I’m a long time player trying to rededicate myself to the instrument. I started in 1989 and for about 6 years all i did was play and practice. I could down pick Blackened and on a good day grind out Master of Puppets. I played with a ton of tension though. The internet wasn’t around back then so a lot of it was figure it out yourself. Anyways in the mid 90s the fact i had to be an adult came to life and guitar became like the 20th most important thing to do daily. My skills went to crap and i was lucky if I played 2-3 times a week. My pick hand at this point has a mind of it’s own.
Anyways, questions…
I get the clockface analogy. When i read pick from the wrist i think 3 and 9. Problem is 3 and 9 dies out at 16th notes at about 100-110 beats per minute and I physically can’t move faster. Maybe if i do the speed tests i can but as soon as i put a pick and guitar in my hand it falls apart. I’ve put great effort into being relaxed and have come a long way there. Back in the day when I could play fast I remembered there always being a LOT of tension. It feels like once I hit 110 if I want to go faster I have to grip pick differently and the motion makes it feel awkward. Can someone describe what’s going on in their mind and with their hands if you say start at 16ths at 80 bpm and then raising the metronome 10 bpm while doing 65 note challenge get into that 120 bpm or higher range where the motion I started with no longer cuts it.? For me to do 120 plus it feels sloppy at first and as i get it sounding clean it feels impossible to transition to another string. if i try to use the motion i struggle with at higher tempos at a low tempo its awkward and sounds choppy.
I’m at a point that although i love guitar and want to be the best I can be but it just seems maybe its not my thing or perhaps I’m just to old to learn to do things properly. Thank you for any feedback provided.