Alternate picking trouble?!

[Chud]

Yeah, i've read and searched the forum for other threads but they don't quite answer it for me :( so i'll make a new one.

A tutor of mine Pat Heath (or many people know him as Pat "The Shred" Heath) from BIMM told me that when alternate picking, the arm has to be as floppy as possible. Now, i'm going to take his word on it, because he is ludicrously fast, but i can't help but tense my arm up around the part between my elbow and shoulder. It tenses up quite a bit and if i don't i have no accuracy and if i try not to... well i just can't at no matter what speed.

I got the same advice from many of my tutors. Guthrie Govan said to keep a relatively close "fist" shaped hand (not tensing though) and picking from the wrist.

Now, don't get me wrong, i have no problem picking fast stuff. I can do about 130bpm sixtuplets on a good day but problem is consistancy and the fact my arm slightly aches (which isn't good :mad: )


What tips would you guys give? I've tried everything from resting my arm for a couple of weeks, to working extremely slowly, to changing picks, posture, tons of stuff but doesn't seem to be relaxing my arm.


Just incase it needs to be mentioned, i pick quite like Paul Gilbert. Not anchoring onto anything as such except the top of the guitar's body (sort of behind the palm. I can't quite explain it, but basically it looks like PG). I use Dunlop Jazz IIIs and play an Ibanez RG1550. I can't quite think of anything else to mention!


So in summary. Should i tense my arm slightly when picking as i am, or should i really work on keeping it "as floppy as possible" Even at 70bpm alternate picking scales i find it hard to keep the arm completely floppy and relaxed so i dunno what i'm doing wrong! Any help much appreciated!

[Joe Pass Jr]

I agree with your tutor. when i was playing metal that required fast picking i had the same aches and cramps in my forearm. Untill i started picking only with my fingers (plectrum movement isolated from thumb and index finger movements)..with minimal wrist movement and next to no arm movement.. It automatically removes those cramps. Although it does take a bit to get used to, and you will have to work back up to the speed your at since it will slow you down at first.
Just look at Yngwie, he has his picking so contolled, you can barely notice he is even moving his fingers at all half the time.

[Chud]

I agree with your tutor. when i was playing metal that required fast picking i had the same aches and cramps in my forearm. Untill i started picking only with my fingers (plectrum movement isolated from thumb and index finger movements)..with minimal wrist movement and next to no arm movement.. It automatically removes those cramps. Although it does take a bit to get used to, and you will have to work back up to the speed your at since it will slow you down at first.
Just look at Yngwie, he has his picking so contolled, you can barely notice he is even moving his fingers at all half the time.

Yeah i noticed that, but i don't really want to get into finger picking. I pick with my wrist now and the tutor i was speaking to - Pat, also picks with his wrist. Stupidly fast, stupidly accurate.

He says these aches in my arm are tendonitis, but i don't know how to stop this i take breaks regularly and rest my arm for weeks and quite frankly, it's frustrating now!

[Dushan S]

Chud, maybe it is not just a matter of picking method, but excess tension in your muscles. It is possible that some muscles that are not directly involved in movements needed for picking are very tense. Check that, try to pick one note very fast and than pay attention to your picking hand. Try to feel hand and to relax muscles going from elbow, down to fingertips.make sure to relax hand and to use just those few muscles you really need.

It is possible that you are generally tense person, so it may be helpful to work with your body in general. For instance I have found yoga helpful. You can try for instance just to sit calmly for 15 minutes and work on NOT moving any muscle. It may be a good exercise for you. First thing you will notice is that a lot of muscles are tense or working unintentionally. After week or two, you should be able to relax part of the body at will without problem, and you will in time become more aware what is happening inside your body. In a same way you will become more aware what are eventual problems with your hands when playing and you will be more flexible and efficient.