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Posted by: uncguy4321 Jul 12 2013, 03:46 AM

Gabriel,

Love this lesson. I am a beginner in guitar..about 7 months in...and I have mainly done rhythm playing. So, even though your lesson is rhythm in nature, it really makes you focus on which strings you hit. I have been doing mainly focusing on my fret hand, letting my pick hand just happily swing away at all strings.

So, Ive been kind of slowly progressing on the opening bit. So I know you angle your pick on this song, but when I try this (never having done it before...i have been strictly "normal" parallel angle with strings) i have a bit of a hard time. Is angling the pick necessary, do you think for this style?

For instance, when I angle it like you, its like the pick doesnt really pluck the strings enough to generate enough sound. Hope that makes sense.

But then, with a normal flat angle, the pick really grips the strings really fat and I can see how that would make someone slower.

Any ideas on this?

Thanks

John

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2013, 05:52 AM

Hi mate! I'm glad to know that you are enjoying this lesson! Let me say that it's not an easy lesson for beginners so you will have to work hard to master it. Angling the pick helps to get a more defined sound, if you experiment changing the angle from flat to 90° you will notice that the tone changes a lot but the guitar tone converts to a noise when you reach an angle of 90°. If you are not getting a defined sound, I think that you must be angling too much. Experiment changing the angle until you get a sound that you like. Angling a bit your pick also helps to cross strings smoothly so I really recommend to do it at least a bit.

Do you have the possibility of recording a video to let me see and hear the problem?

Posted by: uncguy4321 Jul 12 2013, 08:30 AM

I need to get a cam! I will shortly, ive been wanting to get some videos going as this will help my learning a lot.

As for now, I have been experimenting with angles....i think i was going TOO far to 90. Is a bit better now.

Gabriel, do you find that when you angle your pick, it tends to kind of slide out of place between your fingers after several strokes?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2013, 12:08 AM

This is something that can happen. There are two solutions for this. The first one is to hold it with more strength, and keep on experimenting until this stops happening. The second one is getting this type of pics:

Posted by: uncguy4321 Jul 13 2013, 04:47 AM

Gab,

Here is a crude ipod video. Its just the opening riff...kinda. I need any and all input. From holding the pick, to the fret hand, whatever else. When I get a new cam ill be able to upload better vids!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2013, 05:53 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the video. Basing on what I can see and hear, everything seems to be good. I can see very well how you are holding your pick, but have in mind that if you hold it using the tip your your index and thumb, or closer the the tips, you will be able to hold it stronger. Also adding grip to your pick would definitely help!

Check this video:

http://youtu.be/J4J9u5QY7Rs

Posted by: uncguy4321 Jul 13 2013, 09:51 PM

Thanks for the advice!

What do you think about the fact that my habit is to not have my thumb over the top of the neck, like you do? Is this bad or just a different style?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2013, 10:27 PM

I think that this could be the reason why you are having this issue. It can be a different style but only if you can solve this problem. There are many guitarists that has different ways to hold a pick, just check how Steve Morse and Van Halen does it and you will discover that there is not 1 effective way to do it.