picking.. effective one

[Kataklysm]

uh what's up.. its my first msg on the board and english isn't my first language so.. pardon me :p
there's surely lots of great guitarists here so i wondered if any of you could give me some advice to enhance my picking technique.. im on guitar since jan 2k1 and well some songs metal songs resists and hate that.. i had no teacher so .. pleez help me ;`)

[R Whittington]

Hi Kataklysm,
You're doing pretty well with English I'd have to say...some advice I'd pass along while you're learning, is not to form bad picking habits. They are much more difficult to break than avoid. One thing to strive for when playing lead is to be sure you strictly use alternating pick strokes for every note played. Down,Up,Down,Up...
Sounds simple, but when you move your pick to an adjacent string..it's very easy to duplicate the last pickstroke from the previous string...when you're trying to build up speed and efficient picking technique..using alternating pickstrokes will help.

[Kataklysm]

roger that, thanks alot :D
but do u know some songs to work hard on it? metallica is too easy, satriani rocks and petrucci rips off the paint of walls :eek: but somethin possible.. i'd love to. well, peace and have a nice day
see ya :cool:

[R Whittington]

Hi Kataklysm,
I wouldn't know any particular songs to reccomend to try..you mentioned Metallica being too easy...maybe some of the earlier stuff would be a little more challenging. If you're into heavy stuff...check out Nile, especially the album "Black Seeds of Vengeance" that's some pretty awesome rhythm playing. As for practicing this technique for lead playing..anything Steve Morse has ever done is great for hearing what picking every note can do for you. He was the main inspiration for me developing more of that technique. I'd also reccomend sticking to scales and modes. Not only is it good finger excercise...but it will unlock some improvisation theory for you. Major, minor, melodic minor, pentatonic, phrygian, diminished and augmented...those are some of my favorites. I learned these from a book called "The Guitar Handbook" by Ralph Denyer...it's a great book for all kinds of guitar knowledge. Also I made up some practice scales years ago that are completely non musical..but they give your fingers a great workout. Also check out Al Dimeola's "Elegant Gypsy" and "Casino" this is also must have "picking technique listening". His muted picking is amazing. And he has a great melodic sense too.

[Kataklysm]

hmm yea when i talked about metallica.. not kill 'em all but u know the others.. like em. but well.. ill check out Nile right now.. thanks alot :) however, u really lost me with theseee "Major, minor, melodic minor, pentatonic, phrygian, diminished and augmented.." .. :eek: i guess thats stuff for post-amateur guitarists :D thanks again.. really. all noted and all bought soon..
well
thanks again
and over again :)
peace
Alex

[R Whittington]

Katakylsm,

"Major, minor, melodic minor, pentatonic, phrygian, diminished and augmented.."
these are the names of scales and modes.