I'm having trouble with my picking speed. I've been practicing alternate picking a continuous note, starting slow with 8th notes and then building up slowly to 16ths but I struggle to keep a steady rhythm of equal up and down strokes, the pick sometimes catches on the string or sometimes I even miss the string. I know practice makes perfect but I've been having trouble with this for a while now and I'm starting to think there is something I'm doing wrong or maybe it has something to do with my string tension, gauge or type of plectrum. My strings are a little bit loose at the moment because I'm playing in d-standard on a medium-light set of strings and I use a big triangle 0.73mm pick. If anyone has any advice it would be appreciated.
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Having Trouble Alternate Picking
- Thread starter Stoom
- Start date
a couple of things: try to reposition the pick in your hand or your hand or wrist angle, or where you're striking the strings. Also try a different type of pick, I use a Fender heavy. On very quick passages I'll rotate the pick in my hand and use the rounded edge instead of the pointed edge. Or you could start using your fingers and see if that turns out better for you. Main thing is: stay at it, you'll figure it out.
!. Don't grip the pick too hard.
2. Try a smaller traingular pick that has the curved sides, not the big tortilla-shaped ones. or, maybe even a tear-shaped guitar pick.
3. Try holding the pick with three fingers instead of two (I do).
4. Play closer to the bridge when playing faster.
5. Make sure you use your wrist and fingers.
6. Keep your wrist mostly straight.
Hope some of this helps.
2. Try a smaller traingular pick that has the curved sides, not the big tortilla-shaped ones. or, maybe even a tear-shaped guitar pick.
3. Try holding the pick with three fingers instead of two (I do).
4. Play closer to the bridge when playing faster.
5. Make sure you use your wrist and fingers.
6. Keep your wrist mostly straight.
Hope some of this helps.
When playing fast passages I hold the pick sideways so it will skim over the strings rather than get caught up on them. Unorthodox but it works for me...allowed me to finally nail the RHCP song "Parallel Universe."
The pick is a bit thin for bass ... I use 1.0 to 2.0 mm picks, regular guitar pick. I'd be interested to see how you grip the pick. Many who have not had a lesson tend to use an awkward grip, and that WILL slow you down, not to mention the effect on attack and tone. You should hold a pick like this ...
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I'm a big proponent of heavy picks on bass. Mine are 1.5 mm. Never could get along with triangle picks but I know some folks love them.
I had to learn to play with a pick after hurting my right hand so I know how irritating it can be. You're practicing basic skills slowly so thats a good start. When you hold the pick, try holding it at a slight angle so it isn't parallel to the string, this way it slides over It instead of getting caught on it. One major problem I had was switching and skipping strings at speed. A solution I found was to play scales at faster and faster speeds, playing half and quarter notes first then 8th And 16th notes. It helps to isolate problems with the pick. Once you get proficient with basics I'd say practice triplets at faster speeds, it can really be a mind teaser.
