Andy Wood guitar series "The Woodshed" Ep 10- Alternate Picking Mental Concepts.

Hello music lovers, and welcome back to the Woodshed. This is a bit of a different episode where we dive into the power of the mind, and we examine some of the mental concepts I use to overcome alternate picking challenges and roadblocks. I hope everyone out there is safe and sound, and i hope you find some interesting info here with some of these philosophies on overcoming physical roadblocks in the picking hand. Buckle up, because we are gonna get deep on the hippy dippy stuff. As always a like and subscribe is appreciated! Let me know if you'd enjoy more conceptual content like this, I certainly don't want my channel to simply turn into another youtube "Put your fingers here to play lick A" type of thing. Cheers all, and crispy high fives!
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[@anastasiosmentesidis7296]

This mental aspect of playing is rarely talked about. Andy, this lesson was extremely valuable and very much appreciated. I would love to see more lessons like this one.

[@ericstrat3579]

The Malmsteen-ish lick from 2:50-2:54 was so casual & so many guitarists take years to work up to that level…. Bravo, sir.

[@ChrisBrooksGuitar]

11:56 Cheers for the mention. What you're demonstrating there is proximal interphalangeal flexion/extension between the thumb and index at the point at the first joint from the tips. I most definitely can't pick like that. I don't like the tone and I don't find any longevity in that (personally). Plus, in and of itself, it doesn't offer any string-changing facility the way rotation does. My motion is a blend of about 40% forearm rotation 40% wrist (whereas yours is a LOT more wrist and forearm is used to fine-tune your angles rather than the bulk of motion). The last 20% of my arriving at the string is the thumb metacarpal (the big bone) moving towards the centre of the palm (which affects the other joints in a visual way but they're not the source). In itself, it's not sufficient for my picking motion. I've tried isolating each element of the "tri-blend" I've diagnosed in my own motion, and none of them alone create the same motion. Just to nerd out in detail :)

[@andywoodmusic]

Chris Brooks Guitar thanks for that insight!! A great example of “finding the feeling” and not based on visuals. From vids it looks like you do the “thumb wiggle” thing

[@ChrisBrooksGuitar]

@@andywoodmusic my insight starts and ends with guitar. When I play drums, it's "pick up the sticks however, then hit shit" haha.

[@theredchannel98]

Two of the best pickers on the planet right here.

[@MindsetMastery75]

@@theredchannel98 Really? I never heard of Chris Brooks i will have to go to his channel next and check him out. Andy Wood is def one of the top pickers in the world right now though for sure.

[@SRHMusic012]

Very cool - thanks for chiming in on this... things are getting nerdy in the picking talk these days. It's really interesting to see the focus on the right hand now in detail beyond things like how players hold the pick (e.g. Guitar Player articles would point out how Steve Morse or George Benson have unique grips or angles, etc.). You might check out Troy Grady's more recent videos on isolating the wrist side to side motion (I think his work has gotten better, more specific, than his earlier videos), e.g. search KZbin for "Troy Grady wrist". But I've seen other advanced guitarists talk about how natural it is to be able to 'wave' your hand with more forearm rotation than what Andy uses or the strict side to side motion Troy talks about. Everyone's different... seems good to break it down at some point in any case.

[@SeanAsheOfficial]

This rules Andy! This whole series is such a gift to the guitar community! 8 years ago you came to Illinois at Chris’ place and, I remember asking ‘how can I get my left and right hand synced up?’ And you said ‘ keep on pickin’. It worked, and I think about that a lot.

[@andywoodmusic]

Sean Ashe cheers my dude🎸🍻

[@frankquinn1296]

The mental thing is a big challenge for me , I have always doubted my ability as a guitar player, because I never spent the time to understand the fret board properly, I can mimic a lot of people but when it comes up to upping my game its a challenge and I end playing the same crap. I play in a Skynyrd tribute band in Canada but we dont gig that much and it has made me very limited. The mental aspect is really a mind freeze for me, I know what I want to do but my head keeps saying you cant do that, its really hard to defeat this now. You're advice on this point is well noted and I will try to do better now.

[@satchrules101]

It’s just Subconscious programming you can play anything you want no matter what.

[@brucemonahan8134]

Thank You....

[@dan_perry]

Very insightful Andy! The kids nowadays just have it made...the resources available. Us old timers had to work this stuff out the old fashioned way.

[@cosmicspaceship]

I can never learn enough here, thank you so much...

[@drwood84]

One of the best guitarist alive today. Thank you, Andy. Awesome stuff!!!!

[@smoothpicker]

I didnt know I needed this lesson until I watched this video and I'm extremely glad I did!! Good info hear and I'm definitely gonna apply it to my playing thanks ❤

[@Malediction99]

I like this approach. I used to play competition pool, and getting into "the zone" was all important. Your conscious mind doesn't talk to your muscles, your subconscious does, so you need to think differently if you want to nail things that require a huge degree of muscle coordination.

[@paldenno1]

Andy Wood is a good guy. He actually cares that you understand this stuff. He doesen't hide a single thing about his technique .

[@luigidambra2523]

Maestro Andy, very useful video, thank you very much. My mental state is that i'm watching your lessons because that's what Is helping more to me 😊🎸🙏

[@edwinwoods8294]

thk you .. Such a great teacher... I love that you number the episodes .. More music influencers online should take note to that .. then I can watch em all../ Your crazy talented , but also a great teacher .. I love Yngwie and mr Wylde.. But they are not good teachers .. lol.. one dude said it perfectly after one of their lessons .. He was like , " 2+2 =4 ... Now go figure out the orbits of the planets ...!!!! lol .. and when someone asked Yngwie in a lesson , they said can you play it slow ...? Ynqwie just says , with no hesitation , " that is slow ! lol " ... but I love your channel , Your very talented , a great teacher and very humble .. Thk you

[@Priyadarshan_Nag]

This is pure gold! I wish I learned this 20 years ago. Thanks Andy!! 🤗

[@winstonsmith8240]

Great stuff. I tried this. As you know, it works! Thanks so much. You're a bloody fabulous player by the way, and you seem like a cracking bloke. All the best.

[@hottamanful]

Got it boss.. Will keep going ahead for sure.. keep em coming.. 🎸

[@stevenjones6780]

So much focus on just one form of musical expression; speed- yet impressive. Freedom of expression is the real goal.

[@reaganbrowne6373]

This is the Holy Grail of lessons Andy! Your best yet. I’ve learned that SO much of this alternate picking hurdles is mental. Thank you for all that you do.

[@ericstrat3579]

Excellent insights and thank you for this lesson… 🙏🏼🎸

[@jaysonjohnson556]

I wish I would have had Andy Wood and Ben Eller as guitar teachers back in 1986 when I started to play. Hands down the best teachers I've ever watched.

[@brianolson_music]

Me too Jayson. I started in ‘84 when We strapped my buddies boom box (whatever we called them back then) to my buddies moped (no joke unfortunately) and my trumpet to my moped 😔, put the brand new Van Halen 1984 on repeat, cranked it, drove 10 miles (mostly on a 2 lane county highway😬😔) , and came home with the worst guitar in the store🤩. Action was ridiculous. I can still see it , had to be 1 1/2 inches at top frets. Killed my fingers. But I digress…. I think the same thing all the time about how great it would’ve been to have all this invaluable information at our fingertips. But then I try to remember, …. I sure am glad we have it now! understatement of the century! I thought cable tv was good. Shheeeez . Now that’s awesomeness.

[@ScottyBrockway]

@@brianolson_music I also wish I had Andy, Ben and Joe Satriani as teachers when I started. I would have become a monster I think. I already had a good ear and was figuring out entire band catalogues by myself, but I couldn't get the solos. I developed some pretty crazy rhythm chops, but I'm only getting the lead chops now. I hope I'm not too old :D

[@mksounds6326]

Pretty good stuff to chew on. Been playing 30 years and there are a variety of concepts/techniques that I have been good at and some that still vex me. Bridging the gap between what comes easy and what is more challenging is the holy grail of guitarists. I enjoy every type of player, from shredders that have all the emotion of a typewriter (it's what old people used to write letters, kids) to guys that say everything with three notes. I believe it's all about chasing the sounds you enjoy. Great video. Much respect from the Bay Area. MK

[@JoePariseauMusic]

Yes, PLEASE more mental stuff! I think the reason nobody talks about the mental stuff is because you have to reach a point when you've been playing long enough that you see past the trees and start to see the forest. What makes the music is NOT the technique but the brain and soul of the player. Having good technique is like having a larger vocabulary and possessing the articulation to speak clearly. Technique and creativity are not the same thing. Hence the term "MINDLESS shredding", if you want to shred please don't do it "mindlessly" 😊 Guthrie Govan is a perfect example of "MINDFUL shredding", his shredding serves a purpose and is part of the transition from theme to theme. In short, he isn't showing off, he's connecting statements and themes!

[@stevenewsome7294]

Coolest guitar instructor on KZbin. Great insight and unlocks the mental boxes we get stuck in. Also promotes creativity. Awesome job.

[@ryanwalker3015]

Man that was great on many levels. I watched this vid at work without my guitar and still got a ton out of it. I dig your concept of explaining and teaching. Keep it up man. I also like the reminder to embrace your own way of doing it, ie. hand position and approach, but at the same time teaching certain aspects you really need to have. Great video man.

[@atomichaser]

dear andy..this is awesome..ur playing is fantastic...i like alternate picking freedom...im gonna strive for it...steve..btw..i watched frank gamble..as awesome as he is...and he is...u sound more fluid and pleasing to the ear..thx 4 this vid

[@ianbrick5211]

Super enlightening, Thanks Andy

[@JoshPaterson]

I am so glad I found you. This is just fantastic stuff.

[@MichaelWilson-ri9pn]

Speed is the least thing people need to worry about. Phrasing, vibrato and note choice are the things that are lacking in most of us. Thanks for all the great lessons

[@andywoodmusic]

Michael Wilson sure. Phrasing is top priority, but I get hit with technique questions non stop. I’m just trying to to respond in depth, I’ll be addressing phrasing next week to swing the conversation the other way. Cheers

[@BenEller]

Tell me more about them hemorrhoids from nowhere

[@andywoodmusic]

Ben Eller well...as you get older...

[@BenEller]

Andy Wood Music oh no, man, I’m already older than I was this morning!!!!

[@gitarmats]

The only thing worse than hemorrhoids from nowhere are hemorrhoids from everywhere.

[@peterallen1041]

Hey Uncle Ben! Love your lessons as well!

[@edisongabutero9455]

Theres tons of instructional videos on youtube about alternate picking but Andy delivers this to where a regular dude can really absorb what he's saying ❤❤❤

[@אוריהארליך]

I very much sympathize with what you said about fear

[@vincemendoza28]

Hi Andy, just wanted to say I tried what you said about just jumping the metronome speed up in much bigger leaps. Found some great success with that. Thank you

[@andywoodmusic]

NIIIICE!

[@jamfactory4119]

Again, your simple straight forward advice has helped me to effortlessly breakthrough walls that have held me back for years as a player. Knowing that I'm doing well amongst high caliber players by holding it together with 1/16th notes at 150 BPM is a priceless boost to my perception of self.... thank you. I'm instantly a shredder like never before.

[@MrNamePerson]

Excellent Andy.

[@roderickgful]

Great point. A symmetrical pattern can be played much faster. I used to be obsessed over speed, now it’s actually reversed to leave space & focus on the musical aspect. What fits this progression. Which intervals should I target, etc.

[@bobbreckenkamp4641]

GREAT tips, tricks and concepts...THANKS!!

[@chuckmatses6803]

Absolutely fantastic - he’s pretty much explaining the unexplainable as far as figuring out one’s own playing mindset.

[@edwardpatrickwhite6679]

This video just ticked so many boxes for me. Love the hippy dippy stuff!

[@mglickman13]

Beautiful subject that is overlooked again and again Andy. Mind over matter is the goal. =D Thanks again. Spyder

[@JimFothergill]

Great stuff and well taught lesson!!!!

[@pedroleal7118]

Hi Andy! Great video! Only watched a few of your channel and each one was relevant.Thank you for your efforts. 'Speed' seems to be like a mirage flotting ahead of us, guitar players, and something that any instrumentalist craves. Maybe because we are always aware of our own limits , with the instrument, and try to push them further away. I found it, interesting the way you approach the subject. I think I heard Shawn Lane talking about it speed) and saying something like 'Instead of building up your practice speed, try the other way, play fast, and see what happens, then try to solve the problems that arise' (*something along this lines). Another thought: we all have things we do with ease and others that we struggle with. And that changes from person to person. My father, who was a Football (Soccer) coach, always told me: 'Work your week points, the ones you're confortable with will progress naturally'. Maybe a wise advice. Keep your videos coming, they are appreciated. Have a great day and take care!

[@jamminwithjambo7729]

Andy... you're a great musician and teacher. You're like a really good friend to kick back with. It just comes across. Thanks!!! 😎👍🏽🎶😱♥️🔥🎶

[@Datanditto]

Great work brother! Thanks

[@NikolaiMusicChannel]

Excellent video, man! I'm a big fan of this "floor it" concept. To many forums and guitar-Reddit pages are filled with the advice to just put the metronome on something super comfortable, and then tick it up 1 bpm at a time, and suddenly after a while you will be playing super fast, which is not the case. The technique and mechanics of fast playing is truly different. All the parts of my fast playing has come by trying and failing in the faster tempos, changing small things to try and make it work better, until slowly (or sometimes suddenly) something clicks and you can do it a little better. THEN i go a little bit down in tempo to clean things up, then up in tempo again, then a little slower, then faster, and so on and so on... This has been my process on both guitar and drums, so it's not just a alternate picking thing, but all fast techniques, on both of my main instruments. If you want to learn alternate picking in 180 bpm, then you'll have to practise at 180 bpm (or at least in the vicinity 150 -180 bpm), and floor it until you feel it! Great stuff :-)

[@JohnPMusic]

These are some concepts I’ve thought about a lot but didn’t know how to approach them. Great video Andy, thanks so much.

[@SRHMusic012]

Andy, thank you very much for taking the time to do this and share your insights. This is a great lesson to focus on musical freedom. I keep looking for ways to stay musical while being able to play some faster lines... Most of the 'speed' and 'sweep' type things (that are easy to find online/youtube) don't seem very musical, to me at least. Keep up the great work.

[@7thString84]

Great, great, great! My most progress within the last years of playing came mostly from psychological views. You are absolutely right, man! Thank you and please keep the vids coming! Cheers from Germany! :)

[@jonbigg7385]

Great lesson. It really gave me some new things to try for my alternate picking. I'd love to hear your thoughts on improving picking hand fretting hand synchronization. That's where I really struggle when I try to go faster.

[@johnnyh64]

Great information! Thanks for sharing Andy!

[@clintn6677]

I started with alternate picking and it's so instilled in my playing that it really takes focus not to alternate. When I first started try economy picking it just felt wrong.

[@zaccyo]

Loving these Andy. Thank you so much!!

[@freddylive4181]

finally someone brings up the subject of relaxation as it pertains to playing the guitar .. Thank You Andy .. keep being hippie dippie.

[@brianolson_music]

Great video. Love it. Thank you.

[@DickenKrr]

Im waiting for the live stream yeahh! Is it on youtube? Or facebook live?

[@rs-xr3ty]

Thanks for all the insight. So much valuable info

[@MarcoEscalante1]

This lesson couldn't have come at a better time.Thank you! I've thought about this concept before, glad to see others do too

[@brentstewart4360]

thanks again for your insight on playing

[@Maxsguitars]

Beautiful lesson!great guitar player, teacher and great guy Andy Wood

[@GeorgeMilkasIgore]

Thanks a lot Andy! Building confidence for speed is a challenge for me! You provide inspiration! Great lesson!

[@nogoogleplus]

Andy you rock, thanks for the awesome vid!

[@haymez]

thanks Andy!

[@djangobass7753]

Very useful. It would be interesting to know how you approach switching strings efficiently from the wrist. My hand keeps wanting to curve in an out rather than straight up and down.

[@troyrahnedir]

Andy!! That was so great!!! Would you be able to talk about guitar set up some time. Where I live there is no access to sophisticated, experienced guitar techs. I'd love to know your thoughts and experience about what you look for in your set up. It'd be really great to know what a pro player's needs and expectations are set up-wise.

[@ScottGailor]

Ill be curious to see this again once the Magnet comes out. Great Video

[@JMnyJohns]

Andy just wanted to thank you again. Every lesson is so clear and useful. And, of course, your technique is absurd. Inspiring.

[@juiceman1807]

Andy, Thank you so much for what you do for us. I have what I call a wall that I run into when trying to play fast. Its like my hands just wont do it, but I keep trying 35 years now. Thanks your info helps!

[@Gtrmanify]

hey Andy Great woodshed man!. I have been doing alternate picking for a long , long time but never actually learned cross picking. I'm digging in , Thanks

[@jacksonallan5659]

This is the most important picking video in existence.

[@andywoodmusic]

🙏🏻

[@zacharyvaccaro5632]

Excellent concept for a video! Please do continue making this kind of content. It is a nice change! Alway' s great feedback from someone who has gone through all of these experiences/ challenges and how to overcome them. Thank you!

[@MikeSealguitar]

Even as a fingerstyle player, I found this lesson to be really insightful. Couldn't agree more, it's so important to believe that you can achieve your goals, knocking down barriers instead of creating them. Really cool to hear your perspective on these topics, thanks for sharing!

[@tommartling2473]

Great lesson Andy. Really appreciate it.

[@CarlosMVOliveira]

Thank you!

[@vubear]

Great episode.

[@dmac7882]

Fascinating insights! The way you describe and link the mental vs muscle game of playing is eye opening . Thanks man, please keep making these and stay well

[@sublyme2157]

You made a lot of great points, thanks Andy.

[@Shagohod1897]

Thank you for the insight, dude! I can play pretty fast but I find that with smooth muscle memory, it's sometimes tricky to "wake it up", so to speak. Focusing on dynamics worked within a few minutes. Much appreciated!

[@jazzercaster4749]

Thank you for this mate.

[@perryguitar1]

Thank you! I’ve been doing this for years( having different techniques in different tempos) and it’s a relief, that I’m not the only one ;-)

[@brettwilliams5363]

Love the "Hippy Dippy" stuff. It's really useful to know what your mind is doing while you are playing at speed. Thanks for the great lessons. I'm really loving them.

[@crazyeddie5558]

Great stuff here, Thanks!

[@luisvillarreal5262]

Enjoying your Woodshed guitar series Andy. The licks your playing reminds me a lot like Eric Johnson's. Very nice and fluid.

[@stephenjohndoohan]

Excellent lesson Andy :)

[@peterball2855]

Thanks for your time and effort in making these videos. Greatly appreciated. Keep em coming please. You’re the man.

[@lonnyhandwork422]

Great video Andy - and so timely for me as I'm trying to finally truly get my chops together after many years of playing. Thanks a lot!

[@jojo2becbec]

So much good info in these videos much appreciated!

[@alonsodelafuente9802]

Thank you so much maestro! Really inspiring words at the end.

[@airbloomamplifiers]

Good insight. Thanks 🙏

[@mikeydavidson8438]

Awesome lesson!!!!!!!!

[@donald-parker]

I love going back over the old episodes - there is always something new to learn. I just hung my guitars on a wall similar to what you have (alternating staggered height). But I used 2 boards at different levels with hangers that hold guitars under their headstock. Somehow you got the staggered height with one board. How are the higher position guitars held in place?

[@winstonsmith7652]

Always love your content. Such a beautiful picking technique, and a lot of wisdom. Thanks.

[@Todd_Connelly]

Dude, this is such a great video. You sir, are the best guitar instructor on the internet. BTW, You could sell what you know. Just... thank you

[@MarkLambertMusic]

I've noticed picking speed is very similar to the concept of passaggio in singing. The passaggio is the bridge between your vocal registers, from the chest voice to the head voice. It's where you're most uncomfortable singing, and it takes a lot of practice to navigate through that awkward register smoothly. When it comes to picking, there is a BPM range between slow and fast picking that most people find awkward. I think it's important to practice picking within that speed range, where you're between the different mechanics of slow picking versus fast.

[@donald-parker]

On fast and "flooring it" .... I saw something recently that made a lot of sense to me". The mental process between fast and slow is completely different. Up to a certain speed, the brain directly controls every movement and waits for feedback from your nerves that the movement is completed, before sending the next instruction. But all this stuff takes time to travel down your nerves to your muscles and back to your brain. After a point, there simply isn't enough time to do this note by note. So you have to train your brain to send "chunks" (like "play a sextuplet", "play another sextuplet"), and train your muscles to interpret these "instruction chunks" vs note by note instructions. When you go fast, besides the physicality, you need to develop a new mental skill and approach to processing feedback.

[@jakefrancis9521]

Great lesson man, you are a great teacher and your explanations are sophisticated but easy to grasp.

[@JimHimProductions]

Andy, thank you so much!!! I think this personally answers to my request. Much love and respect! thank you.

[@MattGregoryGuitar]

Hey Andy - great topic, and mind blowing playing as usual! I know this is a video from a while back and you probably won't get chance to reply, but if you get the chance I have a question: Can you play this stuff cold? As in, do you need to warm up before you can get the fluidity, or do you just have it at your command right out the gate? When I first grab my guitar it's like a foreign object if I try to alternate pick anything and it takes me a long time to start to feel comfortable.

[@andywoodmusic]

yeah this stuff is pretty "available" most of the time. that's the whole concept, so much of it is mental.

[@MattGregoryGuitar]

@@andywoodmusic thanks so much for replying! I guess I need to practice more 😁

[@KellyBack]

Really lovin your insight! 🎸🎶 great player and great teacher!

[@Sandy_Clam]

Awesome, this is pretty much exactly where I'm stuck and feel like I've plateaued in my playing. Thanks for all the advice!

[@jeremystimers]

Great concepts Andy. I’d love to see more of this stuff.