Chasing Paganini

Q&A – Alternate Picking

T.M. — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:45:20 +0000

Question:

What is the best way to hold the pick when performing fast alternate picking?

Answer:

Well, I have seen it done differently so many times, it becomes useless to worry about a ‘best’ way. Shawn Lane would tilt the pick up, Paul Gilbert tilts the pick down, and Marty Friedman is all messed up.

What you will want to do first is find a comfortable way to hold the pick. Start from there. Also, experiment with how much of the tip is exposed while alternate picking. Some players are good with just the slightest bit of tip exposed, while others prefer more of the ‘meat’ of the pick to be exposed. Your best choice will be based on the music you play, the techniques you use, and the overall comfort of the thing.

Beyond all of that, I have one last piece of advice: stop worrying about how to hold the pick, and just focus on playing your damn guitar!

Get practicing!

T.M.

Learning the Neck – 2nd Form Arpeggio Exercise

T.M. — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:00:37 +0000

In this video, we go over an exercise for the Form 2 arpeggio, along with 2 variations.

Have fun!

2nd Form Arpeggio Exercise

Learning the Neck – 2nd Form Arpeggio – G Major

T.M. — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:14:46 +0000

In this video lesson, we learn the second form of a major arpeggio. In this case we use G Major, beginning on the second note of the arpeggio. The notes being B-D-G.

Have fun!

Fun with Scales – Alternate Picking – Crazy 8’s

T.M. — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:30:53 +0000

In this video we have a fun little exercise for strengthening your alternate picking skills. Includes numerous fingerings, along with an exercise for strengthening the 3rd and 4th fingers of the left hand.

Have fun!!

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Form 1 Arpeggio Exercise in A Major

T.M. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:10:59 +0000

In this video, we take a look at a simple exercise designed to help cement Form 1 of the major triad.

Have Fun!

Learning the Neck – 1st Form Arpeggio – Right Hand

T.M. — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:22:42 +0000

Here we go into the right-hand picking for the First Form of the A Major triad (A-C#-E).

We learn: the motion of the pick while playing this arpeggio.

Learning the Neck – First Form Arpeggio – A Major

T.M. — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:23:03 +0000

In this first lesson, we learn about the first form of a Major arpeggio (A-C#-E, in this case).

The fingering may be different from what you are used to, but it rolls off the fingers nicely.

Don’t Worry…

T.M. — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:28:01 +0000

This site is coming along just fine, and regular updates are here. Just be patient.