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Seriously: If you value it, take/fetch it yourself
electric proddy probe machine
My trading feedback thread
Play very slowly and analyse your technique. Where are you going wrong? Try to keep your picking hand motion economical.
I've said this before in other threads, but different licks/scales can need different picking strategies.
When I got to the point where I was frustrated at my lack of speed increase, I always assumed my left hand fingers were the problem. Realising that the majority of issues are caused by the picking hand, was the start of really improving for me.
At the risk of sounding like a loop pedal, Troy Grady's "Cracking the code" will help enormously (I'm not on commission... but I should be).
Using a metronome has helped my picking technique a lot. Despite having a few weeks lay-off, picking up again my technique is much better.
Alternate picking accurately quavers, semi-quavers and triplets at 55bpm, got to 75bpm in a couple of weeks.
I'm using simple fretting patterns at the moment (2-4-5 4-5-7 5-7-9) to gauge speed. If the speed is off at say 75, then go from 55-70bpm, if your picking is accurate at 75, then maybe try 80bpm.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
My YouTube Channel
I've recently started trying to improve my speed and I'd echo the metronome suggestion. Play stuff slowly and accurately first and gradually increase the speed on the metronome. By starting slow, you're getting your basic technique and muscle memory in order which is essential as the speed builds.
Also, try some different picks. I couldn't believe the difference it made. I'd only ever used Dunlop Tortex Yellow's for years. Tried a Jazz III and felt I was cheating! It was SO much easier to pick faster. Not sure that it will be my general playing pick but for picking technique/ scale practice, it's my go to choice.
I moved to the Tortex sharps, feel ike normal Tortex, but don't "stick" to the strings like normal tortex
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
I've changed to Tortex sharps, 1mm (the blue ones) which feel much easier for picking. I've also stepped down to 9 gauge strings, due to old hand injuries from rugby. I prefer my picks fairly rigid, but pick choice is a personal thing.
I will say, using the 2-4-5 etc has made me fret much lighter as I've been practising accurate speed picking, which doesn't work with heavy fretting. I have noticed playing much more gently with both hands, picking wrist is more relaxed etc.
I'll be getting back to proper practise next week (just getting back into playing after surgery). Half an hour per day of dedicated picking practise with a metronome really has helped me.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
As an extra, I'm using crotchets, quavers, semi-quavers and triplets to vary my picking speed.
IE
Crotchets = 1 note per click
Quaver = 2 notes per click
triplets = 3 notes per click
semi-quavers = 4 notes per click.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)