Blending Two Techniques

Playing Technique
#1

Along with the Adam Rogers question I posted here:

Are there any players who have two separate, compartmentalized techniques or two techniques they are able to blend in to each other?

I am playing a lot of Gypsy Jazz and for what I do the gypsy technique is really the best way to get a great and loud sound out of an acoustic instrument. But I love all types of jazz and the gypsy technique really fails in certain regards, most notably being descending double down strokes.

The jazz player whose technique I admire the most is Adam Rogers, and his technique seems like the antethesis of the gypsy technique but to me seems like the superior way to play electric guitar.

I have been wondering about studying his playing in depth but at some point I’d have to figure out a way to shapeshift between gypsy picking and whatever he is doing.

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#2

Troy is an excellent example of someone who has multiple ‘techniques’ down, although it is more useful to think of this as DSX, USX, and DBX as these can be performed with wrist, wrist-forearm, elbow and combinations of all three rather than a ‘technique’.

In other words, think of things in terms of the lines you are trying to play and the escape required rather over complicating things.

You’ve already noted that Gypsy style is loud and sounds good, but (because of the escape which is USX) it has its limits.

I’d highly recommend the primer if you haven’t already watched that, and then of course the excellent free vids available on YT.

Perhaps a better question would be, can you provide examples (tabs are helpful) of the types of lines (and speeds) you would like to achieve.

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#3

Thank you, that was good advice. I joined today and watched a good bit of the primer. I thought I’d seen most of it before but now I don’t think so. I will dig in,I appreciate the inspiration. I was a member once before but maybe didn’t do a whole lot.

He’s doing the thing in question around 1:45 in this clip:

#4

Well, as we know, Rogers uses economy picking - that is, two-way economy picking - so although his picking hand position is different to Gambale’s, his technique is comparable. Two-way economy picking blends different techniques together - you should check out Troy’s youtube videos about Gambale’s technique.

Personally, I am fond of economy picking, though the motion I use is generated by the picking hand thumb and finger.

#5

perfect, thank you! I’ll check it out.