Hybrid Picking Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (03:09) Hybrid Picking Technique Chicken pickin' is characterized by the hybrid picking technique. When hybrid picking is employed, the pick is used to pluck select bass notes. Additional accented notes are plucked by the middle and ring fingers. When these fingers are added to the mix, the resulting tone is twangier and more percussive. These tonal elements are key to the modern country style.

Picking Practice

The best way to familiarize yourself with the chicken pickin' technique is to apply it to familiar chord voicings. For example, DJ demonstrates some chicken pickin' with a D7 chord played in fourth position. An alternating bass pattern is applied to the chord. The D root note is struck by the pick on beat 1. On beats 2 and 4, the middle and ring fingers pluck the notes on the fourth and third string. On beat 3, the pick plucks the fifth of the chord, A, located at the 5th fret of the sixth string.

Practice this exercise along with DJ at 01:00 in the lesson video.

Note: Fretboard diagrams to all chords discussed in the lesson video can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

Exercise Variation

Syncopated rhythms can be added to the basic alternating bass line. The bass line remains unchanged from the previous exercise while additional double stops are played by the middle and ring fingers. Refer to the tablature / notation listed under the "Supplemental Content" tab to learn the appropriate rhythm to this variation. When you feel ready, practice the variation along with DJ at 02:14. Chapter 2: (03:45) Hybrid Picking Licks D7 Lick

This lick is played out of the basic fretboard shape for the "open" D7 chord. Lift the third finger from the first string when performing the lick.

The lick features a double stop played on the second and third strings. The second finger pulls off from A to open G within this figure. The motif concludes with the major third, F#, played on the 4th string. This three note motif is superimposed over a 4/4 time feel. Pay careful attention to the rhythm in which the lick is played. Play the lick along with DJ at 01:25 to make sure that you are playing the rhythm properly.

Right Hand Fingering

The pick is used to pluck the F# note on the fourth string. Respectively, the middle and ring fingers are used to pluck notes on the second and third strings.

D7 Lick (5th Position)

A new D7 lick can also be played out of the fifth position barre chord shape for D7. This barre chord is based on the basic shape of the basic "open" A7 voicing. While the third and pinky fingers remain planted, the first finger performs a pull-off from the note C at the 5th fret back to the open G string. The lick is played in the same rhythm as the previous D7 based lick. Practice the rhythm along with DJ at 02:35 in the lesson video.

Since both of the licks presented in this scene feature the same rhythm and imply a D7 sound, they can be used in conjunction with each other. DJ demonstrates this idea at 02:58.

Right Hand Fingering

The same right hand fingering used for the previous lick is also used for the second D7 lick.

Tempo

Chicken pickin' licks are often played at blazing fast tempos. Consequently, you must be able to play them at a variety of tempo ranges. Begin with a slow tempo such as 70 beats per minute. Then, gradually work your way into faster tempo ranges as you become more comfortable. Chapter 3: (02:33) Chicken Pickin' Lick The lick demonstrated in this scene is played out of an A5 chord shape. It utilizes notes from the A minor blues scale. Use this lick to convey a bluesy sound when playing over an A major or A7 chord.

Right Hand Fingering

The pick is used to pluck the bass notes on the fifth and sixth strings. The middle finger plucks accented notes on the fourth string. Use the third finger to pluck the the initial A note on the third string.

Rhythm

A steady sixteenth note rhythm is applied to the lick. Make sure that all of the sixteenth notes receive the exact same value. Do not cut any notes short by slurring improperly. Practice along with DJ at 01:27 in the lesson video to nail down the rhythm.
Chapter 4: (02:41) Chicken Pickin' Using the Hybrid Picking Technique The chicken pickin' technique is not just limited to lead guitar applications. It can also be quite effective in the context of a rhythm part. DJ demonstrates a bluesy riff in E major that demonstrates this concept.

A low E pedal tone is used in conjunction with the riff. An additional E pedal tone is played at the 2nd fret of the 4th string. A pedal tone is a note that remains constant while changing material is played over top of it. While the E notes remain constant, notes from the familiar blues shuffle pattern are played on the fifth string.

Right Hand Fingering

The pick is used to pluck the low pedal tone on the sixth string. The middle and ring fingers are used to pluck the fifth and fourth strings respectively. To keep the tone of the lick tight and punchy, apply some light palm muting to the low E string.

Practice Time

At first, practice the riff on your own with a metronome. Then, return to the lesson video and play along with DJ at 01:56.

Transposition

The riff can be transposed to all 12 keys with some slight fingering adjustments. Transposing the riff to A major and B major will allow you to play an entire 12 bar blues progression in the key of E major. Chapter 5: (02:53) Descending Chicken Pickin' Lick The lick presented in this scene works well over a G major or G7 sound. It begins with inverted versions of the G and F major chords. The lick concludes with some double stops played out of the third position pattern of the G minor / G major pentatonic scale. Notes from both scales are blended in this position.

Right Hand Fingering

The pick is used to pluck bass notes on the third string. During the first half of the lick (G to F change) the middle and ring fingers pluck the second and first strings respectively. During the final portion in third position, these fingers pluck the third and second strings.

Practice Time

At first, practice the riff on your own with a metronome. Then, return to the lesson video and play along with DJ at 01:39.

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