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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Picking Chords

Posted by: Zynex Jan 12 2009, 11:44 AM

Hi guys,

When I am picking loose notes, while holding a chord, for instance:

e|---------------8-------------------
B|----------10----10------11-------
G|-------8-------------8------------
D|--10-----------------------------
A|----------------------------------
E|----------------------------------

I usally use downstrokes when Im ascending and upstrokes while descending (Especially when I don't skip strings). So in this case I would play:

e|---------------8(down)--------------------------------
B|----------10(down)----10(up)------11(down)-------
G|-------8(down)-------------8(up)-------------------
D|--10(down)-------------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------------------

Is this the best way to do this? Or would it be better to alernate like this:

e|--------------8(up)------------------------------------
B|---------10(down)--10(down)-11(down)-----------
G|------8(up)----------------8(up)---------------------
D|--10(down)-------------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------------------

When I would like to do fast triads for instance, wich of these techniques would be better? I have no idea wich one is...

PS: I am not talking about sweeppicking here, just loose notes while holding chords, and letting them ring out.

Posted by: Jerry Arcidiacono Jan 12 2009, 12:02 PM

I suggest this



e|--------------8(up)------------------------------------
B|---------10(down)--10(up)---------11(down/up)-----------
G|------8(down)-------------8(down)---------------------
D|--10(down)-------------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------------------


As a general rule, you can use the same stroke for a group of notes until you see a change of direction.
So, the last note will be down or up depending on what occours next.

I made a http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/picked-arpeggios-lesson/ about this topic. Hope you can find it useful.

Posted by: Toni Suominen Jan 12 2009, 02:32 PM

You should find what suits best for you, although Jerry's advice is very useful. You can play them with alternate picking or with the "ascending and descending" style. Whatever works best for you smile.gif

Posted by: Zynex Jan 12 2009, 02:32 PM

QUOTE (Jerry Arcidiacono @ Jan 12 2009, 12:02 PM) *
I suggest this



e|--------------8(up)------------------------------------
B|---------10(down)--10(up)---------11(down/up)-----------
G|------8(down)-------------8(down)---------------------
D|--10(down)-------------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------------------


As a general rule, you can use the same stroke for a group of notes until you see a change of direction.
So, the last note will be down or up depending on what occours next.

I made a http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/picked-arpeggios-lesson/ about this topic. Hope you can find it useful.


Thanks alot smile.gif I will look into this lesson. It sounds very nice!

Is this technique also better for speed? Will this be the best way to play high speed picked areggio's?

Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic Jan 12 2009, 08:32 PM

It all depends what comes next. If the tempo of the song is slow, I suggest all alternat picking.
Generally I agree with Jerry Acordiano, perfect!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jan 12 2009, 09:50 PM

You can use whatever feels comfortable mate. I would use all alternate there.

Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Jan 12 2009, 10:19 PM

I would use the Saraceno technique: "I use whatever technique I feel in that moment" or something like that he said.
That means that if you are playing a passage that's no so complex there's no need to worry about the picking hand unless you want to get a specific sound (is not the same sound picking the string up or picking it down).
In fact if you see the videos of the Exotic Scale series (rhythm guitar) you'll see that many times I don't care too much about the picking hand (unless I want a specifc sound).

Posted by: Jerry Arcidiacono Jan 12 2009, 11:44 PM

QUOTE (Zynex @ Jan 12 2009, 02:32 PM) *
Is this technique also better for speed? Will this be the best way to play high speed picked areggio's?


Yes, at least for me and most people it works good.

Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic Jan 13 2009, 06:26 PM

By the way, I forgot to mention the guitar player who plays strumming pattern the best(with pick). It is Al di Meola, and you MUST check out his videos("orient blue" for example). Find it on youtube and watch his right hand close. If you want to play this patterns really fast, right hand position as well as upstroke/downstroke choice is crucial.

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Jan 14 2009, 12:18 PM

Donny your example is very good smile.gif

If you are struggling with alternate picking, it would be good to practice all things you play alternate as well.
It all comes down to sound and feel that you want to get trough really. Alternate to me sounds like a helicopter at higher tempos with distortion, while economy or sweep sounds smoother smile.gif

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