The Advantages Of "Pick Pre-Loading"!

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Pick pre-loading although extremely important may be easily overlooked. The importance of pick pre-loading should not be “mentally glossed over”, because pre-loading provides the advantages of better and faster execution, and can improve the overall feel, as well as the sound and tone of the instrument.

I believe the reason pre-loading is not often considered, is because when most start playing, pre-loading is not necessarily a requirement to play a song well, all picks are usually involved at the same time, and the tempo is usually moderate or slow. Therefore it’s easy to continue the learning path without a conscious thought concerning the specifics of pre-loading, and consequently never introduce pre-loading to the overall art of playing.

For example, I have had students who had been playing for many years with a thumb and two finger picks, who never had the conscious thought that the middle finger always played the highest string when playing three strings together. As a three finger pick player, I’m always conscious that the ring finger plays the highest string.

Although it may seem strange, when I play single string, I’m not always faster when using my thumb pick and all finger picks. It would appear to defy logic that two picks can be faster and more precise than three, (or four) yet I find at times some single string runs are played faster and with better definition when using only a thumb pick and one finger pick.

I have found I play faster single string lines when using my thumb and middle finger, yet my execution/definition is better when playing with my index finger and thumb. That which I consider as being the most logical pick pre-loading for me in most instances, is using the index and thumb while keeping the middle “in reserve” for instantly playing higher strings. (I only use my 4th pick when playing chords)

When playing two strings together such as the 3rd and 5th strings on E9th, or most any two string melodic lines, I find it much easier to match the volume and tone of each string and maintain a consistent feel of the guitar when using two finger picks instead of my thumb and a finger pick. It’s easier for me to acquire the feel of equal balanced pulling pressure with two fingers side by side pulling in the same direction, than that of using my thumb and middle, or thumb and index finger, both of which dictate an opposing direction, and does not provide me the “feel of the guitar” or a balanced sound/tone.

There are also times when using the “crossover method” while alternating between the thumb and either finger pick one over the other, that single note runs can become quicker and more definitive for me.

I am not implying the only advantage of pick pre-loading is that of acquiring speed……for speed is also a requirement even when playing slow songs.

Pick pre-loading allows of us the ability to define, refine and improve our overall sound, tone and technique which can provide each of us with our own distinctive musical style.

The key to using pick pre-loading to your advantage can be as simple as critiquing your methods of pre-loading and deciding on the pick which initiates the run. The way I see it, there’s a lot to be gained by the simple effort of awareness.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Qu’est-ce que c’est "pick pre-loading"?

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

A Pre-Prepared Load.

Préchargé.

Smile

EJL

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

What is "pick pre-loading"?
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Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Doug B....Thank you for the question.

I define pick pre-loading as the insertion of the pick or picks into the strings prior to using them to begin a single note sequence....

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

... thanks Reece. That makes perfect sense, and it seems like a good technique to use.
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Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Reece...so to see if I get this right:
Do you mean that the pick is actually laying on the string before picking, as opposed to the pick coming down and actually hitting the string as it flies by?
You do this on every string during the whole sequence?

This is very interesting, seeing as I am currently trying to get through Jeff's "Right Hand Alpha", where the picking actually starts with the finger in the air.

Please, more of this, Reece. It is just what I need.
Bent

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Doug B....I appreciate your response and comment.

Please keep in mind......the pick pre-load is only the beginning of a continous flow of necessary pre-loads that will allow the execution of that which the player intends to play.

Bo Legg · Posted 23 Nov 2007 4:02 pm

Pre-loading as defined here is the basics of pick blocking. You must pre-load the picking fingers and the bar fingers. You pratice until it comes automatic just like the pedals and Knee levers. If you have to look or think about any of these things you need more practice. I'm sure Reece has done a lot of practicing.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Bent R....Thank you for the question. I was responding to Doug when you made your post, which explains my delayed response.

I preplan my initial reflexes by "mentally hearing then seeing on the fretboard" that which I intend to play. I then insert my picks into the strings only in the beginning, which I believe provides me a "head start" on the anticipated continuos flow. Immediately after the first sequence has been decided upon, the remainder of the sequence becomes the preplanned continuos flow I mentioned earlier.

I believe if one chooses to begin a sequence with the finger or thumb in the air, it would be best if the player has pre-planned the next string sequence to play, and the easiest and most accessible pick sequence to use while also pre-planning the next note sequence to be played.

When using these procedures it becomes clear, the player MUST continously be thinking ahead. There are proven methods which will allow the player to constantly and consistently think ahead relative to a time frame. Thinking ahead while playing could be a subject for another thread someday.

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Bo L....Thank you for your comments and participation in this thread.

You are absolutely right, it takes practice, but anything worthwhile takes practice to acquire, and the results of hard and directed work can be very rewarding. Thats why I have always said: "Practice Does "Not" Make Perfect....Only "Perfect" Practice Makes Perfect"!

basilh · From: United Kingdom

I concur with Reece, it's the way I've always played and I can't see how you can accurately play when starting to pick suspended somewhere in the ether..

Of course as an added bonus, it makes 'Pick Blocking' the natural thing to do.

Wayne Franco · From: silverdale, WA. USA

When I first started playing steel, Herbie Wallace was a major influence on me especially the pick blocking technique. I use both methods now. Pre loading the strings as I start seems to help keep the fingers under better control with less movement through out. I hope that is what you are talking about Reece.

Thanks for the insight Reece

Wayne Franco

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

It's called a "rest stroke" in classical guitar. The finger, after picking a note, comes to rest on an adjacent string. As opposed to the "free stroke," where the finger's suspended in midair, waiting to be told what to do. The rest stroke gives more control over dynamics and string selection, as well as muting. Been taught for a long time.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

You can't go wrong with any of Maurice's methods of playing. Jody.

Ga McDonnell · From: N GA, USA

Apparently Mr Anderson has gotten hold of Bill Hanky's "An Epistle on How to Write Befuddling Headlines".
Nevertheless, although the headline is somewhat discombobulating, the meaning is becoming clearer with every post.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Ga McDonnell · From: N GA, USA

Lighten up Bent. It's not supposed to be any kind of criticism, just joking. Maybe poking a little fun at Bill's writing style.

Mr Anderson definitely is the most willing of all the players at the top to freely give information to the group. Usually things that require considerable experience and independent thought to even recognize.

Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

Reese, Thanks for the info. But I have a problem. Alittle over a year ago I almost lost my thumb, Index and middle finger in a accident with a trim saw. The index taking the worst of it.After two hours of surgery they were all saved.Although my Index finger is numb but 75% flexible, I can't get the feel of a finger pick on it, so use a striat pick between my thumb and index and a finger pick on my middle.It seems to be working OK but I know I'll never develop any speed.any sugestions other than a pick on my forth finger.

Thanks for the help.
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CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Pick Pre-loading is called Block Picking here Reece
Courtesy of Lionel Wendling
he considers that one should start w: Block Picking first & then on to Pick Blocking

Charley Wilder · From: Dover, New Hampshire, USA

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

For a beginner or someone like me, coming back to steel, this blocking thing can be very daunting. After reading Mr. Andersons posts, I see Pick Pre-loading as placing the picks on the strings that are going to be picked next. I see Pick Blocking as placing the picks on the strings that have just been picked, but maybe not the pick that picked that string and Palm Blocking as placing the palm on the strings to stop their ringing. I am working on Pick Blocking but have never thought of Pick Pre-loading. I Palm Block pretty good only because of a statment Mr. Newman once made at the only steel siminar I ever attended. "Blocking isn't that hard, the only time you lift your hand off the strings is when you want your guitar to make a sound". I was able to Palm Block from that moment on. The term pick blocking had not been coined then. The term Pick Pre-loading has just been coined and I will have to give it some thought. Thank you, Mr. Anderson for your continued support of this great community.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Reese, a very timely thread for me, I need to think about this more. I think the big reminder here is that it is so important to think about how we play:

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

I'm much too analytical for my own good when it comes to playing this thing. But something I do routinely when learning something new is to try to determine both the best picking pattern and the appropriate blocking techniques to use, where. The pick blocking, with a little work, becomes about as natural as the palm blocking. At times it feels better because your fingers are in nearly constant contact with the strings and, for me, it's easier to keep track of your position.

Just don't think that you have to pick block with the same pick that you hit the note with. Seems obvious now, but that tripped me up at first. It's natural when walking up 3 or 4 strings to pick the lowest with the thumb; block it with the thumb; pick the next higer string with a finger and the block it with the thumb. That's this pre-loading being repeated as you "walk" up the strings. If I blocked that 2nd string with the same finger I picked it with, I would not have pre-loaded my picks to the next spot where I need to play and it would feel very clumbsy to me. That's the only real trick to pick blocking; something you don't give much thought if palm blocking the same run.

I like to know where I'm going before I start the car too. Where as a lot of people will just go where the GPS tells them to go. Smile

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