So… Looking for some feedback here. I have been trying for 10+ years to work on my dsx but it always reverts back to a motion that is too vertical on the upstroke. I can do a really fast tremolo (200 bpm+) But it is never applicable to real lines. It seems like my bad motions are too ‘burned in’ too replace. I dunno, would appreciate if someone has some feedback.
2 Likes
“Video unavailable”!
Oh. I set it to private. Now it should work
1 Like
It looks like primarily elbow motion to me, with a little wrist help. It kind of looks like you are trying the change the “natural” trajectory of elbow motion (DSX) with a wrist motion, making the sum more vertical/trapped. The pick appears to follow a path like this: (.
If you feel that you always revert to the same motions, why not try something completely different? Different anchor point, different pick, different grip, just to feed your nervous system new sensations. Perhaps you’ll find something useful!
Yes! That path very much look like that: (. I have tried all sorts of combinations, different pick grips, anchor points etc. Always end up with similar results. When i started playing i always rested my thumb on the strings, maybe that what makes me want to push the pick “into” the guitar.
How is the difference in feel between elbow and wrist? When troy is playing wrist motion in the “starting with speed” video for example his elbow is moving…
As an experiment, put your mental focus on your downstrokes, and how deep they go below the string. Right now, it’s quite deep, and I think your hand is just following a path of least resistance when alternating, resulting in the curved trajectory. If the picking is shallower, a straight line should be much more likely. Don’t try to do this super fast, medium speed is best.
2 Likes
I find it hard to move from tremolo to real lines. Better practice the actual lines at slow speed, IMHO, focusing on proper mechanics. Actual lines have their own complexities that need to be isolated and learned, I never got much from tremolo exercises. What lines do you want to work on?
Keep at it. I see the DSX trajectory even if it’s trapped sometimes. I’d say work on core concepts of Synchronicity to start working on hand sync and chunking and figure out escape afterwards
2 Likes
I think the lighter the touch, the easier it is to pick faster. That’s the first thing. Second thing is have you ever tried reverse dart? I tried it and it helped me play a little faster. There’s some videos on here about how to do it.
I think it looks and sounds pretty good! As good as a tremolo on one string can sound!
Maybe as a “next step” try doing a 4 note tremolo on a harmonic at the 12th fret and then switch to the next string. make sure to accent that first note, and try and hit “hard”. I did something like this at the behest of @Tom_Gilroy with 2’s 4’s and 6’s as a sort of “warm-up” in between the stuff I would practice and it was really helpful. I made a heap of progress very quickly.
Now, I had it in my mind that I had to have a sort of Nuno Bettencourt muted sound to my fast picked stuff, but my setup doesn’t really allow for that - It took me a really, long time to accept what I had and enjoy the sound/tone I was capable of generating. I was OBSESSED with double escape. I sort of have one, it’s slower but honestly, there’s not much I can’t do with what I have;
DSX
Single Direction Sweeping/Economy (On upstrokes!)
Hybrid picking (usually best “after” an upstroke and a downstroke “after” a pluck)
Legato (Hammeron-pulloff)
I can play with Elbow also if I want, and it’s a DSX world for that as well so It’s really a win-win.
I think you’re going to be okay! Time to start working on some music, that’s what will really get your form together!
4 Likes
If you put the metronome at 80-90 bpm, can you play sextuplets with your left hand only? (Mute the strings with your right and just play with your left in perfect time).
Now try picking only. Pick the strings in perfect time with no left hand (except to mute). Where is the issue?
This is something only you can experience for yourself, in my opinion. It’s like telling someone what running should feel like. Or walking. I.e. I’m not sure it helps with learning.
I guess I’m repeating myself, but in that case you need to try something even more different. Even to the point of it seeming silly!
Are you sure, by the way, that the reason your tremolo technique is not applicable to real lines is the fact that the motion is too vertical? What exactly happens if you try to play a compatible line? Have you filmed this?
2 Likes
https://youtube.com/shorts/fBER6XlYy2I
So I uploaded another video. I have watched the al di meola wrist technique video and the rdt tutorial (I have many times before too) and now trying to do only wrist. Am I doing that or is it elbow still?
I still look pretty vertical too but maybe thats not a problem?
https://youtube.com/shorts/wBHqdxHUGUs
I also uploaded this symphony x lick i have been trying to play for a long time but cant get it as consistent and smooth as i want. I this elbow?
Man, both of these clips sound really good to me. The DSX wrist also looks pretty good to my eyes (disclaimer: I am not an expert at looking at picking hands).
@drewguitar looks like it’s wrist and the lick sounds good to me, but perhaps those with more discerning ears can here something I am missing. I agree with @eric_divers nice playing
Inferno (Unleash the Fire)?
Generally sounds pretty good! And the motion gets a little straighter here, since it has to to play the lick.
The motion is jumping around a bit, but that’s wrist for sure! Whether it’s too vertical – I don’t think so but try it with some actual DSX lines and see what happens.
Looks like mostly wrist to me!
I wish I could slow the video down because I have a hard time following every pick stroke but there appears to be a few tricky spots in the lick that are not DSX, right? (The big string skip in the beginning, for example.) This could explain why it doesn’t feel smooth. Perhaps you’re doing yourself a disservice by not playing strictly DSX compatible things at this point?
Just change the word “shorts” to “watch” in the url - it will no longer be in short form and you can adjust playback speed.
4 Likes