Guitar Lessons: Picking Technique FAQ

I get a lot of questions about guitar picking technique, anchoring, strumming patterns and the best way to go about things, so I’ve decided to write this short lesson so that you can make sure you’re doing things right.

So, starting with the basics…

How Do I Hold the Pick?

Seems simple, right? Yet you’d be surprised how easy this is to get wrong! You hold the plectrum (the fancy word for a pick) between the pad of the thumb and the side of your first finger. It’s best to hold it nearer the tip, as this provides greater control (like when you hold a pencil- it would be difficult to write if you held it at the top, you need to hold it nearer the tip!).

Here is a diagram of what I mean:

You can find more information on picking here.

What is the Best Strumming Technique?

The simple answer would be “up and down”, but there really is no “best” way to strum- just some techniques that are good, and others that are bad. What you want to keep in mind, though, is that picking should be a relaxed motion from the wrist, similar to the motion you would use to wave at someone.

Now, a motion “from the wrist” doesn’t mean your arm is not allowed to move! Trying to hold your arm still will cause it to tense up (which will no longer produce a relaxed action). Your arm is allowed to move, but you should be trying to move your wrist, and not thinking about any arm movement (after all, the two are connected, it would be unnatural to have one move without the other!).

Which Direction Should I Strum In?

Well if we are talking about lead guitar, there are two main schools of thought on this. Either you try to change direction as little as possible (known as “economy picking”)- so that going from, say, the A to D strings would always be a downstroke, and going back would always be an upstroke (so you’re taking the shortest route each time- which is faster); or you change direction on every note regardless (known as “alternate picking”)- so that going from the A to D strings would either be an upstroke followed by a downstroke, or the other way around.

Rhythm guitar strumming is much simpler in many ways, because there are only two (main) rules:

1) Play downstrokes on the beat (or the main, emphasised beats)
and
2) Try to keep your hand alternating between down and up (even if each “strum” doesn’t even hit the strings!)

So, if one beat is divided into two quavers (8th notes), the strumming pattern would be: “Down – Up”. If the beat was divided into four semiquavers (16th notes), the pattern would go: “Down – Up – Down – Up” for that beat. You see,  on the beat (first strum) it’s a downstroke, and you’re constantly alternating?

If the same beat was divided as one quaver and two semiquavers, you would play it: “Down – Down – Up”. After the first downstroke, your hand moves back up without hitting the strings- so it’s moving as if you’re playing four semiquavers without the second note.

Am I Anchoring? Should I be Anchoring?

Anchoring is when you fix your strumming hand or arm on the guitar body. It restricts the movement of your arm and hand, and you shouldn’t be doing it! For more on this, please read my blog post on why anchoring is bad.

How Do I Play Faster?

Guitar speed is a byproduct of good technique and co-ordination. If you keep your muscles relaxed and follow the basic principles outlined in this article you shouldn’t go far wrong. The next step is to head over to the exercises section and work on the co-ordination between both hands.

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Rob.

July 6, 2010 at 11:00 pm | Guitar Technique and Exercises, How to | No comments