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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Fast Picking Issues

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 19 2013, 07:13 PM

Hi, mates. i've got got some issues in my picking technique and I would be pleased if you could check out my videoclip of fast picking. I have some problems and i am hoping you can give me some advice and hints smile.gif

First of all, i loose the clean sound at the lower strings (A and E) and i feel that i have to "speed up" in the beginning. I cant just go fast, i have to speed it up otherwise I might stuck as u can see in the clip sometimes. Is there some big faults in my technique?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1P3Dr-HK4&feature=youtu.be

Best regards

Posted by: gregc1 Nov 19 2013, 08:06 PM

All I can tell you is you can go WAYYYY faster than me.

It looks like your left and right hands are just starting to work together to break the speed barrier and maybe you just need to keep doing what you're doing and practice really controlling it?

Posted by: HungryForHeaven Nov 19 2013, 08:13 PM

Looks pretty fluent to me, especially when you let your right hand "move along". If you feel that you get stuck when you reach the A and E strings, maybe it's because you anchor your hand somewhat so that the pick makes a different angle when you reach those strings.

Speaking of picking angle, that's something you could experiment with in general. As usual, there is no right or wrong here, different famous fast pickers have different approaches to that issue, so it's all about finding out what works best for you.

H

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 19 2013, 08:28 PM

QUOTE (gregc1 @ Nov 19 2013, 08:06 PM) *
All I can tell you is you can go WAYYYY faster than me.

It looks like your left and right hands are just starting to work together to break the speed barrier and maybe you just need to keep doing what you're doing and practice really controlling it?


Thanks, yeah practicing is the only way, and mayby the only solution. No quick fix:)

QUOTE (HungryForHeaven @ Nov 19 2013, 08:13 PM) *
Looks pretty fluent to me, especially when you let your right hand "move along". If you feel that you get stuck when you reach the A and E strings, maybe it's because you anchor your hand somewhat so that the pick makes a different angle when you reach those strings.

Speaking of picking angle, that's something you could experiment with in general. As usual, there is no right or wrong here, different famous fast pickers have different approaches to that issue, so it's all about finding out what works best for you.

H


Yes, as you said, i think i loose my angel of my right hand when im picking the last two strings. If you have any hints of good right hand technique, please tell me smile.gif I think i feel uncomfortable when im picking the last two strings. And i notice that i must move my left thumb when im entering the last two strings. Are you making any movment of your thumb, if you know what i mean?

Posted by: gregc1 Nov 19 2013, 08:37 PM

QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 19 2013, 07:28 PM) *
Thanks, yeah practicing is the only way.


Sorry, I know I was kind of stating the obvious. I guess what I was getting at is that I don't see any flaws in your technique so it seems like you're already there, just need to really get control of it. Like Hungry said, could be just a slight change in picking angle or hand angle would help you on the lower strings.

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 19 2013, 09:35 PM

QUOTE (gregc1 @ Nov 19 2013, 08:37 PM) *
Sorry, I know I was kind of stating the obvious. I guess what I was getting at is that I don't see any flaws in your technique so it seems like you're already there, just need to really get control of it. Like Hungry said, could be just a slight change in picking angle or hand angle would help you on the lower strings.


Yeah i have to se over the right hand on the lower strings smile.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 20 2013, 10:16 AM

Your picking technique looks and sounds good to me. The only thing I hear that sounds 'wrong' is that your co ordination between the hands isn't as strong or clear as it could be. Believe it or not, that can also affect your speed.

The thickness of the lower strings might be an issue, especially if you have a light grip on your pick ?

Or, the angle which you hold your pick might affect it. You seem to have the pick pointing upwards, with your thumb bending up. This might put the pick at the optimum angle when playing on the higher strings but when you go the low strings, things might be changing because of the position of your hand ?

This is a video I made about how hand angle affects picking. I think you already seem to have a good angle that works for you, so in no way do I suggest that you should change it. But this video may help give you ideas and how to decide what's affecting your picking progress. If it's not the angle of the hand, then it's probably the angle of the pick. Or a combination of both. As always the answer lies in experimenting with slight adjustments and 'feeling' the affects of them.


Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 20 2013, 10:21 AM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 20 2013, 10:16 AM) *
Your picking technique looks and sounds good to me. The only thing I hear that sounds 'wrong' is that your co ordination between the hands isn't as strong or clear as it could be. Believe it or not, that can also affect your speed.

The thickness of the lower strings might be an issue, especially if you have a light grip on your pick ?

Or, the angle which you hold your pick might affect it. You seem to have the pick pointing upwards, with your thumb bending up. This might put the pick at the optimum angle when playing on the higher strings but when you go the low strings, things might be changing because of the position of your hand ?

This is a video I made about how hand angle affects picking. I think you already seem to have a good angle that works for you, so in no way do I suggest that you should change it. But this video may help give you ideas and how to decide what's affecting your picking progress. If it's not the angle of the hand, then it's probably the angle of the pick. Or a combination of both. As always the answer lies in experimenting with slight adjustments and 'feeling' the affects of them.



Thank you for answering, is the co ordination not clear or not strong over the all strings or just over the lowest??
I mean, can u hear any issues over all strings or just the lowest ones.
I will check out your video and see if i can find adjust the pick or hand angel.

¨

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 20 2013, 10:22 AM

Todd here!! smile.gif You've come to the right place!!! GMC can help you BREAK THE SPEED BARRIER smile.gif

First up, here is a quick vid where I do a short demo to show a picking grip/angle that you might try. It works for me smile.gif Also, I"m only using 2 strings in this demo. It will let you focus on the picking instead of the String Traverse. Once you get the right hand motion worked out, moving through the strings is a bit less difficult.




QUICK TIPS:
*Your perhaps a pinch, stiff? Loosen your hand just a bit.
*You can articulate using your first finger and thumb. smile.gif
Here is a vid where I demo picking briskly using mostly the finger and thumb to articulate the pick. Very little if any wrist motion, and zero arm wag. Notice the thumb guiding the first finger.




*I fear you maybe "Picking from the Elbow". I can't see your arm, but try to pick from the wrist down, not the elbow up.
*Focus on getting comfy, from the wrist down, on one string. Then add one more as in the vid. The minor scale in any key will work fine as a pattern on the high E and B. smile.gif





QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 19 2013, 01:13 PM) *
Hi, mates. i've got got some issues in my picking technique and I would be pleased if you could check out my videoclip of fast picking. I have some problems and i am hoping you can give me some advice and hints smile.gif

First of all, i loose the clean sound at the lower strings (A and E) and i feel that i have to "speed up" in the beginning. I cant just go fast, i have to speed it up otherwise I might stuck as u can see in the clip sometimes. Is there some big faults in my technique?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1P3Dr-HK4&feature=youtu.be

Best regards

Posted by: HungryForHeaven Nov 20 2013, 10:22 AM

QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 19 2013, 08:28 PM) *
If you have any hints of good right hand technique

I wish I had! Kind of struggling with this myself though. huh.gif

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 20 2013, 10:45 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Nov 20 2013, 10:22 AM) *
Todd here!! smile.gif You've come to the right place!!! GMC can help you BREAK THE SPEED BARRIER smile.gif

First up, here is a quick vid where I do a short demo to show a picking grip/angle that you might try. It works for me smile.gif Also, I"m only using 2 strings in this demo. It will let you focus on the picking instead of the String Traverse. Once you get the right hand motion worked out, moving through the strings is a bit less difficult.




QUICK TIPS:
*Your perhaps a pinch, stiff? Loosen your hand just a bit.
*You can articulate using your first finger and thumb. smile.gif
Here is a vid where I demo picking briskly using mostly the finger and thumb to articulate the pick. Very little if any wrist motion, and zero arm wag. Notice the thumb guiding the first finger.




*I fear you maybe "Picking from the Elbow". I can't see your arm, but try to pick from the wrist down, not the elbow up.
*Focus on getting comfy, from the wrist down, on one string. Then add one more as in the vid. The minor scale in any key will work fine as a pattern on the high E and B. smile.gif

Thank you fo rhelping, i will check these video right away smile.gif
Damn, last video, clean and fast impresive smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 20 2013, 11:41 AM

Hey mate - everyone here is coming up with great advices and Todd's and Ben's videos are most likely great graphic representations of elements which are necessary for you to take into consideration. Aside this, practicing focused is a crucial element as well as consistency - It is better to spend a dedicated hour a day, on your favorite technique, rather then trying to cram up 5 hours in one day in a week wink.gif


Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 20 2013, 12:24 PM

Well said!!! If you plan on practicing 7 hours a week, don't try to do it in one chunk. You'll do much better IMHO if you practice a bit every day in a focused manner on the bits you are trying to master. This is just a general guideline of course, and nobody is suggesting you are only practicing one day a week! Just a good piece of advice. smile.gif


QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 20 2013, 05:41 AM) *
Hey mate - everyone here is coming up with great advices and Todd's and Ben's videos are most likely great graphic representations of elements which are necessary for you to take into consideration. Aside this, practicing focused is a crucial element as well as consistency - It is better to spend a dedicated hour a day, on your favorite technique, rather then trying to cram up 5 hours in one day in a week wink.gif



Thanks! smile.gif Here is one more that shows a different angle with the camera. Gives a good view of the pick angle. Also, notice how my hand isn't very tense. Tensing up can actually prevent you from achieving your full potential and can burn our your arm to quick during a session and reduce your overall endurance.

It's important to find the minimal amount of effort/motion required to make a given strike, and then the minimum amount to make the counter strike. (down stroke, upstroke, etc.)

As Bruce Lee said, "The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be" ":)



Todd



QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 20 2013, 04:45 AM) *
Thank you fo rhelping, i will check these video right away smile.gif
Damn, last video, clean and fast impresive smile.gif


Posted by: Darius Wave Nov 20 2013, 03:12 PM

I'm afaraid it's more a matter of focusing a bit more strength just to the moment of skipping to another string. Though I never felt comfortable with forearm resting point like the one You have. Don't You feel uncomfortable while playing in standing position? Simialr as Ben I rather use angled wrist coming "from above" the bridge. When You look at Todd's hand You'll see similar solution. Rest is a matter of individual hand built etc.

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 20 2013, 05:12 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Nov 20 2013, 12:24 PM) *
Well said!!! If you plan on practicing 7 hours a week, don't try to do it in one chunk. You'll do much better IMHO if you practice a bit every day in a focused manner on the bits you are trying to master. This is just a general guideline of course, and nobody is suggesting you are only practicing one day a week! Just a good piece of advice. smile.gif





Thanks! smile.gif Here is one more that shows a different angle with the camera. Gives a good view of the pick angle. Also, notice how my hand isn't very tense. Tensing up can actually prevent you from achieving your full potential and can burn our your arm to quick during a session and reduce your overall endurance.

It's important to find the minimal amount of effort/motion required to make a given strike, and then the minimum amount to make the counter strike. (down stroke, upstroke, etc.)

As Bruce Lee said, "The less effort, the faster and more powerful you will be" ":)



Todd


Thank you, ill try to copy your right hand and and we will see i do any progressions.

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 20 2013, 03:12 PM) *
I'm afaraid it's more a matter of focusing a bit more strength just to the moment of skipping to another string. Though I never felt comfortable with forearm resting point like the one You have. Don't You feel uncomfortable while playing in standing position? Simialr as Ben I rather use angled wrist coming "from above" the bridge. When You look at Todd's hand You'll see similar solution. Rest is a matter of individual hand built etc.


Well i never stand up tongue.gif.
if i have understood correctly. You think i have to much flat hand against the guitar?
But if will try to "angel up" my right hand like Ben and Todd, i can see a big difference of holding the pick.

Thanks for all your advice.

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 20 2013, 07:34 PM

I made a new clip, is this a better approach against the strings? I don't know if the angel is to flat? I'm trying to copy Todd and Ben.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00AwDhytZTA&feature=youtu.be

EDIT: As i can see the arm should come more above the bridge, am i right?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 20 2013, 11:09 PM

ANDERS: You are still "PICKING FROM THE ELBOW" as it were. While some players use this technique exclusively, I"d suggest you begin to learn to pick from the WRIST DOWN as I mentioned. One way to help you do this, (as mentioned earlier in reply to DARIUS) is to rest your forearm on the guitar. This way, your hand is encouraged to get it's motion from the wrist/fingers.

This allows for greater control IMHO, reduced fatigue (allowing you to play/practice at speed for longer periods) and improved precision smile.gif

Scroll down and look at the vid below and the reply to DARIUS. Notice the right arm is resting on the guitar and picking is coming from the wrist/fingers.

MORE QUICK TIPS!

*Try to put your guitar between your legs if at all possible. This is called "Classical Position" and allows a better right hand placement IMHO smile.gif At least while you are learning this bit.

*Place your right hand on the bridge to MUTE the strings. Try to keep it planted there or just above the bridge when not muting. This centers the hand and allows easier access to all strings IMHO. Try to tilt your hand to get to the strings if possible instead of moving it.


Todd


QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 20 2013, 01:34 PM) *
I made a new clip, is this a better approach against the strings? I don't know if the angel is to flat? I'm trying to copy Todd and Ben.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00AwDhytZTA&feature=youtu.be

EDIT: As i can see the arm should come more above the bridge, am i right?


TRY THE FOREARM RESTING ON THE GUITAR INSTEAD OF FLOATING FREE. Though it did take a while to get used to it smile.gif The arms natural instinct is often to tense/tighten during fast passages. This results in the "picking from the elbow" syndrome and can wear out your arm/hand pretty quickly reducing overall endurance. You'll notice some player an only play in bursts partially due to the elbow syndrome. I developed the "Forearm Rest" technique as a way to ISOLATE the picking motion to the wrist down. So it starts with finger articulation of the pick, then wrist motion.

As a result I can play at any speed in my range for extended periods of time without arm/wrist/hand fatigue. smile.gif This comes in really hand every Saturday/Sunday during the 2 Hour clinic each day. It does take time to work out the technique but the results are well worth it IMHO smile.gif

I teach this technique (simply by encouraging "center placement" of the hand on the bridge for muting) during the video chats and it's a struggle at first for students to adapt, but once the muscle memory is in place, I've seen students make HUGE gains in precision/speed/endurance. smile.gif

Here is a "STAND UP" version of the technique in a solo.



Todd


QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 20 2013, 09:12 AM) *
I'm afaraid it's more a matter of focusing a bit more strength just to the moment of skipping to another string. Though I never felt comfortable with forearm resting point like the one You have. Don't You feel uncomfortable while playing in standing position? Simialr as Ben I rather use angled wrist coming "from above" the bridge. When You look at Todd's hand You'll see similar solution. Rest is a matter of individual hand built etc.

Posted by: Darius Wave Nov 20 2013, 11:13 PM

Yes - I meant exactly what You understood smile.gif Not saying it's something bad bad I now only a few guitar players Who use it that way. Most Of them have their guitar almost under the neck while playing with strap on smile.gif As opposite We have many players (even most in this topic) that keeps their hand resting point above the bridge smile.gif


Let me add my few cents so as guys did smile.gif


Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 20 2013, 11:28 PM

I see that DARIUS is using the "Forearm Rest" technique in this video when he starts speeding up (great example about 1:00 minute in), it's a good example of it and shows the form quite well with the camera angle Also, notice his picking motion is happening from the WRIST DOWN. He is NOT picking from the elbow or using his forearm.

This is yet another GREAT example of really good form/technique yielding great results. Take note of the hand positions in these videos and see if you can try something similar, ok?


Hopefully these vids and feedback are helping? Time to make a new vid for us!!

Todd

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 20 2013, 05:13 PM) *
Yes - I meant exactly what You understood smile.gif Not saying it's something bad bad I now only a few guitar players Who use it that way. Most Of them have their guitar almost under the neck while playing with strap on smile.gif As opposite We have many players (even most in this topic) that keeps their hand resting point above the bridge smile.gif


Let me add my few cents so as guys did smile.gif


Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 20 2013, 11:55 PM

Hehe, it looks like i have to go back to basic:) i really appreciate your effort of helping me. I will study the videos and reply with a new clip if i can handle the basic technique and I'm sure i have some more questions. Todd i must say, you have very good advises and i will try to have them in my head when practicing.

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 20 2013, 11:13 PM) *
Yes - I meant exactly what You understood smile.gif Not saying it's something bad bad I now only a few guitar players Who use it that way. Most Of them have their guitar almost under the neck while playing with strap on smile.gif As opposite We have many players (even most in this topic) that keeps their hand resting point above the bridge smile.gif


Let me add my few cents so as guys did smile.gif



Fast smile.gif impresive. If i understand this, you are only "hitting" the string and on the upstroke you are using fingers to drag the pick back or are you just using your finger on the downstroke as well if you understand what i mean?

I can see in the demonstration in 1.35 that you are "only" using fingers, but when u speed up i cant exactly see how you are doing, but i guess its "only" fingers, or does it more become as a shaking movement?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 21 2013, 08:18 AM

Hey mate!

In addition to Todd and Darius' advice, I would add the following idea: Imagine that your wrist is resting on the bridge as we have discussed and the wrist is pivoting around an axis which is perpendicular on the guitar body. Just like someone would stick a pencil in your hand and pin it down on the body of the guitar - you wouldn't be able to pick from your elbow but only from your wrist. I will make a short movie for ya to illustrate the idea better.

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 21 2013, 09:45 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 21 2013, 08:18 AM) *
Hey mate!

In addition to Todd and Darius' advice, I would add the following idea: Imagine that your wrist is resting on the bridge as we have discussed and the wrist is pivoting around an axis which is perpendicular on the guitar body. Just like someone would stick a pencil in your hand and pin it down on the body of the guitar - you wouldn't be able to pick from your elbow but only from your wrist. I will make a short movie for ya to illustrate the idea better.


Hi again, well i think ill understand but i cant see how i am going to make it a fast movement, mayby it will come in time. Yeah if you have time ill appreciate an illustration:)

Posted by: Darius Wave Nov 21 2013, 11:03 AM

QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 20 2013, 11:55 PM) *
Hehe, it looks like i have to go back to basic:) i really appreciate your effort of helping me. I will study the videos and reply with a new clip if i can handle the basic technique and I'm sure i have some more questions. Todd i must say, you have very good advises and i will try to have them in my head when practicing.



Fast smile.gif impresive. If i understand this, you are only "hitting" the string and on the upstroke you are using fingers to drag the pick back or are you just using your finger on the downstroke as well if you understand what i mean?

I can see in the demonstration in 1.35 that you are "only" using fingers, but when u speed up i cant exactly see how you are doing, but i guess its "only" fingers, or does it more become as a shaking movement?



There's no rule for this. Most of the time I add my fingers movement only while playing fast. But it depends of type of lick and strings skipping variation. It's like having two weapons and using one of them or both for the particular target. I do use regular upstroke as well as only fingers movement for getting the pick back to starting position. I usually don't use circle picking in middle tempo.


Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 21 2013, 11:30 AM

Well, is this better?

I dont know if this is a circulating movement, but i am focusing on a steady forearm and only wristmotion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaG0568yd0Q&feature=youtu.be

Damn it sounds awful:)

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 21 2013, 11:03 AM) *
There's no rule for this. Most of the time I add my fingers movement only while playing fast. But it depends of type of lick and strings skipping variation. It's like having two weapons and using one of them or both for the particular target. I do use regular upstroke as well as only fingers movement for getting the pick back to starting position. I usually don't use circle picking in middle tempo.


As i can see in 1:15 you are using fingermovement and "shaking movement" for a lightning speed?

Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 21 2013, 11:56 AM

Hi Anders. If you can already gain speed without using finger/thumb movement then I would not change everything just to try and learn it using finger / thumb movement. I do think that people who are able to circle pick with finger and thumb (like Darius) are in the minority. I don't know how they do it, their motor movements are exceptional biggrin.gif But it is rarer than people picking with an unmoving finger/thumb position.

The speed has to come from somewhere.. and it is initiated from the wrist. However, I think people worry too much when they see a little forearm movement. Just because the forearm is moving does not mean that the movement originates there. Moving the wrist rapidly can cause the arm to move anyway. Don't forget that the wrist is not separate from the arm.... look at the muscles.



Todd is right to be concerned at the idea of picking with tense elbows. However, by looking at your picking and years of studying others and myself, I do think that your wrist is the prime mover but the forearm is just moving a bit along with it. That's pretty much how I pick.

When you look at most people picking, they can move only the wrist at low speeds but as soon as it speeds up, your muscles have to work harder to stabilise your hand whilst your wrist moves at a quicker rate. Andy James has some thoughts which kind of back up where I'm coming from where he talks about tension / muscle use.



If you are forcing it all from the elbow, and if it feels like that's where the main power is coming from, then you might want to avoid it as it can (and probably will) lead to RSI but I really do think that you're leading mostly with the wrist with just a bit of added arm movement due to the arm working to stabilise the wrist.

I would be hesitant to advise you to try and change your picking to copy any of us guys because you can obviously reach a good speed already. I think you just need minor adjustments to be able to pick each string consistently. If you abandon your natural picking approach you may spend months or years trying to chase your tail with this and then forget how you used to pick anyway.. and it could lead to years of frustration. So I really do think you shouldn't just cast aside your progress and try and copy someone else's hand position. But that's just me. I know what it feels like to be lost in the wilderness and I wouldn't want to see it happen to anybody else. smile.gif

Between us all, we'll help you get there but I think you can work with the technique you've already got.


Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 21 2013, 12:37 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 21 2013, 11:56 AM) *
Hi Anders. If you can already gain speed without using finger/thumb movement then I would not change everything just to try and learn it using finger / thumb movement. I do think that people who are able to circle pick with finger and thumb (like Darius) are in the minority. I don't know how they do it, their motor movements are exceptional biggrin.gif But it is rarer than people picking with an unmoving finger/thumb position.

The speed has to come from somewhere.. and it is initiated from the wrist. However, I think people worry too much when they see a little forearm movement. Just because the forearm is moving does not mean that the movement originates there. Moving the wrist rapidly can cause the arm to move anyway. Don't forget that the wrist is not separate from the arm.... look at the muscles.



Todd is right to be concerned at the idea of picking with tense elbows. However, by looking at your picking and years of studying others and myself, I do think that your wrist is the prime mover but the forearm is just moving a bit along with it. That's pretty much how I pick.

When you look at most people picking, they can move only the wrist at low speeds but as soon as it speeds up, your muscles have to work harder to stabilise your hand whilst your wrist moves at a quicker rate. Andy James has some thoughts which kind of back up where I'm coming from where he talks about tension / muscle use.



If you are forcing it all from the elbow, and if it feels like that's where the main power is coming from, then you might want to avoid it as it can (and probably will) lead to RSI but I really do think that you're leading mostly with the wrist with just a bit of added arm movement due to the arm working to stabilise the wrist.

I would be hesitant to advise you to try and change your picking to copy any of us guys because you can obviously reach a good speed already. I think you just need minor adjustments to be able to pick each string consistently. If you abandon your natural picking approach you may spend months or years trying to chase your tail with this and then forget how you used to pick anyway.. and it could lead to years of frustration. So I really do think you shouldn't just cast aside your progress and try and copy someone else's hand position. But that's just me. I know what it feels like to be lost in the wilderness and I wouldn't want to see it happen to anybody else. smile.gif

Between us all, we'll help you get there but I think you can work with the technique you've already got.


Yeah, i have studied your motion and as you say, i have more similarities with your movements, more "shaking". I think i have to focus on a decent wristmotion and try to add some circulating picking but i think the speed is sufficient, my left hand must also coordinated the right hand speed . I will check out the video, thanks for helping smile.gif

Posted by: Darius Wave Nov 21 2013, 01:01 PM

Tips like those are always worth trying. If You You really want to try exactly what we (Me and Ben) do You should also angle Your wrist. Now Your pick is perpendicular to the strings while me and Ben have it directed with the tip up to the topso the wrist is angled and hand is resting on the pinky side of the palm.

When I was changing my pick grab (about 15 years ago) I was not able to play half of the stuff I could with old method but...after a 6 months I was able to play much more...I would never know this I I would not give it a shott smile.gif


Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 21 2013, 01:43 PM

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 21 2013, 01:01 PM) *
Tips like those are always worth trying. If You You really want to try exactly what we (Me and Ben) do You should also angle Your wrist. Now Your pick is perpendicular to the strings while me and Ben have it directed with the tip up to the topso the wrist is angled and hand is resting on the pinky side of the palm.

When I was changing my pick grab (about 15 years ago) I was not able to play half of the stuff I could with old method but...after a 6 months I was able to play much more...I would never know this I I would not give it a shott smile.gif


yeah of course. I will give it a shot:)

Posted by: Azzaboi Nov 21 2013, 04:50 PM

Looking pretty good if you ask me...

It's not really a fault as such, rather your hands are just a bit out of sync, this happens to us all the time at speeds. One hand develops more than the other (and the other therefore has a hard time / chokes when trying to keep up). It's a good but bad thing for us guitarists - good new a hand has improved majorly, bad new the other needs to develop now in order to keep up and is freaking out about it. It's best to practice focusing on only one at a time (other doing almost nothing) then sync them slowly (slow down and follow a metronome - practice with bursts of speed / slow / normal / burst / normal / fast / burst / repeat back to slow). Ignore the metronome at bursts - it's just to get the feeling of speed with more control. As soon as you make too many mistakes on the fast picking speeds, stop, shake it out, and chill... relax, forget about focusing strongly on the hands and simply zone out instead - the idea here is to learn it from natural muscle with little resistance and effort.

Speed is NOT all about just going faster, rather reducing movement distances and resistances which in turn can slow it down or cause it to trip.

A few things to check:

Picking hand first -
1) Choke up and only use the tip of a pointed sharp pick.
2) Don't angle the pick up or down, as this causes more movement or resistance when striking the other direction.
3) You can however rotate the pick so the thumb is pointing more down (or up if preferred) so your only use the edge and getting a sharper, less resistances of the attack.
4) Lock up the pick thumb at speeds, only flex this when slowly playing with more emotion as it causes digging of the strings - more resistances.
5) Glide the pick over the string, not lifting or digging too much, some people develop a circle movement, others just graze the tops of the strings. When picking, practice picking only one string without it leaving that string - in other words, alternative over the string with the pick always touching it on each side. No lift or dig = way less resistances + less movement = lightning natural speed.
6) Rotate from the wrist, rather than the arm when picking. Less movement.

Fretboard hand -
1) Practice hammer-ons and pull-offs per each finger. Finger independences (make sure the other fingers don't lift too much with the others or glue together).
2) Try to keep the fingers not used yet floating just above their corresponding fret. Not flicking away too far or hugging other fingers.
3) Keep the thumb more closer to the middle of the neck if possible. Rotate just with the wrist to reach all strings without having to reposition your hand. Less movement.
4) Keep the same speed timing of the picking hand (just forget about it) and sync the fretted notes in time. Slow down / Speed up / Then burst / Slow back down. You want to find your perfect playing point and always return to that, always finish your practice on that as well. Just burst up more faster but return back. The idea is to practice accuracy rather than speed. Let the speed come naturally from corrections over time.

All the best! Most importantly, have fun and relax - don't over stress it. Focus strongly on one hand then the other - correct bad habits / mistakes at slow speeds, but then ignore it all. Zone out and watch TV or something while playing relaxed. Tensing, trying to hard with force and overthinking can actually slow you down too and you want it to be natural and easy instead.

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 21 2013, 05:35 PM

QUOTE (Azzaboi @ Nov 21 2013, 04:50 PM) *
Looking pretty good if you ask me...

It's not really a fault as such, rather your hands are just a bit out of sync, this happens to us all the time at speeds. One hand develops more than the other (and the other therefore has a hard time / chokes when trying to keep up). It's a good but bad thing for us guitarists - good new a hand has improved majorly, bad new the other needs to develop now in order to keep up and is freaking out about it. It's best to practice focusing on only one at a time (other doing almost nothing) then sync them slowly (slow down and follow a metronome - practice with bursts of speed / slow / normal / burst / normal / fast / burst / repeat back to slow). Ignore the metronome at bursts - it's just to get the feeling of speed with more control. As soon as you make too many mistakes on the fast picking speeds, stop, shake it out, and chill... relax, forget about focusing strongly on the hands and simply zone out instead - the idea here is to learn it from natural muscle with little resistance and effort.

Speed is NOT all about just going faster, rather reducing movement distances and resistances which in turn can slow it down or cause it to trip.

A few things to check:

Picking hand first -
1) Choke up and only use the tip of a pointed sharp pick.
2) Don't angle the pick up or down, as this causes more movement or resistance when striking the other direction.
3) You can however rotate the pick so the thumb is pointing more down (or up if preferred) so your only use the edge and getting a sharper, less resistances of the attack.

4) Lock up the pick thumb at speeds, only flex this when slowly playing with more emotion as it causes digging of the strings - more resistances.
5) Glide the pick over the string, not lifting or digging too much, some people develop a circle movement, others just graze the tops of the strings. When picking, practice picking only one string without it leaving that string - in other words, alternative over the string with the pick always touching it on each side. No lift or dig = way less resistances + less movement = lightning natural speed.
6) Rotate from the wrist, rather than the arm when picking. Less movement.

Fretboard hand -
1) Practice hammer-ons and pull-offs per each finger. Finger independences (make sure the other fingers don't lift too much with the others or glue together).
2) Try to keep the fingers not used yet floating just above their corresponding fret. Not flicking away too far or hugging other fingers.
3) Keep the thumb more closer to the middle of the neck if possible. Rotate just with the wrist to reach all strings without having to reposition your hand. Less movement.
4) Keep the same speed timing of the picking hand (just forget about it) and sync the fretted notes in time. Slow down / Speed up / Then burst / Slow back down. You want to find your perfect playing point and always return to that, always finish your practice on that as well. Just burst up more faster but return back. The idea is to practice accuracy rather than speed. Let the speed come naturally from corrections over time.

All the best! Most importantly, have fun and relax - don't over stress it. Focus strongly on one hand then the other - correct bad habits / mistakes at slow speeds, but then ignore it all. Zone out and watch TV or something while playing relaxed. Tensing, trying to hard with force and overthinking can actually slow you down too and you want it to be natural and easy instead.

Great advice, the fat-marked lines is the ones that i really have to work with and the circulating if i can manage that. I think this topic can be a pasted topic for all who have issues with their picking technique. Very great advice, thank you:)

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 21 2013, 11:56 PM

Here ya go mate:



The stuff that we talked about - pivoting around an axis smile.gif

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 22 2013, 12:16 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 21 2013, 11:56 PM) *
Here ya go mate:



The stuff that we talked about - pivoting around an axis smile.gif


Yes, that view said a lot. As u say, my forearm is moving, but im working on to have it tight to the guitar and just the wrist should be moving. Now i understand what u meant "with the pencil" smile.gif I will work on the wrist and i also changed my grip of the pick. I had another grip in the first clip and i will try to work it away. Takes time to work old habits away smile.gif

Thanks for your effort, very kind, i appreciate it.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 22 2013, 09:49 AM

QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Nov 21 2013, 11:16 PM) *
Yes, that view said a lot. As u say, my forearm is moving, but im working on to have it tight to the guitar and just the wrist should be moving. Now i understand what u meant "with the pencil" smile.gif I will work on the wrist and i also changed my grip of the pick. I had another grip in the first clip and i will try to work it away. Takes time to work old habits away smile.gif

Thanks for your effort, very kind, i appreciate it.


Hey mate! Glad to help out smile.gif Always a pleasure and I think that the questions you asked in the chat session last evening helped you a lot as well. Now, it's a matter of discipline and hard work - just get to doing things without thinking of the road ahead wink.gif Enjoy your progress even if it will occur with baby steps - it's just like in life - walk slowly so that you will be aware of your surroundings. In that way, you won't trip and fall smile.gif

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Nov 22 2013, 11:38 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 22 2013, 09:49 AM) *
Hey mate! Glad to help out smile.gif Always a pleasure and I think that the questions you asked in the chat session last evening helped you a lot as well. Now, it's a matter of discipline and hard work - just get to doing things without thinking of the road ahead wink.gif Enjoy your progress even if it will occur with baby steps - it's just like in life - walk slowly so that you will be aware of your surroundings. In that way, you won't trip and fall smile.gif


Yes, i will have that in mind, the lesson gave a lot information. Just for the moment a big issue for me is to learn the "right way" of holding the pick.

i ll stay in touch smile.gif

Posted by: jstcrsn Nov 22 2013, 01:33 PM

also, what helps me clean up a phrase is play the first note (perfectly)- then playing the first 2 notes, then 3 and so on, so it is so ingrained in your brain that u can play as many notes or as little in the riff. This will also help when you start improvising using this riff - you will more easily be able to fit it in where you want to

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 22 2013, 10:20 PM

AZA!!! GREAT POST!!! Great to see this coming from a student wink.gif Really good advice and I couldn't have said it better!!

QUOTE (Azzaboi @ Nov 21 2013, 10:50 AM) *
Looking pretty good if you ask me...

.....
Speed is NOT all about just going faster, rather reducing movement distances and resistances which in turn can slow it down or cause it to trip.

A few things to check:



BINGO!!!! PERFECT!!!!

This is a KILLER demonstration of the technique. As BEN mentioned, try to hold on to the technique you've got and use it where it works. But try to use the technique that we are talking about and that this video shows as a new addition to your bag of tricks. smile.gif

Todd



QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 21 2013, 05:56 PM) *
Here ya go mate:



The stuff that we talked about - pivoting around an axis smile.gif

Posted by: fkalich Nov 23 2013, 01:04 AM

Thanks Ben. You really helped me figure out how to go from here, to minimize my chances of developing physical issues associated with fast playing. It really made sense to me.

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Nov 21 2013, 05:56 AM) *
Hi Anders. If you can already gain speed without using finger/thumb movement then I would not change everything just to try and learn it using finger / thumb movement. I do think that people who are able to circle pick with finger and thumb (like Darius) are in the minority. I don't know how they do it, their motor movements are exceptional biggrin.gif But it is rarer than people picking with an unmoving finger/thumb position.

The speed has to come from somewhere.. and it is initiated from the wrist. However, I think people worry too much when they see a little forearm movement. Just because the forearm is moving does not mean that the movement originates there. Moving the wrist rapidly can cause the arm to move anyway. Don't forget that the wrist is not separate from the arm.... look at the muscles.



Todd is right to be concerned at the idea of picking with tense elbows. However, by looking at your picking and years of studying others and myself, I do think that your wrist is the prime mover but the forearm is just moving a bit along with it. That's pretty much how I pick.

When you look at most people picking, they can move only the wrist at low speeds but as soon as it speeds up, your muscles have to work harder to stabilise your hand whilst your wrist moves at a quicker rate. Andy James has some thoughts which kind of back up where I'm coming from where he talks about tension / muscle use.



If you are forcing it all from the elbow, and if it feels like that's where the main power is coming from, then you might want to avoid it as it can (and probably will) lead to RSI but I really do think that you're leading mostly with the wrist with just a bit of added arm movement due to the arm working to stabilise the wrist.

I would be hesitant to advise you to try and change your picking to copy any of us guys because you can obviously reach a good speed already. I think you just need minor adjustments to be able to pick each string consistently. If you abandon your natural picking approach you may spend months or years trying to chase your tail with this and then forget how you used to pick anyway.. and it could lead to years of frustration. So I really do think you shouldn't just cast aside your progress and try and copy someone else's hand position. But that's just me. I know what it feels like to be lost in the wilderness and I wouldn't want to see it happen to anybody else. smile.gif

Between us all, we'll help you get there but I think you can work with the technique you've already got.


Posted by: Ben Higgins Nov 23 2013, 09:57 AM

QUOTE (fkalich @ Nov 23 2013, 12:04 AM) *
Thanks Ben. You really helped me figure out how to go from here, to minimize my chances of developing physical issues associated with fast playing. It really made sense to me.


That's great to hear - really pleased !

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 23 2013, 07:54 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Nov 22 2013, 09:20 PM) *
AZA!!! GREAT POST!!! Great to see this coming from a student wink.gif Really good advice and I couldn't have said it better!!
BINGO!!!! PERFECT!!!!

This is a KILLER demonstration of the technique. As BEN mentioned, try to hold on to the technique you've got and use it where it works. But try to use the technique that we are talking about and that this video shows as a new addition to your bag of tricks. smile.gif

Todd


Thank you Todd! I guessed it would be useful to show a perspective that we all get to see when looking from above. I used to have a mirror in my old room when I was living in my mom and dad's apartment. But I got so attached to it that I was desperately searching for reflecting surfaces onstage, in hope that I could see my hands and know that i was doing alright smile.gif

Posted by: Darius Wave Nov 24 2013, 01:23 PM

Ha ha smile.gif Yeah...I used a mirror to when trying to learn from some killer players smile.gif Very good way of Your hand work observation smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 24 2013, 04:19 PM

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Nov 24 2013, 12:23 PM) *
Ha ha smile.gif Yeah...I used a mirror to when trying to learn from some killer players smile.gif Very good way of Your hand work observation smile.gif


As long as you don't fall into the trap that I fell into back then biggrin.gif

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Dec 11 2013, 07:55 PM

Hi again. I made a new clip, alternative picking. I hope there is some progress. I have made some changes concerning the picking grip. From now on the thumb is pointing down, not up and that was a struggle for me. I tried to use "thumb-movement" but i cant manage it yet. I think my movement is coming more from the wrist and less from the elbow. I had the circulating pivot in mind:)

Do you have any hints or suggestions for the right hand and for the left hand of course, can see something weird.
I must say, the "thumb-motion" is a big issue for me.

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

Thank your all your hints and suggestions earlier in this topic, your hints will develop my playing. I have a lot to do, I want the picking to be more accurate not necessary faster, or what you think?

Best regard
//Anders

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 11 2013, 09:52 PM

Starting about 14 Seconds in, watch the vid again and see just how much your hand/arm tightens up. You are almost "picking from the elbow" again.

DISCLAIMER:
*Everyone has their own way, some folks pick from the elbow and do fine.
*There is no perfect way
*Yes, the arm will try to naturally tense up a bit at speed.


WHEW! Now that that's out of the way smile.gif IMHO that stiff armed picking approach is one that I actively discourage students from using. I used to pick that way myself actually.

It took me years to find the sweet spot of being able to stay loose and still pick with precision/speed. It takes years to work out no matter what so until you do work it out, if you have to pick from the elbow to get the speed you like, then that's fine smile.gif

Having said that, I"d stay focus on the tension in your hand arm. Watch the videos I posted in the thread again. Notice how I'm NOT tensing? And still playing at a fast clip? Because of this technique, my hand doesn't fatigue like many players. We play pretty much non stop each sat/sun for two hours and I could honestly play at that speed for four or five hours if needed. When I was doing it like you are doing it here, my hand would "Burn Out" in about an hour.

In short, your doing better smile.gif But the tension thing is still worth a bit more work. smile.gif

TRY THIS!!!! smile.gif LESSON #5 in my bootcamp series is a good one for working this issue out. Watch my right hand. Notice that even at 180 bpm my FOREARM ISN"T MOVING. I'm just articulating with hand and a bit of wrist. ALSO!!! Watch the entire vid as it contains my "mini lecture" on picking this way.




Here is that vid I shared again. Notice how my FOREARM IS NOT MOVING. I"m Plaing fast but my hand is not tensed, my elbow is not even involved, and the strikes are controlled and even. All of this stems from forcing the hand to relax a bit.


Todd



QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Dec 11 2013, 01:55 PM) *
Hi again. I made a new clip, alternative picking. I hope there is some progress. I have made some changes concerning the picking grip. From now on the thumb is pointing down, not up and that was a struggle for me. I tried to use "thumb-movement" but i cant manage it yet. I think my movement is coming more from the wrist and less from the elbow. I had the circulating pivot in mind:)

Do you have any hints or suggestions for the right hand and for the left hand of course, can see something weird.
I must say, the "thumb-motion" is a big issue for me.

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

Thank your all your hints and suggestions earlier in this topic, your hints will develop my playing. I have a lot to do, I want the picking to be more accurate not necessary faster, or what you think?

Best regard
//Anders

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Dec 11 2013, 11:07 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Dec 11 2013, 09:52 PM) *
Starting about 14 Seconds in, watch the vid again and see just how much your hand/arm tightens up. You are almost "picking from the elbow" again.

DISCLAIMER:
*Everyone has their own way, some folks pick from the elbow and do fine.
*There is no perfect way
*Yes, the arm will try to naturally tense up a bit at speed.


WHEW! Now that that's out of the way smile.gif IMHO that stiff armed picking approach is one that I actively discourage students from using. I used to pick that way myself actually.

It took me years to find the sweet spot of being able to stay loose and still pick with precision/speed. It takes years to work out no matter what so until you do work it out, if you have to pick from the elbow to get the speed you like, then that's fine smile.gif

Having said that, I"d stay focus on the tension in your hand arm. Watch the videos I posted in the thread again. Notice how I'm NOT tensing? And still playing at a fast clip? Because of this technique, my hand doesn't fatigue like many players. We play pretty much non stop each sat/sun for two hours and I could honestly play at that speed for four or five hours if needed. When I was doing it like you are doing it here, my hand would "Burn Out" in about an hour.

In short, your doing better smile.gif But the tension thing is still worth a bit more work. smile.gif

TRY THIS!!!! smile.gif LESSON #5 in my bootcamp series is a good one for working this issue out. Watch my right hand. Notice that even at 180 bpm my FOREARM ISN"T MOVING. I'm just articulating with hand and a bit of wrist. ALSO!!! Watch the entire vid as it contains my "mini lecture" on picking this way.




Here is that vid I shared again. Notice how my FOREARM IS NOT MOVING. I"m Plaing fast but my hand is not tensed, my elbow is not even involved, and the strikes are controlled and even. All of this stems from forcing the hand to relax a bit.


Todd


Now when you told me I can see the that my arm tights up. Didn't saw it before but your trained eyes sees it. The way to achieve this loosen wrist. Is it to start playing slow and really focus on the wrist? It may take years, but im not in a rush:) I think the speed is ok, but if i can manage the wrist-motion it would be a more accurate picking i guess. I´ll check out your clips again and try to "copy" your motions.

When im practicing slowly the wrist is doing a more circulating motion, but when im speeding up it just disappear:(

What do you think about the pick-grip and speed by the way:)

Edit: Your bootcamp series gives a lot of information, I will check it out.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 12 2013, 01:53 AM

SLOWLY is always a good place to start smile.gif You can speed up, just don't tense up when you do it. You just have to take control of your arm and override the natural instinct to tense. If you notice you are tensing, it means you are losing control and instinct is taking over so slow down a bit smile.gif

Also, try to focus on picking from the fingers back, not the elbow down. You can do TONS of picking, even fast picking by articulating only your first finger and thumb. Adding the hand in can greatly increase the speed. I often don't use much wrist as I'm typically planting the back half of my hand on the bridge for a mute. That way I can use every string in a given scale run without losing mute and creating extra noise smile.gif

Your grip seems fine smile.gif And the speed seems fine as well. Just a matter of applying what you've learned and putting it all in context as you work towards adapting your fingers/hand to a new style of picking.

Just shoot me a PM (personal message) if you want to join up @ Bootcamp: )

Todd


QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Dec 11 2013, 05:07 PM) *
Now when you told me I can see the that my arm tights up. Didn't saw it before but your trained eyes sees it. The way to achieve this loosen wrist. Is it to start playing slow and really focus on the wrist? It may take years, but im not in a rush:) I think the speed is ok, but if i can manage the wrist-motion it would be a more accurate picking i guess. I´ll check out your clips again and try to "copy" your motions.

When im practicing slowly the wrist is doing a more circulating motion, but when im speeding up it just disappear:(

What do you think about the pick-grip and speed by the way:)

Edit: Your bootcamp series gives a lot of information, I will check it out.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Dec 17 2013, 12:32 PM

Hey mate - Todd's advice on picking is priceless, as usual! Try taking things slowly and take the time to observe the motions of your hand smile.gif In my honest opinion, the only thing that's stopping us from progress is our endless desire to make progress happen overnight and each time, almost without doubt, we start good, but when we see that improvement fails to appear from a certain point onwards or at all (in the timeframe that WE consider normal, without really knowing our rhythm) we tend to go back to what we knew, even if we know it's not good.

Have patience and apply what Todd's telling you here - magic happens, if you allow it wink.gif

Posted by: Anders Karlsson Dec 17 2013, 08:47 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Dec 17 2013, 12:32 PM) *
Hey mate - Todd's advice on picking is priceless, as usual! Try taking things slowly and take the time to observe the motions of your hand smile.gif In my honest opinion, the only thing that's stopping us from progress is our endless desire to make progress happen overnight and each time, almost without doubt, we start good, but when we see that improvement fails to appear from a certain point onwards or at all (in the timeframe that WE consider normal, without really knowing our rhythm) we tend to go back to what we knew, even if we know it's not good.

Have patience and apply what Todd's telling you here - magic happens, if you allow it wink.gif


Yes, ill have that in mind smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Dec 18 2013, 08:56 AM

QUOTE (Anders Karlsson @ Dec 17 2013, 07:47 PM) *
Yes, ill have that in mind smile.gif


Tell it to yourself every practice session and don't try to find any shortcuts where there are none smile.gif The only shortcut, is when you think about no shortcut - time passes more easily wink.gif

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 20 2013, 08:04 AM

Well said!!!! This is really important and I know things like this are often not what students want to hear. I wish there was one certain "trick" that I could share with all my students to get them over the vast chasm between where they are and where they want to be. Watching people play who make it "look easy" often somehow makes people think there is some secret they are holding which allows them play stuff in a certain way/certain speed. The truth is, you are just seeing the result. The steps leading to that result take years, upon years of dedicated, ardent, disciplined, work.

The good news is, once you reach the point where you can effortlessly play/shred/solo/etc., there is nothing like it on earth. it's a wonderful feeling to let the music just happen. Once your technical ability matches your creative inclination, it's a thing beyond price. And it CAN"T be bought. It CAN"T be faked. Anyone you see that plays well, HAS EARNED IT IN BLOOD AND SWEAT. And ANYONE can have it. They just have to be willing to earn it. smile.gif


Todd






QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Dec 18 2013, 02:56 AM) *
Tell it to yourself every practice session and don't try to find any shortcuts where there are none smile.gif The only shortcut, is when you think about no shortcut - time passes more easily wink.gif


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Dec 20 2013, 06:10 PM

Hats off Todd!

I had THE EXACT same thought when I was 17 smile.gif I went visiting my uncle in Switzerland and I met a few guys having a death metal band there, in Geneva.

Man, the guitarist was a huge Dimebag fan and he could shred back then, like hell! Needless to say, I asked - WHAT IS THE SECRET! TELL ME NOW! He shrugged and said... Dude, I just practice... I felt SO down sad.gif It took me about 6 more years to figure out he was true to me laugh.gif

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 20 2013, 10:42 PM

It's a small world!! smile.gif I had almost the exact same experience!! My uncle was my inspiration to pick up the guitar!! He played so effortlessly and I could tell how much he enjoyed playing. I asked him to show me how to play in one afternoon. He sorta chuckled and said, "it might take a bit longer than that". It did take much longer, but at first I was almost mad at him for not showing me everything in one day smile.gif

Todd





QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Dec 20 2013, 12:10 PM) *
Hats off Todd!

I had THE EXACT same thought when I was 17 smile.gif I went visiting my uncle in Switzerland and I met a few guys having a death metal band there, in Geneva.

Man, the guitarist was a huge Dimebag fan and he could shred back then, like hell! Needless to say, I asked - WHAT IS THE SECRET! TELL ME NOW! He shrugged and said... Dude, I just practice... I felt SO down sad.gif It took me about 6 more years to figure out he was true to me laugh.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Dec 21 2013, 02:24 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Dec 20 2013, 09:42 PM) *
It's a small world!! smile.gif I had almost the exact same experience!! My uncle was my inspiration to pick up the guitar!! He played so effortlessly and I could tell how much he enjoyed playing. I asked him to show me how to play in one afternoon. He sorta chuckled and said, "it might take a bit longer than that". It did take much longer, but at first I was almost mad at him for not showing me everything in one day smile.gif

Todd


So, Todd, was it your your uncle the one responsible for your beginnings?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 22 2013, 05:01 AM

Yup smile.gif He gave me my first guitar! It was an American Fender Strat modified with a Dimarzio Humbucker. smile.gif I would never have picked up guitar if it wasn't for him. How about you?

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Dec 21 2013, 08:24 AM) *
So, Todd, was it your your uncle the one responsible for your beginnings?


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Dec 22 2013, 02:50 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Dec 22 2013, 04:01 AM) *
Yup smile.gif He gave me my first guitar! It was an American Fender Strat modified with a Dimarzio Humbucker. smile.gif I would never have picked up guitar if it wasn't for him. How about you?


Heh! A guy in the neighborhood that later on became one of my best friends (and also a drummer) was the sort of dude that had it all - he was a very skilled skater in the late 90s (note that the phenomenon was very fresh in Romania at that time), he was playing the guitar and he had a nice voice and also the sort of cool guy that everyone wanted to be friends with.

I was a chubby 13 year old kid that everyone pushed around, but because I liked skating too, I ended up in the same entourage with him. One day, the guys told me that he can play the guitar (about 2 years before, my mom and dad gave the first rock and metal CDs). From that point on, we started spending a lot of time together and he used to write me tabs on napkins that he gave me when we met in the park with our guitars. I remember everyone gathering around us and suddenly (well, not that suddenly) the chubby and unpopular kid, became quite popular because he was friends with THAT cool guy and he learned guitar in a very short time smile.gif That's how my story began biggrin.gif

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