At what degree of slant constitues DWPS?

Playing Technique
#1

So I haven’t actually filmed myself trying DWPS, but just from observing it from playing, I feel like I guess I am engaging in DWPS, but maybe only slightly? If your pick is perfectly parallel to the strings (not DWPS nor UWPS) and then you start to slant downward, at what degree does it become DWPS? I am thinking if you only slant it say 2 or 3 degrees on an angle, this is NOT DWPS. I wonder if there is some kind of threshold, like you need to slant it at least 10 degrees for it to be considered DWPS or something like that.

just curious.

#2

I think you are good to go whenever the upstroke does not hit the lower strings, so the exact angle may depend on the shape of your hand/arm and picking mechanics :slight_smile:

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#3

that’s an interesting concept. But very simple and easy to understand. I wonder if that’s the definition in Troy’s head…

#4

That is exactly the definition. Pickslanting is about the path the pick travels. If it rises above the plane of the strings on the upstroke, and goes below the plane of the strings on the downstroke, that’s downward pickslanting, because the pick’s motion path is slanted. As Tommo correctly points out, the visual orientation of the pick itself will vary based on all sorts of factors, but what really matters is how it moves.

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#5

I think depending on if you are primary UWPS or DWPS your slant is going to be different also depending on your natural tendency to do either really but just as long as you clear the string on the down or up when changing strings is what matters. Since i am a primary up per se my DWPS I have seen to be very slight but it is enough to clear on the upstroke.