DWPS doing PG's sixes starting with an upstroke? Having trouble UWPS starting with a downstroke?

Playing Technique
#1

So about 5 years ago I switched from a finger only picking motion to using just my wrist like Paul Gilbert and many others. I didn’t realize that I was naturally using a DWPS but I have been working on being more neutral and using 2WPS.

I have been able to play the PG descending sixes lick with DWPS starting with an upstroke, so U-D-U String switch D-U-D-U-D-U String switch etc. I realized while watching the videos on here that Paul actually starts with a downstroke which kind of amazed me because it’s inside picking which blows my mind because all his instructional stuff says he wants to stay outside of the strings lol. Oh well.

I have issues using UWPS trying to start with the downstroke and I feel like I am almost missing the first note on the next string when starting with the downstroke. It obviously feels super unnatural. Any tips from anyone who may have experienced the same?

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#2

well correct my if I am wrong, but if you are doing the descending 6 pattern, you will be starting some strings with a downstroke and others with an upstroke, no matter which stroke you start on

I think he might prefer outside changes but he still does some inside stuff when it comes up. if u r doing strict alt, then you will be doing plenty of inside and outside changes (Edit: ok I see what u mean, you are doing it as a one way lick)

I dont think Paul starts too many runs with an upstroke. Maybe a few here and there but usually with a downstroke

Maybe dont try to start with uwps but stick to your dwps that you are comfortable with. Or if you know you are going to go DUD then switch to the next lower string, start pretty neutral. Then its just a matter of learning the actual “2 way” rotation type string change.

As u finish that 3rd pickstroke (DUD), as long as you end up a bit uwps then u should be good. (for me) it feels like a slight string tracking movement, for instance to go from the E to B string along with the Upstroke at the same time

this is a pretty cool little loopable 2 way triplet exercise for inside picking:

B—5–6--5----------
G-------------7–5--7

if u turn it around its good for outside work:

B--------------5–6--5–
G—7–5--7------------

#3

Another nice one for inside picking is one I got from the original Speed Kills VHS instructional by Michael Angelo (no Batio back then). It is like the lick you posted in that it is 3 notes on the B string and then 3 notes in the G string but the notes and therefore the sound is very different, so this is to give you some variety even though your pick will be doing exactly the same thing as in your exercise.
On the B string play 8th fret, 6th fret and 5th fret.
On the G string play 7th fret, 5th fret, and 4th fret
it’s the notes G,F, E, D, C and B which fits in C major, A minor, D dorian, or E phrygian.

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#4

yeah, its so funny how much the left hand affects things because I can do my example WAY faster than the one you mention…even though as u say its the SAME picking lol. Must be a mental thing

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#5

Oh, absolutely! Our minds keep us from doing things such as in this example, you not playing the Michael Angelo lick as fast as your lick despite the picking being identical. That’s what I refer to as a mental block. That’s why it’s good to have a variety of licks to practice something such as inside picking - so we can break down the mental blocks for all the types of licks we might want to play in our leads.

NOW - try playing the Angelo lick but backwards - so it goes G string, 4th, 5th, 7th
and then on the B string it goes 5th, 6th, and 8th fret. Once again, you may have a different top speed for that!

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