The Jordan - Expert Guide
Welcome, shredders, to the ultimate challenge in Guitar Hero II Arcade: "The Jordan" by Buckethead. This track is a true test of endurance, precision, and finger dexterity. Don't let the seemingly simple intro fool you; this song quickly escalates into a relentless barrage of notes. Mastering "The Jordan" on Expert requires more than just fast fingers – it demands strategic Star Power deployment, efficient strumming, and a deep understanding of its unique rhythmic patterns.
Pre-Song Preparation
- Calibrate Your Controller: Ensure your arcade guitar is perfectly calibrated. Even a slight delay can throw off your timing on this song's intricate solos.
- Warm-Up: Play a few easier Expert songs like "Free Bird" or "Hangar 18" to get your fingers loose and your timing sharp.
- Hydrate: Seriously, this song is a marathon. Keep yourself focused.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Intro (0:00 - 0:15)
The song opens with a relatively calm, melodic phrase. Focus on hitting every note perfectly to build up your multiplier early. There are no tricky hammer-ons/pull-offs (HO/POs) here, just solid strumming.
- Strategy: Maintain a perfect streak. This is your chance to breathe before the storm.
Main Riff 1 (0:15 - 0:40)
This is where the song starts to pick up. You'll encounter fast, alternating strumming patterns with quick chord changes. Pay close attention to the green and red notes, as they often appear in rapid succession.
- Key Challenge: Rapid chord changes between Green-Red and Yellow-Blue.
- Strategy: Practice this section repeatedly. Develop a muscle memory for the transitions. Try to keep your strumming hand relaxed to avoid fatigue.
Verse 1 (0:40 - 1:10)
The verse introduces more complex HO/PO sections, particularly with the orange notes. There are also several sustained notes that require precise release to maintain your streak.
- HO/PO Focus: Look out for the Green-Red-Yellow-Blue HO/PO runs.
- Star Power Opportunity: There's a decent Star Power phrase around the 0:55 mark. Activate it here if you've built up enough to maximize your score through the subsequent, more challenging sections.
Pre-Chorus/Chorus 1 (1:10 - 1:45)
This section is a significant difficulty spike. Expect extremely fast strumming, intricate HO/PO patterns, and quick shifts across the fretboard. The "chicken scratch" strumming technique (rapid up-and-down strums without lifting your fretting hand) will be crucial here.
- Strumming Technique: Employ "chicken scratch" for the dense strumming sections.
- HO/PO Runs: Be prepared for long, sustained HO/PO chains involving all five frets.
- Star Power Management: If you didn't use Star Power in the verse, consider activating it at the start of the chorus to power through the most difficult parts and maximize your multiplier.
Guitar Solo 1 (1:45 - 2:30)
The first solo is a whirlwind of notes. It features extremely fast trills, arpeggios, and sweeping HO/PO patterns. This is often where players lose their streak.
- Trills: Practice rapid alternating between two frets (e.g., Green-Red, Yellow-Blue).
- Arpeggios: Focus on the ascending and descending patterns. Your fretting hand needs to be incredibly agile.
- Star Power Activation: This is an excellent place to activate Star Power if you have it. The sheer density of notes will lead to a massive score boost. Aim to activate it right as the solo begins.
Main Riff 2 & Verse 2 (2:30 - 3:40)
These sections largely mirror their earlier counterparts but often with slight variations or increased density. Don't get complacent; the game will throw curveballs.
- Variations: Be alert for subtle changes in patterns you thought you knew.
- Star Power: Conserve or build Star Power for the upcoming second solo.
Guitar Solo 2 (3:40 - 4:25)
Even more challenging than the first, the second solo pushes your limits. It combines all the elements of the first solo with even faster tempos and more complex finger gymnastics. This is the make-or-break section for a full combo.
- Endurance: Your fretting and strumming hands will be tested. Take short, controlled breaks if possible during any brief lulls.
- Star Power Priority: If you have any Star Power left, unleash it here. This is arguably the most critical section to maintain your multiplier.
- Visual Cues: Don't just rely on sound; watch the note highway closely for patterns.
Outro (4:25 - End)
The outro brings back elements of the main riff and verse, but with a final burst of speed and intensity before fading out. Don't let your guard down in the final moments.
- Final Push: Maintain focus until the very last note. Many players lose their streak here due to exhaustion or premature celebration.
- Star Power: If you somehow have Star Power left, use it to finish strong.
General Expert Tips for "The Jordan"
- Two-Handed Tapping: For the most intense HO/PO sections, especially in the solos, consider using your strumming hand to tap notes on the fret buttons. This can alleviate strain on your fretting hand and allow for faster execution.
- Strumming Hand Position: Keep your strumming hand loose and close to the strum bar. This allows for quick, efficient up-and-down strums.
- Fretting Hand Economy: Minimize unnecessary finger movements. Keep your fingers hovering over the fret buttons, ready to press down.
- Practice Specific Sections: Use the practice mode extensively. Isolate the solos and the pre-chorus/chorus sections. Slow them down, then gradually increase the speed until you can hit them perfectly.
- Star Power Strategy: "The Jordan" has several dense note sections. Prioritize Star Power activation during the solos and the most challenging chorus parts to maximize your score and maintain your multiplier. Don't waste it on easier sections unless you're trying to build a buffer.
- Listen to the Song: Familiarize yourself with the actual song's rhythm and melody. This can help anticipate note patterns even when the highway is a blur.
Good luck, Guitar Hero! Conquering "The Jordan" on Expert is a monumental achievement. Keep practicing, stay focused, and you'll eventually master this legendary track.