# Technique Critique **URL:** https://forum.troygrady.com/c/technique-critique/9.md?page=1 [Latest](https://forum.troygrady.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.troygrady.com/categories.md) **Page:** 2 --- ## [Beginner - Critique Request](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/beginner-critique-request/95469)
**Author:** [@vicmav97](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/vicmav97)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/beginner-critique-request/95469 "2026-03-09T19:52:44Z")
Hi all, I’m a beginner on the guitar (first picked it up around 5 months ago) and stumbled across Troy’s work so decided to give a shot and learn something new. Based on my motion tests, I’m able to keep in time and go… --- ## [Can’t make wrist motion work at speed — defaulting to elbow tremolo? (Zenith Passage riff)](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/can-t-make-wrist-motion-work-at-speed-defaulting-to-elbow-tremolo-zenith-passage-riff/94926)
**Author:** [@KilPhollins](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/KilPhollins)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/can-t-make-wrist-motion-work-at-speed-defaulting-to-elbow-tremolo-zenith-passage-riff/94926 "2026-02-19T16:23:15Z")
Hi everyone, I’m stuck on my playing in general. I’ve been working on this riff for ~3 weeks (probably 10+ hours total on this riff alone) and I still can’t play it reliably. Video: (first take, no warmup) Problem… --- ## [Overall technique critique please! TY](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/overall-technique-critique-please-ty/94273)
**Author:** [@JohnSander](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/JohnSander)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/overall-technique-critique-please-ty/94273 "2026-01-23T17:22:51Z")
First post here. Even after playing for 30 years I am still figuring things out. I tend to dig my right palm into the top of the guitar (above the strings) and use it as an anchor. It works for DSX the problem is I have… --- ## [Should I change my picking technique?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/should-i-change-my-picking-technique/94155)
**Author:** [@Misha](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Misha)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/should-i-change-my-picking-technique/94155 "2026-01-21T13:25:24Z")
Hello, I used to post here a long time ago. My problem was in my picking hand, I couldn’t pick fast due to stringhopping issue which prevented me to play a simple tremolo faster than 110bpm 16ths for more than 10 years, … --- ## [Determining My Escape Stroke With Certainty](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/determining-my-escape-stroke-with-certainty/93115)
**Author:** [@thecrimsonidol7](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/thecrimsonidol7)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2026, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/determining-my-escape-stroke-with-certainty/93115 "2026-01-19T18:45:42Z")
Hey everyone! Just wanted to have you guys help me with my motions. I’m a completely idiosyncratic learner, so I learn by doing, and while I love CtC, and suspected my primary motion to be DSX, I also found out if I focu… --- ## [Is there such as thing as too little pick depth?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/is-there-such-as-thing-as-too-little-pick-depth/93988)
**Author:** [@TeeDee1970](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/TeeDee1970)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/is-there-such-as-thing-as-too-little-pick-depth/93988 "2026-01-14T16:10:57Z")
Is there such a thing as too little pick depth? I got a stylus pick when they first came out in '89 and in all honesty, I think it’s wrecked my picking. The issue is that now I play with what I believe is far too little… --- ## [Still having trouble with picking up speed](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/still-having-trouble-with-picking-up-speed/92961)
**Author:** [@DHillson](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/DHillson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2026, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/still-having-trouble-with-picking-up-speed/92961 "2026-01-11T20:31:13Z")
I’ve been working with the dsx style picking, and I’ve been working with Tommaso’s lessons for pentatonic scales and the Gilbert sixes. I’m still having trouble with speed. I have videos out, any help would be great --- ## [Simple Economy picked line issue](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/simple-economy-picked-line-issue/93657)
**Author:** [@Scottulus](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Scottulus)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/simple-economy-picked-line-issue/93657 "2026-01-10T15:12:24Z")
hey everyone - I just got an iphone 17 and it’s most certainly made things easier to see and create - plus the darn thing stays in the magnet so I can focus on playing instead of worrying about the darn thing falling off… --- ## [RDT Wrist DSX and USX?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/rdt-wrist-dsx-and-usx/93862)
**Author:** [@AustinK](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/AustinK)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/rdt-wrist-dsx-and-usx/93862 "2026-01-07T19:28:14Z")
Hello Everyone, I need a sanity check to see if my RDT wrist DSX AND USX are correct. I believe so after practicing for a few days and reviewing this magnet footage from today but only started Primer last week. Current… --- ## [Undoing 20+ years of self taught habits and picking neglect](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/undoing-20-years-of-self-taught-habits-and-picking-neglect/93627)
**Author:** [@guitarification](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/guitarification)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/undoing-20-years-of-self-taught-habits-and-picking-neglect/93627 "2026-01-01T22:55:16Z")
Hi CtC people! As the titles says, I’ve been playing for over 20 years and have built up a wrap sheet of bad habits that I’m trying to address and fix - one of those being my flat picking technique. I have spent a lot o… --- ## [Is this bad Technique?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/is-this-bad-technique/93423)
**Author:** [@KilPhollins](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/KilPhollins)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/is-this-bad-technique/93423 "2025-12-23T05:42:12Z")
Hey folks, just wanted to ask for some opinions: do you think this is fundamentally bad technique? I’m really at my limit with stuff like this and I suspect I’m a strong elbow-driven player with some wrist mixed in. To… --- ## [Do you see reverse dart thrower or forearm–wrist motion?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/do-you-see-reverse-dart-thrower-or-forearm-wrist-motion/93328)
**Author:** [@kokolox](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/kokolox)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/do-you-see-reverse-dart-thrower-or-forearm-wrist-motion/93328 "2025-12-19T20:18:06Z")
Hello everyone ! I’d like to get your opinion about my picking technique. Please check the clip 1. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/irsIc3UT9l4 I know and I think I understood correctly that my “lead” picking technique … --- ## [Gilbert sixes feels weird](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/gilbert-sixes-feels-weird/92317)
**Author:** [@snewmy](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/snewmy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/gilbert-sixes-feels-weird/92317 "2025-12-14T13:55:15Z")
Hey something isn’t really feeling right or synchronized with me doing the gilbert sixes pattern. Any ideas? --- ## [Eric Johnson Fives in DSX](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/eric-johnson-fives-in-dsx/92839)
**Author:** [@adampaul](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/adampaul)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2025, 10:18am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/eric-johnson-fives-in-dsx/92839 "2025-12-05T10:18:26Z")
Yo, I’m working on some Eric Johnson inspired bits and pieces but I use DSX rather than USX and so I’m looking for some advice with my approach. I’ve got a little speed with it, and with simple runs I can make it work,… --- ## [Sebasbeck Technique Critique](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/sebasbeck-technique-critique/4652)
**Author:** [@sebasbeck](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/sebasbeck)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/sebasbeck-technique-critique/4652 "2025-11-22T17:12:29Z")
Hello! I’m new here, wanted to share this short video and hear some thoughts about it! thanks to cracking the code!!and thank you all :slight\_smile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xatvQotwt0 Thanks! --- ## [Garage spikes and some tension, DSX advice pls!](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/garage-spikes-and-some-tension-dsx-advice-pls/92237)
**Author:** [@snewmy](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/snewmy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/garage-spikes-and-some-tension-dsx-advice-pls/92237 "2025-11-14T19:22:34Z")
Clips are: 4NPS, 4NPS Slow, 3NPS, 3NPS Slow, 1NPS, 1NPS Slow Hello! Looking for any obvious callouts that can help me. I feel like on the 4NPS stuff i feel like a weird pause inbetween switching each string. I also cant… --- ## [Poor Picking Speed](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/poor-picking-speed/81849)
**Author:** [@Play4ibanez](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Play4ibanez)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/poor-picking-speed/81849 "2025-10-12T22:06:35Z")
I just purchased the CtC magnet and was hoping on some feedback and critique of my alternate picking. I’ve been serious about playing for about 9 months-ish and cant seem to get past 110 BPM w/ 16th notes. I’m not really… --- ## [Pick grip - minimal effort](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/pick-grip-minimal-effort/91134)
**Author:** [@ElectricVoid](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/ElectricVoid)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/pick-grip-minimal-effort/91134 "2025-09-28T19:09:02Z")
Hey everyone, I’m going through the primer and wondering if my pick grip is off. Should the pick sit more on the pad of my index finger? My hand feels pretty relaxed doing it this way. --- ## [User Video Player Page](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/user-video-player-page/90812)
**Author:** [@DimeCFH](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/DimeCFH)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/user-video-player-page/90812 "2025-09-16T00:30:52Z")
hey guys, im trying to switch my down picking to the dart thrower technique in hopes of being able to play songs like master of puppets and blackened up to speed and without my arm gassing out. ive only been working on… --- ## [Tremolo picking technique](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/tremolo-picking-technique/90752)
**Author:** [@DimeCFH](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/DimeCFH)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/tremolo-picking-technique/90752 "2025-09-16T00:07:36Z")
Hey guys I’ve been trying to develop proper tremolo technique picking with the wrist and not the whole forearm. I’m having trouble especially on the high E string. I, assuming because of the angle . Can anyone provide an… --- ## [What the f..am I doing?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/what-the-f-am-i-doing/90480)
**Author:** [@Spooky\_tom](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Spooky_tom)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/what-the-f-am-i-doing/90480 "2025-09-02T15:41:30Z")
When CtC had the interviews with Andy Wood I was very inspired and started playing some bluegrass to get my cross picking down. Life happened and I had to focus on other aspects of my playing but now I am back and trying… --- ## [Play USX - learning DBX/DSX. Is new motion reverse dart thrower or dart thrower?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/play-usx-learning-dbx-dsx-is-new-motion-reverse-dart-thrower-or-dart-thrower/90508)
**Author:** [@Allthingsbigandsmall](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Allthingsbigandsmall)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/play-usx-learning-dbx-dsx-is-new-motion-reverse-dart-thrower-or-dart-thrower/90508 "2025-09-02T11:04:31Z")
Hey Everyone I’ve had a USX picking style for a few years and have decided to spend time learning to at the very least change strings on downstrokes. I’ve realized that when descending from high strings to low with 3nps… --- ## [Help identifying my own technique (jazz)](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/help-identifying-my-own-technique-jazz/90043)
**Author:** [@bigskies2019](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/bigskies2019)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/help-identifying-my-own-technique-jazz/90043 "2025-08-17T19:08:42Z")
https://youtube.com/shorts/qTHyoerDjiU I have no set approach to picking at all and I would like to finally start to develop an understanding of how much picking works. This video is just a transcription I was working … --- ## [Why is my picking so sloppy?](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/why-is-my-picking-so-sloppy/89212)
**Author:** [@RyanMW](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/RyanMW)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/why-is-my-picking-so-sloppy/89212 "2025-08-06T02:12:18Z")
I apologize for the angle. I had some trouble with the magnet. It kept falling off my neck, couldn’t get phone to stay in properly, etc. I’ve been playing for about 30 years but have only seriously worked on my lead pla… --- ## [Trying to Cross-pick Bach](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/trying-to-cross-pick-bach/88249)
**Author:** [@Horganovski](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Horganovski)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/trying-to-cross-pick-bach/88249 "2025-08-05T15:02:40Z")
Slowly working on getting this more articulate. I’ve been backing off the gain and reverb so I have nowhere to hide :slight\_smile: I’ve recently started to realize that I can pick it pretty consistently no… --- ## [Stucked on an upstroke while having a DWPS (I suppose)](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/stucked-on-an-upstroke-while-having-a-dwps-i-suppose/89631)
**Author:** [@kenanfr](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/kenanfr)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2025, 2:09pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/stucked-on-an-upstroke-while-having-a-dwps-i-suppose/89631 "2025-08-04T14:09:48Z")
Hello guys, This is my first post here so bear with me if I’m being unclear. I working on a picking sequence found in the solo of No More Tears from Ozzy. The problem is that the sequence is a 6 notes based on the fir… --- ## [Pretty new the CtC, want to verify I'm doing reverse dart player motion correctly before moving on](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/pretty-new-the-ctc-want-to-verify-im-doing-reverse-dart-player-motion-correctly-before-moving-on/89629)
**Author:** [@richofthejungle](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/richofthejungle)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/pretty-new-the-ctc-want-to-verify-im-doing-reverse-dart-player-motion-correctly-before-moving-on/89629 "2025-07-30T03:04:19Z")
Hi to all, I’ve been off and on CtC for a while now and I’ve decided to just buckle down and brute force myself through it until things feel right. Watching the primer, a big “aha” moment was Troy mentioning the pick gr… --- ## [In order to not have the pick getting stuck on the upstroke](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/in-order-to-not-have-the-pick-getting-stuck-on-the-upstroke/89528)
**Author:** [@357mag](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/357mag)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/in-order-to-not-have-the-pick-getting-stuck-on-the-upstroke/89528 "2025-07-27T12:42:51Z")
Do I have this correct? In order to prevent the pick from getting hung up on the string when you do the upstroke (garage spikes), the pick has to travel in the same path on the upstroke as it did on the downstroke. That… --- ## [Need serious help!!!](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/need-serious-help/85907)
**Author:** [@Jjbeck84](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/Jjbeck84)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2025, 1:22am UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/need-serious-help/85907 "2025-07-22T01:22:25Z")
Hey guys. I’ve been playing guitar for about 15 years and when I was younger I had a very efficient motion. speedpicking and especially tremolo was easy for me and never strenuous. i learned and perfected a wrist motion … --- ## [Help with tremolo / pick stuck on upstrokes!!](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/help-with-tremolo-pick-stuck-on-upstrokes/89133)
**Author:** [@GioHiTech](https://forum.troygrady.com/u/GioHiTech)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://forum.troygrady.com/t/help-with-tremolo-pick-stuck-on-upstrokes/89133 "2025-07-15T15:35:13Z")
Hey yall, nice to meet you. I’ve been studying guitar with a teacher for a few months now and there’s been something nagging at me since a while ago, which is that I feel a slight resistance when picking an upstroke as c… [Previous page](https://forum.troygrady.com/c/technique-critique/9.md) [Next page](https://forum.troygrady.com/c/technique-critique/9.md?page=2)