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Posted by: RIP Dime Nov 1 2006, 05:57 AM

I mess up alot when doing fast descending picking exercises. Like this:

e--------------------------------------------------------------------------
B--------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-----7--5--4-------------------------------------------------------------
D---------------7--5--4---------------------------------------------------
A-------------------------7--5--4-----------------------------------------
E-----------------------------------7--5--4-------------------------------

My picking hand stutters when I change strings I have no problem doing ascending licks, but descending licks are difficult for me. I use constant alternate picking. I've tried starting the descending pattern with an up-stroke instead of a down-stroke, and that helped a little. Any other advice?

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Nov 1 2006, 08:34 AM

Yes - I still struggle with that...

What works for me is practicing only this part

e--------------------------------------------------------------------------
B--------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-----7--5--4-------------------------------------------------------------
D---------------7--5--4---------------------------------------------------
A---------------------------------------------------------------------------
E---------------------------------------------------------------------------

over and over - when I have done that for a while I am ready to tackle this:

e--------------------------------------------------------------------------
B--------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-----7--5--4-------------------------------------------------------------
D---------------7--5--4---------------------------------------------------
A-------------------------7--5--4-----------------------------------------
E-----------------------------------7--5--4-------------------------------

--Kris

Posted by: RIP Dime Nov 1 2006, 09:45 AM

Well, I'm glad it's not only me
Thanks, I'll just put it to a metronome, and see if I can get it down.

Posted by: Shred Cat Nov 1 2006, 11:56 PM

Don't forget to start the exercise with a down stroke, then repeat it with an upstroke. So you can get really proficient with picking.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Nov 2 2006, 08:10 AM

QUOTE (Shred Cat @ Nov 2 2006, 01:56 AM)

Posted by: Cheep Nov 2 2006, 09:04 AM

I think he said that you should learn the riff doing at first a downstroke, when you're starting it. And then, when you feel comfortable, learn again the riff, but starting it with an upstroke so you'll know how to play it starting with a down or an upstroke, and that's pretty cool.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Nov 2 2006, 10:36 AM

QUOTE (Cheep @ Nov 2 2006, 11:04 AM)

Posted by: RIP Dime Nov 2 2006, 11:04 AM

Makes sense, if you practice starting with upstrokes and downstrokes you can go to a descending lick after playing pretty much anything.

Posted by: Nick Nov 5 2006, 02:59 PM

Kris or RIP or anyone with more speed than I have, (that means everyone)

I can get pretty fast moving up the strings, but descending scales have me at a loss.

I think I just identified my problem writing this post.

When you ascend the pentatonic using hammer-ons your index plays and the next note is the hammer so your index is free to move. It's almost like drumming your fingers on the table top.

When you descend with pull offs, your index is the last one on the string, so it's like reversing drumming your fingers. If you just try to do that on the table it's enough to make you want to gnaw your own arm off.

So any helpful hints on getting the reverse/descending movement under control?

Does anyone barre the bottom of the box where appropriate and use the pinky and ring for the pull offs?

P.S. I just noticed this, but if you put both hands on the table and drum your fingers naturally, the right hand goes inward from pinky to index, right to left. The left hand has the same finger order pinky to index, but the opposite direction left to right. I wonder why that is? That might be a good "I don't have a guitar with me" exercise, drumming your left hand fingers right to left.