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Posted by: Murloc May 10 2009, 12:22 AM

Hello guys!

Is it really true that Metallica's James Hetfield plays downpicking 100% of the time??


Note: Ops, accidentally spelled Metallica "Metillica" in the title

Posted by: ZakkWylde May 10 2009, 12:35 AM

No he just favors downpicking because it gives a heavier, chunkier sound. For example MASTER OF PUPPETS is a fast song with ONLY downpicking but there are a lot of the older THRASHMETAL songs like whiplash where he uses alternate picking for the rythms...

Posted by: Murloc May 10 2009, 12:37 AM

Really? The story I heard said that he always downpicks because he havn't learned to use alternate picking XD

Posted by: ZakkWylde May 10 2009, 01:01 AM

It's physicly impossible to play 16th notes at a speed of 168 bpm (whiplash) with only downpicking, so yeah he is either alternate picking or he didn't play his won song on the record/live^^

Posted by: Murloc May 10 2009, 01:14 AM

You're right, I just came to think of this song which has an insane gallop (one of my favourite metallica songs btw). So he must use alternate picking. Shame, I used to think that it was so cool that he could downpick everything

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m99ybtk4QNs

Posted by: Canis May 10 2009, 01:17 AM

Well, he is known to have one of the fastest downpicking hands out there, so you're not that far off

Posted by: Azzaboi May 10 2009, 10:10 AM

Metallica is a favourite of mine I follow and I have the Metallica - The Art of James Hetfield book

Hetfield uses downstokes whenever possible; only at the fastest tempo will he use alternate picking. With / Without palm muting.

If nothing else, the one thing you must have to play Metallica's music is right-hand velocity. Tempos frequently exceed 180 beats per minute and use sixteenth-note figures. Don't expect to be able to play at extreme tempos right away, work diligently, every day and increase gradually and comfortably.

Use subtle and short movements of the pick, and keep your arm relaxed and in a comfortable position. Any tension in your hand or arm will ultimately hold you back from playing accurately at fast tempos.

They also use the gallop technique in picking, so that requires up picking.
Picking: down... down up down... down up down... down up down... down up

Posted by: Alexiaden93 May 12 2009, 09:05 PM

Some interesting and helpful comments here... Personally I prefer alternate picking, although I can't say I'm a skilled guitarist... Yet !

Posted by: The Uncreator May 12 2009, 09:50 PM

Him and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein have insane downpicking skills.

Doyle is from the misfits by the way, A horror punk band.