https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:49:13 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/paged/2/#post-285844 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:23:47 +0000
Best,
Jersey Jack]]> Guitar Players Discussion Jersey Jack https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/paged/2/#post-285844 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-285425 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:18:54 +0000
Denny]]> Guitar Players Discussion Denny https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-285425 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284929 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:04:21 +0000
I've only been playing for a little over 2 years, and I've spent most of that time learning bluegrass. Many hours practicing the "boom-chuck" strum, and many of it's variations. Through much reading and DVD's, I've learned that even among the greats(Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Bryan Sutton, David Grier, Norman Blake, JP Cormier, etc.), there's many different approaches to strumming and picking. As far as the strumming hand, one common element is the looseness of the wrist. They all have a real loose wrist, very little tension. Also, very few of the greats anchor any fingers. I've only seen one, Charles Sawtelle. I've tried both anchor and no anchor. I've found that while the ancor can give you a better sense of position b/w strings in the short run, it really slows you down when you pick up the tempo. IMO your better off with a floating hand. It'll take longer to get a good grasp of your position b/w strings, but once you get it down it'll sound better and give you more freedom. With the anchor you lose a lot of power and freedom of movement.

I still consider myself a beginner (prob b/c I'm learning from DVD's of the guys mentioned above, and that's all I have to compare myself to - oh well, downside of living in a remote northern community), but a turning point for my rhythm strumming has come from watching Rice, Sutton, and Watson. Their fingers are not anchored, but lightly brush/touch the high E string.when doing bass runs/boom-chuck. The only time there fingers somewhat curl is when they take a lead break. Once I got used to doing this, I realised that it gives me excellent feel for where my pick is at in relation to the strings. Sometimes my finger tips will slightly go under the high E string on the "boom". I use my ring finger, and pinkie a little. It may feel awkward at first, but doesn't take long to get used to. At slow tempos, you may think it'll dampen the high strings. If it does, it's not noticeable. Def not at high tempos. IMO, too much treble ruins a nice bluegrass rhythm anyway. I like a nice bass - mid sound. Too much treble kills it for me.

Give it a try. Won't hurt. If it doesn't work for ya, at least your another step closer to your solution.]]> Guitar Players Discussion wannabepicker https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284929 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284837 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:23:37 +0000
I am a proponent of learning by beginning v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y, s-l-o-w-l-y. First, with no rhythm, them with a metronome set super slow. Gradually, increase metronome speed, but not before you have your skill absolutely nailed at the slower speed.

One thing you want to avoid is practicing mistakes. If you do, you will get good at making mistakes. Make sure your playing is simple and slow enough to be accurate.

I would bet $100 that you have some issues with your posture, and/or how your guitar is supported, and/or muscular tension. If you completely remove your fretting hand, does the guitar change position? If so, you are trying to hit a moving target with your pick whenever you change chords. I recommend that you invest in the "Guitar Principles" book and DVD. It's pretty dry, but it really does contain the solution to your problem. (Well, it's not a solution; it is a progression of exercises designed to allow you to diagnose and correct whatever you are doing to cause your misses.)

The last tidbit I can offer is to try a guitar with a wider string spacing. I did that to increase the comfort of my fretting hand and I found my picking hand to be way more accurate.]]> Guitar Players Discussion jwing https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284837 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284629 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:41:22 +0000 look for yourself :) :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

That's FIVE green men....You've made my day!

Man, it doesn't get any better than that! Oh, that voice, that suit!

Jersey Jack]]> Guitar Players Discussion Jersey Jack https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284629 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284620 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:21:03 +0000 look for yourself :)]]> Guitar Players Discussion kent_eh https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284620 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284618 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:37:55 +0000 gnease that this is not an ideal solution. I also tried finger picking, which worked very well for the accuracy of the alternating bass, but fell short on volume, sharpness, etc. The sound was low and muted, unable to compete with my voice (which is loud, too loud, I think!).

I guess I'll keep on keeping on--using the pinkie as a light anchor and practicing very slowly. We'll see!

Jersey Jack
Try a thumb pick.]]> Guitar Players Discussion yournightmare https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284618 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284496 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:35:58 +0000
Here is a nice video of a fellow flatpicking. Notice how super-relaxed he is. This is very important. Also notice he anchors his pinky on the pickguard, but lets his hand float freely. This will keep your hand a consistent distance from the strings which will help your strumming. This particular song is individual notes, but as I said before, this will actually improve your strumming as well. And in the Country/Bluegrass styles you play, you often play single note runs between chords, so you need to practice single note runs anyway.

Oh yeah, the video. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDqbhuMjS6g]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284496 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284494 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:08:05 +0000
Here is a good demo of the MXR Dynacomp, one of the most popular compressors ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZbxpWNM4bc

As far as picking technique, go to the music store and buy a wide variety of picks, thin, medium, heavy, etc.... You will find each pick feels and sounds a little differently, and everybody has their own preference in picks. I myself have come to prefer Fender Thin picks. I like just a little flexibility in picks, keeps them from hanging up on strings and sounding "clunky". I find I can get a much more even strum with these picks as well. But try a variety, some players prefer heavy or stiff picks.

And practice picking individual strings keeping hand motion to a minimum. If you can learn to pick single strings at speed with control you will find this carries over to strumming as well, you will use less motion in time. It will improve your picking accuracy. Practice 16th notes starting slow, maybe 70 BPM and gradually go up. With a little practice like this everyday in a few months you will see your speed and accuracy improve dramatically.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284494 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284461 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:14:15 +0000 gnease that this is not an ideal solution. I also tried finger picking, which worked very well for the accuracy of the alternating bass, but fell short on volume, sharpness, etc. The sound was low and muted, unable to compete with my voice (which is loud, too loud, I think!).

I guess I'll keep on keeping on--using the pinkie as a light anchor and practicing very slowly. We'll see!

Jersey Jack]]> Guitar Players Discussion Jersey Jack https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/picking-trouble/#post-284461