3 finger even-ness

Masterquack · #1 10-20-2008, 10:11 PM

Hi there!

At the beginning of this year i started playing 3 finger picking style but at that time i was only interested in one thing... Steve Harris. reasonably quickly i built up my galloping 3 finger chops.

but recently I've been asked to play a gig with very fast constant semiquavers (basically) and its at a speed where i cant keep up with my two finger technique (which is limited to semiquavers at around 75 bpm). i think my three fingers could be fast enough, however they are stuck in 'gallop mode', so to speak.

so I was just wondering if any of you had some good exercises to help even out my picking time-wise.

Cheers in advance!

Curtybob · #2 10-20-2008, 10:14 PM

Someone told me a while back to consciously count 1-2-3-4 as you play. It helped me immensely.

**BullHorn** · #3 10-21-2008, 02:30 AM

Practice at a slower tempo till you nail it easily and can keep it up for 10 minutes. Then raise the tempo and repeat the process.

You'll get it, don't worry.

wizay · #4 10-21-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullHorn

Practice at a slower tempo till you nail it easily and can keep it up for 10 minutes. Then raise the tempo and repeat the process.

You'll get it, don't worry.

+1 use a metronome.

machine gewehr · #5 10-21-2008, 03:34 AM

Start from slow,then raise the tempo,use a metronome.You'll see the difference.

I've been working on it for 1+ years and still I get un-even attacks. Good luck.

51m0n · #6 10-21-2008, 04:29 AM

+1 to the above. Always work with a metronome.

I find counting :-

1 ee an ah 2 ee an ah 3 ee an ah 4 ee an ah

works best for me. Accent 1 2 3 4

Also work on the Alain Caron 16th note accent variation to this exercise.

In that you play as above but but each bar (to begin with) accent the next 16th (so 1 2 3 4, ee ee ee ee, an an an an, ah ah ah ah) in each beat.

Then go one stage further and accent the next 16th in each beat (1, 2ee, 3an, 4ah) which is trickier than it sounds!

Get these down super slow and build them up really gently.

Play each one for a few minutes at a time, really get Zen like with it. Speed isnt important perfection is. With perfection comes speed.

Try and concentrate on minimising unnecessary movement with your plucking fingers as well, even the accenting fingers dont need to move further, just resist the string more (be slightly less willing to brush over the top of the string). All this will help as you speed up.

However fast you are going work hard to keep your fingers, thumbs, hands, wrists, forearms, upper arms, shoulders, neck and back relaxed. Take note of this as tensions will slow you down and sap your stamina very quickly!

Find a track with a 16th note b-line thats pretty tricky but largely on one string (beggining of WHat is Hip comes to mind). Work that up to speed using the above method.

It's taken me a while but I'm far more comfortable with three than two fingers, and have almost completely removed any trace of accenting.

And yes it is worth the effort IMO.

Daveelvy · #7 10-21-2008, 04:36 AM

3 fingered playing can be really tricky to pick up, especially if you have been playing with two fingers for a long time. I use the technique on and off, though personally i haven't found it to be more or less beneficial than regular two fingered technique. Just different.

A practice that helped me a lot was playing up and down a major scale (across all strings) jumping in thirds. ie: Play the root, skip to the 3rd; play the 2nd, skip to the 4th; 3rd to 5th, 4th to 6th etc etc...

To improve fluidity in the three fingers I set a metronome at a comfortable tempo, then play the above practice in 16ths, 4 plucks on each note. Then slowly build up tempo.

Masterquack · #8 10-21-2008, 06:18 AM

thanks for all the help guys! Time to put my nose to the metronomic grindstone