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Masters in Mechanics

Technique critiques

Public critiques created by GodinXtsa.

Picking Motion Causing Wrist Pain

I'm not sure if I can identify my picking motion. I want to say it's either dart thrower or reverse but I'm not sure. I've been experiencing wrist pain for the last year+ and I'm desperately trying to diagnose the cause. I have a teacher who I'm working with but we just started and I wanted to get some other perspectives. I've sent him this same video. In it, I'm just doing the classic chromatic exercise on my 8 string. I tried to do this without thinking much because I think whatever motion I do that causes the pain tends to happen when I'm no longer able to think about what I'm doing. It doesn't help that I still don't feel like I understand what I'm doing or what my ideal motions should be despite the year long effort. I have three videos, in one I switched from the Dunlop Flow pick to the smaller Jazz III. I switched from Jazz III's after the pain started and it's impossible to know if that's helping. But I decided to include footage of using the smaller pick to see if someone can see a distinction in the motion and, hopefully, which motion seems healthier. I also included some string skipping on the lowest strings because this is the easiest way to cause an amount of pain that means I have to stop playing for at least a week. I took these videos yesterday and I'm icing my wrist today. So I think this footage shows whatever my incorrect motion is. I just can't identify it and more importantly I don't know how to correct it. I have an older TC from about a year ago that shows me earlier in the process. I've made almost no progress since then despite going to physical therapy, now two teachers, and receiving that TC feedback. I need help and I'm beginning to thing no one can provide it. The conventionally attached video is old, this is the one I'd like you to watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SrPUQ05bqpwUdGJPq7IAxDwUQkOb5nMH

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Alternate Picking Diagnosis

I believe I employ a DSX motion most often when trying to play faster. So I have three clips here. The first is that 4 note Batio run from the beginning of Speed Kills. Which I'm playing faster than I used to but doesn't feel very consistent. Next is the descending Gilbert sixes run. Same thing there: better than I used to be but I'm not happy with the lack of consistency. To mix it up I then did an ascending and descending scale shape--B Phrygian starting on the C on the D string. It's 1 note on the D, 2 on the G, then 3 on both B and E. This feels BAD. And it's the kind of thing I'm trying to get better at. I also have been dealing with wrist strain recently and I'm not sure if there's anything visibly happening when I play that can be cleaned up. Michael Angelo Batio brags that he's never been injured and is around 70. still playing crazy fast. I don't want to adopt his specific technique but I feel like there are things I could be doing to help with the sustainability of my picking motion. I can take video from a different angle if that helps. I've also added a clip of a 4 octave major7 thing I think is cool but maintaining consistent form across 8 string is challenging. It's also exactly why I wanted an 8 string instead of a 6 string baritone. But it's difficult to get super fast.

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Videos

Public video uploads from GodinXtsa.

YM 6's

I've not been practicing since I overplayed the day I sent the last critique. So I'm a little out of practice and still nursing an injury here. I decided to tremolo on the high E, D, and lowest E string for these. My ability to comfortably get the right motion on this wide range of string gauges and placements is part of my issue. The previous clips had their moments, this I think is bad and kind of embarrassing. I feel stuck using the DSX because as I've said previously the lack of muting on an 8 string makes,

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Trem 8s

I've not been practicing since I overplayed the day I sent the last critique. So I'm a little out of practice and still nursing an injury here. I decided to tremolo on the high E, D, and lowest E string for these. My ability to comfortably get the right motion on this wide range of string gauges and placements is part of my issue.

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Big Dumb 8 String Arpeggios

Playing a two string major 7 arpeggio in four octaves on my 8 string. One of the great things about having all this range is being able to play something expansive and piano-like like this. I think it sounds gorgeous but I'd love to be able to alternate pick it at a higher and more stable speed. It's difficult to mute the lower strings while using an DSX motion because there are more strings to hit with my thumb. The lowest string--mine is tuned to E--also takes more force to stop from resonating. It's generally noisier than a 6 string if not muted, obviously. I've found that I cannot ignore those two lowest strings if I want it to be clean--unlike the lesson with MAB where you conclude that not muting the lower strings on a 6 string isn't necessary--which limits my picking motion a bit.

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