Day 13: Picking Dynamics - 30 Day Guitar Challenge

Dynamics are typically the last technique players truly master. Tons of players can play a zillion notes a second, but when you're playing all of them at the same volume, there's not much soul to your music, it just sounds like a bunch of notes.
In today's lesson we'll dive deep into the art of picking dynamics, teaching you how to control your attack, vary your tone, and infuse your playing with emotion.
Thanks to Eddie Haddad from Guitar Mastery Method for working with us on this project. If you want to go deeper after you make it through our 30 Day Guitar Challenge, you can check them out here: guitarmasterym...
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[@fishboy2011]

As a dyslexic lefty playing righty with ADD I have quite the learning curve that has always been a struggle to learn and follow along with musicians or guitar lessons. My self conscious always had me stop asking how over over to avoid embarrassment. I have walked away from lessons having discussed music theory more confused than when the lesson started. On two occasions my growth was stunted exponentially. This video series has helped reverse that confusion and I am playing better than ever. Thank you Stringjoy. Now please venture into nylon strings so I can use your strings on all my guitars.

[@Emrys345_Guitar]

This is the one video I needed! I play acoustic, and it's too loud with a pic or my picking techniques for my neighbors.

[@rickrevoir1683]

Thank you for the lesson Eddie!!

[@773Spair]

You can also alternate between your pick and your fingers for greater dynamic range.

[@georgeborrego7483]

I like the tips. Very interesting.

[@dw7704]

Learning this stuff made a huge.leap in playing. Like many i once picked to hard most of the time, and gripped the pick too tightly I switched to thicker picks and my grip and picking force lightened up and i gained more control on my sound Eventually these things become second nature and you just play, but use dynamics

[@terryutain9897]

in re: picking ,this was the most important one you've done .Why??? If you use this technique by "feeling" think about it, why are you doing dynamics at all. This is how you use the guitar to truly express yourself. This is the prime element in playing with soul, btw.

[@rexparvin9786]

The simplest, easiest way to understand "picking dynamics" is to tell the student to adjust the amount of pressure you apply to the pick as it sits between the thumb and index finger of the right hand. Less pressure applied to the pick = softer playing. Do nothing more than apply more pressure, and the volume increases. This was never said! Beginning guitarists tend to grip the pick too hard. I ask my students, as an exercise, to play as quietly as they can. When they play quietly, they find that this only happens by a looser hold on the pick. He never said this simple formula, the secret to "picking dynamics": less finger pressure on the pick means less volume from the guitar, increase the pressure on the pick means louder response from the guitar. It's so easy, but was not expressed in those words which make it more understandable for learners. One more thing: this teaching series is built around electric guitar playing. It is my observation that the majority of guitar learners are learning and playing on acoustic guitars. I think this video series would be greatly improved by addressing acoustic guitar playing, and all the nuances involved in the picking, strumming, and different techniques of moving around an acoustic guitar fretboard.

[@Stringjoy]

Thanks for the tip on pressure Rex. This series isn't for beginners-it's a 30 day back-to-basics challenge for more intermediate and advanced players. We worked hard to ensure that all (or nearly all) lessons are applicable for acoustic guitar as well as electric guitar. I think people get a bit too hung up on what guitar the instructor is holding and forget that playing electric and acoustic guitar are more similar than they are dissimilar.

[@johnhartley3022]

Honestly, there were some changes in gain but tonally…..pretty much the same. Try that through a Victoria or other dynamic, touch sensitive amp, or an acoustic guitar to really get your point across

[@paulscheirer2368]

Adds personality to your playing. Great lessons. Wish i would have learned a lot of these techniques a few decades ago!!