question about picking and picks

N

newbie100

New member
im trying to play this its going alright after lots of training but my pick gets stuck on the wires from time to time

i have ever only had 1 type of pick and its very slippery and hard
i wonder if there is different type of pick which would make this easier to play, or do i just suck in feeling the strings :sad:

Code: 
INTRO:
Guitar (clean):
e|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|
B|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|
G|-------------3-3-|-0------------6-6-|-------------3-3-|-0------------6-6-|
D|-3--3-3-xxxx-3-3-|-06--6-6-xxxx-6-6-|-3--3-3-xxxx-3-3-|-06--6-6-xxxx-6-6-|
A|-3--3-3-xxxx-1-1-|-06--6-6-xxxx-4-4-|-3--3-3-xxxx-1-1-|-06--6-6-xxxx-4-4-|
E|-1--1-1-xxxx-----|--4--4-4-xxxx-----|-1--1-1-xxxx-----|--4--4-4-xxxx-----|

Guitar (heavy dist)
e|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|
B|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|
G|-------------3-3-|-0------------6-6-|-------------3-3-|-0------------6-6-|
D|-3--3-3-xxxx-3-3-|-06--6-6-xxxx-6-6-|-3--3-3-xxxx-3-3-|-06--6-6-xxxx-6-6-|
A|-3--3-3-xxxx-1-1-|-06--6-6-xxxx-4-4-|-3--3-3-xxxx-1-1-|-06--6-6-xxxx-4-4-|
E|-1--1-1-xxxx-----|--4--4-4-xxxx-----|-1--1-1-xxxx-----|--4--4-4-xxxx-----|
 
Re: question about picking and picks

it's hard to say without seeing your right-hand technique. as i've learned, you generally use one kind of picking technique, but sometimes have to change your right-hand style to play certain things.

for instance you might use more of a finger/thumb movement for really fast runs where as in a fast rhythm you might use more of an elbow movement. generally, IMO, it's best to use the wrist only almost all the time. that will give you more consistency. if you rely too much on finger movements or arm movements, it will be harder to adjust and take different approaches.

one problem is that you must make sure that the edge of your right hand is touching the brige, not the palm. if your palm is touching, you're going to get a lot of noise and it's going to force you have to re-adjust your height every time you move to another string.

remember that if you want to change picking dynamics (hard vs. soft picking), you only need to grip the pick harder. DO NOT actually strike the string harder. simply applying a firmer grip on the pick is all you should do to change picking dynamics.

another thing is that you shouldn't really anchor your right hand anywhere. you can use the tremolo or pinky on the pickguard to maintain a consistent height from the strings, but don't really anchor your hand and try to pick up and down that way. slide the edge of your hand up and down the bridge as necessary. one thing i learned from paul gilbert's video is that you should slow it down and try to pinpoint where the picking problem lies (it's usually on the upstroke), then practice starting from that point.

so if you have trouble hitting the open strings with an upstroke, then start with the open strings on an upstroke and keep practicing that part of the riff over and over again until you get the feel for it.

using a hard, slick pick like you are is best. some people like to use flexible picks, but i don't think they ring true for those kinds of muted riffs. using a firm pick with a very positive attack will help you get enough of the strings without having to force the pick through. a slick matarial like delrin is really good.

that's my two cents.
 
Re: question about picking and picks

im now playing with pinky finger anchored but it takes lot of concentration to get everytime similar sound and playing very fast is difficult

ill try to play with wrist only moving, should help i think thanks for the good answer
 
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Re: question about picking and picks

newbie100 said:
im now playing with pinky finger anchored but it takes lot of concentration to get everytime similar sound and playing very fast is difficult

ill try to play with wrist only moving, should help i think thanks for the good answer
Click to expand...

just remember that it's going to take some time to get used to. don't abandon it and on't revert back to your old ways. you have to use it in every situation all the time to really make it second nature. if you keep playing your old way just to get through, then you'll have a really hard time mastering the technique.

look at paul gilbert or eric johnson. they've got excellent right hand technique. try copying theirs. you'll notice that they don't really anchor themselves or limit their range of movement. they're very strict and consistent in wrist movement though. stick with it for 3 weeks and you'll replace your old picking style. you'll find that you can pick a lot better that way. good luck.

... oh yeah, another super important thing - USE A METRONOME! there will be times when you practice something over and over and can't quite get it because your timing will be off. using a metronome and walking through the picking sequence will keep you from rushing certain notes.
 
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Re: question about picking and picks

i used to have your problem years ago and would allways drop the pick but it just takes time to get used to im afraid, what i did was grip the pick towards the pointy bit and not let it slip down to the bottom bit doing that makes sure you have less plectrum sticking out and therefore wont get caught in the strings so easy. allso start gently dont hammer the strings like kurt did lol
 
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Re: question about picking and picks

im not sure about the riff i posted, do i play it fully with alternate picking or just the muted parts
 
Re: question about picking and picks

newbie100 said:
im not sure about the riff i posted, do i play it fully with alternate picking or just the muted parts
Click to expand...

i'd advise you to GENERALLY use strict alternate picking, but change it up for downstrokes on chunky riffs or whenever you want to get a certain tone from it. if you're using pedal tones, alternate picking is the way to go. if you're switching a lot between power chords and you want a thicker and heavier sound, use downstrokes wherever necessary.

at least that's my method. i know a lot of guys that use downstrokes quite bit. there's another technique you can use to get more tone out of your rhythms. simply use consecutive upstrokes away from your pickguard. that gives it more of a pop. maybe like in quick staccato chords or when you need to dig in a bit.
 
Re: question about picking and picks

Play it with whichever style sounds best to you. Don't fall into the "it must be downpicked all the time" BS most metal guys subscribe to. If downpicking sounds good, do that. You'll find that most things sound pretty stale and boring when overused, though.

As far as the picking thing goes, I heard Paul Gilbert point out that pretty much every technically proficient guitarist he could think of picked from the wrist, not the elbow or fingers. I tried the finger/thumb thing, and it just seems clumsy as hell.

Also, go to a music store and buy a ton of different picks, and switch between them a lot. Don't worry about getting too dependent on one style, either. Different ones are good for different things.
 
Re: question about picking and picks

yup i got few pedals other is boss mt-2 and other is not sure about the maker of it but it says death metal on it :P
 
Re: question about picking and picks

hay guys i went and got assortment of picks, ill try them out and see which one is best!
picks.jpg
 
Re: question about picking and picks

thin picks suck, lol. i cant play anything with them...but im used to using 2mm graphite picks.

if thin picks work for you then go for it. i advise keeping the rest around cause im sure you will find some stuff that plays way easier with a heavier pick
 
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