1 2 4 combination

[eastwood]

Hi all,

Strange one this :

I find when decending with a 1 2 4 finger (with ALT picking) pattern that finger 2 drags on the string very slightly - it seems too close to the string - I would say that for me this is the most awkward finger comination when decending.....if I use 1 3 4 I haven't a problem :confused:

I also have a bigger cullous on my 2nd finger tip and only small flat 'pads' on my others....(I even had to file it flat tonight :eek: )

Please tell me I'm not on my own !

Daz

[Silhouette]

Na, yer not alone. I, too, find the 4,2,1 descending more difficult. I guess it is anatomicly or psychologicly tougher to perform smoothly... Like the man said - practise makes perfect...
About the cullos part, hell, I don't know... If you had to file it I guess it's quite bad... Be careful though, use antiseptics, you don't wanna get your finger infected... (i think that it's the single most frighrning thing for a guitarist... oh well, except from getting it chopped off in a garbage disposal machine :eek: ).

:D :D :D :D :D

[eastwood]

Update !

I really dug into this problem and I think I have discovered my problem. My 2nd finger is working fine it's my hand position when playing 1 2 4.

I played 1 2 3, 2 3 4, then 1 3 4 then 2 3, then 3 4 up and and down the neck chromatically. - No problems at all ! :D

Then I tried 1 2 :eek:

What I was doing was turning my wrist as I was moving down from the Low E to the High E and not letting my thumb follow my hand position I also noticed a small degree of weakness in my index finger. Anyways......I played 1 2 up and down the next for 30 mins or so and then I looked at my 3rd and 4th fingers - they were completely erect and stiff ;) so I relaxed them and carried on.

It was the wife who noticed this ! I asked her to watch my movements and ask her what was changing and this was the first thing she picked up on.....bless her !


Then I went back to 1 2 4 and I noticed a huge difference...all of a sudden things had improved for me :D

So, bit of advice.....if your not happy with something break it right down, explore all the options and variations....if you like 'brainstorm' the problem until you find the fault.

Daz

[ashc]

Crikey... great support from the Mrs. there!

In our house the Mrs (and the Cats) just give me that "you're rubbish, thats whats wrong with your playing" look :eek:

[eastwood]

Crikey... great support from the Mrs. there!

In our house the Mrs (and the Cats) just give me that "you're rubbish, thats whats wrong with your playing" look :eek:

:D :D :D :D :D :D

Wonder if Russ has let his Mrs out of the shed yet ?

[UKRuss]

Not likely.

[Silhouette]

Damn, I knew they were good for SOMETHING :p :D :p

I was thinkin', (it's dangerous, I know, but...) maybe I'll ride along on your thread and introduce one of my problems. SO here it goes:

My most mojor and significant problem, that's been lasting for a couple of years now, is the right hand wrist movement at high speeds AP. I've been at it for a LONG time. Through countless hours of practising this, each time I analized my right hand movement and modified it a countless number of times; By modifications I mean - ranging from the angle that the pick contacts the string -parallel or with an angle-, moving my hand from the elbow or the shoulder, controlling the angle of my wrist which varies a little when playing on different strings (you think you understand? or am I just being vague) anchoring my right hand pinkie on the pickguard or the lower strings, quiting the anchor method and playing with a closed 'fist', playing closer to the bridge or farther from it, changing picks, drinking Energiser and meditating... I didn't improve much of my right hand techinique although I've learnt a lot about the ways I can make my guitar sound throughout the years. I guess that I don't really need the ability to play MUCH faster, but I think that if I will be able to play faster at higher speeds - my lower speeds will sound better and cleaner.
Has anyone been experiencing the same problem and overcame it?

EDIT: -BTW, I'm sorry for posting yet another "how to make my alt picking fater?" Q's...-

[Silhouette]

Anyone??

[joeyd929]

Hi all,

Strange one this :

I find when decending with a 1 2 4 finger (with ALT picking) pattern that finger 2 drags on the string very slightly - it seems too close to the string - I would say that for me this is the most awkward finger comination when decending.....if I use 1 3 4 I haven't a problem :confused:

I also have a bigger cullous on my 2nd finger tip and only small flat 'pads' on my others....(I even had to file it flat tonight :eek: )

Please tell me I'm not on my own !

Daz

For me, it's the opposite, I fine I have the most trouble with the 1 3 4 combination. My "3" finger has issues and I have to use it flat, rather than curling it at the tip.

When I use it flat my 4th finger has freedom to move independently. 124 I find much easier. I think it is all genetic..