Alternate Picking...

[Laser]

Hi...

I have a problem with learning the simplest alternate picking structures: at (fast) scales with 4 hits on every note and over multiple strings very often I don't hit the 4th note when I have to change to a lower string (example: from e-String to b-String).

It seems, that the problem grows when it comes to the higher strings (g, b, e) and I don't really know how to play and practise it right 'cause I've worked out too
many 'possible' ways... Should I use only the wrist or combined with arm-moving? Does the Plek have to be parallel to the strings? Which Plek-shape is the best? Are there some special alternate picking-exercises that could help in this case? What about 'ultra-slow-playing' - does it really improve the way I play even if I want to play it fast later?

Thanks,
Laser

[Edited by Laser on 06-27-2002 at 05:40 AM]

[^Chacron^]

Welcome to the board pal :)

I get a similar problem so I hope someone answers this! What kind of guitar are you using out of interest? I personally find it harder to do tremelo picking on my les paul than I do on my strat.

[Laser]

I play an Ibanez Saber(Strat-like). I think I know the problem you've described: I've also played a Gibson SG and I thought its harder than playing the Saber. A possible reason for this could be that there is much more space between the body and the strings near the bridge at the SG because the neck is not parallel to the body and this I think is the same on les paul (!??*dont exactly know*?!?) So if you touch the body with your little finger while playing to get more stability(I did it very often) your hand has to be placed different - but I didn't really got the perfect position :-( sorry...

perhaps someone got the answers... :-)

[river]

--------------------------------------4-----5------7
------------------------------5---7
-----------------4---6---7----------4----6-----7
-----4---6---7---------4----6---7
-----------4---5---7
---5---7---
pick up one note down the next....do this every day for
awhile n it'll improve yer pickin...yer playin sixths here..
in A and sorry its all crooked.still dunno how to keep it straight

[Edited by river on 06-27-2002 at 09:04 PM]

[Lordathestrings]

Laser & ^Chacron^:

Guitars with high bridges (like the Les Paul) work best if you rest the edge of your hand on the strings between the bridge and the tailpiece. This leaves all of your fingers available for plectrum/finger picking. It also makes it easy to get into palm-muting. Just position your hand so that you can roll it onto the strings at the bridge saddles.

river:

write the tabs in Notepad or a similar text editor. When you post it, the font is different and the spacing gets distorted badly, but if someone does a Copy & Paste from your post into Notepad, the original spacing and alignment is restored.

[nechako]

Originally posted by ^Chacron^
Welcome to the board pal :)

I get a similar problem so I hope someone answers this! What kind of guitar are you using out of interest? I personally find it harder to do tremelo picking on my les paul than I do on my strat.

A strat taught me how to tremelo pick, they are the #ss kickers of shred guitars!