Two-way pickslanting question

Playing Technique
#1

So, my question is on the following picking sequence:

---------5-7-8-7-5-------
5-6-8------------------8-6(repeat from beginning).

In this sequence, I’m using strict alternate picking, starting with a downstroke. There are several different ways to approach two-way pickslanting. I could play the first 7 notes DSX and then switch to USX to play the last note on the high string and then resume DSX for the remainder of notes. Or I could play the first 3 notes DSX, switch to USX for all 5 notes on the higher string and back to DSX on the last 2 notes of the lower string. Is there a general consensus for playing a simple sequence like this using two-way pickslanting? They both feel equally comfortable to me. I might have missed it, but is there a section on this website that goes into detail on best practices for two-way pickslanting using examples? The only one I’ve seen so far is the animated video where it looked like a DSX, followed by a neutral-type pluck and then switching to an USX. I’m still quite new to CTC, so forgive me if my terminology sounds cavemanish…ha! Thanks in advance for the help!

#2

I was playing around with this the other day, personally I start with DSX for the first three notes and then naturally just stay in USX (my default) for the remaining notes.

You could argue staying in DSX for everything other than the last note on the high string would be more efficient but I’m not sure if that makes a huge difference.

Conversely, you could just stay DSX the whole time and swipe back to the lower string.

1 Like
#3

I think this is right, but please check.

  1. You start with a free pick and it is your choice between being above (USX) or below (DSX) the string. Let me call Y the one that you chose, and Z the one that you didn’t.
  2. You hit an odd number of notes on the 1st string, starting with Y and ending with Z.
  3. You hit an odd number of notes on the 2nd string, starting with Z and ending with Y.
  4. Goto 1.

There seem to be two underlying conservation laws:

  • An even number of notes conserves your choice, e.g., you start with Y, you’re stuck with it.
  • An odd number of notes flips your choice, e.g., if you start with Y, you end up with Z.

Am I missing something? (Probably!)

#4

that seems correct to me and yes, often you’ll find players lines conform to one main escape for the effieicny/ease aspect.