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Pick down, up, or both ways?

Which direction(s) do you pluck with a pick?

  • I use a pick with strokes alternating up and down

    Votes: 21 50.0%

  • I use the pick with upward strokes

    Votes: 4 9.5%

  • I use the pick with downward strokes

    Votes: 7 16.7%

  • I just do it any way I can - no pattern

    Votes: 11 26.2%

  • I pick with a carrot

    Votes: 8 19.0%
  • Total voters
    42
Pilgrim

Pilgrim

Supporting Member
Jul 8, 2004
20,101
20,460
Fort Collins, Colorado
www.colocougs.org
#1
I'm still learning how to use a pick, and last week the guitarists in my band (super good guys) pointed out something that was totally obvious - but only once they mentioned it.

I've been working on learning to use a pick alternating directions with each stroke, and it has been impossible for me to play fast passages.

They suggested - only pick in one direction, not both...and it worked. I immediately could play more proficiently when only using the pick in one direction...but that direction is upward, not downward. I think it's because I've been using my fingers for so many years that plucking with an upward motion is more natural.

They of course use their picks striking the strings downward, which is what they recommended. I've tried using both directions, and plucking either ONLY up or ONLY down works pretty darn well. I'm still faster working the pick upwards.

What about you?
 
#2
Alternative stroking will always be faster in the long haul, it's well worth learning. Sure, it may seem slower or at first, but there's just no way to be FASTER with down-stroking than alternating. This is just speaking in terms of speed, though.

I don't like to pick very often, but on a song like Enter Sandman I'll occasionally use one for fun, and I only down-stroke on that song, just for the consistency in attacks.
 
#3
last night i grabbed a pick and had fun!,hadn't used a pick in at least a month but last night it felt good(real good! i started with a pick),,jamming with the rayDyo in the shop by myself so nothing serious just classic rock cranked up on 4 12 inch speaks via `latenights with alice cooper.shlom;),seemed like i was enjoying it:D but when Elton John started singing i hung it up:eek:,but for the right song i feel pick playing IS a highly valuable option,and YES the`lighter' tone on the up stroke was used to my advantage:)


all i'm saying is it was sort of a revelation for me since i'd consigned myself to my fingers(feel like i'm missing `something' with my fingers now???),too much family tonight to go back and compare(i'm tired),but=heck yeah! plectrum!:bassist:

oh i go BOTH WAYS!
 
#4
Pilgrim said:
I'm still learning how to use a pick, and last week the guitarists in my band (super good guys) pointed out something that was totally obvious - but only once they mentioned it.

I've been working on learning to use a pick alternating directions with each stroke, and it has been impossible for me to play fast passages.

They suggested - only pick in one direction, not both...and it worked. I immediately could play more proficiently when only using the pick in one direction...but that direction is upward, not downward. I think it's because I've been using my fingers for so many years that plucking with an upward motion is more natural.

They of course use their picks striking the strings downward, which is what they recommended. I've tried using both directions, and plucking either ONLY up or ONLY down works pretty darn well. I'm still faster working the pick upwards.

What about you?
Click to expand...

You're a Cougar, so I know you're a slow learning to begin with...so I'll use small words so you can keep up;

Use both. The part will tell you which motion to use, whether it will be all downs, or alternates. Like Yes or not, learn Roundabout, it's a fairly easy bassline and you'll be able to find a different usage of alternating versus all downs in each section of the song (i.e. the main verse section you'll have a much easier time alternating where as the "chorus" can be all downs).

All ups is hardly used these days, you'll find more often than not it's a mix of all downs and alternates.


And no, I'm a Terp, but I was born West of the Cascades so the "hate" of Cougars is in the blood. ;)
 
#12
Here's my flow of logic for the technique i use on a song.

The main priority is the sound coming out of your instrument, so use whatever technique will sound best with the song. Sometimes it doesn't matter, other times it makes all the difference. It's up to you to determine that part.

The next priority is playing as comfortably as possible. Don't stress so much on how to correctly play something and just play it. I'm not saying to ignore practicing good form and technique at all. You should be able to use alternate picking as well as up and down strokes equally well. I just mean that if you feel like using an up-stroke, use an upstroke and if you feel like using a downstroke, use a downstroke. If your mind is thinking about which direction you're picking, you're not putting all your focus and concentration into the music and it will show through.

The last priority (in relation to the others) is economy of motion. Try and play whatever it is you're playing with as little movement as possible. This isn't a set in stone rule for me, which is why it's below the other two. For one, the tone of an open A and a fretted A is totally different. Some notes just sound best on certain places of the neck, and the sound coming out is the most important part. While excessive movement is bad, sometimes it just feels better to play a bassline up and down the neck instead of sticking to a rigid scale pattern. Take "Are You In?" by Incubus for example. You could theoretically play that entire song using only the first five frets and never have to move your hand (except for the bridge). If you watch Dirk Lance (and Ben Kenny, too) play it though, they use the entire neck and really move with the music. If you can relieve stress and fatigue on your hand or play a part more accurately and with less fret noise by using multiple strings and notes physically closer to the one you're playing, that's when economy of motion comes into play. Don't think you have to go twisting your hands into extremely uncomfortable positions to play certain parts more efficiently. Play with the bass, not against it.

Sorry about getting a little off topic. At the end of the day it just boils down to what sounds the best. If everyone played with the same, formulaic technique all the time, Larry Graham would have never slapped a Precision. Just relax and get comfortable with the song. The rest will follow.
 

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