I just read about several types of picking motions, but I dont seem to understand it. Osciliatory motion etc?

Anyway, also wondering how you guys improve on your alternate picking speed. I mostly do chromatics and scales... still finding ways to improve my practice routine.


Also, I just started on sweep picking. Is the pick sort of slunted when sweeping upwards and downwards? Eg when sweeping downwards the back end of the pic is lower down compared to the front part of the pick, or is it just straight like how we do alternate picking. Dont really know how to explain what Im trying to say, but I hope you get the picture.

Mainly I just want to know what works for other people towards improving their technique.

for me..how i improve my alt picking is by playing 3 notes per string scales..or something...forgot which vid i watch...he came out with this 3 notes n 4 notes per string exercise...

for the 3 notes per string...i normally play the 1 note louder...so it goes 1! 2 3(!= louder) n repeat..

as for the 4 notes per string exercise it goes 1! 2 3!! 4 (!! = softer then the 1st note)

if u get wat i mean..its easy to do it ascending..but decending is a lil tricky..took me a while to get use to it...then basically chromatic scales...up n down...er...yea..use a metronome..i start with 60 beat...which is real slow...then work my way up..if u can reach 200..its a quite fast ...but im no where near it.haha
good luck

this link was posted up quite a long time ago.

http://www.tuckandpatti.com/pick-finger_tech.html

have fun reading.

alt picking? practice down picking...some chaps might tell me to f*** my self. but take a short pick...down pick a chromatic, increase speed and go. you will build muscles faster cause it needs more time to down pick then alt pick. later on get a little longer one and just practice alt picking, since you have that muscles for speed you only need accuracy.

sweep picking your pick should be tipped sideways.

edit*
accidentaly repost. sorry

This post has been edited by echobrainproject: Sep 11 2006, 09:24 PM

Another thing abt sweep picking... when sweeping downwards do i move my arm downwards as well or just the wrist makes the movement? I was watching the vid from insane guitar, and the guy moved his whole arm downwards...

For me, I started with down strokes (thanks to Metallica) and my Rhythm has really improved. Like Dragonforce says.... the Black Album was secretly made to teach you guitar. My palm muting technique and down strokes came from playing James's guitar parts.

As for alternate picking..... really got into it once I started to solo and discovered Zakk. I started off with Pentas and worked my way from there.

winkybear, dont move the whole arm. lock the upper part of ur arm(the bicep area) and only move the part of ur hand below the elbow. minimal or no wrist movement. thats how i do it anyways.

gotta ask jemi since my sweep picking is still not entirely clean. jemi is the boss once it comes to that!

Hmmm...then I've been doing it wrong >.< ...Got to start all over. Wouldnt that strain the arm if i move the whole lower arm?

paul gilbert's intense rock I.
some michael angelo video also will have it

This post has been edited by Everdying: Sep 11 2006, 11:54 PM

Where u guys get the material to learn their technique?

u can check them out at www.ultimate-guitar.com under the lesson section...for me, i practice and use alternate picking in every possible situation, even when i palm mute (i know, it won't sound at nice...)

for sweeping, i'm still figuring how to hold the pick and how the hand motion is going to be like...

currently, i'm trying to master my bents, back slide and pitch harmonics...btw, blacktrix, how u pull off pitch harmonics at the top 3 strings? i always have problems doing that..for lead strings, i have less problems...

With Lots and lots and lots of practise! It took me about 2 years to perfect my pinch harmonics..... no real shortcuts...
Just practise and practise and figure out where the harmonics "pings" best on your guitar. Every guitar has it's different sweet spots along the string.

ok, i'll try to look for it...btw, does pinch harmonics have anything to do with the pickups on the guitars?

YES! The best "pings" comes from the bridge Humbuckers..... actives if possible. A single Coil pick up CAN produce the harmonics, but if you're doing it Zakk style, you'll need an active humbucker to pull it off well.

btrix... how do u personally do a pinch harmonic on the low E? mind to tell me the complications u went thru before u figured out how to do it right? the other strings are fine, but on the low E, i have to angle back my thumb in an unnatural position to be able to pull off a pinch harmonic. i presume there are many ways to do a pinch harmonic, but i normally do it by a light brush of the edge of my thumb in the same single motion of picking the string.

i tried pinched harmonics yesterday on my guitar....can do once only for a whole day....besides...i should learn pinched harmonics on which string as beginning? i got it at fifth string......not nice enough.....

i do it with holding the pick with only left about 3mm and pluck the string follow by bounced it with the thumbs at the same time.....maybe my vibrato is still not good enough....

You can't perfect harmonics in a single day.......
It took me 2 years and then some........

yes...u done it well.....through ur previous records......i loves zakk's pinched harmonics so much.....

For me, doesn't matter to use 'only move the part of ur hand below the elbow or just do the wrist movement' if you can do it clean.