Hi guys, have you seen Anton’s new video? The part that interests me the most is when he talks about his school and some images appears, regarding his pick motion and a “4334” concept… any clue about what that means?
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I thought about posting this yesterday. I particularly dug the nasty pattern Anton plays starting around 1:02.
I recall that image you mention but don’t remember where it was in the video - not sure what that was about. Might not even really be about anything, as he likes to be secretive with his methods. haha
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Oh man, that guy is awesome at picking. He really has it dialled in, doesn’t he?
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“4334” one note on the D string and two on the G string. Here’s the real meaning:
That’s exactly what he does at 00:33 of his most recent video (Petrucci).
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Wouldn’t that be 433? Though you are generally correct, he is referring to strings, but I think it’s essentially DSX 2 notes per string.
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No, he’s doing one note on the D and 2 on the G…so, if you interpret it this way it’s 433… i don’t think that these numbers refers to the strings, otherwise it would be “easy” DSX all the time…
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Ok, it’s because he has his own concepts. His concept of 2nps is different from ours. From what I’ve studied from Anton, here are some 2nps combinations:
4332
4334
2332
2334
433 433
344 344
When he refers to 2nps he is also referring to keeping a single escape as much as possible.
For 4334 he will do:
DSX, DSX, DSX, turn In (USX), USX, USX + turn OUT
Theoretically, the two escapes will oscillate between them, but there’s something more behind this that makes all the difference in the application method.
Troy, Tommo, and I are working on this and a few other things, and we’ll be able to show more soon.
If you look at the clip I sent above, you can see obvious tilts, and also the maintenance of supination or pronation for longer than normal.
Here’s another clip that might be even clearer about what I’m trying to say:
This clip is another variation of 2nps, but following the same logic.
So that’s why in the image you see Anton doing DSX (UWPS) + pronation, Soon after that, he will probably do USX (DWPS) + supination.
And again, I’m not Anton’s student, never was, so I could be very wrong with this information. But I’ve been a big fan of his work for a few years, and I’ve watched every video of his many times, so I could be right too. Anyway, let’s try to learn together!
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Why switching from DSX to USX if the number of note per strings is even? I’ don’t really believe that he’s referring to strings with these numbers…
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That’s exactly it. As long as the number of notes is even, he’ll maintain the form. When there’s an odd note, it breaks the pattern, and he’ll need to make another rotation and maintain another escape.
Just look at the pattern he’s playing, as there will always be two notes on the higher strings and only one on the lower strings. It doesn’t matter if it’s on adjacent strings or string skipping, the pattern will always be the same.
And of course, to be able to play this, you need two forms: USX and DSX, or simply 2WPS (The Eights - Anton’s concept for 2WPS). And I think that’s what he’s showing in the video.
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Now THIS is some good news 
I was considering doing another TC just to specifically ask about your mixed escape playing lol. Will wait a bit and see what’s coming.
For some reason I have a horrible time figuring out the approach angle, exact motion, and anchor point for the trapped portion of this sort of playing.
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I understand, but if he’s referring to the strings he should call this 433, not 4334… that’s why i don’t believe the numbers are referred to the strings…
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That’s fine! It’s a little difficult to understand at first. I made a short video demonstrating this, well, maybe it will make everything easier to understand:
https://youtube.com/shorts/BDBevs2uNj0?si=Cxt-Eiz4MESwIhR7
PS: Sorry for the background noise, we have so many animals here at home that it’s difficult to have even a second of silence.
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Thank you for the video!
So you’re doing 433 with the transition from DSX to USX, and it’s what i do, and it seems to be what Anton does, fine!
But why does he call it 4334 when it’s 433 instead??? This to me is the mistery, and i suspect that there’s more to it… i believe that the numbers that he use does not refers to the number of the strings…IMHO
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Of course, I understand that from that perspective as well. But I still think he’s referring to the strings, based on my knowledge of his concepts.
Overall, your perspective on all of this is very good and interesting, and it makes perfect sense! Thank you so much for sharing.
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If I understood Joao correctly, “433” would indicate a different picking pattern than “4334.” The former switches escape after every iteration; the latter can be performed with either all USX (starting on an upstroke) or all DSX (starting on a downstroke).
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Thinking about it now, I think it makes more sense to think the way the other members do. Yes, it really does make more sense.
But why complicate something so simple? I mean, he could put 4433 or 3344 and everyone would understand without any mystery; that would be 2nps in the most conventional way we know.
I apologize for the confusion on my part, i didn’t think straight; it was just a theory.
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I also suspect the string numbers are to have a single notation for “pick this string then that string” in any combination, and 43343434334 or whatever is just an example. However,
I mistrust all systematizers and avoid them. the will to a system is a lack of integrity.
-Nietzsche
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Anyone here who can play that pattern, starting at about 0:32, at the speed he ends it with?
No way for me…It’s insane!
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I think any USX player can do this, maybe even faster, and in a less “complicated” way. Or even a pure DSX player, if they play two notes on the lowest string and one on the highest (with sweep). But if you’re talking about pure alternate picking, just the right hand, well, I think I can do that too:
Again, if you’re referring to just the right hand, this is exactly the same pattern he’s doing in the clip (433 433).
Also, this is 2wps, so guys who master USX and DSX can probably do it too, like Troy and Tommo. Oh, and swiping can do this too, of course, with 2wps.
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