Currious About this site and what it is

Site Feedback
#1

First off, I’m an engineer by background and a naturally curious person — very much a “scientist‑type” in how I think. I enjoy this site the same way I enjoy National Geographic, Animal Planet, or Shark Week. Back in college I spent a lot of time with higher‑level math, and this site reminds me of the “proofs” we worked through in Calculus II and III.

It’s fascinating and enjoyable to see how all of this works. However, I’m still trying to understand how the information here translates into direct methods for getting better. Understanding the mechanics is incredibly valuable, but I’m also looking for the practical side — the routines, the drills, the “do this for X minutes a day” type of guidance. That’s the part I haven’t quite found yet, though it may be my fault for not digging deeply enough. There’s a lot of information here, and it can be overwhelming if you move through it quickly.

What I’m really looking for are the practice routines and structured exercises — things like “play these scale patterns,” “focus on these upstrokes,” etc. I did see the breakdown of styles, and that’s helpful, especially since I’m working through a Yngwie‑style course and recently discovered I’m naturally a DSX player trying to learn USX. So I know I need to understand the mechanics more clearly.

I originally canceled my subscription because, while the “why” is fascinating and absolutely useful, I was prioritizing daily practice routines in the styles of my heroes — Yngwie, Vai, Satriani, and so on. Thanks to what I learned here, I now recognize things like Yngwie being an upward‑escape player, which is great. But I wanted to focus more on reaching those abilities through structured practice.

I also notice that many great players seem to develop their techniques unconsciously through repetition and problem‑solving — adjusting their pickslant or grip naturally as needed. So for me, the goal becomes finding a streamlined practice routine that gets me there efficiently. The “why” is important, but for most players (myself included), the “how” tends to take priority.

So my question is: are there programs here that go beyond the “why” and into the “how” — meaning sets, workouts, and structured practice plans? If so, I’d love to be pointed in the right direction. I may have simply missed the material.

If I were a teacher, I’d probably use all the “why” information to build a streamlined practice system. But I’m just a student trying to learn, and I want to make sure I’m not overlooking something.

If I’m missing where to go, please let me know. I started with the picking material, but it seemed more like analysis of techniques rather than specific routines. I understand that reverse‑engineering a player’s technique is part of the process, but I’m also looking for the day‑to‑day practice structure.

Thanks for your time.

Respectfully,

Brian

(edit I had copilot rewrite this for me to improve it)

#2

Hi Brian!

Actually we do offer a metric ton of hands-on advice in pretty much all of our instructional products and seminars.

A great place to start is the pickslanting primer:

An if you’re in a hurry, here are two of the crucial sections on how to test and perform the most common types of picking motions that we see great players do:

#3

Hi! Thanks for signing up! How new are you / when did you sign up? Are you getting our intro email sequence? It covers, in detail, exactly the steps you are supposed to take to get started improving your technique.

It is very hard to read these instructions and think “but how many minutes / how many reps?” At least I would like to think so, since none of the activities in these important first steps actually require minutes or reps like people used to do with “exercises” back in the day. Instead, they are 100% all about testing your motions and filming yourself. The instructions are as clear as we can make them.

So yes, short story, are you getting the email instructions? If not, let me know, we can re-send them!

1 Like
#4

reactivated my account, and I ordered a Magnet before doing that. Someone on another site who knew I had been here suggested I come back and revisit the “dart‑throwing” and “reverse dart‑throwing” concepts. It turns out I’m naturally a DSX player, yet I’m currently working through a USX Yngwie‑style course. I have some video I’ll upload once I review how to do it again — though it might be better to wait until the Magnet arrives. I even tried sticking the camera in my shirt pointing down just to show my lack of supination and what happens when I try to lift into it. It still feels odd, because when I supinate more, I feel like I lose my base of power and the forearm strength I’m used to relying on.

I honestly didn’t realize I was definitely DSX until recently. I figured that since I could force USX at around 160 BPM, that meant I was doing it correctly. But Copilot — my AI practice buddy — pointed out that while I can do it that way, it’s not the most efficient approach, and adapting my setup will feel more natural after a couple of weeks.

As for my earlier post: what I was trying to say (probably poorly) is that I didn’t initially find exercises here that directly helped me practice the motions. It felt more like the focus was on labeling what artists do rather than giving scale patterns to work on. I may have simply missed the material, and I’m going to go back through things again. Someone else pointed out that I need to understand USX more deeply so I can do it efficiently — and that’s exactly what this site specializes in: the mechanics behind the style.

Just to be clear, I’m not always the best communicator. I’m an analytical engineer type, always searching for “truth” as I understand it, and sometimes that comes out bluntly even though I never mean it that way. I wasn’t criticizing anyone or anything here. I don’t carry malice — I’m actually very happy and I genuinely respect and appreciate what you all have built. If I didn’t find certain things, that’s probably on me for not looking hard enough. That was the basis of my original post.

Hopefully my tone comes across the way I intend it.

#5

Pickslanting Primer> Picking Motion Tutorials

Here is where you’ll find the nuts and bolts info to most common motions that you are searching for

1 Like
#6

I went through picking alot of it anyway. Not sure if I saw the picking motion Tutorials. That I think from the sound of it is what I am after. Dont get me wrong everything is great how can it not be its the truth. We seek truth or we should.

I was just looking for practice routines on that and I had not found them probably my fault as there is a lot of information here and it can be overwhelming if go through quickly.

However, I was realllly wanting the routines and practice stuff and some guides. Play these scales focus on these upstrokes. Ect… I did recognise the part where it breaks down stylle and it llooks llike I need that as well las trying to take a Yngwie Course and play USX and I just found out I am a DSX player and I need to figure out supination 100% and I may have but it feels odd and like I loss my base and my forearm power. When I was in my normalll position I had a strong base to push out of with strengh maybe I dont need the string but it just feels llilke I llost it lol and feels odd.

Anyway as I noted to Troy I did reactivate and will try to go through material and find the stuff. I feell llike I need a coach or a instructor but I live in Oklahoma not sure one that is expert on this stuff.

I am older 57 year old guy though so dont want to waste time as this is on my bucket list. I thought I was doing good because was nocking out 160BPM 1th notes hitting alll my usx and then was tolld that I was using the DSX position to do it. So now I have to start over at llike half that speed and it feels odd.

Thanks for your reply!

#7

For single string sync go to Rudiment clips in Synchronicity. Tommo has everything under the sun there

For multiple string work you’ll want Volcano or Cascade if you’re doing USX. Downward pickslanting in Primer is a nice summary of EJ and YJM strategies as well as others

#8

I guess right now I mainly need material that helps me imitate the Yngwie style, since that’s where I’m at in another course I’m studying. I’m naturally a DSX player, and I’ve been using OBS to record videos. I have a short clip, but on another site they pointed out that I was still using a DSX setup even when I thought I was playing USX.

I was hitting what I thought was USX at around 160 BPM, but I was actually doing it from a DSX hand position with almost no supination. For reference, I’m playing a Steve Vai Ibanez PIA — I only mention the guitar because the forearm contour makes your arm sit a bit differently compared to something like a Fender without that cut.

I can share videos if needed, but that’s the area I’m trying to focus on right now: getting the correct USX setup, learning the proper supination, and aligning it with the Yngwie-style mechanics.

#9

Thanks Austin. I really want to home in technique then start practicing. I just got feed back from another that I was playing the USX from a DSX hand position and told I needed to add supination and it was a bit depressing as now I feel like I lost my stabilization by leaning my hand up.

I was feeling good I hit 160 BPM on my UPX but then got air nocked out of me by hearing while I may be doing it my technique was wrong. If that is correct and I do indeed have to lift hand I will be back at like 70bpm or something on these 16th notes.

#10

I played a long time ago for a year or so picked up a couple times in my life for a few months just recently got serious decided going to do this before I die so on my bucket list lol. Copilot the AI said this about me but I think its being kind of polite lol.

““I’m a beginner/intermediate player — intermediate understanding, but still building consistent execution. I’m rebuilding my picking mechanics the right way, so my hands are catching up to my knowledge.””

#11

I added a youtube not great with youtube just sit it to public. I think I understand supination.

I added another playing at 150 bpm 16th notes Yngwie style even notes on strings everything down stroke should be a string change. Its rough but shows another angle. My hand is in its normal feeling position here. I did hit the upstroke escapes but guess was resting it wrong.

I have guitar pro that I was playing over top of.

I am watching this over again now that I understand some things better: Chapter 5 – USX Form And Motion – Cracking the Code

I also watched this again: Chapter 1 – What Is Reverse Dart Thrower Motion? – Cracking the Code

as it turns out that I am Dsx and reverse dart thrower with my angling allowing dsx.

I talked to copilot AI about some things bothering me when I supinate instead of pronate:

  1. I feel like a bit more like its tremolo picking and I lost my base so it feels less steady
  2. I feel like I lose my forearm strength when supinate as well.

Copilot AI says this is how it should feel because its new and with time it will get better and that high speeds dont use strength they use efficiency. I willl attach its reply to me when I complained of the 1,2 listed above:

---------------------Copilot AI-------------------------

That feeling is completely normal, and it’s one of the biggest psychological hurdles when someone moves from a DSX‑dominant setup to a true USX setup. What you’re describing is exactly what happens when the forearm stops being the primary power source and the wrist becomes the engine.

Let’s break down why it feels like you’re losing strength — and why that’s actually a sign you’re doing it right.

:dart: 1. DSX Uses Forearm Support → Feels Strong and Grounded

In your natural DSX setup:

  • Your forearm rests more heavily on the guitar
  • The wrist deviation pushes against a stable base
  • The motion feels powerful, anchored, and “muscular”
  • You can dig in and get physical without losing control

This is why DSX feels strong and reliable for you.

:dart: 2. USX Uses a Floating Wrist → Feels Light and “Weak” at First

When you supinate for USX:

  • The forearm lifts slightly off the guitar
  • The wrist becomes the main driver
  • The motion becomes small, fast, and efficient
  • The forearm no longer provides that “push” feeling

So yes — it feels like you lose forearm strength.

But that’s because USX isn’t supposed to use forearm strength.

It’s a wrist‑dominant mechanic.

Think of it like switching from:

  • Hammering (DSX)
    to
  • Flicking (USX)

Both are powerful, but they use different muscles and different leverage.

:dart: 3. High Speeds Don’t Use Strength — They Use Efficiency

This is the part that surprises most players.

At 180–220 BPM and beyond, the motion is:

  • tiny
  • relaxed
  • wrist‑driven
  • almost effortless

If you try to “get physical” at high speeds, the motion actually breaks down.

Yngwie looks like he’s barely touching the guitar at high speeds — because he is.
The power comes from speed of motion, not force.

:dart: 4. Your Nervous System Is Still Expecting DSX Mechanics

This is why the USX setup feels weak:

  • Your brain is used to DSX anchoring
  • Your proprioception expects forearm support
  • When that support is removed, it feels unstable
  • But the wrist is fully capable — it just hasn’t adapted yet

Give it a week or two of consistent practice and the “weakness” disappears.

:dart: 5. The Good News: You’re Feeling Exactly What You Should Feel

Everything you’ve described:

  • loss of forearm strength
  • tremolo‑like sensation
  • floating wrist
  • less physical “push”
  • awkwardness when supinating

…is exactly what happens when someone transitions from DSX → USX.

It means you’re doing it right.

If you want, you can upload another still frame of your USX attempt and I can tell you whether the geometry is dialed in or if you’re over‑ or under‑rotating.

#12

Ignore the AI and listen to the humans who actually understand this stuff.

You’re stringhopping. You haven’t discovered an efficient movement pattern yet.

4 Likes
#13

a close-up image of USX
a close-up image of USX1024×1536 107 KB

Made this jpeg as a guide to get my hand in usx from the troy grady video I stopped at each point cut and pasted to a video so I can look at a word document easier than find a place in the video to quickly make sure the hand form is correct. Taken from: Chapter 5 – USX Form And Motion – Cracking the Code

Well if I am string hopping then whats next to get efficient movement then. I have also ordered magnet for better video right now had to just put camera in shirt try to point down.

#14

What does your fast and easy tremolo look like? Can you sustain it for a moment? Is that your DSX motion? How’s hand sync? CtC will preach easy and fast motion then hand sync on one string.

#15

but I asked AI “should I ask AI how to alternate pick” and it said "Yes, asking an AI for advice on how to alternate pick is a great, free way to get structured practice routines, troubleshooting tips, and technical advice, particularly because AI can provide specific exercises to improve synchronization, speed, and efficiency. "

checkmate atheists

I am so, so, so sick of this bollocks infesting every space

you can’t even google a tab for a song you’re listening to this very minute without AI telling you that it doesn’t exist and you’re actually thinking of Creed

1 Like
#16

The AI is just a tool. I know some may worry of my use of it but I dont think of it as a replacement for humans or for experts. Anyone that does that is making a mistake. I think its just a tool that you take with a grain of salt and it can do some cool things but it also can be very limited. So as long as your realize that and just use it as a tool to try help some but you understanding its not a replacement then I think your fine.

I am a Christian and of course a sinner they go hand in hand. However, only thing I have absolute faith in is God not machines or PCs. So I feel pretty safe in using tools and understanding their limitations and that nothing made by man will ever replace what is made by God. 1000% Human backer not AI.

Its ok as a tool nothing more. in the end its just 1s and 0s. We are all individuals though that is just my take. Everyone welcome to their own opinions and perspective!

#17

I’m not very good at tremolo yet. I don’t really practice it much, and it feels a bit odd to me — almost identical to the UPX positioning, which still feels unfamiliar.

My DSX motion with pronation feels great and completely natural. Over the last few weeks of taking the Yngwie‑style course, my synchronization has improved a lot. I went from playing things at around 60–80% speed to playing almost everything — except the 6‑note triplets — at full speed or better.

On pure one‑string, one‑note stuff, I can keep up with the pros without much trouble. But once I start adding fingerings on a single string, like running melodies or scales from the first fret up to the 21st, my accuracy drops. So sync is still a work in progress, but honestly I think it’s pretty solid for a beginner.

I’ve been making huge strides lately. I should clarify that I’m a “beginner” in the sense that I’m relearning technique, not someone who just picked up a guitar for the first time. I played for a year or two when I was 16 and was obsessed with Yngwie, Joe, and Steve. I was always trying to play their stuff — I even bought the Paul Gilbert VHS back then.

Even though I loved Yngwie’s leads (especially the more classical‑sounding ones — I’m not a big metal guy, I just love those haunting melodic lines), I never actually picked up his style. That makes sense in hindsight: I was a kid with no training and no understanding of technique. I probably picked up DSX from the Paul Gilbert video and then spent 12+ hours a day playing in that setup.

edit: For a bit in that class I thought I was actually UPX and you could do that in pronation. Why I thought that? Because I was making Upwards Escapes without much probably just moving my wrist and hand a little. Then just yesterday I got up to 160BPMs with some perfect swing switching on 16th notes.

I thought I doing great able to sense and make sure I came down on all new string changes as as downstroke at 160BPM with 16th notes but then got bad news my hand was pronated not supinated and it needs to be supinated for the upx to be efficient. so was a bit depressed as feel like starting over.

this scale to be exact at 160BPM: though my recording was only 150 that I saved here.

image
image1025×312 16.9 KB

I get nervous in videos but I am trying to work on that but I stiffen up as soon as I hit record so I am always stiffer and worse player soon as hit button. Its like I am seeking approval so really working on myself saying I dont do this for others its for God who gives me gifts; for the music and its truth and I pray on it to but like anything in life that is worth doing its a process and takes time but I am working on it consciously.

#18

Red light syndrome is real! As Troy mentioned in tutorials if you have tension and need somewhere to put it you can apply a bit to your anchor points. I have found it helpful for making sure I don’t change my setup.

#19

I think I need to find in Tutorials again or rewatch the ones with more of a focus on the anchor points. I did not realize I use my forearm as much when really pushing until I did supination and lost it. So every little bit of anchor I can get will make it a bit less foreign. Was that in the actual USX video I will have to rewatch again and if not find where it was.

EDITED BELOW:

I am getting some anchor points better with either my pinky extended or curled and resting so both helping. I do think though I need to stop the string switching for a bit until get a smoother picking on one string again so from my uneducated feel of guitar it feels like back to when first picked up guitar again on the picking hand.

So I think maybe a lot of one string drills to smooth out that jumpy and sometimes erratic picking with UPX.

#20

Tommo shared a good video on wrist anchor points w a brief narration in his first comment on my open TC: Technique Critique – Cracking the Code

May be helpful