Sorry if this was off-topic, but thanks so much!
shred pickin!

Hi, I'm new to this site and I just wanted to say that reading this thread has been SO helpful! I'm 16 and I'm trying to learn the solo to Stairway to Heaven, and after reading this while practicing over and over I finally SEE the progress I'm making! Slowing down and focusing on accuracy, then slowly speeding up has made so much progress in just a few hours!
Sorry if this was off-topic, but thanks so much!
Sorry if this was off-topic, but thanks so much!
# 1

Originally Posted by: jamesplaysgitarok... so i cant really pick that fast. i want to pick faster. i was just wondering, are you supposed to hold your pick parrallell to the strings? cuz ive seen some people tilt it abit so theres less friction, whats are the pros/cons for picking both ways?
when u hold your pick paralell to the strings the sound is different than when you tilt it. In my case I use both depends from what type of sound I wanna achieve
also I gave up alternate picking for directional picking(alternative picking as Michael Angelo would call it)if I want to play really fast.
If I wanna get big stacatto sound(Paul Gilbert) I use alternate picking.
Also since I started using thumb muting technique I drastically increased my speed whereas alternate picking makes my hand really tired(even though is always relaxed)
# 2

Good question James! I have found through my experiences that this can be very different for any guitar player. I myself generally angle my pick slightly downward... but what works for you could be very different. Be sure to experiment with various ways of holding the pick as well as angling it. Your picking-hand technique is definitely critical to your consistency, so make sure you are just hitting the strings enough to sound them and that you are not digging them. You may want to do a little research on economy picking as well. On your fretting hand, try to only use as much pressure necessary to fret each note / chord, and try to have each inactive fretting finger ready / hovering over the next note it will be playing. These are just some ideas, but I think this could be helpful to you.
Also on speed - I believe setting goals is a very good way to build your speed. With goals in hand, you can then set up a structured plan that allows you to progressively move toward the final end result speed that you are seeking. Try increasing your overall speeds by certain %'s, and sometimes try and push yourself moreso than normal.
Stick with it bro!
Chris
Also on speed - I believe setting goals is a very good way to build your speed. With goals in hand, you can then set up a structured plan that allows you to progressively move toward the final end result speed that you are seeking. Try increasing your overall speeds by certain %'s, and sometimes try and push yourself moreso than normal.
Stick with it bro!
Chris
# 3

A good exercise to really boost up your speed and resistance is to play everything you know with only up strokes for 30 min a day. After one month your right hand will be amazingly consistent and fast. Combine this with what Chris just said and the progress will be so fast that you won't believe it. :-)
# 4