Di Meola 3: Intermediate Picking, Lesson By Ben Higgins Options

[Timmez]

Original lesson: Di Meola 3: Intermediate Picking by Ben Higgins

Hello guys, here my first take of this lesson. Im practicing this because of the feedback you gave me on the dynamics control lesson. After i finished this lesson i will start with the intensive technique course with Gabriel to keep d3eveloping my picking techniques. Thanks in advanced. greetz Tim

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[Gabriel Leopardi]

Hi Tim,

Great to see you working on your picking. This video will be a good reference to compare how your picking technique evolves.

At this point, I can say that you are not able to play at this tempo clean and tight. There are many hand sync issues along the lesson in the alternate picking lesson, as well as some timing issues in the faster licks.

The sweeps at the beginning also show timing issues which is something normal for this technique, mostly at slow tempos (or long note values). This part is build with triplets which is also another thing that usually brings timing issues at first so pay special attention to the rhythm there.

This lesson is very rich in order to master your technique so I recommend you to divide your practice into parts since each of the parts can be seen as a cool technique exercise. Practice over metronome, drum loop or the backing track starting at slower tempos always focusing on playing things tight and clean. Then connect everything. Take your time, and enjoy it.

Keep rocking.

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[Ben Higgins]

Hi Tim, well done for deciding to concentrate on improving your picking and hand sync.

The biggest issue you have at the moment is the lack of finger independence and finger strength on your fretting hand. In order to improve this you need to firstly make sure you are playing everything correct and not hitting wrong notes.

In this take, you're still hitting wrong notes on the patterns so this is just a case of memorisation.

One way of developing more dexterity and hand sync is to do short bursts of 2 to 3 reps of a shape and pause between them. Make the reps as clean and perfect as you can. You can slightly push the speed this way because the short reps and the pauses mean you don't get run out of stamina. This is a good way of training your hands and brain to be able to "think at faster speeds". It's like drawing a map. Although your body doesn't have the stamina and strength to carry you all the way on the journey yet, you at least know the journey and are learning it step by step.

I personally would have chosen the first 2 lessons in the Di Meola series as the tempo gives you more room to get it right. The 3rd part has a couple of faster bursts that are a bit beyond your ability at the moment. But Gab will mentor you in this aspect anyway

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[Darius Wave]

Great decision of yours Tim!

You are a talented player with feel for some funky, groovey stuff but your picking hand was limiting you at some point. Even if speed picking seems to be more familair with shredding, I belive that some workouts will make you a lot of good. That's a good step!

Now about the take. Yes - there are some sync problems at the moment but I also see your right hand being slightly more stable, solid...not soo "loose" as in some previous takes for other lessons. Now you need to focus on hand sync at faster runs. Try to establish which notes are important accent and which are the fills. Buy playing accents stronger and fills softer, you can manage your tension and relax moments, so hand want fail with sync or timing due to "overheat".

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[Fran]

Almost there, 5

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