Robert Fripp's technique and Guitar Craft

[Nick31]

has he ever released a book on his guitar craft or is it a school only ? Btw, anybody ever studied his picking technique in particular ? Is the same as Al Di Meola for example since they both emphasize alternate picking

[Super Locrian]

I think Guitar Craft is only taught hands-on at seminars with certified instructors, hence there's no commercially available method book (at least not to my knowledge). Technically, Guitar Craft employs a special tuning (C, G, D, A , E, G - low to high), focuses on posture, and I also believe students are encouraged to use an acoustic guitar on the courses.

Here's an interview with Fripp where he discusses his philosophy:
http://emusician.com/em_spotlight/fripp_philosophy_guitar_craft/

I believe Fripp is a strict alternate picker, like Al DiMeola.

[diego]

I attended three courses. A series of articles was published in Guitar Player Magazine, and I'll bet you could find back issues at a good library. A few booklets with short essays were sold at courses. See http://www.guitarcraft.com/ for current courses.

[re-animator]

Fripp has a special picking technique... not just straight alternate picking. Fripp's technique has been dubbed "crosspicking" in guitar craft. Its similar to alternate picking, but much more defined. As far as I know, Robert Fripp was frustrated when he was learning to play guitar that there was no clear universal method for picking so he invented crosspicking.

its very finger-thumb intensive.... basically what you do is suspend the picking hand above the strings, situate a basically stable position, and then in a cross motion you alternate pick, while bringing the pick up and away from the body of the guitar, giving almost a 'heavy glance' to the string you pick. This produces a very distinct tone, and its a very very efficient technique when you get it down. I don't use it exclusively, but i'm a big fan of fripp and his work and I employ it often to experimental type stuff.

Also of course there is New Standard tuning (CGDAEG), which I think is guitar crafts more important legacy. Basically it takes the idea of classical stringed instruments (i.e. tuning in fifths... like a cello) and applies it to guitar. I never record in NST, but I play in it often just to help me think "out of the box".

If you want to hear an example of crosspicking, check out this track I did:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=663709&songID=5515789

The timbre of the notes becomes very unique... you'll have to listen to the notes that aren't done by swells to get the most of the picking technique. It can be very harsh and abrasive, but its really meant not to sound like a guitar when fuzz is being used... Its a whole pandora's box of new dynamics. Ignore the crappy playing though :) that track was almost entirely done as an experiment.

[Nick31]

Fripp has a special picking technique... not just straight alternate picking. Fripp's technique has been dubbed "crosspicking" in guitar craft. Its similar to alternate picking, but much more defined. As far as I know, Robert Fripp was frustrated when he was learning to play guitar that there was no clear universal method for picking so he invented crosspicking.

its very finger-thumb intensive.... basically what you do is suspend the picking hand above the strings, situate a basically stable position, and then in a cross motion you alternate pick, while bringing the pick up and away from the body of the guitar, giving almost a 'heavy glance' to the string you pick. This produces a very distinct tone, and its a very very efficient technique when you get it down. I don't use it exclusively, but i'm a big fan of fripp and his work and I employ it often to experimental type stuff.

Also of course there is New Standard tuning (CGDAEG), which I think is guitar crafts more important legacy. Basically it takes the idea of classical stringed instruments (i.e. tuning in fifths... like a cello) and applies it to guitar. I never record in NST, but I play in it often just to help me think "out of the box".

If you want to hear an example of crosspicking, check out this track I did:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=663709&songID=5515789

The timbre of the notes becomes very unique... you'll have to listen to the notes that aren't done by swells to get the most of the picking technique. It can be very harsh and abrasive, but its really meant not to sound like a guitar when fuzz is being used... Its a whole pandora's box of new dynamics. Ignore the crappy playing though :) that track was almost entirely done as an experiment.

I thought the exact same on picking technique. My friend is working with Dom Famularo's books on drum techinque and how to hold sticks and whatnot and I couldn't find any of that stuff for guitar. All you hear is blah blah everybody does it his own way and whatever but I could never buy that argument. It's like baseball, ok maybe everybody has a quirky batting stance but in the end they all hit the ball the same way, so in guitar there has to be a method that makes picking more efficient as far as speed, accuracy all those things as well as keeping your hand un-stressed as much as possible.

Is there anybody else that made books or instructionals based on Fripp's technique or inspired by it ?

[Aj_rocker]

theres speed picking by gambale, which is a study of picking. but apart from that theres loads of studies on style but not really technique. btw dom famularo has a great way of teaching and explaining, i sore about 5 mins of him giving a work shop and hes very very good. I think its time for more books on techique.


Aj