| Author |
Topic: Right hand picking exercises? |
Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 8:06 am |
|
Is there any instructional material available that focus specifically on picking exercises?
After years of playing the rather 'generous' string spacing of 6-strings, especially on weisseborns, I've found that I need to discipline my picking style to be able to play fast on my new 8-string.
Now I've never been a "speed picker" on any instrument - to quote Ry Cooder: "My brain doesn't work like that" - but I really want to improve my speed and accuracy on the 8-string.
I can pick fast triplets on one string, etc, the main problem is single note string skipping, especially if I play from a high note and downwards, picking towards me (if that makes any sense..).
Any suggestions?
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
|
|
 |
Brian Hunter
From:
Indianapolis
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 8:31 am
|
|
Maybe try learning some banjo rolls?
_________________
Brian |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 8:40 am
|
|
Joe Wright's "The Wright Hand" can be helpful. He teaches about 30 or more right hand moves. It made me acutely aware of the work I needed to do to get the sound I want. That and transcribing a lot of Emmons and stuff like that.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 9:09 am
|
|
Hey Steinar,
This will get you out on the "dance floor".
http://www.elderly.com/videos/items/02-DVD95996.htm
30 minutes and gives you a bunch of "banjo rolls" that you can practice through all of your string groups.
I think Joe Wright has a DVD out on nothing but picking exercises. I know he has the book that Mike Neer mentioned but IIRC, he has a DVD out too. |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 9:13 am
|
|
I was referring to the video. I bought the download from Joe's site. It comes with a pdf book, too.
I would recommend getting something steel guitar specific, rather than dobro. It is a different beast and requires different technique and touch.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 9:33 am
|
|
I'm a big fan of Joe Wright's teaching methods too. If you do what Joe says you will play faster and with more accuracy.
http://www.pedalsteel.com/[/url]
_________________
Bob |
|
|
|
Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 9:42 am
|
|
Thanks for your suggestions so far guys! I'll record a couple of very short examples of what I can do, as of today, and what I can't (but would like to..), to illustrate what I'm looking for
In regard to the banjo/dobro rolls I believe they rely much on combinations of open and 'fretted' strings(?), - on the 8-string I try to minimize the use of open strings so I don't have to depend so much on playing melodies/"licks" in specific keys and tunings, but can move things around as I please.
I checked Wright's site and noticed that his approach also seemed to be based on rolls, but kind of different from the typical banjo/dobro rolls. Maybe I've misunderstood though (it happens...) and they're basically the same approaches, but that's the impression I got..
Lots of books/DVDs on his site,- which one should I get? The "Wright Hand" was included in several of them..
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 9:58 am
|
|
Steinar, DVD#1 (Secrets of the Wright Hand) $30. It is not all rolls--no it focus on singles, grips, pairs, alternating groups, as well as many different types of rolls--not just the simple banjo rolls. He doesn't supply exercises, though; it is just a demonstration of the moves themselves with open strings, which I think is pretty good, personally.
I just broke it out again to watch it for the first time since I bought it 2 years ago. It is very useful.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Brian Hunter
From:
Indianapolis
|
Posted 4 Feb 2011 3:41 pm
|
|
Wow! Good info here! I'll be checking this out as well.
_________________
Brian |
|
|
|
