downpicking 101
CHOOSE YOUR GOAL!
How to Sound Heavier - Start Here!
In the video, we will:
Check out how palm muting works
See how the sound changes as your hand moves
Find out where to put your hand for the heaviest sound.
Daily Exercise: Sound Heavier
Play a palm-muted power chord from the open 6th string
Move your picking hand left or right to find the sound you like best.
Practice your new technique along with the tab below! Adjust the speed as needed.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You can hear both the note you’re playing, as well as the “crunch” of the palm mute
How to Pick Easier - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
See how pick angle affects speed and sound
Learn how to angle the pick for the easiest playing
Check out different ways you can angle your pick
Daily Exercise: Pick Easier
Place your pick flat against the string
Bend your thumb knuckle to angle your pick.
Press gently down on the angled pick - it’ll slide right through the string.
Practice this with the attached exercise until it feels easy and natural! Adjust your speed as needed.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your pick cuts easily through the string instead of feeling like it’s getting stuck on it!
How to Increase Downpicking Power - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
See how to get the biggest sound for the least amount of effort
Learn how to relax your wrist so that you can play heavier and faster
Daily Exercise: Downpicking Power
Relax your wrist - it should feel “floppy.”
Let your hand bounce with every downpick.
Try some “dig.” Dig the pick into the strings.
Try these techniques with the attached exercise! Adjust your speed as needed.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your wrist feels relaxed - not tense. Your fingers are relaxed on the pick, not gripping it too hard. You feel your pick hand bouncing up and down.
How to Downpick Faster - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Check out wrist-based motion
Realize the importance of pick stability
Eliminate excess motion from our hand
Daily Exercise: Downpicking Speed
Hold your pick so that most it is covered by your thumb.
Lightly flick your wrist so that it feels loose.
Try that same motion while holding your pick.
Now try it with the guitar! Play along with the video, and increase speed as you feel more comfortable.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You can achieve the same sound while playing fast as when playing slow. Your hand stays in the same spot while playing fast, and doesn’t drift away. Your relaxation doesn’t depend on how fast you’re playing.
How to Increase Downpicking Speed!
In this video, we will:
Find out how to rapidly increase downpicking speed by “bursting.”
Learn how to break physical and mental barriers
Daily Exercise: Increase Downpicking Speed
Play bursts of downpicking as fast as you can in groups of 2 to 5.
Rest for about five seconds in between each burst.
Add one pick stroke every time you get used to the number you’re on.
Use the exercise video here as a guide!
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You wait for your hand to relax between bursts. Your hand stays in the same spot while playing fast, and doesn’t drift away. Your relaxation doesn’t depend on how fast you’re playing.
How to Increase Downpicking Endurance - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Check out the best techniques for fast downpicking
Realize the importance of breathing
Look at the ways we slow ourselves down
Daily Exercise: Downpicking Endurance
Breathe in and out!
Loosen your wrist, and play with solid finger coverage on your pick.
Make sure that your pick stays close to the strings.
Keep your wrist in the same spot on the guitar at all times.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hand stays in the same spot while playing fast, and doesn’t drift away. Your relaxation doesn’t depend on how fast you’re playing. You breathe easily and steadily as you play, and you don’t burn out after three seconds.