Need help with Edge Picking

Playing Technique
#1

Anyone has any tips on this?
I always used pretty flat picking angle and now im experimenting with more of an edge picking. Its a bit awkward and for me it messes the pickslanting a bit.
I started to get confortable with pickslanting and now that i try to use edge picking my pickslanting became very awkward. I have to constantly readjust it.
I have the most trouble with upstrokes when using edge picking especialy if i need to use upward pickslant and play an upstroke with the edge picking.

I dont notice much change in tone when using edge picking vs my usual position. Is it worth the effort to keep practicing edge picking? Is it more efficient?

1 Like
#2

This is just my opinion/preference… I am trying to stop edge picking. The tone is better flat picking. It’s easier for me to sweep pick also, economy and arpeggios. If I were you, I would only use a little edge for metal rhythm palm muting. Anything else, you will run into scratchy pick attack and probably have pick snag issues.

The reason the edge upstrokes are weird is because the upstrokes are pushing, or snagging, against the wrist side of the pick and your index finger is probably not supporting that side of the pick enough underneath. Seesaw effect on your index. Move or curve your index a little off center, or a slight diagonal across, wrist side of pick, to support the edge upstroke resistance. The fat thumb usually has downstrokes covered.

Once again. Just my preference/experience. Don’t mess your perfect picking up. lol.

:bear:

1 Like
#3

Until a while ago I was using quite a lot of edge picking (probably 45 degrees or more), and indeed it made my upstrokes feel a bit awkward/sticky at times. I am now trying to use a flatter attack and am seeing some improvements in comfort/accuracy.

However, I don’t think it’s possible to pick fast when attacking the string with a completely flat pick, I feel like I need at least a little bit of an angle to let the string slide off.

2 Likes
#4

I’m not doubting you Hank or @tommo ommo, you’re way both more experienced players than me, but why do you think edge picking is bad?

Ever since I saw Paul Gilbert’s Get Out Of My Yard instructional video, and he talks about edge picking, I’ve done it since then because he did it and he is fast!

This was way before I heard of Troy and his analysis of picking though.

I’m always open to learning.

If either of you could post a picture of your flatter angles that would be great.

2 Likes
#5

Sorry I didn’t mean to say that it is bad, just that perhaps in my specific case I was doing it too much :slight_smile:

I still think that it would be impossible to pick fast with a 100% flat pick!

PS: Actually with the flatter attack I gained accuracy in some passages but got a bit slower in others - maybe it’s just an adaptation period or maybe I’ll need to dial in the amount of edge based on the situation!

2 Likes
#6

I’m in the exact boat with Tommo @pauliusmm … I maybe shouldn’t have said it’s bad, because everybody edge picks it seems. But I use too much… And it makes my picking sound horrible and I hate watching a lot of my videos back because of it.

So I am TRYING to pick flatter when I play. My buddy Chris and another friend of mine that is a incredible sweeper has made me realize I like flat picking better. It is definitely not impossible to play fast. lol.

Here is Chris

Chris might add a little edge in “Viking Mode” lol

3 Likes
#7

OK, so when you’re picking a little bit flatter, are you changing strings on upstrokes or downstrokes? Because, if it’s flatter it’s not really upward or downward pickslanting, right?

Are you using finger movement?

#8

No, leading/trailing edge is something totally different than pickslanting. There is a video on the site here explaining edges and pickslanting I think. Edge is the slant of the pick slicing into the string, pickslanting is your angle in and out of the plane of the strings.

I seem to use wrist and thumb joint, like Yngwie I guess? I try to stay wrist dominate if I’m paying attention.

:bear:

1 Like
#9

Interesting, I’m gonna experiment with holding my pick less angled.

I was always under the impression that Michael Romeo didn’t use much edge picking, if any. But, I’m not an expert in analysis:

1 Like
#10

Yeah, he isn’t using a lot. I just looked at my picking when I am trying to flat pick, and there is still some leading edge… So, I think what I was needing to say was, I personally need to use less edge. I use WAY too much.

:bear:

#11

Hmm, I’ve never thought about using less edge picking. Tomorrow I’m gonna have to investigate this. :sunglasses:

1 Like
#12

A little goes a long way - just enough to reduce friction but not enough to impact tone or volume.

1 Like
#13

When you change pickslant from DWPS to UWPS does your edge picking change from leading edge to trailing edge?
I started 2WPS recently and its easier for me to do it without edge picking. If i introduce edge picking my pick gets all weird and constantly slips out of my fingers. If i only use DWPS i can sort of get used to some edge picking.

What is the primary purpose of edge picking? I noticed more accidetal harmonics when using edge picking, which might be cool if used tastefully.
If my normal position has just a tiny bit of edge picking, maybe i should leave it like it is and dont worry about more obvious edge picking? Or is there a reason to do this more aggressive Edge picking?

#14

I think the only reason you would want to use a lot of edge picking is for thrash metal rhythms, or playing a bunch of pinch harmonics. I would continue to pick with as little edge as possible like you’re doing. Don’t try to add edge. Listen to Jakku.

Most people do not switch to trailing edge when they are changing pick slants. I’m not going to say nobody does it, somebody might, somewhere.

Trailing Edge is that reverse three finger pick grip, its kind of rare.

You crazy @aliendough have fun.
:bear:

1 Like