Finger Picking Across Strings

[TerribleTim68]

Hey gang, I'm trying to work on my skills some and recently came across a super cool exercise from Ariane Cap using octaves. I found it super cool because it not only works on some finger picking skills, but also plays with octaves, which I'd like to get better at using. So it was a nice two-for.

Here's my issue:
I've always been a typical metal player, just lock the groove and hammer on them root notes. In all my years of playing I never focused on picking across strings. Is this juts a "do it till you get it" thing? Or are there some exercises out there to help me out here? Is there a better place to start than "just jump in and start doing it"? Remember, I'm finger picking here.

I think my issue I have is that my non-picking fingers get tripped up on the string between the two I'm trying to pick (the one I'm picking over). So I'm either muting the root string or I'm missing the octave string. I want both to ring out, not get cut short. Help!

 

[Lobster11]

I'm not sure I quite understand the particular issue you tried to describe, but here are a coupla thoughts:

First, I'm gonna guess that if you've been pounding roots in metal music you're probably accustomed to digging in and plucking the strings very hard. Try to relax your hand and pluck more gently; turn up the amp and let it do the work.

Second, before jumping directly into octaves, you might want to work first on crossing strings one at a time. The most straightforward exercise is probably just to practice the major and natural minor scales and their arpeggios. (If you don't know your scales and arpeggios, this will be another "two-for.") Just remember to start slowly, paying close attention to what your right hand is doing, and only gradually increase speed once it begins to feel natural at slow speed. You don't want to practice making mistakes.

 

[TerribleTim68]

I'm not sure I quite understand the particular issue you tried to describe, . . .

So to try and explain a bit better:
I'm talking about finger picking say an A on the E string (we'll call this the root) and then going from that to the A one octave up on the D string (the octave of said root, or 8th) and back to the A on the E string (root). So while my left hand can make the move from root to octave and back to root, I find my right hand stumbles over that A string that I'm trying to skip over when picking. I either end up muting the root as I try to pick across that A string, or my right hand stumbles on that A string when coming back to the root.

I'm guessing it's just something I need to shed on for a while.

 

[AGCurry]

You are using index finger for the low note and middle finger for the octave, right? That's the only way I can do octaves quickly.

It sounds like you might be folding your ring and little fingers into your palm. They should be as straight out - maybe even more so - as your plucking fingers.

 

[TerribleTim68]

You are using index finger for the low note and middle finger for the octave, right? That's the only way I can do octaves quickly.

It sounds like you might be folding your ring and little fingers into your palm. They should be as straight out - maybe even more so - as your plucking fingers.

Yup and yup on the plucking fingers....and I think you may be right on the two rogue fingers, lol. Thinking back on it I think they have a tendency to curl under at all times. Solid advice and gives me something to focus on. Thank you for commenting, much appreciated!