Angle of Attack!

Picking Angle

Over the last week I’ve been specifically interested in different picking angles and looking closely at my own technique, and the technique of others. I believe it’s always a good idea to be aware of your own technique, and any possible improvements or changes that you can make. We should always be improving, and there is always room to improve- for anyone!

The main strategy behind your own picking should be to stay relaxed. You’ve probably heard this a million times, and that’s because it’s a fundamental truth in the science of guitar technique. When you pick, the motion should be coming mostly from the wrist. There are people who suggest that it is entirely from the wrist, and this is definitely how you should be thinking of it. Of course, our wrists and arms are connected and so there will be some movement in your arm as you play- this is OK. Just make sure most of the movement is coming from your wrist.

Once you’ve become aware of the action of your own picking technique, remember that if you’re “picking from the elbow” instead of the wrist you’ll be alot more tense and probably develop something called “Tennis Elbow” (as suffered by tennis players, it basically boils down to a “stiff elbow” in layman’s terms…).

So what about picking angle? Whilst there is no “Ultimate” picking angle for you to learn, the way you pick can seriously affect your tone! Just listen to the difference between a pinch harmonic (think “Zakk Wylde”, formerly of Ozzy Osbourne) and a fingerpicked chord (think “Mark Knopfler” from Dire Straits). The totally different sounds produced are purely from different styles of picking.

My Own Picking Technique

When I first started playing guitar- for about the first year- I played fingerstyle. Granted, I was mostly self taught, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t studying classical guitar technique. I’m glad I started out this way because it means that, to this day, I’m just as comfortable playing with my fingers as I am with a plectrum. What I want to focus on in this article is specifically playing with a plectrum.

How do I hold my pick? Well, just as I said earlier about how you should be aware of your own technique, I am aware of my own. I hold the pick at an angle most of the time. My thumb is slightly behind (bridge side) the pick and I do this because not only is it faster than having the pick flat it also gives me the tone I like. I am careful not to angle the pick too much in this direction, however, because this pushes back on my thumb (very uncomfortable!). I also angle it the other way (with my thumb on the head/neck side) which is how I get pinch harmonics.

Here are some other examples:

Michael Angelo Batio

click here if you can’t see the video

First, and before you say it, yes, he is amazingly fast. This is due to his great co-ordination between both hands. I’m not arguing that. He does, however, appear to be doing something that is almost a forbidden word in some guitar-technique circles- anchoring! Look at his picking hand, you see how his middle finger is in constant contact with the guitar? Ideally, you should be looking for a technique that allows you to play fast while not touching the guitar with your picking hand. Anchoring your hand like this can lead to excess tension and slower playing (if not injury).

Michael’s picking philosophy is (apparently) to start at your fastest speed and slow the technique down so that it’s the same when you play slow. I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, as although it’s definitely worked in this case, starting at a fast speed is a sure way to develop bad muscle tensions and then retain those tensions as you slow down. So you’re picking technique will be the same slow as it is fast (something I’ve always said), but don’t do this if your fast playing technique is tense. If your fast playing technique is relaxed then go for it- but that’s not normal!

Also, Michael plays with his pick angled and his thumb above the pick. As I said before, this method is alot faster than trying to push the flat side of the pick against the strings- and this is undoubtedly why he does it.

Your Picking Technique

What is your picking technique? Could you write as much about your own technique? There should be no aspect of your guitar playing that you “haven’t really thought about”. Try holding the pick at different angles and hear the difference in the tone- you’ll be surprised! You’ll hear it alot more with a clean electric or -even better- an acoustic guitar. You also want to look at where on the string you pick- as nearer the 12th fret tends to sound “rounder” and “bassier” whereas nearer the bridge sounds “treblier”. You’ll have to play your guitar to see what I mean.

So, what is your picking technique?

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December 16, 2009 at 12:27 pm | Guitar Technique and Exercises | No comments