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Posted by: Nighthawk Jan 28 2008, 03:21 PM

Hi there GMC members and instructors,
I would like to tell you of my problem. I really love that two string alternate picking technique just as Zakk Wylde does and you can find in Pablo's heavy ballad lesson or in Gabriel's Zakk Wylde style lesson. For example:

E 15 12 15 12 15 12 15 12
B 15 12 15 12


I 've been practising this licks for weeks now with my metronome. I also checked out Chris' 101 lesson about speed/alternate picking (angle of the pick, small movements etc.) I know it is really hard to gain speed because this licks are very difficult so I've been practising with my metronome for 3-4 weeks now and I come up to 65 bpm (6 notes per beat). I am usually very patient regarding my progress. 2 bpm more than yesterday and I am satisfied as long as there is a little progress. My problem now is, that this picking really doesn't fell very comfortable to me and if I increase a little speed I dont now anymore how to hold the pick. For expample does it play a part how much your pick sticks out?, maybe it is better if there is just the tip of the pick poking out so that there is not much resistance when picking ?!?The slight picking angle didn't help me much because then it always sounded a litte muted and the upstrokes sounded different than the downstrokes.
So thanks for any suggestions, experiences, comments, tips etc.
Cya folks !!!

Posted by: SLASH91 Jan 28 2008, 05:15 PM

There's really no right way to hold your pick, just as long as it feels comfortable to you and your hand is relaxed. Although, it is probably best to let just the tip of your pick stick out, otherwise artificial harmonics will be very difficult to do consistently once you start practicing them.

But if you do want an example of how to hold your pick. Check out how Pavel holds his in http://guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking1/index.htm. I hold mine basically this way. And it works great for me.

Posted by: Nighthawk Jan 28 2008, 06:39 PM

QUOTE (SLASH91 @ Jan 28 2008, 05:15 PM)

There's really no right way to hold your pick, just as long as it feels comfortable to you and your hand is relaxed. Although, it is probably best to let just the tip of your pick stick out, otherwise artificial harmonics will be very difficult to do consistently once you start practicing them.

But if you do want an example of how to hold your pick. Check out how Pavel holds his in http://guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking1/index.htm. I hold mine basically this way. And it works great for me.

Posted by: Mark. Jan 28 2008, 07:08 PM

Just hold it the way you feel comfortable and don't get tension in your hand.
If you are a beginner with serious alternate picking you shouldn't only use one way. Experiment with holding it different ways : like a fist ( just as Pavel ), more open ( John petrucci, and me ) or anything else.
After all while you should choice the way you feel most comfartable with, and stick with that
This is they way I did it, and it worked for me

Mark.

Posted by: SLASH91 Jan 28 2008, 07:11 PM

QUOTE (Mark. @ Jan 28 2008, 12:08 PM)

Just hold it the way you feel comfortable and don't get tension in your hand.
If you are a beginner with serious alternate picking you shouldn't only use one way. Experiment with holding it different ways : like a fist ( just as Pavel ), more open ( John petrucci, and me ) or anything else.
After all while you should choice the way you feel most comfartable with, and stick with that
This is they way I did it, and it worked for me

Mark.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jan 28 2008, 11:36 PM

My opinion on this is that it is the lack of tension that allows you to open your hand, so it is a good thing.

I always closed my hand, then one day I REALLY relexed and it opened naturally - improved my playing a lot.

(not to say that you can't play in a relaxed way with a fist - David Walliman does it for example - this just was my experience)

Posted by: Nighthawk Jan 29 2008, 04:47 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jan 28 2008, 11:36 PM)