So I’m taking Paul Gilbert’s artist works lessons now. Knowing what I know about Paul from here… how much do you think I should follow his exact pick stroke instructions. Considering he is a dsx player and I am not. He teaches with that in mind and it’s harder for me, I try to decide if it makes more sense in some cases, I’m not opposed to using dsx here and there but i don’t think I need to follow exactly what he says right?
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I don’t know the Artistworks material, but here are my general thoughts:
Point one, it’s good to have multiple tools in your toolbox, so unless playing the exercises “Paul’s way” is super frustrating, I’d try working them his way and see how the progress goes.
I’ve seen Paul crow about his curriculum there being the most organized he’s ever done, and informed by mistakes he’s made from earlier experiences teaching. Now, some of that could just be marketing spin, but Paul seems like the kind of guy who would plant seeds in early exercises that are meant to bear fruit later.
I would skim the entire course, and try to understand where I think he’s going. Figure out whether he’s leading you into advanced licks that will demand one picking strategy or another, and figure out whether there’s genuinely a need to “repurpose” his exercises through your own CTC lens, or if it’s worth working through them “at face value”.
Life is short and there’s no point rigidly following something if there’s strong evidence it’s not working for you. But at the same time, be sure you’re honest with yourself about whether you’ve truly given it a fair chance to work before you give up on it.
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That’s kinda what I’m thinking. But I think my respect for his lightning fast playing is what has me second guessing not listening to him.
I would listen to him, but also be aware of what your own limitations are with how you play
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I will also mention that Paul is either unaware that he is a dsx player or he doesn’t Feel it’s important to explain. He never explains why a certain picking order makes more sense, it’s only because of how he holds the pick. There are many exercises where he shows you when to pick up or down, but if you were an usx player you could pick it in such an easier and more sensical way.
He’s aware, he’s also aware of where his primary motions come from but he doesn’t use the terminology that has been outlined by CTC. For example he knows where his picking motions come from and that he uses subtle forearm rotation (his pick strokes actually make a slight “u” shape), and he also does know that his down strokes escape away from the body. He actually demonstrates this, however he doesn’t really describe it it those terms, or in as much detail as a lot of people here do. He also is aware of why “outside” picking tends to be easier and cleaner for him to do, but again he isn’t somebody that is going to emphasize the mechanics of why and create terminology around it.
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He never once says to angle the pick a certain way. So if you’re an unknowing usx picker and you listen to what he says to do, you literally won’t be able to play most of his licks.
He has mentioned in the past to experiment starting on upstrokes or downstrokes to see which way helps facilitate the lick. That suggestion will translate to both a DSX and a USX player.
Use both. Listen to what he says and also use the knowledge from CTC. You may not be able to pick exactly as he does, but you will likely be able to find workarounds and that’s where the CTC material will be very useful.
I’ve not done the his courses so I can’t say anything specific about it.
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He has mentioned it. But not in this course.
I mean, do you have buyers remorse? It sounds like You’re approaching it already knowing the limitations of your own picking style and what to do to rectify and accommodate the licks for your playing. To me it seems like a non issue and you only really have to gain with the course.
You could ask him in one of your video exchanges? I’m also following his lessons – been working on his “fundamentals” for about 14 months now. Early on I struggled with the fingering of a chord, and brought this up in my second video exchange with him. I asked if there was a “big reveal” planned later regarding that fingering, or whether it was OK to play the chord the way I was used to. He was very cool about it, and gave a great answer.
He’s also very responsive in the “Ask Paul” part of the forum on that site, if you prefer not to “spend” a VE on that question.
The simple answer is don’t follow his exact pick strokes if they are not conducive to your playing style. Use what works with your natural playing. It sounds like you already know what to do. Use the course for the ideas they contain, which is probably the most valuable part of it. Or honestly, try to play the licks his way too, and see if you can develop DSX as well. I only see the positives
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Are you saying that you are more comfortable using even groupings while executing 3nps runs? If so, why not work out, or try some of the 3nps sequences here on this site and you can take advantage of what you are already comfortable doing? Also, what about developing just a couple of your own even groupings and you will be on your way to finding your own voice and being creative at the same time.
I am only suggesting and not trying to deflect from your question. I just don’t know what your final goal is to learning PG runs is all about IF you are not comfortable using both picking directions.
I had a difficult time learning this but others have said, ‘take advantage of what you can do well, or are comfortable doing, and not focus so much on what we are not good at doing’. I thought this was a cop out because there was a time when I was awful at everything. As I find my way, I am more mindful of that philosophy.
If your goal is to play PGs lines verbatim, then you have to decide how important this is to your development and goals.
For me, I have built lines, or sequences around my picking comfort zone while still using 3nps but NOT always exclusively 3 nps lines.
Again, we all have different goals and expectations. I am not a young person any longer, so I need to focus on what is most logical for my own development and I know I can’t be a master of all techniques.
I’m at peace with this because I have improved in ways that work for my way of playing.
I mentioned this in another thread, I have small fingers, so I have adapted to scale shapes and positions that work the best for me. Now, I still go the depths of the lower register BUT, I don’t live down there and don’t have to get injured trying to stretch beyond my physical boundaries.
Find what works best for you and ‘own it’ if you will. I know I didn’t probably answer you directly and I apologize for my longwinded response.
I just wrote because I was hugely influenced by PG and his PG 3nps scales and while I am physically not even close to him, or skill wise not there either, I still use those 3 nps for faster playing. I just use them to fit my way of picking.
Good Luck.
Man, I totally feel this!
yeah, I get where you’re coming from.