Pick stuck in strings (mostly) when galloping

rustinstrings · #1 10-26-2008, 02:22 PM

Hello,
I am playing repetitive 1/8-1/16-1/16 galloping patterns for a song which doesn't exceed 120bpm (I can gallop faster, but for shorter times than the length of a whole song) and find it difficult not to get the pick stuck in strings and me losing the beat. The better the sound I dial in rehearsal space, the more embarrassing are my stops.

Naturally, I try to practice more and revamp my technique, most lately playing nearer the neck without anchoring, and reading more Carol Kaye threads.
Even after gaining some accuracy playing near the neck I still get stuck. I've also switched for some time from my beloved dunlop big stubby 3.0mm to 1.14mm and think that I'm better with the 3.0.
Since I'm in the stage of tightening existing songs in a band, all I'm left to do is practice even more or simplify the gallops when possible (probably add more eighth notes downstrokes instead).

My question is, since I still want to perform my original line, how to make this picking more consistent for a greater length of time?
My current approach is to just do continous gallop patterns at fastest comfortable and clean bpm, for at least 15minutes per day but I hope to hear additional tips for getting my picking tighter and more endurable.

djzap · #2 10-26-2008, 03:35 PM

hmm well i was gonna say a thinner pick, for example i use a .46mm pick and galloping comes very easily.

rustinstrings · #3 10-27-2008, 06:51 AM

Well, it seems that my worst problem is the buildup of tension which causes the timing consistency and endurance issues.
Now how do I go about eliminating tension? If I start a continous galloping at comfortable speed, I feel no trouble for the first 5 minutes, which implies my technique is fine. 5 more minutes and the same technique falls apart. The song which I'm trying to play is shorter than 5 minutes but I guess I have already tired muscles by the time I reach it.
I saw similar question regarding fingerstyle plucking and the answer was just to build endurance. Does the same answer work here as well? I'm concerned after reading that buildup of tension will eventually lead to CTS. I currently "glue" my forearm to the bass body in order to make sure my motion comes from the wrist, but if I can't keep up, something is still wrong.

roonjuice · #4 10-27-2008, 07:02 AM

fingers?

JustOpenYourMind · #5 10-27-2008, 07:19 AM

You have to make the difference between using a bad technique and overly stressing your arms and hands, eventually hurting them and being a beginer that works on stamina.

It's normal that when you start playing an instrument or use a new technique, you feel a lack of strenght, after all you are using muscles you probably never used that intensively before.

Just stick with it and you'll eventually be able to do this for hours. Don't hurt yourself by overdoing it, listen to your body and everything will be fine.

Marley's Ghost · #6 10-27-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roonjuice

fingers?

+1

Nyarlathotep · #7 10-27-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roonjuice

fingers?

Wow. That was quick

I don't know if this will help, but when I tried alternate picking (which is what im ASSUMING your doing...), I found the same thing. I figured it was string movement more than anything. When you pick a string at rest you know where it is (bear with me), but when its already moving, the string could be almost anywhere in its path of vibration. If I play near the neck it got really bad because the string moves the most around there. Try adjusting where you pick, and maybe move a little closer to the bridge side of things.

rustinstrings · #8 10-27-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

+1

Hmm, for years I've been fingers-only player.
For the last year I am a pick-only player. The reason is that I have so much better consistent time and tone playing in alt-rock band context, mostly easily keeping 1/8th notes, except for the aforementioned gallop problem.

rustinstrings · #9 10-27-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielTulip

Wow. That was quick

I don't know if this will help, but when I tried alternate picking (which is what im ASSUMING your doing...), I found the same thing. I figured it was string movement more than anything. When you pick a string at rest you know where it is (bear with me), but when its already moving, the string could be almost anywhere in its path of vibration. If I play near the neck it got really bad because the string moves the most around there. Try adjusting where you pick, and maybe move a little closer to the bridge side of things.

Well I started near the bridge and moved near the neck in order to reduce tension/stress.
Yes I'm alternate picking 1/8 and 1/16 lines, but my gallop goes down-(rest)-down-up.
I still play near the bridge when I palm mute, but try to not palm-mute too often in order to avoid stress.

dmusic148 · #10 10-27-2008, 08:09 AM

Don't grip the pick so hard. Let it flop around between your fingertips. Also, try not to move your whole arm, just the wrist. Finally, down/rest/down/up is correct but try to think of it as only eighth-note downstrokes, with the upstroke happening 'by accident' every other time. This makes it easier for me, less to think about. Happens more naturally.