right hand accuracy

[danglybanger]

it's always been a problem for me. My right hand just doesn't move the way it should, and I'm usually bout 50% hit or miss on actually managing to hit the string I intend to. (Which usually means I have my left hand fretting both strings around the note I intend to hit as backup notes, in case the first one goes wrong).

But that's really lame and pathetic, and my right hand shouldn't be this useless after 3 years of playing. Any advice? Should I just practice? Just practicing doesn't seem to be working

Perhaps it's my technique? It's especially awful when I'm trying to do quick arpeggios or say alternating between low and high strings

The details- I usually rest my palm on the back of the bridge, but I never seem to be able to get enough of a span over the strings this way (or when anchoring my pinkie on the pickup, which I've done for a short period of time) ... then again if I have my hand go loose, my accuracy is just awful.

Can anyone point me in a particular direction before I smash my hand with a hammer before it shames me further?

thanks,

slade

 

[Akrin]

Re: right hand accuracy

What I do is exercises like this:

Start really slow and just slowly increase speed...does wonders for accuracy.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: right hand accuracy

ur too tired & worn from all that paddling.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: right hand accuracy

thanks akrin. it's a good thing you all can't hear me practice that...

anyways, foamy's right. I now engage in all three of the most stereotypical California occupations, and none of them compliment each other. (cars, guitars, surfing). Just spent about an hour trying to fasten my engine back into the engine compartment... at least I have an excuse for my suckitude

slade

 

[DonLduk]

Re: right hand accuracy

hey I have the same problem. Im correcting it by playing dave mustaine's licks (ie holy wars solo), alexi laiho's 3 notes per string licks... And also some petrucci helps a lot.

Ive always used my pinky and ring fingers to support the picking hand when not Palm muting, but what Ive been modifying is the way I move the wrist. Before I would just move the thunmb and index (the ones that hold the pick) to pick, but now Im starting to move my wrist as a whole. It helps. I will try this exercise posted of course.

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: right hand accuracy

I hear ya!

Before you actually play..warm up. Stretch your fingers, play some chromatic stuff very slow first. I almost need 15 minutes to get rid of this **** inaccurate picking....God I hate sloopy picking :smack: :laugh2:

When you´re warmed up it should be better and easier playing guitar.

Try to play the great exercise which Akrin put online with alternate picking and slow of course.

 

[DonLduk]

Re: right hand accuracy

.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: right hand accuracy

Uhh seeing as this thread is mysteriously back from the dead I'll give an update.

Playing without a pick improves it tremendously As does playing a chord and telling yourself "pick the root, then strum, root, strum" etc. For every chord. Makes you think about what you're doing too

slade

 

[Osensei]

Re: right hand accuracy

Beside doing exercises, what about tension? Some people have a tendency to be rather tense when they play. How relaxed are your muscles? Its not that tension is necessarily a "bad" thing, but I personally find that I can play difficult passages a whole lot better when my muscles are relaxed.