Try Downpicking Like This! (a surprising discovery)
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- Опубликовано: 3 апр 2020
- I was getting way better using the techniques from my first video along with the daily routine, but this new discovery just kicked it to another level. Try it and let me know if it agrees with you too.
Check out all my lesson videos at: www.the-art-of-guitar.com
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Thanks! 
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Your recently intensified obsession with Metallica’ing is delightful.
In times of uncertainty I fall back to my comfort bands. ;)
I can listen to a whole lot of bands and music genres but I always come back home to MetallicA
P.S. No Remorse '85 live version is a great downpicking practice/test
@@TheArtofGuitar Excellent
@@TheArtofGuitar I hope you're okay bro
The key of downpicking for a long time is to relax, even when you play fast you should relax don't stress.
But that just come with practice and time.
Yeah amazing how hard it actually is to do.
Studies not necessarily true, you have to know to relax yourself as much as possible. Some people tend to keep playing over and over with high amounts of tension and it never goes away because they don’t know that’s what they should be doing.
It sounds weird, but you need to make a conscious “effort” to relax haha
I find moving my wrist instead of my elbow easier to pick. Using my elbow makes me sore easily.
Studies lol for real
the-art-of-metallica (not complaining tho)
Hetfield must've really kept that wrist strong since he was a teenager 😂😂
Ryan H you being cheeky?? 😱
Yeah, also probably why his picking technique is like a hole grabbing something elongated. Just an observation.
Nah he was up to his eyebrows in poontang by high school... singer/guitarists were actually admired back in the day believe it or not..
He did do alternate picking for å while tho
His pp probably has a slight bend to it
Imagine if someone had the right hand of James Hetfield and left hand of Dave Mustaine.
The it would be awful to be a lefty.
Then I would hope that sick psycho would spend their life in prison for mutilating two guitar legends.
PrometheusTV or better yet, the right hand of hetfield and the left hand of hetfield, with hetfield's sense of rhythm
We call him "John Petrucci".
Kennedick Peterman That’s funny because when Dream Theater covered Master of Puppets, he alternate picked it.
4:22 - chugs Creeping Death riff
Auto generated subtitles - "Applause"
That's how you know you're doing it properly. Nice video, thanks for the tip :)
Ironic how something that doesn’t seem natural can actually be easier and more comfortable. I will definitely give this never before considered “tips & tricks” idea a shot next practice session after seeing you show its validity.
And? Did it work out for you?
I'd say that reducing picking depth is crucial for downpicking.
Creeping depth...
In general, I'd agree with that. But, a lot of the more difficult riffs don't just use one string, but usually cross over to another string too. No matter how efficient your picking depth is for one string, you still need to have the stamina to downpick a distance of at least two strings. So it won't really make much of a difference unless you're doing something ridiculous. (Blackened, Creeping Death, Master of Puppets all require you to use the E and A string, all downpicked.)
When I was learning how to downpick myself, that was a big problem I ran into. I used a practice method I picked up from Steve Stine, another good RUclips guitar instructor. Where you play all 8th notes to a met for exactly *3 minutes* and try to make it the entire way without messing up. I managed to make it to 210bpm and had that pretty solid. But I quickly found that when putting that into context in a song, that I just couldn't do it right, even at lower BPMs. That's because I only practiced downpicking with a depth required for *one* string, but not two strings. I've since fixed that, though.
@@royalcat10 Can you link the exact video?
I actually found this on my own to I just never tried it in practice. It’s actually pretty embarrassing but I don’t care. I was in the shower jamming to Master of Puppets and I was air guitaring the heck out of it, like a guitar player does. Then I realized I down picked the whole song with out getting tired. I found out it was because, since I was air guitaring and not holding an actual guitar, my hand was in the same pulling position which made it easier on the muscles. Gotta day it worked like magic.
I down-picked my imaginary guitar too for a very fast Metallica song to see if I could keep up, it helped me play creeping death more cause I did it every time.
I just watched one video of yours, and immediately bought the online lesson for a year! You rock dude! very simple and logical demostration for beginners to learn.
Marty Friedman is no fool. When I saw him holding his pick and his arm all "uncool", I thought..hes onto something here. What is it? And its comfort of picking. That's why hed a genius. I still find myself falling into other old habits
But time and practice erase those. I've been playing 25 years and this is what I have learned....you can play anything you want if you're willing to put in the time to learn it. Slow the song down. Learn the parts. Dont allow long periods of time to pass without playing. Good luck God bless
That's weird, let's be honest.
To respond to the main questions I'm getting: It's my belief that Tornado of Souls is downpicked that way. If you listen to the isolated guitar tracks it sounds like all downpicking power chords. I know Kiko plays it alternate picked in his video and that's how they do it now, but watch Megadeth play it live in 92. Both Dave and Marty are downpicking that part. For my guitar tone I'm sadly using a UAD plugin of an ENGL amp. I want to use my real amps but too much buzz in this studio. The bridge I'm using for the SG is a Deusenberg Trem. It's decent but I don't use the trem arm much because my strings go slightly out of tune when I do too much. I'm so used to Floyd Rose. :/ :( And what else? Um....I forgot so just wanna say glad this is helping so many people. I'm off to do more frantic video creating. haha. ;) -Mike
Ola englund holds that pick the same way but admits its the wrong way to hold the pick, its just easier, but you must not copy his style and practice learning the pick forwards. hes just to afraid to change his picking style cause itll take a long time to adjust. but he has picking videos where he tells people he picked up the wrong picking habits because he learnt him self and encourages people to learn the right way. lifting weights is hard till youve done it for a long enough time, do go to the easier but wrong style, just practice the right way more. youll also get elbow or shoulder cramps for playing the wrong way also so stick with angling the pick toward the neck pick up.
I also used to think it was downpicked, but when I saw the sound that Kiko got out of the guitar just mixing up alternate and down picking made me click HARD
I didn't realize that, but yes.
I don't find down picking this way to feel as natural.
@@benjiplaizier2935 You have to explain how picking one way or the other is "right" or "wrong." You can't simply assert that it is wrong without an explanation.
I dont know why, but when I down pick, say, sanitarium, I can go for a long time just down picking the main riff, but if I play the 16 notes before the riff kicks in, my arm feels like exploding. Same with puppets. I can play the main riff for hours and hours, but if I play the verse, i feel stressed and out of time. I've noticed that when its alternating between muted and open, I do fine, but when it's all muted, my arm chokes up. Also, when I skip strings while down picking, find it easier than doing just one string.
Interesting, me too. You would think skipping strings while down picking is harder but for some reason i can keep up a little longer when I skip strings instead of staying on the same string.
I'm the opposite. I can play the Master of Puppets verse riff for hours, but not the main riff.
the verse has an odd time signature
I can play the MOP main riff no problem but I can’t keep up with creeping death for more than a minute
Yes! I thought I was the only one. I find it much easier to downpick across multiple strings fast then one string at same tempo. Doesnt Make sense to me.
Dude you just changed my life with this video. As someone who's learning different techniques to see what feels right, I have tried some different things to really get the guitar art form down. This picking technique has a HUGE difference in feel and I'm so glad I tried it. Thank you!
Same here! This technique changed everything to me! Need to practice more but it feels so comfortable to me to downpick this way!
I have been doing the tilting technique accidentally all of the time haha
Ikr I've always tilted backwards for tremolo picking and downpicking, didn't realise most people did it the other way for ages. Tilting backwards just feels way more comfortable at fast speeds for me, almost like you're chopping at the strings with the side of the pick.
Same
@@shehannanayakkara4162 Me too, I always slant up. Can't do it slanting down it feels weird.
This video made me realize, I don’t think I’ve ever held a pick the “regular” way. The backward angle always felt more comfortable and I’d never noticed there was a difference until this video pointed it out lol.
I’m loving the wave of videos you’ve been having. Any chance you can make a gear rundown video?
It's unbeliveble how such subtle differences at first glance can make incredible differences in playing! Please do more videos like this!
What I like about your videos on this topic is that you demonstrate how you used to struggle but now you manage it. As a viewer, it increases my confidence that your tips will work
Yet again, I find myself going “oh neat, I do that but didn’t realize I do it!”
I keep noticing how many things I eventually figured out naturally without being taught. All these little details that happen on their own through just playing. Neat!
I had discovered this a few years back and have been using it since ...the other thing that really helped me was using pointy picks rather than the rounded ones ...it helps with faster movements too ...glad to see this helps in the downstrokes ...I'll be trying some Metallica songs now 🤘
Great tone brother and thank you for the Intel. Nice insight.
I'm glad you mentioned this. I didn't realize it, but this is how I've been doing it for years. I alternate pick leaning it forward and rapid-fire down pick leaning back. Never put much thought into why, but now I see that there was a reason why it worked like it does.
That’s how I’ve always held my pick. Tilting backwards. When I first started playing back in the 90s I read where Hetfield tilted his pick to get more speed. It actually adds a slight hint of crunch as your pick edge hits the string ridges too. I always saw guys tilt forward but I assumed I was opposite because I use the pad of my index finger to hold my pick instead of the side like a lot of players.
Another great lesson, brilliant teaching, really appreciate it!
I’ve played like this for years. Visually it makes more sense when you’re looking down at your guitar because your can see the exact swing of the pick and where it hits the string. It looks like an wave downing back and forth. Versus when you flip it forward and it looks like the string alternates what side of the pick it hits.
I really like your videos. They helped me a lot allready, thank you. Keep it up.
Greetings from Germany and stay safe and healthy.
Thomas
I lost feeling in my left hand and had to start guitar over with the 50% I've got left. I've learned more cool things that help with efficiency here! I wasn't a lick learner and like to try to understand techniques so I'm grateful for the great content & I'm learning things I wouldn't have otherwise.You're doing God's work in my book.
Can't believe what a difference this made. The end of much frustration. Thank you!
I just tried it out, it really makes a big difference! Thanks!
Beginner here. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing I was looking for. Thank you!!
This video has already helped me so much its hard to believe.
Nice video, been working on my chugging technique and this helps a lot!
This is an amazing tip! i got so much more articulation angling the pick almost upwards
Ola Englund is actually doing the opposite currently, he used to pick "backwards" but is testing out the regular way. Anyways I think the "backwards" way can be a cool thing to test, but I will keep doing the regular way so that I'm always ready for a lead section or something and I'm not thrown off.
It's easy to switch any time you want, even during a song.
@@adameves5970 Depends on how you grip it.
Great tips for picking and the angled pick really works
Great tip man. I'll be sure to try that one out
Yes!!! Glad I found you!
Been setting my forearm on fire trying to get better at speed, really looking forward to trying this method!
You uploaded this while I’m learning MoP, hopefully this helps a bit as I’m struggling with the speed, thankyou🤘🏼
Thanks for this very helpful tip!
When I first started learning guitar I made it a goal of mine to focus on learning down picking and have worked on getting myself to the point I can down pick entire songs for long periods and things I’ve found for me that work is placing my hand so no motion comes from the elbow having my guitar a bit below my waist so my hand and elbows aren’t cramped up and just relaxing and feeling it out and not trying to force it I used to or at a point where I would have to switch to alternate picking but not any more my down picking has been fairly consistent recently
I've been playing this way ever since I started and I didn't even realize how weird it seems but now I know why I've never had that tired problem so thanks for the vid
you picked a great day to drop this. thanks man
Your guitar tone is on point!!!
I tried this and it works!! Thanks! This is a game changing technique.
Guitar down strokes are the best. I could listen to that all day. I look forward to trying this pick tilting technique...
Yessssss perfect timing I need to try that
I love you dude. Totally an improvement.
First with the rotation of the wrist, now this.
Best lesson along with Nirvana Smells like Teen Spirit in depth look
I was never great at fast downpicking but this definitely helps! Thank you!
I am noticing this now, I wasn't aware of it. Thanks Mike 👍
Nice video and simple explaining! I had this problem since the first day i picked up a guitar cause i can only do downpicking.
great observation! thank you!
Great tip. I'm going to give that a go. Cheers, mate.
Marty knew all along
Wow! Makes such a difference! Thank you, mate! :)
Wow! This is sooo helpful... like a lot of people I've been struggling to speed up my downpicking and was getting a lot of pain in my elbow - this technique has made a huge difference! It seems to change where the pressure comes from so my elbow no longer even comes into it. Very interesting, thanks!
Thanks for the tip gotta try this out
I tried this out today while teaching. (via video conference...) I'm doing Highway Star by Deep Purple with a student and there's so many consecutive downstrokes in that song that I was getting tired giving a demonstration, and that made me remember this video. It helped me so I told him and now he knows too.
So thanks!
Wow, it works! Thank you, we need more Tips and Tricks!!!
Just started applying this in combination with the downpicking exercise you put up the other day. Before my form was breaking down when I got to straight 16ths at 100bpm. From doing this there was way less tension and feels easier. Thank you!!!
This is how i use my pick when i play fast.. i am left handed and play a right handed guitar like everyone else, and using a pick properly has made huge impacts on my playing. Great video!
Hi, Mike. I love your videos. I'm gonna try downpicking like this.
Thanks for this vid, you are awesome! Take care of your wrists and arms! You are a great guitarist! Thanks again!!❤️
I think you've just saved my dignity. I felt embarassed for holding my pick in a different way than guitarists usually do. So I tried to change it to improve my downpicking. I am about to train it with another video of yours, but I told myself it would be a good idea to heard the tips first. So, I tried your tip out and it is exactly what my hand needs. I felt it immediately. Thanks a lot.
Wow, will be testing out for sure. It does seem to be more of a pulling of muscle than pushing which makes it easier. thanks
That picking adjustment with stubby pick is like running your hand through a tall grass in the summer so smooth and comfortable 😂
Just recently started to do this backwards picking for downpicking and it felt way more natural to me then forwards picking
A couple big things about Hetfield's downpicking...
He holds the pick with two fingers...more meat on the pick means you can loosen the grip slightly. This can really reduce fatigue and increase endurance.
He doesn't keep his palm firm on the strings all the time while muting, he's picking from the elbow, and allows his mute to slide around a bit. This also makes it less fatiguing than using primarily wrist only with the mute firmly locked down. It is definitely worth "mastering" this technique. It's pretty easy to get the feel of within a couple days.
Watch live clips of him, entire forearm moving while muting, not a lot, he's mostly picking one or two strings, but the motion is there.
His secrets are hidden in plain sight.
thank you for telling us this pull picking method
Oh,surprisiing it is,ill try this as soon as i get home🤘
Thanks for sharing.. Great Tip..
I picked this way when I was starting out because it just seemed like a more natural way to hold the pick. No one taught me otherwise. I agree that it worked really well for this type of riffing, but personally I found it limiting for playing faster lead stuff because the pick wasn't locked between my thumb and index finger that well. I eventually switched over to the more traditional way after years of doing it the other way. It was a painful transition! For a while I even tried a hybrid style of switching back and forth depending on what I needed to play. Glad you found something that works in your favour!
Roll with it if you're double jointed in your thumb like me. I'll have to try this!
Hallo, long time viewer, first time commenter. I've recently started playing bass, one of the songs I've been using to practice is Slayer's At Dawn They Sleep. I had the same problem you've just described and made the same adjustment, and I'm quite pleased with the results. Thanks for all that you do to help us become better musicians! \m/
I like to do phantom alternate picking, (coined it this morning). so I use the up stroke to recover for another down pick rather than actually striking the string on the upstroke.
You Are Awesome!
Thanks mike. Would love to see an autobivideo about you some day! (assuming it doesnt already exist)
I also learned the "wrong" way when i started, and after i forced myself the "official correct" way. But some years later i decided to bring the "wrong" way back because i remember it felt ok. I now use both whenever i feel like to.
Here's a strange improvement to my technique:
For some reason, my down-picking and tremolo-picking improved when I started holding the pick with both my middle and index. I use the middle finger to ease tension on index and help keep the pick tilted.
Thanks I'm going try this
Haha awesome dude I found that out yesterday and today I get your video in my recommended lol
i don't even have a guitar but I'm binging all your videos. can't wait for this virus thing to tide over so i can get one (been saving up for 2 years). stay safe!
Let me tell you, starting to play the guitar was the best decision I've ever had. Hope you'll have as much fun as I have with it!
Awesome thanks for this tip.
Very cool, thanks I'll that when I am jamming next.
Wow, dude you really helped me alot
Thank you so much❤️😍
new-ish guitar player
i used to pick parallel, but when I started faster picking my hand always drifted to have the pick positioned like that. i thought it was weird, but I realized it was easier than parallel picking. now I'm here learning that this is actually more efficient.
Damn love ur tone homie! also that's a hot SG
Pretty cool, thanks
I've been playing like this for years mostly because I'm double jointed in my thumbs and it just felt more comfortable. Oddly enough, when I switch to lead, I have to tilt the pick back forward. Glad to see that this works for other people, too
I've been playing like this since I started! I never knew it made such a difference! I just tought that each people had their own angle or something
Thanks a lot man this helped
My picking hand's thumb bends slightly too much in reverse, so it's always been natural for me to pick like this. I've just very recently been trying to tilt the pick the other way, as it makes string skipping a tad easier.
Need to try this 🤘
Ive tried both ways and they feel about equal, but that is considering that I have spent hours hours training in the previous position. So this new way does show promise. I made a surprising discovery recently ,as well. I cut my right thumb while cleaning a cooking knife. The cut was right where i usually hold my pick, so I had to lower the position of the pick (further away from thumb tip and closer to my wrist. It was a small adjustment but I notice I could play faster and longer. I think shortening the length of the lever (my strumming hand), made it easier to control. Similar to fast drummers choking up on drum sticks or how picking is faster when you shorten the pick by choking up on it
MIND BLOWN!!!
I'm guessing that a big part of why it's easier is because it requires much less muscle tension in the forearm to hold the pick like that because you're holding the pick against the inside of the knuckle in your thumb, rather than trying to push it with your thumb into the side of your other fingers.
I noticed a similar thing when I started using black mountain thumb picks: as soon as I didn't have to actively grip the pick I was able to pick incredibly fast and clean compared to what I was doing before.
Interestingly, the most efficient down picking technique I've found using the black mountain picks is to try and play thumping/slap style with the thumb fully extended and not supported by the fingers at all.
It just pushes through the string really easily and then the reset is a really easy motion, but I've not found an easy way to switch back and forth with alternate picking as of yet.
I find rotating the pick with the long side parallel to the strings also work for picking faster, no need to tilt it
I've been working on down picking a lot lately. I'll give a slight back tilt a try. One thing I noticed is down pick can be more of a percussive pick attack instead of a down pick attack if that makes sense. Try just hitting the string and not pushing all the way through the string like a normal pick stroke. Thanks for the tip. I've made a lot of progress with my down picking. I can almost down pick master of puppets at album tempo. I'm using the 5% slower version backing track. Props to who ever made that on youtube.
Holy crap did that work. I never would have thought to tilt the other way. I gave up a while ago on massive downpicking and just did alternate picking and lied to myself saying it sounded fine.
This is how i always have done alt picking, however never tried it for just down strumming. Such a simple concept, but it's damn powerful.