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Date Posted: 01:46:13 07/04/02 Thu
Author: Chris Keeney
Author Host/IP: spider-wm084.proxy.aol.com / 205.188.199.189
Subject: Re: shawn-picking
In reply to: Mike Rewa 's message, "Re: shawn-picking" on 12:03:34 07/01/02 Mon

>This is less of a comment about Shawn's technique than
>about picking in general. You obviously have a very
>good understanding of Shawn's approach, Chris. Thanks
>for the detailed explanation!
>A couple of the very fast players that I know use an
>extremely rigid forearm/wrist when picking very fast,
>ala Larry Coryell. I believe this is because their
>left hand approach is less developed than their right
>( or picking) hand. So if anything their left hand is
>trying to catch up to the speed of their right.
>For players that have developed a very good left hand
>( or fretting hand) approach, it is more of an issue
>for the picking hand to catch up with what the
>fretting hand is doing. Hence the shifting
>pick/arm/wrist approach. More for reasons of economy
>of movement or attention/energy, as their fretting
>requires less attention.
>It is possible to play extremely fast and detailed
>lines with the pick gently dangling and extended
>perpendicular to the strings and the pinky/ring
>fingers extended nearly perpendicular to the body of
>the guitar and resting barely on the body of the axe.
>And with the fingers extended fairly straight between
>hand and strings. This would typically be done with
>the pinky resting very close to the neck and the pick
>actually over the neck between the 15th and 24th
>frets. The picking motion is only wrist motion here,
>the forearm stays dead still and perfectly relaxed.
>The opposite of the stiff arm style.
>I believe Shawn's left hand approach is so well
>developed that he does not need to be concerned with
>his picking approach much, except possibly to
>emphasize the different attack which is audible with
>the stiff arm style. Since it is possible to play a
>great percentage of riffs with the barest minimum of
>picking the picking approach can be modified to accent
>the overall sound tastefully, rather than being
>compelled to use one picking approach. Which it seems
>to me that Shawn is doing here. There is certainly a
>lot to be learned from Shawn regarding both
>approaches.
>Thanks again Chris for the explanations!
>Best Regards, Mike Rewa


It seems clear that I am not the only one who has studied picking styles! In regard to the various picking styles you mentioned, I would say that it has been my experience that there are certain fundamental characteristics of speed picking techniques which are essentially univeral: elimination of unnecessary muscle tension, proper angle of attack for any particular technique, economical motion, etc. However, there exists a nearly infinite number of anatomical differences (however slight) from individual to individual which make certain movements easier or harder, depending. Size of fingers/wrist/forearm, strength in each, etc. Most of the great players have simply found their ideal technique (i.e. combination of movements), even though they may be the only one playing just that way. In my own playing, I have tried many different techniques in order to find what allowed me to pick the fastest while still being accurate and as economical as possible. This is not to say that many great guitarists could not still improve their technique (to some varying degree) by tweaking what they currently do. Picking technique is most often an evolutionary process. Trying to copy a favorite player is at least a starting point, but it is unlikely that it will be the end of your picking journey. I'm assuming, Mike, that you already knew the majority of what I've explained here. But this is the kind of thing I wish someone would have told me years ago, so that's why I was so elaborate in my commentary. To anyone else reading this who is struggling with picking, take heart! There is a technique out there that is perfect for you.
Well Wishes,
CK

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