Series Introduction And Picking Primer (Guitar Lesson)

michael.nationjr replied

Love the idea. I done it for 2 hours. Left hand by it self as well then combined them both together after I was done. To see if I could tell of some improvement in piece of music from joe stump and I am really happy with it. Thank you. I make sure to practice this everyday for hour.

rogerfunk replied

hey Allen when your holding the pick how far does your point stick out I have mine just out a little bit and I don't know if I'm just scraping the string or picking it .When I slow down I don't seem to have as much control over the picking.The pick seems to get caught on the string the slower go. do you have any advice

grburgess replied

second time for me to watch this important video.

atmprodigy replied

Suggestion: Instead of practicing so close to the bridge for less string movement, just place a finger on the 12th fret. Then move up to the 11th, 10th etc. until you are acclimated to picking with less string tension. I had the same problem with the bridge obstructing my technique.

ericskomar replied

Very informative lesson for me, a decades-long player and instructor. Question: I'm a lefty but when I first started at age 10 my teacher insisted I learn to play righty because will be more convenient and beneficial in the long run. Over the years one of my biggest obstacles was picking speed and recently realized it might be because my right hand/arm is not dominant. Do you know any lefties that also hit this speed wall? Or am I imagining the whole thing and simply need to practice speed picking more?

sham609 replied

Very insightful lesson Allen! My question is regarding the effect of string gauge on picking technique. I recently went from heavier gauge to lighter gauge strings on my Les Paul, and noticed that my pick attack is more precise on the heavier gauge strings. I assume this is related to the amplitude of oscillation being less on heavier gauge strings. Any thoughts?

dpepe79 replied

This was one of the most interesting technique and tip videos I have seen on the site. Never really analyzed how far I was moving past the string with my pick. Also notice you keep your fingers tucked in.l Great video

vaporlock replied

how come your series says mainly taught on acoustic and all it has is electric?

tjtrooper replied

Thank you so much for this series. I'm still pretty new to playing, and I can't believe how fast these exercises help you improve.

anandavaughan replied

Heya - As a long time guitarist, and jazz guy - educator as well - I'm glad to see your very practical cross - genre speed techniques. Speed has not been my main focus, and I'm ready to step it up there. This is like doing some good reps at the gym, and I appreciate your clear approach. Did you mention to students that you're tuned down 1/2 step? I might have missed that mention, but would be helpful for folks with less experienced ears.

buzzedd replied

Hey Allen, I took the exact same pick "journey". Std medium picks to stubby"s and got a stylus for practice and now the V picks. I hate to jump on the bandwagon as everyone else but the V picks are the most comfortable, smooth and most important is they stick in your fingers. I use the dimension jr. Indeed, the stylus will "fish hook" and stop you dead if you dig to deep. It's a great tool.

crucifix replied

Hi, Allen, thanks for posting these videos man, you did great. But can all of these lessons be done also on Acoustic guitar? Or does it just go for electric?

smelias replied

Hi Allen, What type of settings are you using for tone on the guitar? Are you using any effects? Thanks

smelias replied

Hi Allan, Thanks for the lesson and details on picking. I noticed your using a floating bridge on your guitar. Is your bridge "locked" normally when your playing the lessons? I'm having a problem with my hand / wrist hitting my floating bridge on my jackson which distorts the notes slightly when playing.

paj777 replied

Thanks Allen! This increased my speed and control greatly within minutes of performing these practices.

nedl replied

I am glad that there is something like this series. Thanks.

wannabeguitarist replied

where can we get those pics? does he have a website?

verciapoance replied

ALLEN! That is very true that you should practice the fast motion rather than just slow stuff down! You should say that more often cause it's really vital for the mind. Just slowing a piece down and going slow is the cause of speed walls, it's been established by an engineer that studied piano technique because the difference of the motion is so big. It's understandable but it isn't the intuitive way of learning to do the exact same motion, since as you say, the body usually adapts the motion to the most natural motion(which is different when playing something slow than when playing something quickly). There's a lengthy "proof" in the free book (online) Fundamentals of Piano Practice.(This is not an advert tho, the book is free and constantly updated cause he loves the subject.)

verciapoance replied

BUT DOESN'T IT MAKE THE TONE DIFFERENT? Wont there be a muting sound that will be learned like "a bad habit" that disrupts the tone. Sure efficient motion is important, but I feel uncomfortable about this bad habit that might mute my string a few milliseconds because I have learned the feeling of muting the string right after I play it.(With the pick ofcourse.)

nicko replied

Please tell me, ( i did not really get from video ) will this exercise improve my strumming speed too, or just picking single string speed?

dtmartin replied

Thanks a lot for this lesson. I have been playing the guitar for a long time, mostly self taught. I have always had problems with picking consistently when the licks are fast. I always used my wrist to pick. It may sound funny, but it never occurred to me to use my whole arm. Since I have been practicing these exercises, I am much more consistent and am getting faster.

glen.buxton replied

that was definietly over 20 notes a sec

thesnowdog replied

I was just fooling around in front of the TV and was mightily impressed with my tremolo picking. I love it when I 'magically' improve. ;-)

jantheman replied

so what do we do if we play with our thumb?

goobster replied

Love the way you analyze technique to get the best bang for the buck. I am sure it will enable me to reach my goals faster.

dennis.hodges replied

Yeah Stylus pick! I used those when I was 13 and it made a big difference. I've bought more over the past few years and recommended them to students, they're great.

prs-ron replied

wow i can feel it in my thumb and wrist. good job

shredersons replied

Love this guy...great refresher lesson on picking technique. Everyone can get something from this. I know this is a series and I really hope he touches on economy picking because there is NO good info and technique info. on the method. I know Allen is a fan of the economy picking and he would be a great instructor on the topic and will be able to provide excellent practice licks. The people on Jamplay can really benefit from the efficiency of the picking style. please do us all a favor and do a lesson on economy picking.

stratmusic replied

Fantastic!! This series is going to be excellent!

tangohunter replied

I am actually aroused.

jj90 replied

If there is someone on Jamplay that can help me achieve the goals I want it is you Allen! Your song lessons were exactly I needed to give myself a massive challegenge and although I still can't play it, it helped me alot getting better! Really liked the way you introduced this topic, because as you say speed isn't a substitute for music, but it sure is useful! Really in depth study that already opened some new doors for me already! Thanks a lot man!

melodiusthunk replied

Allan, you D` man! Physics is music!

fredz483 replied

This is awesome.... ... awesome

kettu replied

This is exactly what I've been looking for. I've been trying to play Turkish March as Allen showed it in the other lesson but my picking and hand synchronization are not up to the task yet when I try speed it up. I hope this series will improve both.

joel13 replied

will we be doing left hand excersices as well?

peinutz replied

awsome :)

thesnowdog replied

Great stuff Allen! I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. http://www.styluspick.com/ looks interesting too -- I'd never heard of it.