Changing slant on Ascending vs Descending ideas

Playing Technique
#1

As per the title, I am wondering if when economy picking, changing slants might be in order, and even escape motion? I am pronated and DSX, and descending lines work great (for me, still sounds like dogsxxt lol) . Actually anything with an “upstroke” pick for the sweep is certainly favourable to a downstroke sweep with a mixed economy/sweep scalar type run.

I included a quick video of me massacring all kinds of ways to do that sort of thing. Sorry about the footage quality. lol If it was better it would just be a turd in HD hahahah Seriously though it’s just for reference. Quick loop and some attempts at improv using pretty much everything I have against it! Also, trying for a very dry and unforgiving tone. I kind of like it, lots of “thud”…

Thoughts?

1 Like
#2

I think we spoke about this before…? You will need to change slant slightly, just enough so the pick doesn’t get jammed. Downsweeps with an upward slant just won’t work well.
For the most part I’d forget about escape motion if we are talking about two way economy picking, as switching from a dsx form to a usx form in the middle of a lick, numerous times, is unnecessary.
You need to make adjustments to make the sweeps smooth. If they aren’t, it will feel and sound bad, or stop you completely in your tracks.
Watch the Frank Gambale clips. He’s a dsx guy who alters slant very slightly for the ascending sweeps.

Edit to add - watch Frank Gambales thumb. Slight adjustments with the finger and thumb can help with direction changes and short distance sweeps.

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#3

Yeah discussed a bit, I tried changing my slant - did watch the crap out of the Gambale videos (Love 'em) enjoyed a bit of success - although I think that for the most part an even NPS pure alt picked (4nps or 4+2nps) might be the best approach. I have a few other ways also;hybrid picked 3nps, also hybrid+legato. Having a tough time deciding which way is the most ummm refineable… Anyways, I was wondering if Gambale (Or anyone else who is good at this) is changing their mechanic to USX or if it’s just the slant. I’ve experimented a lot with changing the slant and position to more supinated and UWPS with my DSX stuff, and it seems to be a limiting factor for sure, like swimming upstream or something…

Hmm I noticed this actually. I have a completely different grip than he does, but I suppose it couldn’t hurt to try! Thanks!

Ahhh Question answered, thanks man!

#4

Not sure about the slant change thing, but I am all in favor of dry unforgiving tones. Sounds great!