Fast picking?

[Guest]

So I’m working on playing and finally getting a lot of the basics down that I’ve been struggling with over the years. However when I try to play a fast solo or song (for example the solo in Afterlife) I always end up screwing up and bending my strings with my pick and it ends up sounding muted and horrid. Anyone got tips for how to prevent strings from bending and moving when you are playing on them at high speeds?

 

[Jak Angelescu]

I’m not entirely sure what you mean by bending the string with your pick and making it sound muted. Could you go into a little bit more detail for us?

 

[Adin Shepherd]

Hmm, it sounds like you may be digging into the strings……..I think?
Try not to have to much of the pick exposed and angle it slightly so it slices through the string. You want to minimize resistance from the strings as much as possible.
Not exactly sure if this is the problem you are experiencing though given that you mention the sound is muted.

 

[idssdi]

I dont really get what you mean entirely. Personally I pick very light when I go fast maybe that’s what you mean

 

[Jamie London]

Yep, if I’m understanding correctly, what Adin said should definitely help! Try to have less of the pick exposed, and maybe try hitting the strings a bit lighter. When I first started, hitting the strings and picking too hard in general was one of my biggest issues. Hopefully someone here is able to help ya out!

 

[Guest]

Yeah that helped but still having some slight issues. When I pick my string kind of bends at the pick and pings rather than rings out so when playing a fast solo or part in a song rather than notes I’m getting a bunch of pings. The fret hand isn’t the issue because if I’m not picking fast the notes ring out clear and well.

 

[Adin Shepherd]

Perhaps if you could upload a video or image/s with a close up of your picking hand we may be able to better diagnose the issue?