Changing your picking style...

[7 Strings of Hate]

so you guys have tendionitius on your picking hands??

[HamBungler]

For the longest time I've been picking like in the second picture, I think it ocurred naturally as the closed form of your picking hand makes for a more enclosed form of mass, which is both easier to move around and if you do it right can really make for some massive sounding picking. Also, excercising the Devin Townsend school of "digging in" to the strings really helps when using this picking style for power chords, and switching from doing this and alternate picking is pretty much seamless after practicing it a bit

[Josh]

Originally Posted by 7 Strings of Hate

so you guys have tendionitius on your picking hands??

Both hands, although it's not nearly as bad on my picking hand. My picking shoulder on the other hand (screw you bowing motion )

[Ambrosius]

Originally Posted by Chris

I hold my pick in your old way, and can alternate pick like a mo'fo. I've tried the second technique, but could never get comfortable enough with it.

Likewise.

The biggest reason I pick the old way is not only for comfort, but I have extreme hitchhiker thumb. My thumb bends backwards at 90 degrees and I get the same angle advantage one gets from the closed fist method.

[DonBot]

You know, I never thought about the "hitchhiker thumb". Mine's pretty bad on my picking hand and maybe that's why I'm having such a hard time with this. At practice tonight, I tried my best to stay in the new position but I kept losing my pick.

[Drew]

I've hit a roadblock, too. For the past week, everything was going awesomely, and then last night everything felt unnatural and stilted and uncoordinated. Maybe I just need a night or two off...

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Drew

I've hit a roadblock, too. For the past week, everything was going awesomely, and then last night everything felt unnatural and stilted and uncoordinated. Maybe I just need a night or two off...

I've been hitting this on bass recently, trying to do fingerstyle the 'right' way. I was going well for a while, and the past few days I have had no rhythm and no consistency. I'm giving it a break for a bit and playing pickstyle.

[Kim]

Originally Posted by Josh

I've been hitting this on bass recently, trying to do fingerstyle the 'right' way. I was going well for a while, and the past few days I have had no rhythm and no consistency. I'm giving it a break for a bit and playing pickstyle.

Same here when I was trying to get consistency with three fingers, but I never took a break. just pushed through it.

[Neznaroz]

Originally Posted by BlankPlank

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I suffer from Tendonitis aswell, and I still find your old method works best for me in both rhythm and lead playing I do believe it would be handy as fuck to be able to use both styles though. I can't get away with your new style at all, but I should practice it.

Jesus christ I was going to say exactly that.

I've never had any RSI problems but I think my picking style is a little different to your old style. I could do basic arpeggio patterns with the new style but alternate picking just went out the window

I might post a picture of my picking hand (in action of course) just for interests sake. Everyone else should too

[Neznaroz]

Originally Posted by Drew

Thoughts on alternate picking, and a few videos I've found helpful

Oh, and does anyone have a good video that really demonstrates the difference between picking with your arm and with your wrist? I THINK I'm using my wrist, but I'm not sure if I'm just using my arm and don't really know the difference...

Yeah man I always hear people talking about 'playing with your wrist as opposed to your arm' or vise versa and I've always spent minutes sitting there figuring out which of the two I implement...and I have to say it may be a strange amalgamation of the two?...I'm not sure.

I dear say picking with your wrist is better for your health...correct me if I'm wrong?...There could be dangers for both.