A few questions about technique

[axslinger]

I am trying to get past a speed threshold that I've reached. I'd like to be able to tremolo pick scales. I understand I need to be able to tremolo pick on one string before I can attempt solos.

For those of you who can do this type of thing, do you anchor your palm on your bridge or do you keep your hand free? Do you let any of your fingers touch your pickguard or if you don't have a pick guard, do your fingers touch the guitar below the high E string? When you move up a scale (across the strings from low E to high E), do you keep your hand arm stationary and just rotate your wrist down toward the high E string?

Where on your thumb do you grip the pick? I get the impression that I should be gripping the pick at the joint of the thumb rather than the flesh part below the joint. I've been told that the picking should be done with just the wrist rather than moving/rotation the pick with the finger and thumb...that the finger and thumb should remain stationary across the strings and the lower strings should be reach strictly by rotation of the wrist without moving the "anchor point" on the bridge/tail piece. My problem with that is I end up picking the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings right over the bridge pickup and I don't necessarily want that tone.

I really want to get moving with my speed but I can't seem to get past a certain point before everything just turns to shit and gets out of control and sloppy.

Any and all tips/links would be appreciated!

Ax

 

[Mayo5]

I keep my hand hovering over it free. I used to rest it on the bridge kind of; but I now hover as it more easy to manuever when doing the alternate picking.

What helps me for this, is just doing the standard

1-2-3-4 4-3-2-1

Up and down the neck.

Then
1-2-3-4
1-2-3-4
1-2-3-4
1-2-3-4 and son on.

Working your way down from the the first fret on the first strings to the 6th string middle of neck, then go back down towards the body.


Then I will just practice on some common scales using only alternate picking, and just go slow and steady. Make sure you are accurate with just finger placement and hammer/pull off before moving on.


As for the pick holding, I'm sure there is a proper technique for it; but I would just use whatever your most comfortable and confident with.

 

[05jrock]

I'm practicing both ways,free and with my hand on the bridge.

angle of the pick makes a huge difference aswel.

good luck dude

 

[axslinger]

I know that some guys anchor their pinkie below the pickup, but I really don't recommend this. Of course you have to find what works best, but it can put a lot of stress on the hand. You should work with some really simple exercises and a metronome. Keep a journal so that you can keep track of your progress. Find your "comfort speed" and work up from their. Try to make a 5bpm gain everyday, but always start practicing an exercise at a slightly slower speed to get your hands adjusted. After you reach the top speed for the day, work back down 5 beats.

On a daily routine it would look like this..

DAY 1

start speed: 80bpm
top speed: 85bpm
finish speed: 80bpm

DAY 2

start speed: 80bpm
top speed: 90bpm
finish speed: 85bpm

DAY 3

start speed: 85bpm
top speed: 95bpm
finish speed: 90bpm

You're always increasing by 5 beats but you also are bringing your hands back down to a in between speed. Its a lot like how body builders train. Don't just jump into the previous day's top speed, and don't speed pick anything. Just do clean alternate picking.

You can use this approach to train for other techniques - sweep picking, tapping, legato, etc - hope this helps

GuitArticles

I will do this and let you know how it goes. Thank you!