I have been working on improving my picking since my technique critique post a couple months or so ago. I have gotten a pretty fast single string mechanic going, but consistent and easy string changes are still eluding me for the most part. Today I discovered that the problem may be that I am not escaping on the up stroke and instead sort of hitting the string I’m changing to which messes things up. I also use pretty small motions which I feel makes it hard for me to use only the wrist/forearm movement I use on one string to play across up to three like Troy says most players can do without thinking about tracking. I have a hard time moving between even two without using some arm, let alone two or three with pentatonics like the Eric Johnson atom stuff. Maybe this is just the way I do it, but I’m wondering why it’s still so hard to change strings sometimes when I can play pretty fast on one and I think it’s because I do not always escape the strings and maybe my small motion is a problem. Though surely there are players with very small movements that can play well. I’m just wondering what the community thinks and if anyone else has had this issue.
Hey, I see the video in your #technique-critique thread from a couple months ago. Do you have any more recent video showing the issue you’re describing? Could be helpful to see, particularly one w/ a more straight-down-the-fretboard angle. It may be worth experimenting more, varying the motion you have currently, and seeing what factors might make the string changes easier / more consistent (more supinated? larger movements? etc) while maintaining the parts of the technique that seem to be working. But yeah based on that last video the string changes actually seem pretty good!
I will try to get a video up this week. The last video was ok you’re right, but I think I mentioned consistency back in that thread too. As far as tremolo, pick grip, and resting points go I’ve got things more or less memorized. A video will show if the escape is the issue and if so I’ll just have to figure a way to fix that.
If you do film more clips, just attach them to the existing thread. Progress type updates are totally fine, and encouraged, because they’re directly relevant to the original topic.
Thank you I will do that.
I posted more videos to my technique critique thread. I think my hunches are correct.
Are you used to small movements? Can do fast tremolo but cant move between strings even at moderate tempo? Welcome to the club )
I had the same issues when I first started the volcano licks. I overcame it by using the principle of large movements when learning naturally becoming smaller through efficiency as you get better, and also not worrying about economy of motion and small movements as much as fluidity. I use the principle that slow is smooth and smooth is fast, basically I don’t care about having small movements as long as they are fluid when it comes to string changes. Notice that Troy absolutely blazes but has quite large movements compared to other dwps like Yngwie or Eric.
Other important tips are to angle the guitar (watch Yngwie play sitting down and notice how much he angles the guitar) and to make sure that your resting dwps position is significantly rotated downwards. Basically, what I’m saying is exaggerate all of the dwps positioning and mechanics when trying to get things clean and let your nervous system worry about refining speed and economy of motion as you get better.
Hope this helps.