Hi there,
I have been recently learning a wrist-forearm usx motion, I have been focusing on tremolo playing mainly, and once I feel more comfortable with it, I am keen to try applying the motion in phrases across multiple strings.
Has anyone got any tips for practicing string changes with a new picking motion? Are there certain things I should try to do/look out for? Are there any phrases/patterns you suggest I start off with for this kind of technique?
Thank you 
What genres are you into? Favorite players etc?
I started learning this technique with the aim of eventually being able to play some Eric Johnson stuff, so I guess that might be a good place to start
With regards to genres/players, anything really, although artists I currently listen to more include (but are not limited to): Jason Richardson, Intervals, Lorna Shore, Periphery, Paul Gilbert etc
Thank you!
I’d ease into changing strings by working on something that changes strings regularly, but also not super frequently. The constant string changes of 2nps playing is a challenge in and of itself. I know when I first started doing some of that, even though I had a USX motion, I’d see the motion wander and become something different when changing strings every 2 notes. So something like this would be a good litmus test
If that goes well at higher speeds, then see what happens if you changes more frequently:
Next would probably be the classic EJ 5’s
OR ascending
EDIT:
Here’s another one that’s sort of Gilbertish. He offsets so that it works for DSX but this ones USX
Thanks for the tabs, I’ll try some of those out
What speeds would suggest that the picking motion is efficient? I’ve heard around 175bpm 16ths is a good start
Thanks again
Yeah if the motion can’t go that fast when changing strings, something’s wrong. I think 175 is a legit moderately fast shred tempo.
I do think there might be ‘tiers’ though and it’s probably contextual. Just conjecture and throwing numbers around, If you’ve got something that works at like 155 and you’re confident it’s USX…I mean…there is EJ stuff in that realm. You couldn’t get away with a “string hoppy” motion and playing sustained lines at that speed. So it would have to at least somewhat efficient. It might be a foot in the door. I think my favorite tune of his is “Pavilion” and it’s probably around that speed, maybe a little faster. I’d still be suspicious of that motion not being able to also go 175. Something would probably be changing and that’s where filming it or watching yourself in a mirror might help zero in on what’s changing. From my own anecdotes, what usually changes is that the motion wants to turn into DSX which of course cause all sorts of problems when trying to play things as if they were USX.
Can also add in a pull off for descending across the strings. You’ll get the hang of it over time, lets you play quite fast. Not as even as alternate picking put it works well for a load of things once you get the hang of it.
Try using Bluegrass heads as practice tunes. Many web resources, including - whoops, bluegrassguitar.com is dead or behind on it’s hosting fees. Not sure what the next best resource would be.
That stinks about the bluegrass resource site.
I think the context here (just basing this from other discussions I’ve had with User-001) is specific to changing strings with a USX motion, not improving DBX capabilities. He’s trying to learn USX, thinks he’s got a working motion and now want to practice changing strings with it.
Otherwise, yeah. Bluegrass tunes are awesome for learning to “pick anything” since they were written with no regard to guitar motion mechanics.
Yep, thats right
Although it is a shame about the Bluegrass site - sounds like it would have been a great resource!
