New Picking technique

[jzucker]

Here's a clip of a new picking technique I'm experimenting with. Like anything else, it's easy for some things and hard for others. It seems that the stuff I struggle with my normal technique is easy with the new technique and visa versa

I used Richard's backing and did a couple takes with the old and new techniques. The clip using the new way is not a good example of building a solo at all. It's just an experiment in coltranesque wanking...

New technique:
http://www.sheetsofsound.net/audio/mp3/richardsfunk2.mp3

Old Technique
http://www.sheetsofsound.net/audio/mp3/richardsfunk.mp3

Can you hear a difference in the attack?

The new way grips the pick with the side of the thumb and allows for virtually no pick movement. The old way uses the tip of my thumb and the pick moves which gives the feel a little more bounce but the tone is thinner and less meaty...

Thoughts?

Jaz

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

The biggest difference I hear it seems that the right hand flows better on the old technique.
Nice playing Sir Burner!

 

[jzucker]

Originally posted by Ed DeGenaro
The biggest difference I hear it seems that the right hand flows better on the old technique.
Nice playing Sir Burner!

Thanks Ed. I agree that the right hand flows better but certain things such as sweeping are better with the new technique and I like the sound better. It's a little harder switching directions with the new technique. Not sure if I'll switch altogether or just augment the existing technique.

On top of that, I'd really like to switch to fingerstyle...

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Originally posted by jzucker
Thanks Ed. I agree that the right hand flows better but certain things such as sweeping are better with the new technique and I like the sound better. It's a little harder switching directions with the new technique. Not sure if I'll switch altogether or just augment the existing technique.

On top of that, I'd really like to switch to fingerstyle...

Fingers do sound better, but man some of the stuff, like tremolo picking is a bitch, Sweeping is way cooler though with fingers. Especially ascending. Thumb until the top note which I use index for. There are actually a few sweep things I can pull off with fingers but really have to work to do with a pick.

 

[jzucker]

Originally posted by Ed DeGenaro
Fingers do sound better, but man some of the stuff, like tremolo picking is a bitch, Sweeping is way cooler though with fingers. Especially ascending. Thumb until the top note which I use index for. There are actually a few sweep things I can pull off with fingers but really have to work to do with a pick.

Thanks for the tip Ed. I've been using thumb exclusively for downstrokes and index exclusively for upstrokes but your way sounds better. I'm alternating thumb-index-thumb-middle so far...

I'm also trying to learn to do snap/pop bass (and guitar). Did you master that stuff from the Tomo book?

Jaz

 

[Tomo]

Originally posted by jzucker
Thanks Ed. I agree that the right hand flows better but certain things such as sweeping are better with the new technique and I like the sound better. It's a little harder switching directions with the new technique. Not sure if I'll switch altogether or just augment the existing technique.

On top of that, I'd really like to switch to fingerstyle...

Hi Jack,

Wow!!!
Smooth and so fast. Please don't scare Pat Martino!

I am really into finger styles too.
Do you know Tommy Kay in West Coast?
I did jam with him. He was doing by finger picking
and he was just as good as regular pick style..

Also.... Do you know Jake Shimabukuro
Ukulele player from Hawai?
I was him at NAMM Show. Just amazing!!!!!
So presice and funky too.


Tomo

 

[Ed DeGenaro]

Originally posted by jzucker
Thanks for the tip Ed. I've been using thumb exclusively for downstrokes and index exclusively for upstrokes but your way sounds better. I'm alternating thumb-index-thumb-middle so far...

I'm also trying to learn to do snap/pop bass (and guitar). Did you master that stuff from the Tomo book?

Jaz

I dabble in it here and there. But am too lazy...

 

[KRosser]

The "Old Technique" sounds more rhythmically confident to me. Maybe because you're more used to it, or maybe it is something based on the technique, only you'd know.

 

[Rock Fella]

side of the thumb ?

i tried that and dropped the pick instantly , how do you position things ?

for smooth and consistent picking im mesin round with a .71mm pick by alice picks, they feel superb for the fast stuff

 

[RobertMiller]

Originally posted by KRosser
The "Old Technique" sounds more rhythmically confident to me. Maybe because you're more used to it, or maybe it is something based on the technique, only you'd know.

That's what it sounds like to me, too. Keep pushing those boundaries Jack, but don't completely change direction cause the old technique is stellar!

 

[AlexT]

Jaz,

The new technique sounds better - but I might be biased as I use a similar technique (but by far not as well ) and like darker sound.

I play with my fist closed and with the thumb holding firmly the the pick perpendicular between the nail and the knuckle.

AlexT

 

[amstaf]

After hearing that I now have more stuff to practice, crap....I'll be up all night now.

 

[Lucidology]

Such a treasure chest of info stored in the archives of TGP ...

 

[Tag]

Old way sounds far smoother and more "musical" to me. I dig the phrasing and playing in the second one more, so maybe that is swaying my opinion however.

Killer playing Jack. Love the ideas around 1:06-1:45 in the second clip. Have I heard them somewhere before? I thought I had on "Bodytalk" for a minute.
VERY GOOD VERY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[klaetos]

Wow. It doesn't matter how I hold the pick I would be extremely happy just being able to play that old terrible style of the first clip.

Seriously that kind of speed you guys already have Jaz, Ed, Tag and Tomo is incredible. Ok gotta ask then. For a kinda noob (switched from bass, to acoustic about 4 years ago added an electric about a year ago) what is a good path to improve playing and work toward this kind of stuff? I would like to improve my rhythm and actually get a lead skill? What has worked for you guys, besides the obvious of lots of practice, what do you/did you study to get there?

Is Tomo's stuff the place to start? Which book and DVD? Have other suggestions?

Thanks,

Chad

 

[Tag]

The new way grips the pick with the side of the thumb and allows for virtually no pick movement. The old way uses the tip of my thumb and the pick moves which gives the feel a little more bounce but the tone is thinner and less meaty...

Thoughts?

Jaz

Jack. I am wondering. Is this the way you are holding it the "new" way? Years ago, I had problems with technique, so I took a few lessons from this guy who is probably the fastest player I have ever seen. (Rhett Tyler) He told me it was mainly the way I was holding the pick, so I changed to his way. It took a few months, because it was so different, but my speed came up, and I have never had problems playing fast again. I never practice technique, and while I am not the fastest guy around, it seems I can "do" pretty much whatever I want, however fast I want.

This is what he showed me, and I THINK this may be what you are describing above, although when I am playing real fast, the pick does "float" a little. I also use the angles you show in your diagram, but it just sort of happens without thinking about it. I also use the side of the pick for a fatter tone, although it seems to slow me down a bit.

 

[Clifford-D]

Hey Jack

Got to go with #2 old tech.

The articulation of the new way sounds crisper ,

I don't think it's a done deal though. They both have their place. I'm sure.

 

[Clifford-D]

Wow. It doesn't matter how I hold the pick I would be extremely happy just being able to play that old terrible style of the first clip.

Seriously that kind of speed you guys already have Jaz, Ed, Tag and Tomo is incredible. Ok gotta ask then. For a kinda noob (switched from bass, to acoustic about 4 years ago added an electric about a year ago) what is a good path to improve playing and work toward this kind of stuff? I would like to improve my rhythm and actually get a lead skill? What has worked for you guys, besides the obvious of lots of practice, what do you/did you study to get there?

Is Tomo's stuff the place to start? Which book and DVD? Have other suggestions?

Thanks,

Chad

"Sheets of Sound" by Jack Zucker is a GREAT place to start if you
want to increase your speed/technique and applications. .

 

[yellowecho]

wow, i'm terrible

 

[klaetos]

"Sheets of Sound" by Jack Zucker is a GREAT place to start if you
want to increase your speed/technique and applications. .

Thanks, I'll have to check it out.