Im feeling discouraged

Playing Technique
#1

I’ve been struggling with a harsh tone when picking, even when I try to play lightly. I’d really appreciate some brutally honest feedback on this.

Could you tell me how my DSX picking actually sounds in this Aldemirov/Aldeshiro-style phrase? I’m especially interested in the pick attack, harshness, evenness, and overall sound — not just whether I’m playing the notes correctly.

If the tone sounds bad, scratchy, harsh, or overly aggressive, please tell me directly. I don’t need encouragement; I’d rather know exactly what sounds wrong so I can work on it.

1 Like
#2

It doesn’t sound scratchy or harsh, it sounds dull if anything. It’s quite hard to tell as we’re just hearing the unplugged/acoustic sound.

I think you are potentially conflating a lack of speed and fluidity with a sound issue.

Don’t be disocuraged, this sounds promosing to me, and everyone has to start somewhere!

Just keep at it and try some different speeds :slight_smile:

1 Like
#3

How do i get rid of dull sound?

#4

I think you’re playing with far too much attack so the dullness is happening as you try to push through far too much of the string, which I have done many times.

You need to try to get a smooth tremolo on a single string which is no where near as loud as you’re getting from an unamped guitar single string before trying to move from string to string. Then try moving an even number of notes on each string only across two strings. Anything else is too much for the mind and hands to cope with.

#5

When i get the smooth tremolo on a string - should i then play with the same attack as the tremolo on one string then on two strings?

2 Likes
#6

Definitely too much attack. You probably need a combination of less pick depth, more angle of the pick, or softer grip.

1 Like
#7

Yes.

Every note with tremolo has continuous muscle usage, which makes it the tremolo.

It is this continuous muscle usage which is used to play every other note when you get the the hand in a correct poisition to get to the next string or strings. Essentially you are trying to get the tremolo on one string moving to other strings. If you pick the notes at the 7th and 9th fret on the 4th string and then the 7th and 9th fret on the 3rd string, so two notes per string moving across two strings, this is a nice place to start after the tremolo is in place.

Also, when I tried filming my playing I found I might start with too much attack worried the camera microphone won’t pick up the sound if its too quiet. Another thing to be aware of.

1 Like
#8

My left hand can’t play the fretting notes nearly as fast as my right hand can tremolo on one string. Should I still try to move the same tremolo motion onto two strings, but at a much slower pace so my left hand can keep up? Or is there a better progression for building this up?

#9

Tremolo melodies and/or pedal tone exercises, where fretting hand is doing less than the picking hand, is what you are looking for. I would start reviewing Synchronicity for how to simplify the fretting while keeping the tremolo speed needed for your fast and easy motion. In the seminar, Tommo has suggestions on how to approach. There is also a checklist for evaluation to diagnose issues and difficulties.

I would also practice fretting separately too.

1 Like
#10

Here is light picking like tremolo

#11

Looks like im gonna work on single string sync shapes!

#12

This sounds like a noticeable improvement in my opinion!

#13

I think you’re well on the way. There’s lots of picking hand information on this forum if you use the search function and you’re got all the picking hand stuff with some fretting hand information in your membership.

#14

This might seem counterintuitive to what you want, but try picking lighter and using smaller motions through the strings. Picking really hard only works to a point, there’s a sweet spot where it sounds firm and chirpy (best word i can think of) but after that its just harsh like you said. When I have time ill take a quick video and show you.

1 Like
#15

@David1997Bg Hey man - I was looking at your clips, don’t get frustrated, you’re super close I think. “good tone” or “bad tone” is kind of subjective in my opinion and I wouldn’t say there’s anything wrong with your tone. What I did notice in the first clip is a bit of a “garage spikes” situation that makes me wonder if perhaps your form in your RH isn’t quite optimized? I know that every time I try to supinate more I end up with a similar issue - but pronate even just a bit and it might be a game changer - I always end up coming back to my pronated DSX form after messing with stuff and it surprises me how flexible it actually is. Anyways, I hope that’s helpful. Good luck!

2 Likes
#16

I mostly agree with this, except when it comes to range of motion.

Bigger motions are beneficial and manageable at speed whereas Troy and others have demonstrated time and time again that focusing on playing small might not be as helpful as common wisdom suggests.

@David1997Bg what is your fastest motion regardless of how it sounds?

3 Likes
#17

Your pick attack is sloppy. That’s all it is. Your hands are not synchronized. You’re trying to play it faster than your genuine ability at this point. Slow it down 10-20 percent and work your way back up. Your hands sound capable. You’re just not quite ready to play it at that tempo.

And BTW, I am a big believer in practicing at the edge of your ability, But you may be a little over the mark. Slow down a wee bit is my advice. Find the tempo where it starts to break down and practice it right about there. Not too slow, not too fast.

1 Like
#18

That would be super nice if you could show. The matter of fact i don’t like my picking even on slow speeds.

#20

@David1997Bg as someone who started on this path about 10 months ago, I can relate to feeling discouraged. Practice notes help me celebrate improvements and keep my motivation for consistent practice.

As others have said here, you are making progress, so keep at it.

1 Like
#21

This is my fastest motion.