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.

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

[Ben Higgins]

Todd, are you sure he's picking from the elbow ? It doesn't look that way to me ? Here's another vid of his showing it close up



Not saying you're wrong of course.. you may be right about it !

This is definite picking from the elbow.. Slayer's Jeff Hanneman !!



Hurts just looking at it !