Archive for Technique
Week Three Lesson – Arpeggiating Chords
Posted by: | CommentsThis one is tough! It combines a fast arpeggio like riff, with hybrid AND economy picking. Since I’ve explained hybrid picking I’ll talk about economy picking. Normally for fast riffs, you use alternate picking (up and down strokes alternating). However, in some cases for extreme speed (like sweep picking) it’s fast and cleaner to use 2 or more of the same stroke in a row, eg. 2 downstrokes or 2 upstrokes. So you can think of economy picking like a subset of sweep picking although it’s usually used in terms of scales (like 3 note per string licks or scales).
You’ll notice mostly chord tones which are the root, major 3rd, 5th, and minor 7th. I also added some chromatics between the minor 7th and root, and also some bluesy influences with a minor and major 3rd added, as well as the 9th. You’ll also notice that I don’t start any arpeggio on the root, usually the minor 7th or major 3rd.
Here’s the tab: Week Three Lesson – Arpeggiating Chord
Watch the downstrokes, upstrokes, hammer-ons, pull-offs and hybrid (ring finger) as well as economy picking (multiple downstrokes/upstrokes). A lot to absorb!
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Week Two Lesson – Hybrid Picking Bluesy Riff
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s the pdf with tab. Hybrid Picking Blues Riff
The tab shows typical symbols for downstrokes, upstrokes, hammer ons and pulloffs and I also add an ‘r’ above the notes that I use my ring finger for (The m/r indicates use your middle and ring finger together). You don’t have to follow this exactly, but it works for me especially at high speeds. Things you can do differently at slower speeds may not work for you when you crank up the metronome tempo. Some of you may prefer your middle finger, etc which is okay. A lot of the picking and legato techniques create its unique sound, but feel free to alter it as you see fit. If you read music or understand the theory, you’ll notice that in 2 different octaves I use a similar idea – that is the movement from the minor 3rd (D) to the major 3rd (D#) which is very typical in bluesy playing. Enjoy!
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Week One Lesson – Sweep Picking Arpeggios
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve also included the tab for this lesson.
You want to pick downward in one continuous pick stroke and the upward in one continuous pick stroke. Similar to playing a chord, but you need to synchronize your left and right hand so that after you pick each note, the left hand lifts off the string slightly to dampen the string and prevent it from ringing. You don’t want to hear all the notes together, but each note individually. It should feel like the pick is falling to the next string from the weight of your picking hand, especially when you play it slowly.
Note the symbols showing downstrokes and upstrokes. You can pick the highest pitched note if you want too if you can’t get the proper volume from hammering on and sliding. Some of the effect at high speeds comes from the sliding, legato effect however.
Enjoy! Feel free comment and also to post requests for specific topics in the comments section. For more in-depth look at this topic, check out this book on sweep picking