Video Question: Fast Picking

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Date: July 9th, 2008 | Length: 5.13 | Instructor: Nick Greathouse

StephenWhan asks, "Can you give any advice as to how to improve fast picking techniques? By way of example, I've been messing around with the intro to Iron Maiden's "Wasted Years" for a while now and find that I keep missing the string every 3-4 picks. Either I miss the string altogether, or I dig too deep into the preceding note and it throws off my rhythm. I've tried practicing without using my left hand and get fairly accurate relatively quickly, but as soon as I re-introduce the left and start depressing strings, I go right back to missing strings again. Slowing down, I'm 100%, so it's the tempo and length of the repetition that's throwing me off. Any and all help, as always, is greatly appreciated. Jam on!" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

- July 11th, 2008 (5 minutes, 80 seconds)

Mingofalls asks, "Hi, I'm trying to learn more on Music theory, and I'm alittle confused on Major scales the way they the notes are set up. Why does the C Major scale have no sharps or flats, Why is there an F# in the G Major scale, and Why is there a Bb in the F Major scale? I'm somewhat confused on this theory! Thanks! JamOn" View Response

Christmas Songs - December 19th, 2007 (4 minutes, 24 seconds)

Juant asks "I bought my first guitar 1 week ago. I bought a Fender DSG starter package. My immediate goal is to learn two Christmas songs by Christmas Eve, so that I may play them for my 11 month year old son. So far I have learned the: E, A, D, C, and G chords, sand I'm transitioning fairly well between them. Please recommend two songs that only use the above chords, and advise if you have lkessons for them, so that I may cram between now and then. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all the best in 2008. Thank you in advance, Juan Enrique" View Response

advanced rhythms and timing - December 14th, 2007 (3 minutes, 17 seconds)

Chall1001 asks "I asked this question in the forums but i started thinking that maybe it would be a good question for the videos because timinig is something you need to hear to understand. So i was wondering how to count advanced rhythms such as 32nd's , different groupings besides triplets,and when there are all sorts of different 16ths and 8th notes mixed together. After watching a video Matt Brown did i decided that i need to learn how to count the advanced rhythmic lead parts of a song i make up. If nothing else, just to be able to put it on paper so that i can play it again later." View Response

A Shaped Barre Chords - October 31st, 2007 (2 minutes, 35 seconds)

Mav67 asks: "I am facing a major obstacle whilst trying to get down these God forsaken A shaped barre chords. My ring finger will not bend at the top knuckle making it impossible to utilise conventional fingering that most other players use. The only way I can get it is to fret an A chord using fingers 2 3 and 4, then using the index finger for the barre. This is uncomfortable and difficult to move in and out of during chord movements. Can any of you please look into your vast vessels of knowledge and shed some guiding light to help me out? Thank you." View Response

Playing Guitar With Otthers - August 2nd, 2007 (1 minutes, 41 seconds)

Tviolet2000 asks, "I'm new at playing guitar and have always played by myself. Some experienced players want me to jam with them. Do you have any tricks or tips for me to practice before I go out into the real world?" View Response