This is a great little exercise! I’ve actually broken this song down into a handful of exercises and it’s been helpful. If I remember correctly, troy mentioned something to the extent that the majority of these guys from the 80’s being downward pick slanters with only a few being exceptions. But to the best of my knowledge, Jake and Randy both played licks that would require both upward and downward pick slanting (2wps)
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FYI if you paste the youtube link on its own line, the forum will embed it for easiest playing. Just make sure there are no spaces or other text on the same line. I just edited that. No biggie, just an FYI. Thx.
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I don’t know if that’s true, and if I said that, I apologize! It might be true. I’m just not sure if it is or isn’t.
However this type of phrase is indeed a classic “dwps” phrase, especially with a wrist/forearm motion, because of the muting. Ths is basically Doug Aldrich’s forte, and why he’s a great fit for the Whitesnake tunes that have this type of phrase in it:
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I think this Bark at the Moon lick is perfect for Troy’s new video Don’t “Work Up” to Picking Speed – Start with It! Put the lick on a loop “up to speed” (147 bpm) and go for it! I try to focus on the right hand picking and let the left hand fall into place. Good luck and have fun!
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I’m a primary DSX’er - I’m great with this…over the moon. I’m working on USX currently and really struggling with it…for months - specifically on the E and A strings.
My question is…has anyone been able to pull off the ‘Bark at the Moon’ riff with DSX? The pedal point technique involved has a lot of creative possibilities…it just seems it would work more naturally with USX.
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Hey @Thegent, I found a bunch of references to Bark at the Moon in past forum posts, hope you find something useful in them!
Let me know if it makes sense to merge your post in one of these threads, or if the issue is better addressed in its own thread. In any case, a short tab or clip of the section you are interested in could be helpful - I typically enjoy these types of challeneges (finding alternative picking patterns etc.) 
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Oh man, that run still gets me, and how my attitude towards CTC has changed!
@Thegent are you talking about the main riff, with the A pedal point?
Yes, the first thread would to merge in, thanks.
Yes, the main riff with pedal point on the A string.
I’m using the riff as a tool to get my USX happening as I’m having string tracking issues on the bass side with USX specifically.
I’m interested to know if anyone has gotten this riff sounding and feeling good with DSX? Mine sounds and feels a little too swipy for my liking.
Bark at the Moon in general is like a white whale for me as a DSX player. I feel like I would be where I need to be as a guitarist if I could play the whole song accurately.
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Totally this. I’m a DSX’er that has an USX working…except for some string tracking issues on A and E…so the main riff is my mountain for sure.
Funny thing… I started this thread thinking, I’m probably one of few who struggle with this riff…lol I dont feel too bad now…
These dbl picking riffs are tough!!
I basically struggle to tremolo on the E and A using USX. I can tremolo from 1st to 3rd (USX)…4th is hit and miss. I can tremolo on all strings using DSX so I know how it feels musically. Bark at the Moon is a fun musical riff that I go back to every now and then to test if I’ve found my footing with USX bass string tracking.
Also…the song is so fun…makes me smile everytime.
Good questions. My wrist does end up more radial. I think I lose my anchor point too. It’s weird…every once in a while I get it then lose it soon after. I’m waiting for it to click…but it’s been a while now. I’m going to get a video together and post it in technique critique soon.
Id love to see a video because I feel trying to tremolo pick on the low E for me is difficult as well. On the other strings, I generally have to pronate and use downward escape to do it well. Although lately I haven’t been tremolo picking well so hopefully that just means my brain is working on creating new connections.
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My home motion is a pronated DSX too. I’ll to get a video uploaded by next weekend…my week is tight timewise for setting up to film…when I have a magnet however…
Joined the bandwagon. Can’t even play the intro riff at 120 bpm. I wish I had an USX motion by default.
I think it’s pretty obvious what is wrong with my attempt, the group of 4s on the A string are anything but defined, it sounds like an utter mess. Any advice how to practice this as a DSX player?
Here’s an attempt at 120 bpm:
And an other attempt at full speed in the afternoon:
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I eventually got this when I was an exclusive DSX’er - I learned to quickly shift my arm position for that A string ‘burst’, then back again for the chord stabs. I took me a long time - this riff can be a real mountain to get over. It’s so fun tho…
A video always helps when looking for this kind of advice.
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I have no problem with burst of 2 notes on the lower strings and changing to higher strings after an upstroke. But playing 4 notes on the lower string… No way. I noticed it feels more controllable if I pay attention to maintain my DSX arm position for the riff. I’ll record a video, maybe it will be more helpful.
Good to see im not alone in finding this riff challenging…
Another very awesome and equally challenging is the opening riff to midnight love
By fifth Angel
Check it out. Awesome song
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