heymisterk Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 So, I am trying to tackle this, with the help of of my guitar teacher. He gave me some pointers, and told me to practice. I am really struggling with this especially when up on the B and high E strings: I just struggle to get a consistent rhythm going. Do any of you have advice, or any YouTube vids you thought were particularly helpful? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Yes indeed... Most tuition omits to mention the common sense approach when developing tremolo picking... On an axis 90deg (upward) to the strings Rotate the pick to 45deg... Or have a laugh with classical 'p,a,m,i' picking a la 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Hello! That's the technique I use most for rapid playing. I find it more challenging on low strings. When picking the low-E or A, I have the surface of pick perpendicular to the top of the guitar. Moving on to the higher strings I position my wrist to achieve a slight angle between the surface of the pick and the surface of the guitar. The tip of the pick meets the strings at 40-45 degrees, but sometimes even flat. That's how I warm up: I choose a key, and play all it's modes on all six strings with tremelo-picking. Also, I found out that using lighter picks for heavier strings works better and vice versa. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Thanks, Versatile and Bence! Interestingly, my guitar teacher had me keeping my pick nearly flat with the string; I am not sure if it is really helping me or not. I can pretty much nail the tremolo picking on the low E string, but when I go to the B and E strings, all bets are off. As an exercise, my guitar teacher has me trying to play "that part" of "Eruption" (which he told me was initially used as a violin warm-up!) And "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" moves me like no other piece of music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennis Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 As a self-taught player I don't know where one technique classification ends and another begins; so what exactly is "tremolo" picking? is this another case where the word "tremolo" is being miss used? I believe it means a pulsating variation in volume (like on Link Wray - The Ramble). I'm assuming you mean fast picking up and down? I guess it's just about training the muscles of you right hand to control the tempo appropriately. If you haven't already, try a Jazz III pick. makes it much easier to control the power you apply to fast picking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Thanks, Versatile and Bence! Interestingly, my guitar teacher had me keeping my pick nearly flat with the string; I am not sure if it is really helping me or not. I can pretty much nail the tremolo picking on the low E string, but when I go to the B and E strings, all bets are off. ... The trick here is to only let the very end of the pick's tip contacting the strings. Also to hold the pick firmly. You may also try to draw circles with the tip of the pick around the strings. Whatever works out best for You. Try it flat, try different angles. It might sound funny: but the success of the application of this technique highly depends on ones anatomy. Whatever feels comfortable for Your wrist. Doing it wrong will cause pain in the forearm. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 As a self-taught player I don't know where one technique classification ends and another begins; so what exactly is "tremolo" picking? is this another case where the word "tremolo" is being miss used? I believe it means a pulsating variation in volume (like on Link Wray - The Ramble). I'm assuming you mean fast picking up and down? I guess it's just about training the muscles of you right hand to control the tempo appropriately. If you haven't already, try a Jazz III pick. makes it much easier to control the power you apply to fast picking. Hello! I assume, we are discussing rapid alternating picking here. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 I thought this thread was about choosing a tremelo system. Floyd etc. I've never heard this term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 I spelled it wrong...It should be: tremOlo picking... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX4bF2qljq0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 4:24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Thrash alert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Thrash alert! Hehe! Not necessarily. Steve Morse uses this technique quite often. His playing is far from t(h)rash. Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy60 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 also, never underestimate the power of a fresh pick. i find it way easier to play with a sharp pick as opposed to a dull one. good to start out slow and build up speed. play relaxed and loose. you gotta pretty much play all the time until the guitar becomes an extension of your limbs. lots of practice makes your hands and arms more comfortable moving around your axe. strength/weight training will make it easier to fret notes and grip your pick. you gotta use muscle to play fast. finally, playing should be fun. if playing hard and fast ends up being a pain in the you-know-what for you, there's always other ways to play. the technique requires alot of time and perserverance. not something you learn overnight. i've been trying for 20 years. some days are better than others.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaysEpiphone Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Speed picking, thats what I call it. Dont really matter what the name of it is, it's when your moving your elbow more than your wrist to get a shock-absorber/spring type effect. Timing is more important (to an extent) then accuracy with your picking arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Tremolo is a fascinating subject in music... Applicable to vocalists(linked to vibrato) as well as bowed strings , piano chords, mandolins, balalaikas, bouzoukis etc Somewhat mis-named in the tremolo(whammy) guitar context... Vox AC30's etc had a tremolo effect built in for a rapid pseudo vibrato effect Many accordions are tuned 'tremolo' for extra punch and vibrancy in their tone...as are some harmonicas and 'blues harps' V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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