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Does Zakk Let It Be or Let It Bleed? Read on and find out (© Tim Mosenfelder/Corbis)

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Dudeiferous says, I love that wide, fast vibrato of yours -

"That's from whackin' it. Whackin' it six, seven times a day! How many times do I have to tell you people? Repetition! Practice makes perfect." [laughs]

[laughs] Be that as it may, Dudeiferous wants to know, Were there any players in particular that influenced your style of vibrato?

"Oh, yeah, sure. You hear any great player, he'll inspire you, you know? You gotta have your ears open and really hear what they're doing. but man, some of these insane jazz dudes, they spin my head around.

"For me, though, I'd say it was Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen. Any player my age, those were the guys that set the standard. When I used to hang with Dime, God rest his soul, I mean, forget about it - those were our guys. They taught us the whole deal and then some.

"I remember hearing Spanish Fly for the first time. I was like, 'Are you fucking kidding me?' I mean, you just can't get any better. As if Eruption wasn't enough, Eddie had to go and lay Spanish Fly on us. I mean, he could've just quit after Eruption. He could've retired to his own island in the sun and said, 'That's it. I've contributed.' But no, he did Spanish Fly and really showed us where it was at.

"I remember hearing Spanish Fly for the first time. I was like, 'Are you fucking kidding me?' I mean, you just can't get any better" Zakk on how he developed his vibrato technique

"Plus, you got guys like Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Hendrix, Albert Lee - so many slammin' guys. Danny Gatton, was he brilliant, or what? A genius. Yngwie's got it all goin' on, of course. And don't even get me started on Frank Marino. He's like John Coltrane on steroids. The shit he does shouldn't even be legal, bro. What a player. He puts everybody away.

"So you mix all of those guys up and maybe that's how I developed my vibrato. I'm still working on it. All those players I just mentioned? They teach me. I still have years to get to where they are."

Palaceguard wants to know how he can avoid hand cramps while practicing speed licks.

"Hand cramps? Dude, I don't know. Get some Jergens or Palmolive on your hands, that should do the trick. Probably help with your jerkin' off, too! Listen to me. I should write a sex column or something. [laughs] 'Self-love tips from Zakk Wylde'! [laughs]

"Hand cramps…See, I don't get that. I've never had carpel tunnel or anything like that. I think Billy Sheehan experienced that at one time and had to see a doctor. It's like anything: if it hurts, you're doing something wrong.

My advice is, you gotta go slow and then develop speed. That and you gotta stretch out. Look at it like you would exercise. You stretch out before you go for a run, right? Stretch your hand out before you play. Should help. If not, there's always the Jergens!" [laughs]

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