Question for EricV (picking style) - PART II

[rrhea]

Ok,

I my previous thread I mentioned that I am learning how to float my right hand like Gilbert, and that after careful consideration I have decided to go ahead and make the effort and commitment to stop anchoring and learn to float.

Now I have come to another convergence in the road... whether or not to use my wrist or elbow.

This may sound strange, but my teacher prefers a thumb/index finger movement in conjuntion with the elbow, NO wrist. After doing some research on the matter I have discovered that there are two schools of thought on this matter:

One is completely floating using only wrist movement, little or no elbow, some index/thumb movement for accentuation using a loose fist or slightly curled fingers. This would be more like the Paul Gilbert way of picking.

The other is no wrist movement, using only thumb/index and elbow movements in order to pluck the strings. From what I have gathered, this method has been highly effective for people who have hurt themselves (carpel tunnel), and allows them to play again without pain. It is also considered a safe method of playing to prevent carpel tunnel from ever happening.

As I said before, my teacher prefers the second method using mostly elbow and thumb/index movements. I am having a hard time with this way, and most definitely prefer the wrist method... mainly because I have so much "equity" in my wrist since I have always used it for picking. In other words, my wrist is already trained to do what it needs to do. The floating part is really the only thing I'd need to train myself on (besides a few other little things to clean up my picking). Easier said than done! :D

My question is this: What should I tell my teacher? She is going to be persistent about me following her method because they are so concerned about people getting carpel tunnel.

According to my research, most people teach and prefer using the wrist movement technique as the primary mechanism for fast playing, whether anchored or not (but preferably floating). This is what I have run across over and over again.

Eric, I'd like your opinion on this. I can find lots of examples and tips on the floating/wrist combo, but not so much on the floating/elbow alternative.

What do you think? And how safe is using the wrist as primary locomotion, provided that good technique/form is practiced?

Ryan

[btangel]

Why is your teacher being so persistant about you doing it "their" way? I know tons of guitarists that don't float hand and move just their elbow and they play lightning fast and accurate anyway. Watch Vai play, he anchors with his pinky on the pickguard, yngwie malmsteen does the same thing. They both play crazy fast.

I know you're teacher's trying to be helpful and everything...but IMO not letting you do what's best and most natural to you isn't being a good teacher. What's best for them may not be best for you.

[rrhea]

Yeah, I have made a decision to keep my current picking method. I am going to tell my teacher tonight and see what she says. It may get uncomfortable, as they are very picky about the method they teach. I will quit, if necessary.

Once I switched back to my playing style I felt so much more comfortable and playing was enjoyable again. It remains to be seen if these people are going to be asses, but if they are I'll just go back to learning on my own. There aren't many choices for instruction here, and these people are pretty much my last hope. The real reason I am seeking instruction in the first place is for theory. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around it. I can learn scale patterns and practice with the metronome (which I enjoy, believe it or not :) ), and learn songs via tab with no problems. I just want to know what and why something is what it is.

Unfortuantely, these guys "seem" (we'll see tonight) to be trying to get me to start over with a whole new way of holding and touching the guitar. I am looking for information and advice on my current technique, not a complete re-tool. Seems simple to me.

The guitar is so easy in some aspects, and so difficult in others. It seems that every instructor has the "definitive" approach and method. I have learned 3 patterns for the G major scale... all of them using the same notes, just different patterns. And I was told when learning each of them that "this" pattern is the right one. :) Whatever! I guess they are all right, depending on what you're going for at the moment.

I am pretty tired of lame teachers and "the best method ever" books and videos. Learning music is hard enough, and then we have the added complexity of seeing through crackpot instructor's B.S. on top of everything else.

I am just gonna play with my Beatle's fake book and cheap Yamaha acoustic from now on. :D (Just kidding)!

Now, back to my Gilbert licks. Paul rules!!!

Ryan

[PatcA]

I have learned 3 patterns for the G major scale... all of them using the same notes, just different patterns. And I was told when learning each of them that "this" pattern is the right one. :) Whatever! I guess they are all right, depending on what you're going for at the moment.
Ryan

I'm thinking you may be misinterpreting your teachers a bit. I highly doubt they would consider one "pattern" or "position" correct and another incorrect. There is no definitive pattern for the G Major scale. It consists of the same 7 notes, regardless of the instrument, regardless of octave, regardless of the song, regardless of the 'pattern' or 'position' etc. You should learn to read music and get away from tab. It will increase your understanding of the instrument INCREDIBLY. I'm sure your teachers would agree that you need to know how to play the G Major scale at any place on the neck, in any octave, using any combination of intervals. If they DON'T advocate this, they have no business charging you for lessons.

[asdf]

Yeah, I have made a decision to keep my current picking method............I will quit, if necessary.
Seems a good idea to me......


Once I switched back to my playing style I felt so much more comfortable and playing was enjoyable again.Ryan

That's it. It has to feel good and be enjoyable for YOU.

[Alan(Lost)]

It's pretty rare for a guitarist to get carpal tunnel in the picking wrist as it's under considerable less strain than the left. The picking wrist is kept at a straight enough angle. The fretting wrist however is frequently at a sharp angle which can lead you to the problems.
Elbow picking can very easily lead to tensing of muscles which lead to problems. I really recommend wrist only and floating only. About six months ago I never floated and wasn't really fast with wrist only. Now it's the opposite.

[axe_man_oli]

I have been trying to adjust to a floating picking style. I only tried it because Gilbert was doing it. I took my time and got used to playing like that with no anchoring and it just didnt feel right.
I played like this for about a month. I had got to the same ability as i was before... and then i saw Michael Angelo on his speed kills video. I was reminded how he plays, with a few fingers anchored. HE CAN SHRED. I gave it a go back how i used to play, and boooommm!!! i can play miles faster, cleaner, free-er, its much less tense in my wrist and my sweep picking just got a little bit closer to being right on.

I thought that this idea of floating would work for me but it just didn't, i'm glad i went back to my old way.
It only matters what feels good for you man. Just do it how it feels best. I feel like i can play anything, with enough time i can...
You should still try new things with the guitar, but if they dont work out dont feel like you have to stick with it to the end. Just go back to how you played before.

Don't let your teacher ruin it for you. If he keeps telling you to do crazy things and you dont want to, tell him where to stick his dumb ideas:D . On the other teachers are usually very helpful.

Paul Gilbert does indeed ROCK!!!