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Tremolo Picking Tips

Ben Thorpe

Free Bird Player
Nov 11, 2019
162
1
  • #1
    I’ve been playing some Slayer recently, which is great for practicing tremolo picking. I just wondered what your preferences are for tremolo picking. I know there are three main preferences for tremolo picking. There is moving your finger and thumb up and down to tremolo pick, using your wrist and using your forearm. What are your preferences?
     
    J

    Jak Angelescu

    Guest
  • #2
    This is SUCH a great question. I’d like to hear the opinions of others, too. I’ve seen the thumb and finger approach but I just for the LIFE of me can’t grasp that concept. And I personally feel there are pros and cons to each one. I honestly prefer the wrist motion but I think it actually depends on the phrase, the speed, and stuff like that. I couldn’t imagine using the forearm being practical unless it was for a small section, otherwise I see the possibility of tendon and muscle strain and early fatigue. Sometimes I’ve caught myself using my forearm (and I’ve seen many other fast pickers use this method as well) but I’ve tried to sustain it and I just can’t.
     
    G

    Guest

    Guest
  • #3
    For me personally, my picking technique purely depends on what comes next in the riff or lick. With lots of movement I naturally go for a lot of thumb and finger movement as Im far more accurate like this across the board, not just trem, but not fast as I am if I use wrist/forearm movement. But wrist/forearm movement I sacrifice accuracy. Cant have the best of both but working towards the transition of the two.
     

    Sayonil Mitra

    Free Bird Player
    Nov 11, 2019
    676
    280
  • #4
    I am comfortable with the wrist movement. That depend on if I am tremolo picking 1 string only or 2 strings (Metallica style power chords). For 1 string, my thumb and finger movement are enough, and I hold the pick pretty loose. But in the second case, the wrist moves, and the pick is held tightly. I am surprised to see players move entire arm and do tremolo picking. They are few but..woah! I am no expert in physics, but in general, it makes sense if movement is kept to minimum while picking because, you will spend lesser energy and maybe, play fast shredding solos for longer period without getting tired. Imagine someone playing Afterlife solo moving the whole arm!!
     

    Jake Young

    Free Bird Player
    Nov 11, 2019
    193
    1
  • #5
    I totally don’t understand how people do the thumb and finger thing either? It’s wrist for me..the whole economy of motion thing is always on my mind, and that would probably be the slight thumb/finger movements..so I stick with the next best thing! There’s a technique called “planting” that classical players use that’s good practice for getting your tremolo chops in check..but it sorta becomes unusable when you’re actually playing tremolo licks because everything is staccato. But it really helps your brain and muscles get used to not traveling past the string any further than you absolutely have toooo
     

    Ed Seith

    Supreme Galactic Overlord
    Staff member
    Legend+
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
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  • #7
    I had to throw an axe over my shoulder and check, and most of the time, it’s whole forearm, but sometimes (especially if I’m tremolo picking chords, like an Iron Maiden Ending ™) I go wrist.
    I cannot imagine only finger movements being efficient. That’s some next level wizardry I don’t have the patience to try.
     

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