Picking mechanic problem

[Axe-aholic]

I've always be plagued with bad technique, but this one is driving me nuts..


d u d u d u d u
12---15---12------12----15---12----
-----------------15------------------15

Im fine with other forms of inside picking, but the above mechanic I just can't seem to pull off, and I've been working on it for quite some time..Not only can I not get it past 116bpm but the B string always rings whenever I play the upstroke. Any advice on how to break this barrier?

[metalprep6969]

I dunno if you are using your fourth finger or not to fret the 15th, but you may try using the third finger. Though some would say this is a wrong technique, many of the greatest players around will still take shortcuts. I mean look at Zakk, Vai, Satch, and so on, they are some of the best players around but they aren't strict fourth finger players, especially that high up.

\m/

[metalprep6969]

Now i've got a picking question. I'm basically 100% self-taught so naturally I've developed some bad techniques. I tried my best to use good technique like using ur pinky, good posture, etc. but the one bad technique I'm working on is one I never noticed early on. Whenever I start picking runs quickly, I almost always economy pick instead of alternate pick. This has worked for me for a while, but now that I'm realizing how it's limiting my playing I want to learn how to alternate pick better. Are there some good excersizes for learning this?

\m/

[Axe-aholic]

Do yourself a favor and pick up 'Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar' by Troy Stetina. There's hundreds of alternate picking exercise in there

[Relaxation]

Instead of doing this as 16th notes, try dividing them to 8th notes. Also go to a speed where you are comfortable. Comfortable meaning you are very relaxed with the execution and can play the thing without those unwanted sounds. If they occur, slow down some more.

[ProgBG]

Now i've got a picking question. I'm basically 100% self-taught so naturally I've developed some bad techniques. I tried my best to use good technique like using ur pinky, good posture, etc. but the one bad technique I'm working on is one I never noticed early on. Whenever I start picking runs quickly, I almost always economy pick instead of alternate pick. This has worked for me for a while, but now that I'm realizing how it's limiting my playing I want to learn how to alternate pick better. Are there some good excersizes for learning this?

\m/
Hi

I would say take a lick or a scale that you are playing quickly. Play them the way you play them normally. Then try to slow this down and lock closely on which notes you use economy picking and on which you use alternate picking. Try to isolate those passages where you economy pick and play this passage with strict alternate picking. Try it slow first and then speed it up. You can aply this to all your scales and stuff, and practice alternate picking. But when you think a lick should be played with economy picking instead of alternate picking then do it. I hope this was understandable. :)

KAYA BG

[Axe-aholic]

Okay, I've been working at it and experimenting around, but nothing really seems to help.

Before Janurary used to always play unplugged, so I think that got me into the habit of playing messily and not being able to hear the effects of it..I'm trying to correct a lot of those habits I got into but I just can't seem to put my finger on the problem of the above example and almost everytime I change strings on the higher frets.

I don't think it's a pressure problem, I tried playing it with as little pressure as possible at like...half notes at 40bpm and when I lift the pinky up the open string still sounds....sometimes I can get it to sound much lower but it's always there in the background and springs up on me when a least expect it. If I go any faster than eights at 40bpm it sounds obnoxiously. And it doesn't seem to make much difference whether I use the fourth or third finger.
My picking is fine too..I've worked a good bit on my right hand the past few months and my picking motions are much to small for the pick to be rubbing on the adjacent string.


Should I be muting? It seems an unecessary amount of effort to have to mute everytime I switch strings...



Does anyone have any ideas of what I should be doing to correct this? Eric maybe?