Hi CtC people!
As the titles says, I’ve been playing for over 20 years and have built up a wrap sheet of bad habits that I’m trying to address and fix - one of those being my flat picking technique. I have spent a lot of my time writing fingerstyle guitar on my acoustic but have been trying to spend more time writing on my electric. Naturally I want to be able to play at faster speeds with more control and precision.
I’m having trouble identifying exactly what’s going on and what the limiting factor is and would love some input from anyone that’s broken through. I’m attaching my table-top motion tests for the Van Halen and DiMeola below at 190 and 200 BPM. I also attached videos of single note tremolo with no metronome and a four note pattern at 120, 130, 140, and 160 (for laughs).
Based on my initial observations, I feel comfortable with both USX and DSX motions - and I think I tend to favor DSX / 2 O’Clock in most cases. I notice that I tend towards a DBX (or maybe it’s just string hopping) at slower speeds and getting away with it. I’m skeptical that I’m not still just string-hopping at faster speeds so I’d love to figure out a way to reprogram those pathways to form a more consistent wrist-motion and picking path.
Another note; at faster speeds I definitely notice more tension in my tricep and elbow area, and possibly introducing more forearm movement. I don’t feel like my wrist alone is capable of moving passed 110-120 bpm on a single note tremolo.
I appreciate any insight, advice, and criticism that can help push me passed this!
Motion Tests @ 190 and 200 BPM
Single Note Tremolo - No Metronome
4 Note Pattern @ 120, 130, 140 and 160 BPM