Members valued customer Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 for me: relax, even when...especially when... you want to speed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sxyryan Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 i agree with relaxing. being tense slows you down. personally, i like to wash my hands real good before i play. i dunno what it is, it might be all in my head, but i think it helps too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlackHatHunter Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 ditching the pick and using my fingers instead... I did that about 1 year into playing the guitar, and never looked back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members K.platyops Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 For me, relaxing is really important too, especially when I first start playing. I think the most important technique for me is a mental technique. I have to let myself warm up naturally and not try to go off to the races from a standstill. I find for myself that the more I concentrate on playing 'musically' and concentrating on melody rather than scales and chops when I'm first warming up, the quicker I can get into more technical, chops-related stuff. Not that I'm a total shredder. I'm more of a speedy 'feel' player. So establishing the feel is paramount for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikeSF Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 it took me some 15 years to discover the potential of my pinky finger. don't just leave it curled up next to the 3rd finger, gang, put it to work for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members warriorpoet Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 it took me some 15 years to discover the potential of my pinky finger. don't just leave it curled up next to the 3rd finger, gang, put it to work for you. Took me 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TeamoDave Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 I'd say vibrato, it's can bring even the simplest phrase or riff to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members allthumz Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 For me, relaxing is really important too, especially when I first start playing. I think the most important technique for me is a mental technique. I have to let myself warm up naturally and not try to go off to the races from a standstill. I find for myself that the more I concentrate on playing 'musically' and concentrating on melody rather than scales and chops when I'm first warming up, the quicker I can get into more technical, chops-related stuff. Not that I'm a total shredder. I'm more of a speedy 'feel' player. So establishing the feel is paramount for me. For me it takes about 10 minutes to get my head into a groove. Doesn't matter if I'm alone or with someone else, feeling good or bad, energetic or tired. When my head gets right my hands work properly. Mind and body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members machine gunner Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 I'd say vibrato, it's can bring even the simplest phrase or riff to life. +1 separates the men from the boys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 I think it was when my mom suggested I use my right thumb for the bottom 2 strings and the other 4 fingers for the top 4. I was 15 at the time and it influenced how I play fingerpicking the rest of my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Professor Tom Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Discovering the sweet spot for picking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fatfat Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 +1 separates the men from the boys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 2jobguy Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 That is a VERY disturbing avatar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dcindc Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Strum in time with the beat. No really! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Faber Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Good posture -> comfort -> better playing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sunn Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Turning the pick slightly so that it is not parallel to the strings, allows for faster pickin' And using a heavier pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Roy Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Discovering the sweet spot for picking. Personally, I move my pick all over, from next to bridge to over the neck for different tone. My biggest revelation was finally learning some theory (McLaughlin DVD) after playing by ear for 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarNed Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Turning the pick slightly so that it is not parallel to the strings, allows for faster pickin'And using a heavier pick.+1 Yeah, that was gonna be MY contribution. Also, use the EDGE of the pick, not the flat part. Both edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pixiemixer Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Heavier pick technique wise, and as far as theory goes, relative minors. Completely opened up the fretboard for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Durden Singer Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Alternate picking. Simple, but a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Me163 Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 *pinch harmonics*practice with a metronome*record yourself and listen to it, because there are some mistakes that are hard to recognize while you are playing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Durden Singer Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 *pinch harmonics*practice with a metronome*record yourself and listen to it, because there are some mistakes that are hard to recognize while you are playing I'm yet to master pinch harmonics (under-statement). Metronome and self-recording == Yes, and YES. Both can be very disillusioning, and help improve vastly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dman11 Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 Epiphany #1: Studying Harmony Wow. Opened a whole new world, like learning a the ULTIMATE language. I understand, well, starting to understand, Music like never before. Epiphany #2 RELAXING RIGHT HAND:thu: . This and a Heavy 2-3mm pick(stubby), Now I can "shred". It's funny, for years I used to clench my elbow/wrist(for years) to try to play "fast" and relax it when it hurt, then noticed It was easier to pick fast and cleanly relaxed.duh,.But this came after many years of practice, I had half the battle won with my left hand, then, relaxing the right hand put it all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Coralkong Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 I would say using a lighter pick, and lighter strings. Let's see, what mm are these things......?Dunlop .38, .60 in nylon, and Dunlop .50 in Tortex. I use D'Addario .009 strings. It allows me to play with more "feel" than a heavier pick, which in turn, allows for more sound variations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BootRoots Posted May 23, 2007 Members Share Posted May 23, 2007 less is more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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