How would you pick this?

[Robert Delahunt]

I am wanting to do:

TAB
B ---------------10-12----10-
G ----------9-11-------11----

This figure repeats in triplets in a 4/4 time standard beat pattern. Should I pick it:

Method A:

  /\   \/   \/   /\   /\   /\

(repeat)

or

Method B:

/\   \/   \/   /\   /\    \/

(repeat)

I'm wanting to be able to rip this out very fast, so I'm wondering (jazz players? shredders?) which is best? Method B feels more economical and natural, but I've played exercises where method A would probably be what The Book (The Guitar Grimoire: Exercise Book) lists....

Thanks in advance!

 

[edsmith]

Re: How would you pick this?

I would suggest strict alternate picking alwasy starting with a downstroke, unless you're doing a longer run that will cross more strings. Economy picking across two strings tends to make the notes run together and doesn't sound as articulate. I only use economy picking when doing sweeps and arpeggios.

Method A doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Three upstrokes playing fast? ? /\ \/ /\ \/ /\ \/ leaves you to start on a downstroke when you change positions or continue the run coming from outside of the strings.

I know a lot of guys who can play fast using unconventional methods and hybrid or economy picking, but when it comes time to rip out a phrase that's in a new order, they have to cheat with a hammer on of pull off before crossing strings. I think that tends to smooth out picked runs and doesn't sound as compelling as sharply picked notes. It depends on the effect and what notes you want to emphasize though.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: How would you pick this?

I would suggest strict alternate picking alwasy starting with a downstroke, unless you're doing a longer run that will cross more strings. Economy picking across two strings tends to make the notes run together and doesn't sound as articulate. I only use economy picking when doing sweeps and arpeggios.

Method A doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Three upstrokes playing fast? ? /\ \/ /\ \/ /\ \/ leaves you to start on a downstroke when you change positions or continue the run coming from outside of the strings.

I know a lot of guys who can play fast using unconventional methods and hybrid or economy picking, but when it comes time to rip out a phrase that's in a new order, they have to cheat with a hammer on of pull off before crossing strings. I think that tends to smooth out picked runs and doesn't sound as compelling as sharply picked notes. It depends on the effect and what notes you want to emphasize though.

The phrase is almost the same idea as the one riff in For Whom The Bell Tolls (Metallica). It repeats and there aren't pauses, so it ends up like one long pentatonic, sort of....

I find method B to feel more natural, and more like alternating picking.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: How would you pick this?

Well, the phrase is six notes, meaning it ends on an offbeat, and would begin again on the beat.

The way I would pick it is straight alternate picking - down up down up down up. That way you never have to reverse the direction of your picking.

However, since my hand is still far more trained when it comes to economy picking, I seem to be picking it - Down up Down Up up Down. Still, alternate picking is faster and cleaner in the long run.

 

[tone4days]

Re: How would you pick this?

crank the gain and play the first 2 notes as a pick-hammer on and the second two notes as a pick-hammer on then alternate pick the last 2 notes

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: How would you pick this?

Just play it and do what feels more natural to you.....I would play it with pick and fingers.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How would you pick this?

I like alternate picking for this example . . . that's what I find myself doing by default when I play it . . .

 

[rivera213]

Re: How would you pick this?

I'm mainly an alternate picker, i don't think there is an advantage to economy picking this figure.

Using hybrid picking would sound weak so go with alternate for sure.