Who is working on RDT with a Trailing edge grip?

Playing Technique
#30

But hey @WhammyStarScream, I don’t really do much Jason Becker Style sweeping, you know those big blooop blorp bloop guys; however when I do a 5 or a 6 string sweep, yes the descending portion is “better” It just is hahaha , I think because it’s most compatible with my setup. I was messing around and I pronate while descending, and supinate slightly when ascending. My sweeping is, ummm passable. Meaning I get the job done, but it’s not too pretty in many cases hahaha my preference is for things that I can sequence when it comes to arpeggios so I don’t really do straight scales or straight arpeggios in my improvising.

When I do a bunch of sweepy stuff, my preference is definitely for descending moves, and they sound better to me. Ascending is not quite as good in most cases, but I’m fine with it - There’s always other ways around it via hammers, hybrid or tapping. So yeah, I guess to clarify my previous statement, yes I can sweep with this setup - but the ascending portion needs a setup change mid flight it seems, and the pronated aspect I currently emply isn’t great for muting. i hope that helps amigo? I am kind of stumbling through this…

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#31

Yes it helps, I think I need to get a better understanding of RDT, I thought it was the Marty Friedman esc hand position, limp wrist type thing based on looking it up, but because I’m not a member atm I’m getting only bits n pieces of info, so my mistake if it’s not that. Next time I get paid I’m sure a membership will update me on the recent stuff :slightly_smiling_face:

#32

I think so, on bass. I’m not totally sure as I’m not 100% on the definitions of RDT, but from the videos I’ve seen, it looks like it.

I can do it on guitar too, but normally use standard grip.

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#33

Why do you think you do standard on guitar?

#34

@WhammyStarScream I like the attack of thin picks better right now, and I find that trailing edge has to be at least 1mm. I could just record with trailing edge for certain lead parts, but I would never do any rhythm with it.

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#35

Have you ever struggled with how cool your hand looks when picking? Thats something that messed with me for awhile, or you never had that issue?

Like certain picking techniques look cool but are limiting. My most effective technique looks lame as hell to me.

#36

I’ve personally never had that issue. Then again, I’ve never had the typical “guitar aesthetics” issue, like wearing the guitar low enough to “look cool”, or more recently, playing a headless guitar for ergonomics.

That being said, I’m curious to hear which ones you think look cool. Or which ones don’t, lol.

This piqued my interest and relates to my question above: which techniques look cool (to you) but are limiting? Which technique are you most effective with but think it looks lame?

#37

suppose its a bit off topic :stuck_out_tongue:

#38

lol I personally could give a shit about how someone’s technique “looks”. For me it’s all about how it sounds and the music generated. Some fantastic players don’t “look” like they conform to what looks cool and yet… they tear your face off and send the weak spirited ones crying for their mommy. We all have different body types and as such our “setups” will vary. I think that the CTC method allows for this personalization. Think about it - Marty Friedman and Frank Gambale for example are very comfortable and at peace with how they play and the setup/posture. Michaelangelo and Steve Morse, Yngwie and EVH - Eric Johnson and Johnny Hiland - lots of variety there, and I am thinking that the setups are complimentary to the line construction. Just my opinion, correct me if I’m wrong. :grinning:

Anyways @jllewi I am curious - Are you able to play some DBX stuff? If so I’d love to see it! I can’t do it myself, but it’s really awesome to watch and listen to - I especially love it when guys have just discovered it and start smashing out cool rolls and whatnot!

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#39

I’m gonna post some bluegrass DBX real soon now. Just gotta deal with the garage sale and the mowing. #priorities

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#40

It is kinda weird I guess as but we all care about image, maybe I’m too obsessive lol

Don’t you guys find this grip puts a lot of pressure on your thumb?

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#41

Different strokes for different folks I think!

Actually for me, the opposite. This grip affords me the least amount of background tension - it’s why I went back to it, Tom Gilroy really helped coach me through a kind of “setup reboot”.

Cool! I can’t wait to hear/see your clip!

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#42

I think this may be anatomical too. I’ve got a hitchhiker thumb so a trailing edge grip is comfortable for me. I don’t feel any pressure. I could see someone who doesn’t have a hitchhiker thumb having a different experience.

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#43

In the way that I use it, yes, but that’s hitting thicker strings (bass) pretty hard while using a “standard” shape purple tortex (1.14 mm if I’m recalling correctly). When I play guitar using a jazz point with the same technique, most all of the pressure goes away. I think it’s more having to get used to the thumb being in that position, similar to how some people feel a degree of discomfort on the side of their index finger when they first start holding the pick there.

Not gonna lie, that is a pretty bizarre take on playing aesthetics, but definitely unique; can’t say that I’ve ever heard anyone comment on that before!

Personally I think that the more “fist” shaped picking styles seem to feel more stable, as the mass of your hand is more concentrated. In that sense, they aesthetically look more robust to me. The more the fingers splay and create angles, the more potential for unreliable technique, so I might find that aesthetically less pleasing. All that being said: if it works, it works.

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#44

Hmmm, my thumb kind of curves when it’s straight, so I am thinking I agree - anatomical.

#45

I’ve never claimed to be sane lol I do find it intresting how peoples hands are so different, my Dad has the hitchhikers thumb going on, like evh hands, what I find interesting is I don’t at all, same with Wolfgang van Halen, he doesn’t have his dads hands, he’s closer to his mother in face and hand structure.

#46

I’ve created a Technique Critique at Technique Critique – Cracking the Code with trailing and leading edge videos. In case you can’t see those, I also sent them to YouTube at Beaumont Rag B section, Leading Edge - YouTube and Beaumont Rag B section, Trailing Edge - YouTube. Both are of Beaumont Rag at 110 bpm half notes, 440 notes/min eighth notes.

DBX Wrist Tutorial Tracking Question
#47

Both forms look and sound awesome to me!

The link you posted is the one from your dashboard. The “public” one is here

The only thing I’d say to try is see what happens at faster speeds. Your motion looks efficient but 110 is low to test maximum efficiency. I’ve found several forms of DBX that I am confident are NOT string hopping, but they are not equal in terms of efficiency. They each run out of gas at different places. The fact that you now have 2 forms is promising and they will probably help each other out.

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#48

Thanks for the hint on the link, I updated my post.
Of course, “bluegrass 110” is the same as “4/4 220bpm”, but yes, it’s not superfast. This is about as fast as I can go and make a complete “take” of a song section. I might be able to do faster in a shorter burst. And this was on the acoustic with a .013" string set. Excuses aside, I will keep working on this. Interested to see what @tommo thinks.

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#49

That was awesome, man! Sounded fantastic to me!