Benson Picking Technique...Thoughts?

[46&TWO]

New to me. Just looking for thoughts and opinions.

Thanks!

 

[colchar]

Are you talking about the full on Benson technique or simply angling the pick in the same manner as he does? Others, like Hendrix for example, angled the pick like that too but I wouldn't say that Hendrix used a full on Benson type technique. If I remember correctly, Warren Demartini angles his pick like that. Something tells me that George Lynch might have done so as well.

And you can angle the pick like that simply using your fingers, there is no need to curl your wrist the way Benson does (doing it with your fingers has the same effect without the wrist contortions). Doing it that way (angling the pick with the fingers) is one of the methods I have used and is probably the way I like best (but I have never had much confidence in my picking hand so tend to change things around a lot - which is detrimental in the long run and I really should stick to one way of doing things).

This guy touches on the method in this video:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXCDzYfN12I]How to Hold a Pick | Guitar Pedals - YouTube[/ame]



I'm interested to hear what others here have to say about the full on Benson method or even just the angling of the pick in that manner.

 

[46&TWO]

Are you talking about the full on Benson technique or simply angling the pick in the same manner as he does?

I honestly don't know. My teacher recommended I try angling the pick in the opposite direction (I use scalpel picking technique, but angled down), but did not label the technique. I searched the 'net until I came across the term. I will know more in a couple of weeks.

 

[Sustainamaniac]

Does anyone else get kind of a scraping noise by doing this? I try it every now and then but the edge of the pick makes a really scratchy sound.

 

[46&TWO]

Does anyone else get kind of a scraping noise by doing this? I try it every now and then but the edge of the pick makes a really scratchy sound.

I get the scratchy sound by scalpel picking "down". With the pick angled up, that scratching sound across the strings is not a factor. My teacher told me eliminating the scratchy sound and speed are why he would like me to use the technique if I can adapt.

I'm struggling, but making a conscious effort. It is definitely an adjustment, but my notes are ringing out more clearly and the pick seems to sort of glide from string to string. It's uncomfortable right now, but I can see how it will improve many aspects of my playing, again, if I can adapt.

Not sure how pinch harmonics and palm muting will work with it, but I guess we'll see.

 

[axehead]

I adapted to it almost immediately... It reinvigorated my love for the guitar and finally allowed my right hand to catch and have the speed and accuracy to stay with my left.

The weird part... It seems to have made my normal picking better as well and i go back and forth between them almost effortlessly now. Even though i can do palm mutes and pinches both ways, sometimes it just feels better to flip the pick back over and play some parts conventionally or vice versa. Remember, a wise man once said something to the effect of "never trade one cage for just a little bigger cage" You must always be ready to adapt but also don't give up entirely on the conventional method, because i can say with a measure of certainty that before your guitar journey is over there will be parts of conventional picking that you miss or need in your playing in some form or another...

Benson's playing is mainly on the top four and typically playing similar runs.. If you're a metal player/shredder who must encompass every fret/string with speed but also needs very percussive playing and with mega gain in the mix you must use everything possible at your disposal to become as well rounded as possible.

 

[colchar]

When I angle my pick that way I do not use the full Benson technique and just manipulate the pick into that position with my fingers (as mentioned above). I will try to take some pictures later today to demonstrate what I mean.

 

[46&TWO]

When I angle my pick that way I do not use the full Benson technique and just manipulate the pick into that position with my fingers (as mentioned above). I will try to take some pictures later today to demonstrate what I mean.

I do the same. I don't curl the wrist. I've been trying to adapt to it for several days now. It's doable, but very unnatural feeling, at least for me.

 

[colchar]

I do the same. I don't curl the wrist. I've been trying to adapt to it for several days now. It's doable, but very unnatural feeling, at least for me.

Since it is only the pick that changes position for me I find that it feels fairly natural.

 

[46&TWO]

Since it is only the pick that changes position for me I find that it feels fairly natural.

For me, it feels somewhat natural until I've been at it for a half hour to an hour. Then it seems to become work. At that point I'll change back to more "traditional" scalpel picking.

What I find interesting is my speed with traditional scalpel picking is increasing at a tremendous rate. I don't understand what's going on, but the Benson picking, for lack of a better term, seems to be helping me pick up significant speed at both picking techniques.

Or...I've lost my mind. Could be.

 

[colchar]

Or...I've lost my mind. Could be.

Since you hang out here I figured that was a foregone conclusion