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2008-04-13, 10:42
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New Blood
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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Alternate picking question...
When I started playing guitar the only stuff I learned was old school thrash like Metallica/Slayer/Anthrax etc so I pretty much learned only downpicking. I can obviously alternate pick the speed sections of old thrash songs, but when it comes to technical stuff that is too fast to downpick I get sloppy. Right now I have been trying to learn some Death songs to work on my alternate picking. How would you guys pick say this riff, its from 1000 Eyes.
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Is this the best way :
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d d dudududududu d d dudu d u u d dudududududududududududududududu
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2008-04-13, 14:28
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El Diablo sin pantalones
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Yggdrassyl
Posts: 4,321
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That could work well.
I'd alternate on the chords though, rather then two downstrokes.
But remember that even though there are 'official' correct ways to pick, it all comes down to preference.
If you feel more comfortable playing something in a certain way, you'll be faster and more accurate then using less comofortable methods.
Offcoarse, one could also say 'train to make the better method more comfortable'.
If you want a tip how I train alternate picking using triplets, just ask 
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2008-04-13, 19:39
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New Blood
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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Yeah man, what is your practice method?
Do you know of anything that would help me when I change strings while doing alternative picking?
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^
I am always late on this note
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2008-04-13, 21:39
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Supreme Metalhead
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 727
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I have the exact same problem as you... I used to play thrash, and pretty much learnt to play by playing the easier Slayer riffs. I can tremolo pick at a million miles an hour, and downpick pretty fast but my alternate picking was terrible until recently. Practising my old thrash band's riffs but deliberatley alternate picking them has done wonders, but it's been agony.. as if I had never picked up a guitar before! Because I knew the riffs inside out already it helped, but I'd play them very slowly, picking the notes as cleanly as possible and gradually speeding them up. I still can't play them all at full speed but if I keep at it I know I'll get there.
I agree with Brainsforbreakfast, I'd alternate pick the first two chords too, but I'd do everything else the same. Where you are always late, you'll have to concentrate on making your right hand hit those four open sixth string 16ths accurately and then move up to the 3rd fret 5th string. Just play those few notes over and over (as if it was looped) in your own time and you'll get there.
Don't forget to rest your brain by playing some other stuff and come back to it. You'll find it gets easier slowly but surely.
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2008-04-14, 03:35
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New Blood
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Albany NY
Posts: 3
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i have the same problem. Been working at it for awhile. Damn its hard to correct old habits.
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2008-04-14, 15:02
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Quantum.
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,149
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Yea, I also think I would play that riff like you suggest. Maybe I'd do the last four notes of the first bar up-down-up-down just to get the pick moving the right way for the next tone, but meh.
Alternate picking is a very good tool, it's definetly worth taking the time to master. Personally I use alternate by default these days, but with practicing on average 3-4 hours per day, it took I think more than a year to get to where I am now... and it's all a matter of starting out so slow that you can play it 100% perfect with a metronome or something like powertab or guitarpro.
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2008-04-14, 17:38
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Supreme Metalhead
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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yeah I do the last four notes of the first bar up-down-up-down. It maintains the flow of the alternate picking. idk why you would do d-u-u-d, that just seems needlessly awkward. and I down pick those first couple chords.
Also, to answer your question about changing strings in alternate picking, when you go from 0 on the 6th string to 3 on the 5th, the only real tip I have in making it sound clean and like it's supposed to is to mute the 6th string with the finger you use to fret 3 on the 5th so that there's no unwanted sound from the 6th string. Other than that, there's no secret really, just start slow.
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2008-04-15, 10:28
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New Blood
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Albany NY
Posts: 3
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Ive heard many guitarists say that they rest their fingers on the guitar when they pick as sort of a guideline for muscle memory. (if you dont know what Im talking about - Like resting your pinky and ring finger below the 1st string on the guitar). Anyone do this? I've tried but find it incredibly awkward.
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2008-04-15, 11:01
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Supreme Metalhead
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
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Originally Posted by Living Monstrosity
Ive heard many guitarists say that they rest their fingers on the guitar when they pick as sort of a guideline for muscle memory. (if you dont know what Im talking about - Like resting your pinky and ring finger below the 1st string on the guitar). Anyone do this? I've tried but find it incredibly awkward.
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I do it. Not constantly, though; just whenever I need to, which is most often for slower blues-style soloing.
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Originally Posted by BassBehemoth
TRANZ? LLOZ.
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Originally Posted by BOB_ZE_METALLEU
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Originally Posted by CannibalXampire
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2008-04-16, 18:08
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New Blood
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 46
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I would definetly take the time to learn how to alternate pick. I am getting better at it now, and it has taken me awhile, but I feel that it is a great skill to have once you get comfortable with it.
Funny, for me, I taught myself to alternate pick the fast slayer-type riffs on the low E string, there was no WAY i could do it that fast just downpicking at my lower skill level, I thought. For 2 years i learned how to alternate pick the fast rythym guitar stuff and got real good at it, and NOW I am forcing myself to speed up my downpicking and get good and clean at fast rhythms where I alternate strings etc, a la necrophagist style or like the rhythm portion of most in flames songs. just the opposite direction you took. I'm now noticing significant improvements after a month of diligent practice.
i would alternate pick that Death song the same way you described. Just keep trying and don't get discouraged. Push yourself for a month and you will see some results and that will keep you going.
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2008-04-18, 06:46
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Quantum.
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,149
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Living Monstrosity
Ive heard many guitarists say that they rest their fingers on the guitar when they pick as sort of a guideline for muscle memory. (if you dont know what Im talking about - Like resting your pinky and ring finger below the 1st string on the guitar). Anyone do this? I've tried but find it incredibly awkward.
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... and I've never done that. The closest I've gotten to that is to extend my right hand pinky to keep the first and second strings quiet when changing strings in fast solos.
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Listening to Cannibal Corpse and cutting trees with a chainsaw, now that's metal
"He preferred the hard truth over his dearest illusion. That, is the heart of science."
- Carl Sagan
"Imagination is more important than intelligence" - Einstein
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2008-04-18, 07:17
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Drugged Unholy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Philadelphia Area
Posts: 2,458
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Living Monstrosity
Ive heard many guitarists say that they rest their fingers on the guitar when they pick as sort of a guideline for muscle memory. (if you dont know what Im talking about - Like resting your pinky and ring finger below the 1st string on the guitar). Anyone do this? I've tried but find it incredibly awkward.
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Occasionally but it's not something i try to do, it just happens. You're putting way to much thought into your technique I think. Do what's comfortable and practical and what works for you. Everyone plays differently.
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2008-04-19, 00:10
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New Blood
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Albany NY
Posts: 3
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im not focusing on it by any means. Im just trying to improve my alt picking, and was observing different techniques that help others out.
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