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Post by Adagio123 on Jun 4, 2005 12:47:28 GMT -6
Hi Michael... I have recently noticed that on my picking hand my thumb isn't straight. I have watced a bunch of videos of players including yours and I have noticed that everyone keeps their thumbs straight, however my thumb is far from being straight, it is very much bent all the time. I was wondering if you think this could possibly be a bad thing when attempting to develop speed? Here is an example if my explanation made no sense - I have been told that James Hetfield (Metallica) picks with a very similar technique, however I don't feel that's any consolation as I aspire to have fast picking, don't get me wrong he is a great rhythm player. Thanks, any advice would be much appreciated!
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Post by taylor on Jun 4, 2005 12:52:10 GMT -6
My thumb is strait and index finger curled at the first knuckle I guess, would explain it
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Post by Adagio123 on Jun 4, 2005 13:07:17 GMT -6
Don't worry about replying if you're going to state your method, that just doesn't help.
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Post by taylor on Jun 4, 2005 13:34:08 GMT -6
Well what do you want? Yes you can play really fast with your methods, in fact I bet you have potential to be the FASTEST in the GALAXY!!!!!!! All you have to do is practice it instead of sitting and looking for a magic answer on the internet.
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reid
Full Member
gyar
Posts: 214
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Post by reid on Jun 4, 2005 14:58:16 GMT -6
im pretty sure holding the pick with your thumb straight allows a more natural (relaxed, at least) wrist motion ... potentially faster i'd say.
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Post by Adagio123 on Jun 5, 2005 10:46:11 GMT -6
I'm currently changing my method of holding the pick to the "majorites" way. I find it very hard to get a good grip on my pick, the tip of my index keeps slipping away...
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Post by Luke on Jun 5, 2005 15:04:15 GMT -6
I have been told that James Hetfield (Metallica) picks with a very similar technique, however I don't feel that's any consolation as I aspire to have fast picking, don't get me wrong he is a great rhythm player. Thanks, any advice would be much appreciated! Jame's technique is bad he uses 2 fingers and his thumb to hold his pick this is a very limiting way of picking. The way you pick seems to be fine
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Post by clameo on Jun 6, 2005 3:27:19 GMT -6
I have been told that James Hetfield (Metallica) picks with a very similar technique, however I don't feel that's any consolation as I aspire to have fast picking, don't get me wrong he is a great rhythm player. Thanks, any advice would be much appreciated! Jame's technique is bad he uses 2 fingers and his thumb to hold his pick this is a very limiting way of picking. The way you pick seems to be fine I don't know if it's a bad technique, Mike sad that it doesn't matter how you hold your pick, as long as you keep the joints on your fingers rigid.
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Post by Adagio123 on Jun 6, 2005 10:58:48 GMT -6
google's definition for rigid - something that isn't flexible and won't bend
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Post by Blondie on Jun 6, 2005 11:02:11 GMT -6
The whole between my index and thumb is almost a perfect circle, but since all joints are locked I don't think it's a problem.
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Post by Adagio123 on Jun 6, 2005 11:07:46 GMT -6
"The hole between my index and thumb is almost a perfect circle"
So that would mean if you weren't holding a pick your index is against the inside joint of your thumb? do you keep your index slightly bent ot straight?
Sorry about these questions, it's just that I'm currently changing the way I hold the pick and it feels quite strange, as it would initially, the problem is my index keeps slipping away.
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Post by bemyguestagain on Jun 6, 2005 11:50:12 GMT -6
"The hole between my index and thumb is almost a perfect circle" So that would mean if you weren't holding a pick your index is against the inside joint of your thumb? do you keep your index slightly bent ot straight? Sorry about these questions, it's just that I'm currently changing the way I hold the pick and it feels quite strange, as it would initially, the problem is my index keeps slipping away. I don't see why you have to change the way you hold your pick, the problem is not the way you hold your pick the problem is if you do the flicking of your thumb when picking cause if you do the flicking of your thumb while picking then you are not going to be really fast it does not matter if you hold your pick with 3 fingersr 4 or with two all it matter is make sure you do your picking rigid and dont pick by moving your thumb joint. so i guess is easy for you to keep the way you hold and the position of your fingers and simply keep them rigid.
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reid
Full Member
gyar
Posts: 214
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Post by reid on Jun 6, 2005 20:40:40 GMT -6
I don't see why you have to change the way you hold your pick, the problem is not the way you hold your pick the problem is if you do the flicking of your thumb when picking cause if you do the flicking of your thumb while picking then you are not going to be really fast it does not matter if you hold your pick with 3 fingersr 4 or with two all it matter is make sure you do your picking rigid and dont pick by moving your thumb joint. so i guess is easy for you to keep the way you hold and the position of your fingers and simply keep them rigid. I agree, if that is the case, I dont think trying to muscle it out of your thumb to create picking motions is a wise idea... I'd recommend using your wrist for most of your picking movement, if not your forearm for sweeps ;D
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Post by BossMorley on Jun 6, 2005 22:02:48 GMT -6
I emailed Katrina Johansson (over a dispute with my sister on how to hold a pick) and she says she holds it like you Adagio123. I say your supposed to hold it like Michael but its whatever fits you.
Adam
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Post by clameo on Jun 7, 2005 0:58:03 GMT -6
I emailed Katrina Johansson (over a dispute with my sister on how to hold a pick) and she says she holds it like you Adagio123. I say your supposed to hold it like Michael but its whatever fits you. Adam whoa
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Post by Succubus on Jun 7, 2005 4:24:55 GMT -6
If Katrina holds it like you Adagio then you've got nothing to worry about! Have you heard her playing? She can really rip!!! Some samples of her stuff are on the MACE music page if you need convincing ;D (www.angelo.com)
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Post by clameo on Jun 7, 2005 5:32:01 GMT -6
If Katrina holds it like you Adagio then you've got nothing to worry about! Have you heard her playing? She can really rip!!! Some samples of her stuff are on the MACE music page if you need convincing ;D (www.angelo.com) or www.katrinaguitar.com/I like the song "Driven"
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Post by Blondie on Jun 7, 2005 19:39:35 GMT -6
"The hole between my index and thumb is almost a perfect circle" So that would mean if you weren't holding a pick your index is against the inside joint of your thumb? do you keep your index slightly bent ot straight? Sorry about these questions, it's just that I'm currently changing the way I hold the pick and it feels quite strange, as it would initially, the problem is my index keeps slipping away. I'll post a pic one of the days
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sweepingspagettios
Full Member
He who does not surpass his teacher repays him badly..Nietzsche
Posts: 210
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Post by sweepingspagettios on Jun 8, 2005 7:09:33 GMT -6
Eddie Van Halen says he holds his pick extremely unorthodox. Something like he holds it with the thumb and first two fingers.I think orthodoxy is just a troubleshooters guide or points to ponder. nothing set in stone. Hell if it were when do you think tapping or artificial harmonics wouldve happened
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Post by Adagio123 on Jun 8, 2005 8:47:26 GMT -6
Wow, thanks for all the replies, I have heard Katrina playing, she sound great. I did get the impression that it may have been Angelo playing in the clips though.
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Post by Succubus on Jun 8, 2005 11:45:00 GMT -6
Quite a few of us thought that but Mike assured us it wasn't him! ;D
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