult song, but it has a few challenging parts, and most of the song can be very confusing and hard to coordinate. This is why I’m making this guide, to help all of you who are struggling to get an FC of this song.

First things first, I am by no means an amazing player. I have 35 GH3X FCs, ItBoaS being one of my most recent and most difficult out of all of them. None of the strategies I’m giving in this are necessary, but they helped me a lot to get the FC, and they will likely help you as well.

2. Downloads

Actually, there’s only one download. Download and unzip this file:
http://rapidshare.com/files/132732251/In_the_Belly_of_a_Guide.zip.html
It contains a bunch of midis to help you guys with some of the strumming rhythms in the parts of this song, because those are the hardest part.

THE SONG

I. Intro + Chorus 1

This part is moderately challenging, the rhythm can throw you off a little bit, because there are what seem to be random strums, but really they’re not. The strumming follows a very distinct pattern, and to help you out in hearing and being able to play this rhythm, I made a series of clicks in Guitar Pro along to the rhythm you should be strumming. Open up the file itboasintro.mid

Listen to that rhythm, memorize it, and strum along to it whenever you get the chance. Keep practicing it until it becomes almost subconscious, and just finger the notes as they come down, while strumming to that rhythm. Now, there’s one important thing that applies to a majority of this song, and that is that the accent of each bar is on the AND OF 4, not on the 1 like in most songs. For people who don’t understand that, it’s on the last 8th note in each bar. If you STILL don’t get it, listen to the file itboasrhythm.mid, the BASS DRUM is the accented note of each bar.

Now for the fingering. This is relatively simple. You can do it in 1st or 2nd position, whichever you prefer. I like to use 2nd position, but it’s up to you.
1234 = regular note
1234 = strummed note

1st position no slide:

1_1324321_1324_11_1324321_1324_1

1st position pinky slide:

1_1324431_1324_11_1324431_1324_1

2nd position:

1_1214321_1213_11_1214321_1213_1

Simple enough.

Now, there’s another little part that comes up often throughout the song, and it can be pretty challenging if you don’t know how to do it. Basically, it goes like this:


1112_1_1
2224_3_2

Downstrum all those, and you should have no problem. Now, for the first time this happens, it also happens to be a SP phrase, which means WHAMMYING! Now, these holds move by really fast, so of course you’re gonna need to whammy them really fast. Basically what you have to do is quickly strum, and then push down once on the whammy bar as fast as you can. Try to do both of them in one hand motion, for best results. Some good songs to practice this on are Closer and Radio Song, so check those out.

II. Verse 1A

This next part is pretty tricky. Much like the intro, it has a definitive strumming pattern, along with a few hammerons. The strumming pattern can be found in the file itboasverse.mid. Again, listen to it and memorize it. Now here’s the fingering for this part:

1234 = regular fingers
1234 = anchored fingers


21314221314231_ 12131422131421___22
_____________________________3___44

III. Verse 1B

This is an easy part. Filled with chords, so fingering might be an issue, but overall this part is easy. Since I’m too lazy to chart out the rhythm and holds for this part, I’m just gonna put the fingerings for the chords in the order they come:


1 1 1 1 1
3 3 _ 2 3
_ 4 _ 3 4

There’s lots of sliding required, but I find this way to be the easiest way to consistently hit this part.

IV. Riff 1 + 2

This next part is really tricky. First things first, the strumming rhythm can be found in the file itboasverse2.mid. And here’s the fingering (ugh, this is gonna take a long time to make):

1234 = ho/po note
1234 = strummed note


1__214321_4213211_32132112222_3_1__214323_4213211_32143212222_2_1__324321_4213211_32143212222_3_1__324323_2324231_32143212222_2_1
2_______2_______3________3334_4_2_______4_______3________3334_3_2_______2_______3________3334_4_2_______4_______3________3334_3_2

Phew, that was long. Alright, so after this you’ll get a short break.

V. Bass Break

N/A

VI. Chorus 2

Now we’re back into the intro riff. There’s just one small thing different this time around, and it’s important, because you’ll miss a note if you don’t know about it. So here’s the transition from the break into the intro riff:
1234 = ho/po note
1234 = strummed note


1112_1_1_3214321
2224_3_2

The difference here is that the sequence is strummed, when it’s usually a hammeron.

VII. Solo A + B

Now, this solo is pretty tough in that it has a LOT of random strums all over the place. So, I’m gonna give you the fingering for the solo, along with which notes are strummed, although this will probably not help much. Once again, this is all in 2nd position sliding from R to G. This is the easiest way to do solos for most people, but if you’re more comfortable in 1st position, then go ahead and stay in 1st.

(not to scale at ALL)
1234 = ho/po note
1234 = strummed note
1234 = anchored note


34_34_34_34_34_34_3212_1_112_112_11334_34_11112_12_12334_34_4_223_2


23_4_32_1_2121223_4_3212_3223223223223223232334

Just pay attention to which notes are strummed and which aren’t, practice the solo a lot, and you should be able to nail it.

Probably the toughest part of this solo is the part where it goes like this:
]
This part is hard because it starts off as triplets, and turns into 8th notes. The triplets are also hard to coordinate, as the ho/pos and strummed notes can get confusing. Basically what you have to do is strum as loudly as you can, and smack your ring finger on the blue button as hard as you can, so that you can hear exactly when you press them. Press them along with the pattern found in itboassolo.mid. The clicks are strums, and the dings are blue notes. Yes, the first note is both of them at the same time (strum AND hit the blue note), and the noise at the end is the BO thing after. That midi also shows you how the transition from triplets to 8th notes should sound, in case you don’t already know.

[DarkDucky]

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Downloads
3. The Song
I. Intro + Chorus 1
II. Verse 1A
III. Verse 1B
IV. Riff 1 + 2
V. Bass Break
VI. Chorus 2
VII. Solo A + B
VIII. B Section
IX. B Section – Lead
X. Outro
4. Star Power
5. Terms
6. Credits


1. Introduction

Alright, so this is a guide on how to FC the beast known as In the Belly of a Shark. Now, this is by no means an extremely difficult song, but it has a few challenging parts, and most of the song can be very confusing and hard to coordinate. This is why I’m making this guide, to help all of you who are struggling to get an FC of this song.

First things first, I am by no means an amazing player. I have 35 GH3X FCs, ItBoaS being one of my most recent and most difficult out of all of them. None of the strategies I’m giving in this are necessary, but they helped me a lot to get the FC, and they will likely help you as well.

2. Downloads

Actually, there’s only one download. Download and unzip this file:
http://rapidshare.com/files/132732251/In_the_Belly_of_a_Guide.zip.html
It contains a bunch of midis to help you guys with some of the strumming rhythms in the parts of this song, because those are the hardest part.

THE SONG

I. Intro + Chorus 1

This part is moderately challenging, the rhythm can throw you off a little bit, because there are what seem to be random strums, but really they’re not. The strumming follows a very distinct pattern, and to help you out in hearing and being able to play this rhythm, I made a series of clicks in Guitar Pro along to the rhythm you should be strumming. Open up the file itboasintro.mid

Listen to that rhythm, memorize it, and strum along to it whenever you get the chance. Keep practicing it until it becomes almost subconscious, and just finger the notes as they come down, while strumming to that rhythm. Now, there’s one important thing that applies to a majority of this song, and that is that the accent of each bar is on the AND OF 4, not on the 1 like in most songs. For people who don’t understand that, it’s on the last 8th note in each bar. If you STILL don’t get it, listen to the file itboasrhythm.mid, the BASS DRUM is the accented note of each bar.

Now for the fingering. This is relatively simple. You can do it in 1st or 2nd position, whichever you prefer. I like to use 2nd position, but it’s up to you.
1234 = regular note
1234 = strummed note

1st position no slide:

1_1324321_1324_11_1324321_1324_1

1st position pinky slide:

1_1324431_1324_11_1324431_1324_1

2nd position:

1_1214321_1213_11_1214321_1213_1

Simple enough.

Now, there’s another little part that comes up often throughout the song, and it can be pretty challenging if you don’t know how to do it. Basically, it goes like this:


1112_1_1
2224_3_2

Downstrum all those, and you should have no problem. Now, for the first time this happens, it also happens to be a SP phrase, which means WHAMMYING! Now, these holds move by really fast, so of course you’re gonna need to whammy them really fast. Basically what you have to do is quickly strum, and then push down once on the whammy bar as fast as you can. Try to do both of them in one hand motion, for best results. Some good songs to practice this on are Closer and Radio Song, so check those out.

II. Verse 1A

This next part is pretty tricky. Much like the intro, it has a definitive strumming pattern, along with a few hammerons. The strumming pattern can be found in the file itboasverse.mid. Again, listen to it and memorize it. Now here’s the fingering for this part:

1234 = regular fingers
1234 = anchored fingers


21314221314231_ 12131422131421___22
_____________________________3___44

III. Verse 1B

This is an easy part. Filled with chords, so fingering might be an issue, but overall this part is easy. Since I’m too lazy to chart out the rhythm and holds for this part, I’m just gonna put the fingerings for the chords in the order they come:


1 1 1 1 1
3 3 _ 2 3
_ 4 _ 3 4

There’s lots of sliding required, but I find this way to be the easiest way to consistently hit this part.

IV. Riff 1 + 2

This next part is really tricky. First things first, the strumming rhythm can be found in the file itboasverse2.mid. And here’s the fingering (ugh, this is gonna take a long time to make):

1234 = ho/po note
1234 = strummed note


1__214321_4213211_32132112222_3_1__214323_4213211_32143212222_2_1__324321_4213211_32143212222_3_1__324323_2324231_32143212222_2_1
2_______2_______3________3334_4_2_______4_______3________3334_3_2_______2_______3________3334_4_2_______4_______3________3334_3_2

Phew, that was long. Alright, so after this you’ll get a short break.

V. Bass Break

N/A

VI. Chorus 2

Now we’re back into the intro riff. There’s just one small thing different this time around, and it’s important, because you’ll miss a note if you don’t know about it. So here’s the transition from the break into the intro riff:
1234 = ho/po note
1234 = strummed note


1112_1_1_3214321
2224_3_2

The difference here is that the sequence is strummed, when it’s usually a hammeron.

VII. Solo A + B

Now, this solo is pretty tough in that it has a LOT of random strums all over the place. So, I’m gonna give you the fingering for the solo, along with which notes are strummed, although this will probably not help much. Once again, this is all in 2nd position sliding from R to G. This is the easiest way to do solos for most people, but if you’re more comfortable in 1st position, then go ahead and stay in 1st.

(not to scale at ALL)
1234 = ho/po note
1234 = strummed note
1234 = anchored note


34_34_34_34_34_34_3212_1_112_112_11334_34_11112_12_12334_34_4_223_2


23_4_32_1_2121223_4_3212_3223223223223223232334

Just pay attention to which notes are strummed and which aren’t, practice the solo a lot, and you should be able to nail it.

Probably the toughest part of this solo is the part where it goes like this:
]
This part is hard because it starts off as triplets, and turns into 8th notes. The triplets are also hard to coordinate, as the ho/pos and strummed notes can get confusing. Basically what you have to do is strum as loudly as you can, and smack your ring finger on the blue button as hard as you can, so that you can hear exactly when you press them. Press them along with the pattern found in itboassolo.mid. The clicks are strums, and the dings are blue notes. Yes, the first note is both of them at the same time (strum AND hit the blue note), and the noise at the end is the BO thing after. That midi also shows you how the transition from triplets to 8th notes should sound, in case you don’t already know.

[Netnabi4]

I just want to say I needed this so bad and I want to thank you. You have no clue how much this is gonna help me.

[Netnabi4]

I just want to say I needed this so bad and I want to thank you. You have no clue how much this is gonna help me.

[NovaXD]

I knew this would be a good guide right from the photoshopped title. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Two things to add:

1. For the triplets at the end of the solo, make sure you're grouping them like this in your head:

||| etc.

And NOT like this:

|| etc.

With the former, the pattern begins with the strum, instead of ending with it. I do this with Number of the Beast too, and it's never failed me. Just a way to get the strumming pattern down.

2. Keep in mind that In the Belly of a Shark is, totally and completely, without a doubt, the theme of this dude:



This really, um, helps.

Anyways, great guide.

EDIT: One more thing: I have to respectfully disagree about your advice on the hammer-on in the three note chord section at the end. Personally, I FC it every time and just strum right through with no problems at all. In fact, the only time I've ever had problems with strumming hammer-ons is in Go That Far.

[NovaXD]

I knew this would be a good guide right from the photoshopped title. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Two things to add:

1. For the triplets at the end of the solo, make sure you're grouping them like this in your head:

||| etc.

And NOT like this:

|| etc.

With the former, the pattern begins with the strum, instead of ending with it. I do this with Number of the Beast too, and it's never failed me. Just a way to get the strumming pattern down.

2. Keep in mind that In the Belly of a Shark is, totally and completely, without a doubt, the theme of this dude:



This really, um, helps.

Anyways, great guide.

EDIT: One more thing: I have to respectfully disagree about your advice on the hammer-on in the three note chord section at the end. Personally, I FC it every time and just strum right through with no problems at all. In fact, the only time I've ever had problems with strumming hammer-ons is in Go That Far.

[ThirstyMonkey]

Very nice guide!

Those sustains look sexy...
_________________

My Wiki - My Accomplishments:
GHIH FC!!! GH80H FC!!! 62 GH2H FC's!!! GHAH FC!!! 69 GH3H FC's!!! 208/211 Hard FC's!!!

[ThirstyMonkey]

Very nice guide!

Those sustains look sexy...
_________________

My Wiki - My Accomplishments:
GHIH FC!!! GH80H FC!!! 62 GH2H FC's!!! GHAH FC!!! 69 GH3H FC's!!! 208/211 Hard FC's!!!

[DarkDucky]

[DarkDucky]

[TheThirdDay]

Wow, this was very well done. I never was able to FC this song, hopefully this guide will help.

Here are my suggestions: You should take the pink and yellow out of the Table of Contents; it's kind of obnoxious. Also, none of the links to sound files work, if that's what they were supposed to be.

EDIT: Oh, they weren't links. Gotcha.

BTW, where did you get the freticons with sustain? Could I possibly use those in the future? I'm a guide maker, too.

EDIT 2: Just started practicing the intro, and I FC'ed it almost instantly with help from those midi files. That works amazingly well and was an ingenious idea.

EDIT 3: After about 20 minutes of practice, I tried a real run; 100% with a choke overstrum in the outro, and then FC it 3 runs later. I never thought I would FC this song, but this guide help me immensely. Thank you so much for writing this.
_________________

If you're the sun, I'm a black hole.

[TheThirdDay]

Wow, this was very well done. I never was able to FC this song, hopefully this guide will help.

Here are my suggestions: You should take the pink and yellow out of the Table of Contents; it's kind of obnoxious. Also, none of the links to sound files work, if that's what they were supposed to be.

EDIT: Oh, they weren't links. Gotcha.

BTW, where did you get the freticons with sustain? Could I possibly use those in the future? I'm a guide maker, too.

EDIT 2: Just started practicing the intro, and I FC'ed it almost instantly with help from those midi files. That works amazingly well and was an ingenious idea.

EDIT 3: After about 20 minutes of practice, I tried a real run; 100% with a choke overstrum in the outro, and then FC it 3 runs later. I never thought I would FC this song, but this guide help me immensely. Thank you so much for writing this.
_________________

If you're the sun, I'm a black hole.

[Kyuukyuu]

Yeah I found those sustain freticons to be much sex. Good guide.

[Kyuukyuu]

Yeah I found those sustain freticons to be much sex. Good guide.

[nickolson77]

yeah i fced this song a while back when i played gh3 a lot and this guide is spot on man. good job.

[nickolson77]

yeah i fced this song a while back when i played gh3 a lot and this guide is spot on man. good job.

[zsjostrom35]

[zsjostrom35]

[northtxhurricane]

I've always downstrummed the triplets. I always downstrum gallups unless they're too fast in the case of Raining Blood. Alt-strumming them causes me to overstrum 10x more often than downstrumming them causes me to miss.

[northtxhurricane]

I've always downstrummed the triplets. I always downstrum gallups unless they're too fast in the case of Raining Blood. Alt-strumming them causes me to overstrum 10x more often than downstrumming them causes me to miss.

[ThunderAlex]

Ok, great guide, probably one of the best guides here on SH, very helpful. But, there are some things you might correct:
1)

[ThunderAlex]

Ok, great guide, probably one of the best guides here on SH, very helpful. But, there are some things you might correct:
1)

[DarkDucky]

[DarkDucky]

[ihatetheghetto]

I'll try some things in this out later.
Thanks.

[ihatetheghetto]

I'll try some things in this out later.
Thanks.

[ShadowDude27]

So I sat down, brought up the ItBoaS practice screen, ready to write this guide, and then I saw this topic That's the 3rd guide that's been stolen from me.

I will complement you, however, this is quality work that will help many people out (I didn't get this 5-star until about #55)
_________________

My Number of the Beast guide | My accomplishment thread

[ShadowDude27]

So I sat down, brought up the ItBoaS practice screen, ready to write this guide, and then I saw this topic That's the 3rd guide that's been stolen from me.

I will complement you, however, this is quality work that will help many people out (I didn't get this 5-star until about #55)
_________________

My Number of the Beast guide | My accomplishment thread

[GlassDragon]

Thanks for the guide. This is really great! I'm going for this song next. I had a -1 run today. The only problem is riffs 1 and 2. I swear those are the hardest parts of the song. The fingering is so fast and weird, especially at the end of riff 2. The rest I can FC pretty consistently, but I almsot never get riffs 1 and 2.
_________________

Gemini FC Guide
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Country Music Thread

[GlassDragon]

Thanks for the guide. This is really great! I'm going for this song next. I had a -1 run today. The only problem is riffs 1 and 2. I swear those are the hardest parts of the song. The fingering is so fast and weird, especially at the end of riff 2. The rest I can FC pretty consistently, but I almsot never get riffs 1 and 2.
_________________

Gemini FC Guide
Larger than Life Forum Topic
Metal Music Thread
Country Music Thread