Has anybody read Troy Stetina's new book Total PIcking Control - Expanded Speed Mechanics for Guitar

Playing Technique
#1

I posted this question earlier as a response to an existing thread about another book that this one is sort of a successor to; but I think it may need its own thread.

I noticed that Troy Stetina wrote a new book called “Total PIcking Control - Expanded Speed Mechanics for Guitar” which was apparently published in late 2024 (i.e. somewhat after the above old thread). So I was wondering if the new book is a bit more modern and has some body mechanics/ CTC type material in it? It’s quite an expensive book, even when purchased as a Kindle, and although it gets a lot of positive reviews on Amazon UK, I would guess from what people say in the reviews that it doesn’t; but maybe somebody here actually knows? (It appears that the high price - for a book - is due to the book coming with a lot of associated video lessons.)

#2

@milehighshred next video series idea since you went through the first book

#3

Certainly possible, but from what I’m told it’s really just a book containing Troy Stetina’s own songs. I’ve been told it doesn’t really add anything new.

3 Likes
#4

IMO, your money would be better spent on a CTC subscription.

1 Like
#5

I currently have a CTC subscription although I do have an interest in “supplementary” resources - especially if a bit more jazz-oriented - as with a gypsy jazz guitar picking book I got recently and a short Cecil Alexander video lesson on picking - but obviously not in the case of Troy Stetina (primarily a metal player in case anybody doesn’t know although guitarists from other styles certainly are enthusiastic about some of his technique books from time to time).

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#6

are you looking for a book that focuses on picking only?

#7

I am interested in books that somewhat cover picking. I already have Chris Brooks’s books on this topic, Gypsy Jazz Guitar Picking Secrets by Denis Chang and Guitar Picking Mechanics by Desi Serna. (The last of these has exercises based around pickslanting; but it is probably a lot lighter on details than the title implies.)

#8

It’s hard to find a good book about picking, especially as CTC has spoilt us with the depth and presentation of material.

FWIW, I don’t think books or courses with pre-recorded videos are that good, because you really need to get input from a teacher about what you’re doing wrong and what you’re doing right. If a course offers a place to ask questions and get feedback, then that’s different. It’s the courses or books that have downloadable videos but no option for follow-up questions or queries that I find frustrating.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you find a good or a course that meets you needs. With so many options, it can get expensive pretty quickly!