QUOTE (jstcrsn @ Dec 18 2011, 01:37 PM)
Ben, outside picking is by far my weakest link.It starts with the fact that I learned wrong and got real fast but it was never in perfect sync.
the first riff ( in a minor I believe ) is one of my many practice riffs, but my problem is when I outside pick and cross over to the E string ,I accent that note(throwing my timing off)when I am going slow my picking is fast enough to compensate ( catch up),but when I get to 95 bpm triplets that is were my imperfection shows up ( now I have set my metronome at 135 quarter notes with a different click every four notes so that the accent shows up on a different note each time and within 12 notes the triplet gets repeated ( starts over)
now it is coming up on 5 years of steady practice and I am still here
any clues on how I can jump this hurdle .my daily routine usually starts off with this at 80 bpm quarter notes
dam I am getting frustrated
any hints ( that I may not have heard in the past 4 years here at Gmc)
One thing I noticed was that after a day of playing these licks I started playing them slightly differently for the outside picking part. Instead of starting on the E string.. I played it like this instead:
E-----------------10------------
B--10--11--13-------13--11--
Start on a downstroke, so you will hit the E string with an upstroke and come back to the B string on a downstroke. Remember to 'count' and focus with your left hand too, not your right.. allow it to be 'led'.
(I also realised I wrote the tab out wrong on the top lick in my other post.. the last note should have been on the 13th fret again)
Basically I'm starting the phrase with 3 notes which gives you more time to get into the groove before crossing strings. So you're playing the same notes but in a different order. I definitely recommend playing licks where you play at least one note (more if possible) before crossing a string to give you the time to get into the groove and 'feel' it.
I also recommend switching exercises around and trying different things every few days. So, instead of doing licks that cover 2 strings, I might do licks that span all 6 strings but play it through once, pause, then repeat. So you're still training the necessary motions but in a different way.. it also gives your brain time away from the other licks. After a few days of that, go back to your other licks.
Today I started introducing the typical Zakk Wylde type pentatonic licks.. the 16th note ones like this:
E-------------------------------------------
B-------------------------------------------
G---12--10------------12--10------------
D-------------12--10------------12--10--
You know the kind of thing. Start on a downstroke always. Try this with the approach of focusing on your left hand and allowing your picking hand to go 'weak' and relaxed. It's weird. But this is a brilliant exercise for outside picking and different from the triplet style licks. You can move these basic lick around on any strings, the pentatonic box shapes work really nicely for these. It will complement your other licks really well. So try swapping these types of licks around every few days.. or practice them all together
You'll also find that you'll require different tempos for different types of licks, even though they may be using the same note values, like triplets or16th notes. Certain licks just require more dexterity or more energy.
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GMC Forum > Discussion Boards > VINTAGE GMC > Community Activities and Tutorials > Ask an Instructor > Ben Higgins
Ok, let's rattle this brain and see what falls out..
oh,I kill me
