Pick Techniques

[joey_1986]

Hi. I have been playing about a year now to be honest im crap no matter how much i practise. I can play some easy songs such as Puddle of Mudd, She hates me and Too Bad: Nickelback by strumming them. When i use a pick to play faster songs you can hear the pick hitting the string, and i cant use a pick on the E string anyway because it keep sticking. I was wondering if anyone knew any good picking techniques or any techniques to enable you to strum extremely fast??

 

Cheers

[gazman]

Ever thought about using your fingers?

 

Welcome to HCBF

[Moody Johnny]

If you want to play fast altenative strokes with a plectrum, the same rules apply than with g***ar; Make sure the plectrum contacts the string only by its very tip. Not going in straight flat angle across the string, but in diagonal angle in relation to the string. Use time to learn VERY light touch. And use time to learn to relax your whole arm and move only your wrist.

 

I have a photo of myself from last fall, where you can see to certain extent what position my picking hand takes during fast picking (and not so fast too).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember that there is not "one and the only" correct technique. Find out what feels most natural and economic for you. 1 year is an awfully short time. Practically no one learns to play any instrument well enough to join a band within a year. It takes more like 3 or more years. Have patience!

 

 

Oh, and for slower and smoother styles of music learning to play with fingers too is an excellent skill. I myself am still only taking the first steps in that.

[SatansEnemy]

Originally posted by gazman Ever thought about using your fingers? Welcome to HCBF

 

thats how i learned to play bass, with my fingers.

now the band that i am in, unfortunalty i have had to go back to using a pick, some of the songs have riffs that, i in no way come close enough to the speed i would need with my fingers. i am doing my best to try to learn to use all four of my fingers, its not easy but i feel that in the long run that will be the best way to go about it.

 

if the song isnt to fast use your fingers to "pick"/pluck the strings.

 

[Adrenochrome]

+1 Moody Johnny

 

That sums it up nicely. A little plectrum noise hitting the string is not a problem for most styles of music - it can be quite percussive.

[kidinhelmet]

maybe try a different pick? i like the dunlop tortex picks. maybe try a thicker one if you have a thin one or a thinner one if you have a thick one. also, if you have some local musicians around you just try jamming with some buddies. when i was starting out that's what helped me improve the fastest.

[tim_1002]

 

Originally posted by kidinhelmet maybe try a different pick? i like the dunlop tortex picks. maybe try a thicker one if you have a thin one or a thinner one if you have a thick one. also, if you have some local musicians around you just try jamming with some buddies. when i was starting out that's what helped me improve the fastest.

 

dunlop tortex +1

they've got grip and they don't break as easily as the regular plastic ones. i normally play with a pick near the bridge and with the tip. i find varying the angle of your pick changes the tone considerably.

[joey_1986]

thanks for the advice. i normally use my fingers anyway coz then it sounds ok but when trying to play faster songs (movies, alien ant farm for one) i find i cant manage to strum the strings hard enough to produce a decent sound

[plastiq]

i really think that using a pick its not a bass technique