Using "Circular Picking" with Economy Picking

Playing Technique
#1

Hi All,

I recently worked with my guitar teacher on some Yngwie Malmsteen economy style licks (think groups of 6 on string pairs). He recommended that I start to incorporate “small circles” into my economy playing to get more accuracy and speed. I have also heard this suggestion from various YouTubers. What is the “Cracking the Code” position on this? Is there any weight to it, from your POV? Any videos that you guys already have on how to incorporate this?

Thanks

#2

CTC don’t know a lot about finger motion but it can be incredibly effective, demonstrated by players like Yngwie (early on), Cesario Filho, Gus G, Ohmura Takayoshi, Mikio Fujioka etc. They don’t believe it is actually circular and just appears to be the fingers going back and forth. Troy sums up what they know here:

1 Like
#3

Thanks so much - will check it out.

#4

Rick Graham uses finger and thumb motion with economy picking too. I have his economy picking course and try to mimick how and when he uses it.
I do find it works very well for economy stuff. If I do it from wrist only, I find my arm wants to flip flop too much when changing directions, which doesn’t work so well with quick and frequent changes of direction.
That’s just my experience though.

2 Likes
#5

Thanks for sharing :pray: