Minimize picking motion

[ProgBG]

Hi guys I recently thought that i should minimize my picking motion to gain more speed. Can you give me some advice or exercises? And is it bad that i tense up in my thumb while picking (I pick from my wrist) downstrokes? Or is that normal? Thanks for advice

KAYA BG

[EricV]

Hey there

Sven once described an exercise that I was taught at the GIT, as well. What you do is:
You pick a string with a downstroke, and immediately raise the pick again so it touches the string from the "bottom", resting on it. Vice versa for the upstroke... pick the string with an upstroke and then immediately rest the pick "on top" of the string. Basically, you´re trying to stay as close to the string as possible.
If you dedicate some time of your available practice time for that one, you might find your picking motion decrease, thereby resulting in a more efficient picking technique. Remember to pick HARD though, since otherwise, you´ll lose a lot of attack and dynamic.
Eric

[DemonSorcerer]

That's a good point, Eric...

I know this one is off-topic...but people around this forum seem to be concentrating on just getting their speed down...my advice would be.."learn to CONTROL your picking technique..." i think that's even more important than geting speed down...

For that, i'd suggest a simple-sounding (but it's extremely difficult to do it consistently!!) excersise...get your metronome and start with an easy speed...let's say 124 BPM...next, try a chromatic excercise at a 16th note pace...4 notes per string...BUT!!! start hitting the notes really lightly (Pianissimo) and gradually...but GRADUALLY!!! start hitting the strings harder and do a crescendo till yuo get to hear the strings in a "Forte" fashion....stay on f for a while, and then "roll back" the volume...start picking the strings lighter and lighter...till you get back to the Pianissimo...al that is done while keeping an steady 16th notes flow on the excersise...

try that for 15 minutes and then try rising the notch in the metronome, till you are around 176-180 BPM. It's extremely hard to control the picking dynamics in that fashion at high speeds, but you anything can be achieved with tons of practice...try it everyday...and you'll get a strong grip of your right hand picking...

David

[curiousgeorge]

That's a good point, Eric...

I know this one is off-topic...but people around this forum seem to be concentrating on just getting their speed down...my advice would be.."learn to CONTROL your picking technique..." i think that's even more important than geting speed down...

For that, i'd suggest a simple-sounding (but it's extremely difficult to do it consistently!!) excersise...get your metronome and start with an easy speed...let's say 124 BPM...next, try a chromatic excercise at a 16th note pace...4 notes per string...BUT!!! start hitting the notes really lightly (Pianissimo) and gradually...but GRADUALLY!!! start hitting the strings harder and do a crescendo till yuo get to hear the strings in a "Forte" fashion....stay on f for a while, and then "roll back" the volume...start picking the strings lighter and lighter...till you get back to the Pianissimo...al that is done while keeping an steady 16th notes flow on the excersise...

try that for 15 minutes and then try rising the notch in the metronome, till you are around 176-180 BPM. It's extremely hard to control the picking dynamics in that fashion at high speeds, but you anything can be achieved with tons of practice...try it everyday...and you'll get a strong grip of your right hand picking...

David

I totally agree that the control should be there to facilitate the speed. I noticed if I slowed things down and played them over and over again, I could play them at fast speeds because the exact motions to do those runs perfectly were already imprinted in my brain...

[GuitarDreamer20]

Wow, demon and Eric, thanks for those cool tips!:)

Mike

[DemonSorcerer]

Wow, demon and Eric, thanks for those cool tips!:)

Mike

That's OK, Mike!! I'm just doin' my job, you see?? ;) just kidding...;) if you have another technique-oriented questions, feel free to private message me...

David

[ProgBG]

Thanks for your replies. I'll try out those exercises, though i can't play 16th notes on 124 :mad: .

KAYA BG