Picking From The Wrist Down, (Not The Elbow up)
Todd Simpson
Apr 24 2012, 04:30 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I"m always singing the praises of picking from the "Wrist down", or starting your picking motion at the wrist. It's almost impossible to not pick from the elbow at some poing in your journey towards GUITAR GOD/GODESS. Sometimes a little video can be worth a thousand words. Here are some quick tips for playing "At Speed"

1.)Stay Relaxed
-Don't let your body tense up, it will do this all by itself and it's not good.

2.)Pick from the Wrist Down
-Focus on picking using the wrist at speed and even finger motion when playing slower to allow for more 'flourish"

3.)Choke up on the pick
-Try holding the pick as near the tip as possible and still have it feel comfy.

4.)Don't Overcommit to the Pick Stroke
-Try to keep the from pulling to far away from the string at each stroke.

Here is a quick vid. Notice how little tension is happening on my picking hand. That's the big "secret" so to speak, keeping the hand loose enough to give it the ability to balance/move smoothly, but tight enough to maintain strike consistency. Give this approach a shot when you work on your alternate picking next practice!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
PosterBoy
Apr 24 2012, 08:54 AM
Learning Roadie
Posts: 3.179
Joined: 26-October 11
From: Galway, Ireland
Thanks for that Todd.

I'm breaking down a lot of technique stuff to the simplest ideas at the moment to improve. Alt picking is one of them. Why try and Alt pick a scale or sequence @120 bpm when you can't alt pick the same note at that speed kind of idea.

It lets me focus on the motion and notice when the tension invariably raises it's ugly head, so i can consciously relax my arm or stop and have a 10 sec break.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
My SoundCloud


Gear
Tyler Burning Water 2K
Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds
Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers
Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers
PRS SE Custom 24-08
Ax8

Fessenden SD10 PSG
Quilter TT15
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Cosmin Lupu
Apr 25 2012, 08:20 AM
Instructor
Posts: 22.808
Joined: 14-June 10
From: Bucharest
Great advice from our AP maestro biggrin.gif thanks for keeping our minds on the job man! No kidding smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Todd Simpson
Apr 28 2012, 02:55 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
QUOTE (PosterBoy @ Apr 24 2012, 03:54 AM) *
Thanks for that Todd.

I'm breaking down a lot of technique stuff to the simplest ideas at the moment to improve. Alt picking is one of them. Why try and Alt pick a scale or sequence @120 bpm when you can't alt pick the same note at that speed kind of idea.

It lets me focus on the motion and notice when the tension invariably raises it's ugly head, so i can consciously relax my arm or stop and have a 10 sec break.


It just takes time/practice and sounds like you are moving ahead with a good plan. Keep it up!

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 25 2012, 03:20 AM) *
Great advice from our AP maestro biggrin.gif thanks for keeping our minds on the job man! No kidding smile.gif


Thanks man smile.gif This sort of stuff is a stumbling block for many players including me back in the day! The good news is, it's very doable!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 




RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 29th March 2024 - 08:17 AM