My Great Experiment
jstcrsn
Sep 1 2010, 02:34 PM
Learning Tone Master
Posts: 3.622
Joined: 29-March 08
From: kansas, USA
for the last few years i have been trying to improve my alt. picking with little improvment
i have changed how i hold the pick
resting my pinky-lifting the pinky

the other day i was wacthing an old gilbert video and he said he use to always play only upstrokes and i realized that that is what imo he does so well that i can.t
so this morning during practice i decided to play all my scales with uptroke only
i figured out i am really bad at that
so foraslong as i can stand it-iam going to practice with only upstrokes
hope this helps me
try it for yousrelfs and you might be shocked
i ll keep you up to date if it works or not

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
Fingerspasm
Sep 1 2010, 02:59 PM
Learning Apprentice Player
Posts: 234
Joined: 19-October 08
From: Missouri
QUOTE (jstcrsn @ Sep 1 2010, 08:34 AM) *
for the last few years i have been trying to improve my alt. picking with little improvment
i have changed how i hold the pick
resting my pinky-lifting the pinky

the other day i was wacthing an old gilbert video and he said he use to always play only upstrokes and i realized that that is what imo he does so well that i can.t
so this morning during practice i decided to play all my scales with uptroke only
i figured out i am really bad at that
so foraslong as i can stand it-iam going to practice with only upstrokes
hope this helps me
try it for yousrelfs and you might be shocked
i ll keep you up to date if it works or not


I can almost guarantee you that it will work. I did the same thing about a year ago and my speed made a big improvement. I played all my morning warm up routines and scales using only upstrokes. I got really fast at it and it helped.

This method was explained to my by using the mongoose as an example. How does a mongoose really kill a cobra? It stays just out of the Cobras range and waits for the Cobra to try and strike. When it does strike it is very fast. But it is not nearly as fast when it tries to recoil... Thats when the Mongoose moves in for the kill. Its the recoil that needs to get fast or the upstroke.

Many players use more downstrokes than upstrokes in their playing so when they go to alternate pick they get out of sync because the upstroke cannot keep up with the downstroke speed because the downstroke is more developed thus causing the playing to fall apart.

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!


This post has been edited by Fingerspasm: Sep 1 2010, 03:01 PM


--------------------
My Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/FingerSpasm?feature=mhum

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes its the quiet voice at the end of the day that says I will try again tomorrow.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Daniel Realpe
Sep 1 2010, 04:07 PM
Instructor
Posts: 5.655
Joined: 11-October 09
From: Bogota
I think that's a good thing to do for a while

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!


--------------------
Visit my:
INSTRUCTOR PROFILE

"If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music."
Gustav Mahler


Subscribe to my Youtube Channel here
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Brandon Earman
Sep 1 2010, 05:30 PM
Learning Roadie
Posts: 300
Joined: 12-September 09
From: College Station, Texas
I agree with this method. It's almost like a constant battle between your up and down strokes. Sometimes my upstroke is quicker than my downstrokes (hard to believe). I usually have to check them from time to time to see which needs more work (although I am by no means a skilled alternate/speed picker).

-Brandon

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!


--------------------
"That's alright I still got my guitar, look out now!" -Hendrix
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
sted
Sep 1 2010, 05:39 PM
Learning Rock Star
Posts: 1.758
Joined: 13-April 08
From: Merseyside, UK
Interesting concept, I'll give it a whirl!

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
SirJamsalot
Sep 1 2010, 05:43 PM
Learning Rock Star
Posts: 1.241
Joined: 4-May 10
From: Bay Area, California
I know PG starts some scales on upstrokes to ensure outside picking for that lick or scale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yZA4CkEbjY...feature=related

But I'm pretty sure he said he used to do only downstrokes. It wasn't until after a few years of frustration that he learned about alternate picking. I'll check my video collection to see if I can dig up where he said that.

I don't think it will hurt to practice UP (unidirectional picking to coin a phrase smile.gif , but I think the only way to increase speed of AP is to practice AP.

my 2 cents,
Christian A.

edit: I'd be interested to hear what Todd, our resident AP teacher has to say on the matter =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!


This post has been edited by SirJamsalot: Sep 1 2010, 05:48 PM


--------------------
The more I practice, the more I wish I had time to practice!
My Band Forum: http://passionfly.site/chat

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Fran
Sep 1 2010, 05:44 PM
Learning Rock Star - Wiki Coordinator
Posts: 8.451
Joined: 20-November 07
From: Spain
Sounds like an awesome idea!
+1 on the experiment wink.gif

I always start playing running scales up and down the nec for 10 minutes. I'll do it with only upstrokes a few days, and I'll let you know if it helped in a couple weeks! 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!


--------------------
Guitars:
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Ibanez RG2570MZ, Epiphone SG G-400
Amp:
Vox AC4TVH head + V112TV cab
Effects:
Vox Satchurator, Vox Time Machine, Dunlop CryBaby, Boss MT-2, Boss CE-5, Boss TU-2, Boss ME-70
Recording:
Line-6 POD X3 + FBV-Express, Pandora PX5D

GMC wants YOU to take part in our Guitar-Wikipedia!
Have a good time reading great articles and writing your own with us in our GUITAR WIKI!
Share your playing and get Pro-advice from our Instructors: Join REC
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
jstcrsn
Sep 2 2010, 01:28 AM
Learning Tone Master
Posts: 3.622
Joined: 29-March 08
From: kansas, USA
[quote name='SirJamsalot' date='Sep 1 2010, 05:43 PM' post='497886']
I know PG starts some scales on upstrokes to ensure outside picking for that lick or scale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yZA4CkEbjY...feature=related

But I'm pretty sure he said he used to do only downstrokes. It wasn't until after a few years of frustration that he learned about alternate picking. .

yes you are correct, but i am just wondering if this is where he got to where upstrokes come so naturally

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
Azzaboi
Sep 2 2010, 02:32 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 1.486
Joined: 23-March 09
From: New Zealand
Yeah it was only downstrokes he used before (which is a bad habit)...

However, you have got a good idea with playing upstroke only, that's hard, not as use to it. Maybe quite good to practice a bit, but too much and your'll go the other direction I think!

Your'll notice if you play downstrokes (or even upstrokes) all the time the pick angle slopes up (or down) to make it easier in that direction (but thats bad for the other direction). If the pick leans too far either way (top of the pick towards the ceiling or floor) it will put one motion of crossing the strings at an advantage but the opposite motion at a disadvantage. You need to keep it in align, correct your hand ever now and then because it will natural want to go back if it's become a habit.

When alternate picking, rotate the pick instead almost 90 degrees so the thumb points down. The pick is almost perpendicular to the strings, using a pointed pick it will slice both ways easier.

I suggest closely watching the angle and how much of the pick tip and wrist motion your using more than anything, but upwards picking could be a fun 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!


This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Sep 2 2010, 02:35 AM


--------------------


Play Games Arcade
Take a break, Play Games! Play the best free online flash games at Aaron's Game Zone like Bloons Tower Defense 4!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Gitarrero
Sep 2 2010, 06:49 AM
Accomplished Rock Star
Posts: 4.059
Joined: 24-June 08
From: Rottweil, Germany
When PG first started he did upstrokes only, as he states in the video below. Sounds like and interesting experiment, I think I am gonna do more upstrokes in my practice now as well.

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!


--------------------
Check my band project with fellow GMCer VilleFIN
Facebook
Youtube
Soundcloud
Twitter
Instagram



Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Vasilije Vukmiro...
Sep 2 2010, 11:55 AM
Jazz Instructor
Posts: 2.691
Joined: 1-October 08
From: Belgrade
Experimentation is great, though I don't recommend resting your pinky, I used play like that that for 5 years, and then shifted to usual...

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
Ivan Milenkovic
Sep 2 2010, 03:37 PM
Instructor
Posts: 25.396
Joined: 20-November 07
From: Belgrade, Serbia
It's a good method to start with, to balance out your current state. I used to play starting with downstrokes when going up the neck, and upstrokes when going down, and didn't pay too much attention about other way around. But, once I started covering all possible combinations - bingo smile.gif

It's a good method to start with, to balance out your current state. I used to play starting with downstrokes when going up the neck, and upstrokes when going down, and didn't pay too much attention about other way around. But, once I started covering all possible combinations - bingo 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!


--------------------
- Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
- Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons
- (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel
- Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)
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 - 01:37 PM