Holding A Pick - Do You Use More Ways To Hold The Pick?, For a milion times.. but now slightly different |
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Mar 30 2009, 01:41 PM
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(Long text full of bad mood ahead, be advised)
Well so I fell into - up to date - biggest playing depression. Since Friday 20th March I havent really practiced and I feel I am getting worse and worse.. The things that interest me are too hard for me(jeff loomis, joe satriani, michael romeo etc...), from those I can reach I cannot choose one that I would like(I am not trying to say, these things are bad tho.. its just that I am very picky and mostly I made up all my exercises myself, cos I need everything to be on spot..). I used to consider myself tallented - I really progressed lightning fast. In one year I managed to play more than my bandmates, that play 5 and 7 years. But then suddenly it stopped. Just like I didnt see any progress at all. It will be 2 years soon and I feel like I havent progressed much since. The good news is, that I finally know, where the problem lies. When I started, I held the pick with 3 fingers, using pinky as pivot - it was quite comfortable, I got good control, but one day I hit the roof of this picking style and I had to change to 2 fingers on leads, 3 fingers on PM/tremolo picking riffs and open chords - both of these with using pinky as pivot. Few monts ago, I hit the roof with this style as well - the only way it seemed to lead was holding pick in a fist (David Wallimann, Pavel Denisjuk etc style...). I spent some time trying it, finding that i Like it but now the problem came. It (the tight fist without pivot) is great for AP/EP and it sucks for sweeps and chords. 2 fingers with pinky pivot are great for sweeps and suck for AP/EP and chords, 3 fingers are great for open chords, difficult riffs and such. What the hell should I do now?  Did anyone hit this wall as well? I am feeling really lost in this and I... really dont want to give up guitar... Anyone can help pls?
This post has been edited by Jakub Luptovec: Mar 30 2009, 01:45 PM -------------------- my youtube account with riffs and ideas: https://www.youtube.com/user/Phoenygzus
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Mar 30 2009, 06:00 PM
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QUOTE (Marcus Lavendell @ Mar 30 2009, 02:50 PM)  Why not use both picking styles? Just change it when you sweep and play chords, and go back to the first one when you AP? EDIT: I think hitting walls like this is normal, and there's no reason to break up with your guitar because of this  I absolutely agree, all of us hit such a wall from time to time, you should take it as a challenge and not give up. -------------------- Guitars: various Gibson Les Pauls / Gibson J 45
Amps: Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier / Triaxis / 2:90 Poweramp / Rectocabs Effects: Rocktron Intellifex / Rocktron Xpression Homepage: www.marcussiepen.com www.blind-guardian.com Check out my video lessons! |
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Mar 30 2009, 06:25 PM
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Well... It looks i found out where the problem is. I am not used on playing with fist and this causes, that I tend to miss strings and have generally problem to hit them correctly. Because of this, I cant sweep - sweeps are based on touchin/muting strings - or play open chords well. So this is where I need to improve:) I guess some string skipping exercises might help?
-------------------- my youtube account with riffs and ideas: https://www.youtube.com/user/Phoenygzus
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Mar 30 2009, 06:38 PM
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QUOTE (lcsdds @ Mar 30 2009, 02:39 PM) You will never think your chops are good enough....EVER!! This is how I feel all the time But that makes me never stop improving
-------------------- Check out my <a href="https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/instructor/Emir-Hot" target="_blank">Instructor profile</a>
www.emirhot.com www.myspace.com/emirhotguitar www.myspace.com/sevdahmetal |
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Mar 30 2009, 08:06 PM
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QUOTE (Jakub Luptovec @ Mar 30 2009, 06:25 PM) Well... It looks i found out where the problem is. I am not used on playing with fist and this causes, that I tend to miss strings and have generally problem to hit them correctly. Because of this, I cant sweep - sweeps are based on touchin/muting strings - or play open chords well. So this is where I need to improve:) I guess some string skipping exercises might help? Sure man, anything can help, and various picking techniques should be used depending what you play. The more you practice, those techniques will blend in with each other and you will have no problem. Just take it easy and one step at a time. -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
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Mar 31 2009, 06:32 PM
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I just hold the pick on my index finger turned in and upwards and stamp down my thumb on top, not too tight. The middle finger is then free for tapping if needed or I can still finger pick with the others.
Anyways, it shouldn't matter how you hold it, the only thing I was told that is important is you don't veritically angle the pick up or down as it makes alternative picking easier one way but harder the other. Giving the pick a little horizontal slope inwards towards the bridge however can add grip and palm mute. Then it's just a matter of using just the tip of the pick to play so it cuts cleanly and quickly though the strings. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm just learning sweeps, but works well on chords and alternative picking. ps. It is harder to sweep slowly, so to learn it is one of the hardest lessons. This post has been edited by Azzaboi: Mar 31 2009, 06:40 PM --------------------  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! |
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Apr 1 2009, 03:24 PM
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Holding the pick is a very individual thing. Almost everyone holds it slightly different but can get just as good results as a completely different holding-style.
I change the way i hold the pick depending on the style, and that's the normal thing to do. You dont have to settle for just one way. The trick is finding holdingstyles that feels most comfortable and efficient to you in the various playingstyles. But also keep in mind, developing this might take a while. It's something you figure out more and more as practice and experience comes. -------------------- Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio
Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12 FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird. ___________________________________________________ My Lessons! My Instructor Board! My Myspace! |
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Apr 1 2009, 07:58 PM
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GOOD NEWS:)
Well I found out, that after two days I see STAGGERING progress.. Its like lightning fast:D I just had to change my pick for thinnier one (I was using 2mm big stubbies and changed for 0.5 tortex) and weeeee unleash the sred. I will need few weeks to accomodate to this new style, but I really noticed very big difference in my playing control and how it all sounds. I also hope I will - in time- move up the pickthickness again Most dramatic change I see in my ability to play while standing. I wasnt able to play more than the simplest licks. Now (almost) everything I play while sitting I do better while standing.. Enough chatting:P Time to practice again:) -------------------- my youtube account with riffs and ideas: https://www.youtube.com/user/Phoenygzus
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Apr 1 2009, 08:13 PM
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I forgot to say, that I am slowly moving upwards, my green pick (0.80) is now almost good:) I know, those megathin picks suck:D Its just that I am starting again:)
I went through all that way, when I was beginning - from this (this was my first pick) sloooowly upwards and I got stuck on that 2mm big fat stubby, which most consider as bass guitar pick:D I know this red piece of paper is not my final destination  EDIT: that red pick might be more.. I am just guessing, cos that pick is almost 2 years old, so there are no paintings left on it its just like superthin
This post has been edited by Jakub Luptovec: Apr 1 2009, 08:14 PM -------------------- my youtube account with riffs and ideas: https://www.youtube.com/user/Phoenygzus
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Apr 1 2009, 09:44 PM
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I think it's nice to adapt oneself into the most versatile positions.
Choosing the easy way out, isn't always the best on further sight! |
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