Breakthrough that helped my speed

Playing Technique
#1

Hello all, i just wanted to share something with you that helped me out a lot, that i haven’t seen anywhere here yet. This was a happy accident. I have played for years and always had tension when having to pick at faster speeds. I am a DSX player primarily and even following the reverse dart videos did not seem to help me.

What i figured out is that the way my forearm would rest on the guitar, with my elbow too far back, made my wrist feel weak. I don’t have the science to tell you why this works, but it atleast makes a huge difference for me.

(I am not warmed up in these videos, it happened yesterday but only got around to recording and posting today. Actual warmed up speed may be a bit faster)

Here is a video from my old form, which is a slow speed that i had tension at (felt like a max).

Here is the new position, elbow forward almost no forearm pressure. Way faster, and tension free. With a little increase in tension i can go even faster. Immediately everything i play feels way easier.

Just wanted to share. Hope this helps someone!

Here is a clip of me playing a DSX lick at 225bpm. (sextuplets at 150 bpm, = 16ths at 225bpm)

3 Likes
#2

If I were to guess, I’d say this is due to the lighter forearm anchor allowing the upper structures of your arm to move more freely in simpatico with your picking. Nice work!

#3

I think in your original you have your forarm locked in place, and the faster version you have a floating forarm allowing a little bit extea range of motion, so you’re able to use that extra movement to speed up. Blackinmind basicly said it all.

The thing is can you use that across the strings, does this new technique help you play a lick faster?
You’ve only got one run posted.