Need some help with pick-hand technique

[some_dude]

After years of playing punk style (three fingers on the pick, strumming from the shoulder and/or elbow), I'm trying to learn how to play with my hand routed on the bridge.

I'm having some difficulty with both quick strumming (think Metallica type rhythm), and;

when lead picking, I keep muting the wrong strings with my thumb.


What I'm looking for is either suggestions on how to fix this, or discriptions of what you guys do, and I'll do my best to translate those descriptions into correct technique.

Thanks.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Need some help with pick-hand technique

http://www.guitarists.net/lessons/view.php/picking_-_breaking_down_the_movement.html

^ Good site

Personally, I'd say play as loosely as you can. That's what everyone seems to say - and it's so true... punk encourages to play 'stiffly'... right?

 

[some_dude]

Re: Need some help with pick-hand technique

Kinda. Since all the movement is in the arm, the wrist stays pretty stiff. I think that's my problem right there.

Maybe I'll try having a couple shots of rum, then practice. That'll loosen me up.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

 

[nuntius]

Re: Need some help with pick-hand technique

ok man this'll help. it'll be very boring though

do a chromatic scale - say 1234 or 4321 on E, A, D etc

do it picking each note once there and back
then do it picking each note twice
then 3 times
then 4
then 6

practise with a metronome

and if you make a mistake go back to the start... tedious i know but it sorted out my picking quite a bit

 

[nuntius]

Re: Need some help with pick-hand technique

hmm if your having trouble relaxing i think it might be because your not breathing properly (holding your breath while you play?)

have a conversation with someone while you practise - you should be able to otherwise your holding your breath, which would cause you to be tense.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Need some help with pick-hand technique

Thanks for the exercise routing, I'll give it a shot.

--

It's not so much a relaxation thing, as I play really loose. I played for eight years strumming from the elbow, the only time my hand touched the guitar was for palm mutes. You don't move your wrist very much when playing like that.

So now when I play I'm not used to using just my wrist, I keep trying to lock it and play from my elbow (which is hard when your hand is anchored to the bridge). Now that it's been pointed out to me, it's really helped alot. I'm trying to fix it by concentrating on keeping my arm still and moving just my wrist.

Thanks for the suggestion though.