Picking Motion Tutorials

Get started with efficient picking motion using these targeted instructions.

One of the most powerful tools for instrument technique learning is speed. If you can do a motion quickly, with minimal feeling of physical strain, then the motion you’re making might very well be worth perfecting through more deliberate practice.

In this section we’ll give you specific instructions for performing a tremolo using the most common efficient picking motions. We’ll also show you how to translate the performance from your joint motion tests directly to the strings using the actual picking motions that those tests are based on.

Instructions

Chapter 1 - Starting With Tremolo

Establishing basic motion with the simplest phrase in music

Chapter 2 - Stringhopping

Not all back-and-forth motions are true alternate picking

Chapter 3 - Speed And Learning New Motions

Motor programs and joint control at realistic speeds

Stringhopping Quiz

Learn to tell which picking motions have speed potential and which ones you should avoid

Reverse Dart Wrist Motion

Chapter 1 - What Is Reverse Dart Thrower Motion?

An efficiency boost hiding in plain sight

Chapter 2 - Pickslanting For Double Escape

Smoothing out pick attack on electric and acoustic

Chapter 3 - Doing The Reverse Dart Motion

Anchor points and motion for the RDT pickstroke

Chapter 4 - Following the Wrist Path

Wrist pickstrokes don't always move down and up

Chapter 5 - USX Form And Motion

Learn USX motion with downward pickslanting

Chapter 6 - When To Use DBX Form

A good starting point for phrases with mixed string changes

Chapter 7 - When To Use USX Form

The picking style of evens and downstroke sweeping

Chapter 8 - USX vs DBX Style Comparison

Different styles for different lines

Chapter 9 - Motion Tests On The Guitar

Reproducing test performance with a guitar in your hands

Chapter 10 - From Tapping To Picking

A detailed closeup of the critical part of the process

Chapter 11 - Tall Mouse Speed

Achieve extreme metal speed with the fastest reverse dart technique

Chapter 12 - Improving Wrist Speed

Reaching higher speed through motion consistency

Chapter 13 - Improving Wrist Endurance

Dealing with unwanted tension

Forearm-Wrist Motion

Chapter 4 - The Downstroke Sweep

Learning a critical skill in the one-way USX economy picking style

Chapter 1 - What Is Forearm-Wrist Motion?

The forearm's most common role is a collaboration with the wrist

Chapter 2 - Anchoring, Grip, and Pickslant

Setting up forearm-wrist basic form

Chapter 3 - Performing FW Motion

Achieving coupled forearm-wrist joint motion

Chapter 5 - The Rest Stroke

Recognize this nearly universal feature of USX motion

Chapter 6 - Muting

Damping all six strings is a key capability of forearm-wrist form

Chapter 7 - The Tracking Mystery

Flextension tracking can cover all six strings without moving your arm

Chapter 8 - Flexed Form

A gentle slouch enables a powerful variant of forearm-wrist motion

Chapter 9 - Noise Control

Killing the noise without palm muting!

Chapter 10 - FW Motion Smoothness

Tips for evaluating forearm-wrist performance

Forearm Motion

Chapter 1 - Forearm Rotation

Eddie's famous tremolo motion is also great for synchronized playing

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