# Playing Technique **URL:** https://forum.troygrady.com/c/playing-technique/12.md?page=2 [Latest](https://forum.troygrady.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.troygrady.com/categories.md) **Page:** 3 --- ## [Reviving the chat on Trailing edge picking](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/reviving-the-chat-on-trailing-edge-picking/86503)
**Author:** [@STU88R](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/STU88R)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/reviving-the-chat-on-trailing-edge-picking/86503 "2026-06-05T16:12:16Z")
I’ve been a trailing edge player for around 23 years. The main issues I encounter are With the B and high E strings. I feel like the pick is fighting against the 2 highest strings due to the angle of the movement comb… --- ## [Chromatic rolling sixes - lift index finger or keep planted?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/chromatic-rolling-sixes-lift-index-finger-or-keep-planted/97795)
**Author:** [@webmaestro](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/webmaestro)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/chromatic-rolling-sixes-lift-index-finger-or-keep-planted/97795 "2026-06-05T12:58:09Z")
When playing a chromatic sixes exercise like this one: —2—3—4—5—4—3—2—3-–4–-5-–4-–3— \[etc, etc…\] I have a natural tendency to lift my index finger off the 2nd fret as I’m playing the subsequent ascending notes, and the… --- ## [Confusion about transitioning from tremolo to picking a phrase at warp three](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/confusion-about-transitioning-from-tremolo-to-picking-a-phrase-at-warp-three/97630)
**Author:** [@Thimras](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Thimras)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/confusion-about-transitioning-from-tremolo-to-picking-a-phrase-at-warp-three/97630 "2026-05-31T02:37:29Z")
Hey everyone :slight\_smile: So I’ve made my way through the pickslanting primer and I love how in-depth it is and I was quite liberating to even just try the simple motion tests and get a result that, while not as fast … --- ## [Has Troy ever tried to get Paul Gilbert/Jeff Loomis in the Masters of Mechanics studio?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/has-troy-ever-tried-to-get-paul-gilbert-jeff-loomis-in-the-masters-of-mechanics-studio/97542)
**Author:** [@Inabsentia](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Inabsentia)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/has-troy-ever-tried-to-get-paul-gilbert-jeff-loomis-in-the-masters-of-mechanics-studio/97542 "2026-05-27T17:21:19Z")
I’m a DSX player and most of the Masters of Mechanics interviews are USX players. I’ve always believed one day we’ll get a Paul Gilbert or Jeff Loomis MoM since the very beginnings of CoC. A decade later and it doesn’t … --- ## [Which is a good average of notes per second](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/which-is-a-good-average-of-notes-per-second/97558)
**Author:** [@VRX51](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/VRX51)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/which-is-a-good-average-of-notes-per-second/97558 "2026-05-27T16:00:41Z")
Hi everyone! How are you all doing? I was practicing with a metronome, and I noticed that I can consistently play 12 notes per second using my DSX, and 10 notes per second using my DBX. Of course, that’s not as fast as… --- ## [Synchronicity: Feedback and 2 Questions](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/synchronicity-feedback-and-2-questions/97532)
**Author:** [@yukaza17](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/yukaza17)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/synchronicity-feedback-and-2-questions/97532 "2026-05-26T22:47:04Z")
Hi everyone, Feedback I just finished watching synchronicity. At least all of what is there already. I must say I really enjoy the approach and the production of the seminar so far. Of course, the heart-piece of the se… --- ## [The 18-minute Practicing Routine](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/the-18-minute-practicing-routine/6304)
**Author:** [@davetheguitarplayer](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/davetheguitarplayer)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/the-18-minute-practicing-routine/6304 "2026-05-26T19:49:39Z")
Hey everybody, I’ve been meaning to share this with everyone, but the past, oh, two years, have been sincerely insane. And I’m only really getting some break time from the chaos of things right now cuz I’m taking it e… --- ## [Coming from Tom Hess](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/coming-from-tom-hess/97325)
**Author:** [@Lautruch](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Lautruch)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/coming-from-tom-hess/97325 "2026-05-21T21:42:32Z")
I just got my membership and I’m trying to get my head around what the most allrounder technique is. I have taken courses with Tom Hess for a few years and I learned his thumb muting technique which puts you in a DSX wit… --- ## [Difference between DBX and stringhopping](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/difference-between-dbx-and-stringhopping/97378)
**Author:** [@julianguitar](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/julianguitar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2026, 9:07am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/difference-between-dbx-and-stringhopping/97378 "2026-05-20T09:07:31Z")
I’m struggling to understand the actual practical / mechanical difference between DBX and stringhopping - is it literally just a case of lower height on the escape so it’s not inefficient. If I wanted to practise DBX as … --- ## [How would you play this Frank Gambale exercises?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/how-would-you-play-this-frank-gambale-exercises/97229)
**Author:** [@alfonsodelag](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/alfonsodelag)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/how-would-you-play-this-frank-gambale-exercises/97229 "2026-05-19T22:28:19Z")
Hello! I was wondering if you can tell me more feedback about how would you play these licks?? Like I’d like to know the Pick Direction notation… like where would you use D or U and this one: and finally this one: … --- ## [Is Jason becker dsx or usx](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/is-jason-becker-dsx-or-usx/97198)
**Author:** [@WhammyStarScream](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/WhammyStarScream)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/is-jason-becker-dsx-or-usx/97198 "2026-05-14T18:38:19Z")
I have seen the videos, idk, what do you think. --- ## [What kind of picking would you use here?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/what-kind-of-picking-would-you-use-here/97146)
**Author:** [@alfonsodelag](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/alfonsodelag)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/what-kind-of-picking-would-you-use-here/97146 "2026-05-12T23:08:15Z")
Hey guys, So, I must first start this post by saying that I usually practice guitar using “Rocksmith 2014” which is a guitar game similar to guitar hero but with a real guitar. Anyways, I was wondering, what kind of pi… --- ## [I’ve accidentally discovered forearm rotation](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/i-ve-accidentally-discovered-forearm-rotation/97107)
**Author:** [@steve506](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/steve506)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/i-ve-accidentally-discovered-forearm-rotation/97107 "2026-05-12T16:58:22Z")
Hello fellow reverse dart throwers, I usually play with a trailing edge grip and it serves a purpose, however, I’ve been experimenting with other grips and motions to play the funk because, as everybody knows, life is p… --- ## [Tips for a lefty](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/tips-for-a-lefty/97037)
**Author:** [@YABBI](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/YABBI)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/tips-for-a-lefty/97037 "2026-05-09T14:11:09Z")
Hi everyone, First time posting, I’m 41 year old acoustic player (I have electrics too but mainly acoustic). Been playing guitar since I was 11/12. I’ve always found speedy lick have not come naturally to me, I have a v… --- ## ["Inside" Gilbert lick on Youtube mini-lesson](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/inside-gilbert-lick-on-youtube-mini-lesson/97006)
**Author:** [@Drew](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Drew)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/inside-gilbert-lick-on-youtube-mini-lesson/97006 "2026-05-07T19:39:04Z")
This one: Didn’t see a thread about this mini-lesson, but I wanted to make sure I’ve got this right. Basically, this pattern is the famous Gilbert exercise, starting with a downstroke on the high E string,… --- ## [Evertune / 7.25 radius and other hardware changes that complicate playing?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/evertune-7-25-radius-and-other-hardware-changes-that-complicate-playing/97002)
**Author:** [@Xkjacob](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Xkjacob)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/evertune-7-25-radius-and-other-hardware-changes-that-complicate-playing/97002 "2026-05-07T17:54:09Z")
I received some great advice about 3 weeks ago, bumping speed from a struggling 110 up to 220 in a very short time period. Not saying 220 is Fear factory tight rapid fire, but at least I’m swinging at it now instead of … --- ## [Why don't we all learn DBX First?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/why-dont-we-all-learn-dbx-first/94910)
**Author:** [@jalessi](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/jalessi)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/why-dont-we-all-learn-dbx-first/94910 "2026-05-07T02:22:07Z")
I have been going through CTC for about a month or two. I understand that we are advised to start with the picking technique that feels most natural to us. But if I begin with USX or DSX then how do I play runs with mi… --- ## [B DU BU DU strum pattern played with rest stroke on bass](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/b-du-bu-du-strum-pattern-played-with-rest-stroke-on-bass/96796)
**Author:** [@mummariello](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/mummariello)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/b-du-bu-du-strum-pattern-played-with-rest-stroke-on-bass/96796 "2026-05-03T23:44:59Z")
Hello everyone. I play this i believe very common strum pattern with rest stroke on bass to obtain a lot of volume (i usually play in hotels, without amplification) and have a good control to pick the right string. It wo… --- ## [Chunking choices](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/chunking-choices/96736)
**Author:** [@Antoine96](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Antoine96)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/chunking-choices/96736 "2026-04-30T08:31:01Z")
Hello guys, After almost two years of practice I’m almost at the end of the Volcano seminar but I still have a question about how to group notes when using chunking accents. Sometimes I’m not sure how to group notes, f… --- ## [Two-way pickslanting question](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/two-way-pickslanting-question/96761)
**Author:** [@capt994](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/capt994)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2026, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/two-way-pickslanting-question/96761 "2026-04-29T02:05:22Z")
So, my question is on the following picking sequence: ---------5-7-8-7-5------- 5-6-8------------------8-6(repeat from beginning). In this sequence, I’m using strict alternate picking, starting with a downstroke. The… --- ## [What's slowing my fretting hand down here?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/whats-slowing-my-fretting-hand-down-here/96744)
**Author:** [@gw12505](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/gw12505)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/whats-slowing-my-fretting-hand-down-here/96744 "2026-04-28T20:17:33Z")
I’d like someone who knows better than me to tell me what I’m doing wrong here. What I am trying to play is an ascending shred line in the 3NPS minor scale root position. I am warmed up. My fingers immedia… --- ## [Fretting hand pinky question](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/fretting-hand-pinky-question/96718)
**Author:** [@BodomBeachTerror](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/BodomBeachTerror)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2026, 6:13pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/fretting-hand-pinky-question/96718 "2026-04-28T18:13:30Z")
I’ve recently tried to analyze my fretting hand more closely after finally getting my picking up to a level where I can just polish my current mechanically-correct techniques for more speed. What I’ve struggled with is p… --- ## [Practice speed questions](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/practice-speed-questions/96685)
**Author:** [@kevdok](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/kevdok)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/practice-speed-questions/96685 "2026-04-24T23:20:19Z")
I have watched the Primer and Synchronicity and of course most of the other interviews but have some questions regarding speed and sync. I want to preface this by saying I plan on submitting a TC very soon but just not … --- ## [Downward Pickslanting vs USX Motion – what's the difference?!](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/downward-pickslanting-vs-usx-motion-whats-the-difference/96624)
**Author:** [@Troy](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Troy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/downward-pickslanting-vs-usx-motion-whats-the-difference/96624 "2026-04-23T14:24:37Z")
Pickslanting or “escape”? Why did we “change” the terminology?! This question comes up on a regular basis. “I like the older jargon.” “I like the newer jargon.” I get it! But we didn’t really change the terms - we … --- ## [Do any of you purposely practice swiping?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/do-any-of-you-purposely-practice-swiping/94758)
**Author:** [@aliendough](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/aliendough)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/do-any-of-you-purposely-practice-swiping/94758 "2026-04-20T14:34:36Z")
I was messing around with swiping, but I just can’t get my head around it. I get that you just push your pick through a muted string to hit a note on the next string, but my brain gets confused and I’m expecting the mut… --- ## [USX Sync and Swiping?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/usx-sync-and-swiping/96064)
**Author:** [@AustinK](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/AustinK)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/usx-sync-and-swiping/96064 "2026-04-17T16:00:33Z")
Hey Everyone, Been grinding in the woodshed and need outside perspective on my sync and how I am changing strings. I believe I am swiping for the most part but I’m not sure. 1st video is USX tremolo-I feel confident i… --- ## [Playing fast: advice from a flute player](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/playing-fast-advice-from-a-flute-player/96398)
**Author:** [@millionrainbows](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/millionrainbows)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/playing-fast-advice-from-a-flute-player/96398 "2026-04-16T19:17:26Z")
I learned something from watching this. It also confirms what has been said on this forum. --- ## [Clean/Realistic Tremolo Potential Picking Speed](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/clean-realistic-tremolo-potential-picking-speed/96279)
**Author:** [@fuggio](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/fuggio)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/clean-realistic-tremolo-potential-picking-speed/96279 "2026-04-11T23:00:45Z")
Hello, As Michael Angelo Batio said, “There is nothing faster than banging on one note.” That makes sense: tremolo represents your theoretical max speed, while real life playing is slightly slower due to string changes … --- ## [Picking depth for each string?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/picking-depth-for-each-string/96272)
**Author:** [@BodomBeachTerror](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/BodomBeachTerror)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2026, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/picking-depth-for-each-string/96272 "2026-04-11T14:23:22Z")
Have you guys noticed that in order to get good picking going on the lower strings, you need to dig your pick into the strings just the tiniest bit more the thicker the strings go? I noticed this when practising 3nps two… --- ## [Fripp-ing great!](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/fripp-ing-great/96305)
**Author:** [@zlotz99](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/zlotz99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/fripp-ing-great/96305 "2026-04-11T13:57:50Z")
I am trying to understand what technique is being used in this Robert Fripp-inspired video. I think it’s double escape motion, but perhaps someone can kindly confirm? Also, it seems that Fripp’s pioneering picking tech… [Previous page](https://forum.troygrady.com/c/playing-technique/12.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.troygrady.com/c/playing-technique/12.md?page=3)