How Physical Is Fast Picking ? Options

[Ben Higgins]

I'm really interested in how picking fast feels for everyone. We're always told to relax and not play with tension, which I agree with. A relaxed muscle moves easier and faster.

However, in order to demand more performance we still have to make our muscles work right ?

I pick from the wrist but when I start speeding up and playing over my comfort zone, I can feel the muscles engaging somewhere above my elbow. It feels like it's either the tricep or behind the tricep. I'm not consciously 'tensing up' the arm but I'm very conscious of the muscle working. It doesn't hurt and I've not suffered any aches or pains because of it. I've managed to increase the speed and stamina of my picking lately and the speeds which previously felt more 'physical' are now a bit less 'physical'.

To all you fast pickers out there, can you describe how it feels when you pick fast ? I think it would help people who are confused about how relaxed they should be and are afraid of pushing their speed boundaries because they see muscle fatigue as tension so they avoid it and stay in a certain range.

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This post has been edited by Ben Higgins: Feb 10 2012, 10:22 AM

[Sinisa Cekic]

Whether I am a valid person to answer ?
Anyway, quite interesting question. I have never analyzed my technique in that context, but I will try to give a meaningful answer.
So where's the secret IMO ? You should know a few things. The first is - don't exercise speed - exercise routine! Maybe it looks the same, but in fact it is not. You can be the fastest in the world, but if you haven't right technique, alternative picking, needed to shred,you'll be ridiculous :/ ! So,practice slowly !! Be self-critical, each tone should be heard loud and clear. If you make a single mistake- back to the beginning, mistake in tempo - back to the beginning, wrong note - back to the beginning,and so on.

Unfortunately, this is a process that can't be avoided if you want to play really fast. How long will the process take? Depends on you! One year, two, five, ten ....What is important is persistence, not giving up after the first failure. So- faith in yourself!

Technique: I play from the wrist.Forearm muscles suffer the highest loads. It is important that this muscle group is not in the spasm while playing fast. Biggest mistake is to think only about the notes and not notice that the arm is tired - which resulting in fatigue followed by mistakes in playing.
Next would be a "anchored finger" approach.I use pinky of my right hand as the mainstay and support.In this way, resting my hand and arm muscles. Also my palm helps me further- is resting on the bridge and in a same time controls several things: coordination with the left hand, muting the strings, dynamic of playing !
Yes, I know, that sounds a bit confusing, so many operations per second, but the thing is working out, all lie down properly with the time, trust me .

Finally - there is no right and no wrong way! Listen to your body, it will infallibly tell you which way is best for you! Instructors are here to make you aware, perhaps, to other techniques, hand positions, but if you have found the technique that you think will work - go for it !!!! In any case it requires persistence and persistence, and again persistence !

Now select the top five shred guitarists - each has a different technique! What does that tell us ?

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