Question about picking?

[dmbandtimmy]

So, I sat down last night and started concentrating on my picking speed/technique. I'm not a shredder (although part of me wishes I could just to say I can) so I'm really going for that ultra fast stuff.

I always use alternate picking and I watched a Paul Gilbert video a long time ago where he talked about always starting with a downstroke when going down ( ex. E string to A) and always starting with an upstroke (ex. E to B) instead of just strait alternate picking.

I have decent spead when I strait up alternate pick, but when I try Paul Gilberts way it tends to mess me up. However, I'm wondering if in the long run this will help increase my speed. Any thoughts? Hopefully I explained this well enough. If not, let me know. Thanks.

[hahavishnu]

that is paul gilberts way.. he would have a hard time copying you!....do what comes natch.

[?&!]

Frank Gambale, as well as many other VERY fast players, use this technique. It's commonly referred to as "economy picking", because it reduces the number of pick strokes necessary to play through runs that cross multiple strings. I've been a life long alternate picker, and I have recently started experimenting a little with economy picking. The theory is very sound, and it would obviously work great if the requisite amount of time and focused practice were put forth. Start slow and practice clean execution with a metronome, and bump it up gradually as you improve. That advice should sound familiar, because it's exactly the same way that you develop speed with alternate picking or sweep picking. Have fun, and good luck!

[dmbandtimmy]

Frank Gambale, as well as many other VERY fast players, use this technique. It's commonly referred to as "economy picking", because it reduces the number of pick strokes necessary to play through runs that cross multiple strings. I've been a life long alternate picker, and I have recently started experimenting a little with economy picking. The theory is very sound, and it would obviously work great if the requisite amount of time and focused practice were put forth. Start slow and practice clean execution with a metronome, and bump it up gradually as you improve. That advice should sound familiar, because it's exactly the same way that you develop speed with alternate picking or sweep picking. Have fun, and good luck!

Yeah, thats what it's called :) Couldn't think of it. I think I'll stick with it for a bit and see how it goes. Your exactly spot on with the metronome too. Will definitely be putting that to use!

[derekd]

Guys long before Gambale and Gilbert have been using this technique. Fast jazz guys like Tal Farlow and Joe Pass both used this when they were alive. Thing about picking is not speed per se, but the constant change of direction.

Think about it. You go one direction, hit a note, stop and go the other direction. While I am an alternate picker also, going down, down when changing strings rather than strict alternate picking continues the same motion for an additional note, naturally making your picking faster. While it does take a bit of thinking at first, it won't take long until it feels natural, because it is more of a natural movement than going down, up as you move to a higher string. Good luck

[sausagefingers]

Fast jazz guys like Tal Farlow and Joe Pass both used this when they were alive.

True.

:roll

Its all about repetition. Whether you ball up your fist and pick from the elbow, or swivel your wrist with your pinky out, all directional strokes with string skips, or strict alternate. Either way, there are many examples of both styles playing very clean and quick.