Pickslant with a wrist-forearm motion

Playing Technique
#1

When playing using a single escape motion, I think that it is said that you need a pickslant to match the path of the escape, so that the pick is approximately perpendicular to the path the pick travels, allowing for a smooth string release on upstrokes and downstrokes.

If you’re using a wrist-forearm motion, the path the pick makes isn’t completely flat - its slightly curved, especially towards the end of the downstroke/start of the upstroke, as the wrist takes over from the forearm in these parts of the motion.
Because the pick doesn’t follow a straight path, do you need a slightly different pickslant?
Do you need a dynamic pickslant (i.e one that changes slightly with the motion)?
Is the best way to work this out to just experiment with varying degrees pf pickslant until you find one that works well with your technique?

Thank you :slight_smile:

#2

Using the fingers will straighten it out, tho the curve isn’t an issue its more the angle of the pick and putting part of your wrist stroke into your fingers.
You don’t need a dynamic pickslant, but it helps a lot. Otherwise its a lot of strain on the wrist n forarm.

If you use middle finger grip it’s a lot harder to change pick slant, but your wrist has way more flexion extension range, so it’s not as much of an issue.

If you look at Marty Friedman, he uses his fingers every stroke to angle the pick and add/lessen range to his strokes.

It’s more 45 degrees than perpendicular.

Keep rolling lol

#3

Have a look at this video

1 Like
#4

Damn that’s some serious speed! Interestingly he found that ulnar deviation gave him a big speed boost, possibly due to the increase in edge picking. Often, elbow players seem to have a bit of radial deviation in their form, like Vinnie Moore.