How To Become A Downpicking God

WHAT IS UP GUYS!So today i share with you a small technique i use to help me with my downpicking! apply this to your playing and you will be a DOWNPICKING GOD IN NO TIME!
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[@muhduzair9137]

Who comes here to actually learn Master of puppets ?

[@HenryPiffpaff]

I'm not here to "learn" it. I'm here to MASTER it! Okay, I suck...

[@noah4517]

@@HenryPiffpaff nice one

[@HenryPiffpaff]

@@noah4517 Thanks :>

[@natashab8110]

me lol

[@nimashirandasht3327]

Me too lol

[@villyexplorer9482]

It's crazy to think about how much better down picking sounds compared to alternate/tremolo picking in when it comes to metal! Master Of Puppets with alternate picking is just not the same...

[@mattriffmaster]

Totally agree BRO!

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

alternate picking for Master of Puppets must be illegal....even if i have 5 years playing guitar and still can't play the damn song, cuz that shit hurts a lot

[@sukitta2]

In single notes it doesnt matter, but in a power chord the difference is enough to sound... well, different.

[@keris3920]

HeyVince Same. My up picks are almost identical to my down picks. Chords are the only place where the difference matters with my playing style since the order I'd be hitting the strings changes between up and down strokes.

[@thecasualdude9271]

Even guitar god like petrucci used alternate picking when he plays master of puppets then i realize Hetfield is something.

[@AndreaMercurioMusic]

Next step : become an UP-PICKIN' god.

[@christopher4443]

Pat Metheny

[@NHR_Music]

I can play a lot of songs at speeds like Seattle 89 or at a faster than normal speed and I have a few tips as well. 1. Learn the song first (If you don't know it already) 2. Warm up with slower songs first (This will warm up your wrist a lot and make it easier to play the faster songs) 3. If you can't play at full speed. Practice a lot everyday and you will get there in no time. 4. You can use the Hetfield two-finger picking technique. (Your hand will need less space to move and your hand will sit more stable on the bridge) (Optional if you don't find this comfortable) 5. Relax. 6. Don't push yourself too much and try to not strain your hand. 7. Play the palm muted notes with less effort and the open notes with a little bit more power. 8. Get a heavy tone, a monster guitar and be James Hetfield (lol)

[@AtlasGuitar]

Changing to the Hetfield two-finger grip helped my downpicking immensely.

[@kristijankocjancic3236]

MrSpidey457 What I find interesting is that I started out with Hetfield's picking style, even though I had no idea who he is back then.

[@MKDumas1981]

Also, hang the guitar so that, when your arm and hand hang naturally, the pick, at rest, is between the third and fourth strings. That's the most efficient position. Also also, in the riff Matt played, those F power chords gave him a chance to rest.

[@fatihalt]

@@MKDumas1981 Holy shit, this is epic. All of the tips here combined, practiced enough, will make anyone James Hetfield in no time! I can feel the difference already, and I'm tired from hours of playing.

[@umerraja2655]

Question: I can downpick really well holding the pick like James, but when alternate picking the pick gets caught on the strings on upstrokes, any idea what I'm doing wrong? I don't notice James change anything between alternate and downpicking sections (I'm using his signature Dunlop picks)

[@J155P]

It's not the blood building up that causes the pain, it's lactic acid.

[@AtlasGuitar]

Another trick is to start out playing guitar by learning Metallica. Then you just have to learn how to alternate pick, instead... That's what I've done.

[@will2sick]

same here. I thought playing like that was normal.

[@MetallicaLiveChannel]

Same for me but now i have some difficulty to alternate picking on some part of metallica's solo

[@VirtualBliss888]

Atlas Guitar yeah I can’t alt pick for shit. I’ve gotten use to downpicking though so it doesn’t hurt as much anymore so I guess I’ll stick to downpicking riffs. Yes it limits your ability on guitar but It doesn’t matter.

[@djmelodix6868]

Me too

[@lostheboss7938]

Same

[@bandavidban]

I just played Creeping Death and Master of Puppets until I got them right

[@GabrielAugustomisterkakuna]

Down picking takes a bigger tool in the arm than masturbation. Think about that kids.

[@austriandeathmachine8829]

Different muscles doe

[@Maxbev14]

The main and tail riff from Master of Puppets would by my best example for riff practice

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

ok, that hurts a lot bruh

[@MrOrb1979]

"Blackened" Bro. Intro riff I think is one of the most fastest riff played by Metallica.

[@sexxistexxi]

Creeping death is better

[@youreadopted3960]

Also natural born killer is a wrist riff

[@damienalvarez2957]

Another tip is to consider the way you hold your pick. James Hetfield holds his picks using three fingers (thumb, index, and middle). I’ve actually been doing this lately and it surprised me with how much easier and more accurate my picking technique has become.

[@iliana_b]

cool trick! another tip is to absolutely make your warm ups first... it doesn't have to be on tempo, start slowly and build up from there. an espresso helps too!

[@giftjohnson9613]

I've practiced intro of master of puppets a milion time but still i cannot match the speed of papa Het. He is a downpickin beast. No one can match the perfect rhytmic execution skills of papa

[@mattriffmaster]

Try this and you will be too!

[@giftjohnson9613]

Ty Matt for this video

[@mattriffmaster]

Anytime my friend!

[@benjaminherbst811]

Giftson Johnson there are MOP backing tracks at lower speeds

[@MKDumas1981]

Challenge accepted. My band wrote a song that, when written, it was alt-picked, but, I went all Papa Het, and dped it.

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Great video Matt! So happy for you to almost be at 10k! Been watching for a long time man. You deserve it!

[@yelsgup3541]

i play bass so downpicking is even harder, but when i started playing i didnt know it was even possible to do anything other than downpicking so for the first half year or so i did nothing but downpicking. i was reading online about people struggling to play master of puppets and was confused because i was able to play the guitar part on bass after only a month or so. i felt like such a moron when i figured out what alternate picking was 🤦‍♂️

[@noahraab2429]

Task failed successfully.

[@yelsgup3541]

@@noahraab2429 update 2 years later, i still play bass and alternate pick very well 😂😂

[@mertgucer3295]

Thanks, helped a lot!

[@davolthe1261]

Ok wow why i didn't try this before it makes ALOT difference. Thank you so much lol, that's crazy!

[@BarnyardTheSilverback]

Pretty freaking awesome dude! I've actually seen Hetfield do that and some of their live videos so it makes perfect sense.🤘

[@davidoneill2254]

Sooo tight, nice one matt

[@metalheadzac9119]

Thanks Matt! I’ll try this out when I play guitar later

[@austinalanis4004]

Thanks Matt that’s actually pretty helpful I’ve been meaning to improve how I play MOP. Thanks for the great bid

[@austinalanis4004]

Vid

[@lakan_umali]

Thanks a lot man!

[@seanofarrell8896]

Good video bro I liked the video you did with kaosware riff battle. It is good

[@user-ir2bj3re1z]

I will give this technic a shot👍 Thanks

[@ConClavi]

I kinda figured out on my own lol, I thought my brain is making it up but thanks so much for showing us this:) very helpful:)

[@findeagan5794]

Thankyou so much for this video

[@danielchrisronan2281]

I taught myself to play guitar, mostly through memorization. The weird part is I taught myself by downpicking the whole time. Lol I had absolutely no idea it was a "difficult thing to do" I do know it IS difficult to keep it up tho. Many hours of cramps, spasms, & lock ups. I thought those pains just came with the territory. Goes to show teaching yourself things is not always the best method of learning.

[@KaoswareMetal]

Nice!!Also, that drum beat sounds very familiar hehe ;)

[@Blueesteel_]

Very useful little trick

[@Colakaktus]

Just recently found this so abit late to the party.... I swear i could not figure out what was wrong with my technique. I had the wrist down but eventually I just got tension building in my elbow. I had not seen anyone point out the elbow forward part and that was it. INSTANTLY noticed faster and easier downpicking. Thank you

[@dylanchavez1404]

Awesome video can’t wait to try this. I also like to bend the thumb of my picking hand (and pick with three fingers), but after a few repetitions of creeping death the thumb straightens. I am a new player so does my thumb just need to strengthen? Thanks!

[@smg2993]

It helps standing and playing. It works for me

[@lukejones5053]

Good video dude :), know this is going sound mental but I try to learn every song I play all down picking and learn it alternative so I can play either on demand ha

[@IvoSousa]

i've been doing that shoulder thing instictively and beeing relaxed also helps a lot, the more you practice the more you figure things out

[@CJ_YT.]

Same

[@chasewillian9010]

Thank you!

[@b.cguitarcovers2347]

Cool buddy!👍

[@ShrubPlays]

Sweeeeeeeeet tip. This shall come in good use. (: \m/

[@dennisempey4442]

Thanks for all your help. Love the reaction videos , love the lessons. What's your favorite guitar you that own? Keep it up man , cheers from Saskatchewan

[@mattriffmaster]

Hey ! Thank you! Currently my favourite to play is the ESP EII

[@kieronphillips63]

Awesome lesson here man. /,,/ I admit I'm no downpicker by any means I prefer alternate for sheer comfort. But I know there are just some riffs that cannot be done alternate picked. (I refer to creeping death and master of puppets of course ) but I'm deffo going to try use this technique to help my down picking when it calls for it /,,/

[@dominic18719]

I have to try this!

[@droodmetal1797]

Thank you, from Alabama!

[@gmobile6991]

We all know we're here because of master of puppets

[@bigd2829]

yep lol

[@WilliamMoscato-jw4hx]

Yep

[@cristobalnieves]

You will make it big one day

[@stevenmontano5154]

That’s funny. Nightmare Logic was the reason I immediately came to this video.

[@angeloalexander3181]

Buen video. Saludos desde Chile :D

[@caseyjones4094]

I always heard that playing through sanitarium helps a lot because it's a decent down picking speed when it gets to the heavy chugging part

[@erickjairmucinoantonio6823]

Cool! Great video! Greetings from México

[@mattriffmaster]

Thanks buddy!!

[@erickjairmucinoantonio6823]

Matt The Riff Master thanks to you man

[@machello9]

I do that all the time man. I noticed that in the movie through the never and other live stuff, but that live show in particular during Master Of Puppets when the crosses come up from the stage after the solo he tends to stay in that position 'cause it's a fast downpicking part, and live is even faster. Just to say.

[@zalcreed71]

I like your pfp, how can I get it?

[@zalcreed71]

I like your pfp, how can I get it?

[@machello9]

@@zalcreed71 google images I guess hahah

[@zalcreed71]

@@machello9 can't find it dude, do u have Instagram so I can ask you to send that pic? I really want it

[@arrrrrran3043]

until a few days ago i could down pick nearly the whole of master of puppets but suddenly i cant anymore

[@harleypeterson2433]

I'm trying to get my downpicking to Hetfield/BFMV speed. Gonna be a lot of practice lol

[@mattriffmaster]

You got this 🤟🏻🍺

[@foreverSylosis777]

I really want to downpick Waking the demon and Ashes of innocent for BFMV ,but never can do that haha ,will try this way later to see if it works :) really nice video

[@Aymungoos]

Also James 3 finger picking technique makes it easier

[@jackchallis7855]

If u hold the pick with three fingers, it makes palm mutes sound better and feel easier

[@avadie4117]

RiP Sneakbyte

[@maxnawas8405]

AvaDie Don’t worry. The Snakebyte is now in a happy new home

[@avadie4117]

Max Nawas i really hope so :(

[@maxnawas8405]

I know it is, because I bought it from him

[@davidoneill2254]

Thought he had 2 snakebytes?? Still got 1 matt?

[@maxnawas8405]

He still has the black one

[@ricromo]

The intro from The Number Of The Best is a good choice for practicing downpicking too

[@robertolsen9721]

Yes! And also Princess of the night with Saxon.

[@necronorris]

I did't realize how shit my down picking was until Stranger Things came out and my nephew started bugging me to learn Master of Puppets.

[@nmnmnm9509]

My friends I use this technique and think James uses similar it in very fast down picking Indeed i use 2 different moves The first is ordinary move of hand and wrist that every body can do it but i use my fingers and wirst and between each storke i add 2 or 3 little stork almost by finger (and a little move of wirst) you can play 16 and 32 notes or triple notes very tight. it's not very hard you must reach to a harmony in time of each storke but you can play very fast and no need huge stamina at all. Unfortunately i didn't see anyone mentioned to this way truly but it's the best technique of playing down picking. You can try it !

[@GunpowderGaming]

The fast section of Sanitarium is good practice

[@mickbaruffa590]

*Johnny Ramone has joined the chat*

[@tonypoole3383]

This technic helped me play master of puppets better

[@funkchurro]

Great you didn`t try to waste anybody's 10 minutes!

[@Gerald950]

Lol James does this a lot. you can see this motion in the live clips :D

[@gabyvera6508]

Damn, I can't believe this is true, I've been downpicking the ass out of my arm till the riff changes and I could relax hahaha and now I know how take "little rests" and keep it consistent. It's awkward because I've been playing for more than 10 years and then leave, now I've started again after 4/5 year without touching the guitar and it's like BOOM, downpicking unlocked

[@fynn_5875]

I lmao at this title! Fucking great

[@sp0223]

i somehow strangely started downpicking really good and i remember about a week ago that i could play master of puppets pretty cool but now i cant downpick so well. It's probably because my muscles got tired

[@Alex-et1yn]

same i just feel like i lost all of my progress

[@TheOneWayDown]

I have a buddy who is a bit of an alt picking purist. Of course it's the more important technique, but I want to learn songs the way they were meant to be played if I can

[@chilidem]

"Down picking is for losers." - Dave Mustaine, probably

[@claytonl7349]

Lmao

[@marcusviniciusrochasantos2289]

Dave Mustaine dowpicks in many Megadeth songs lol

[@chilidem]

@@marcusviniciusrochasantos2289 Thanks, mom.

[@marcusviniciusrochasantos2289]

@@chilidem I'm not your mom dude, just sayin, quit bitching

[@chilidem]

@@marcusviniciusrochasantos2289 Ok, mom.

[@cheguevara1289]

"Matt the riff master"

[@Lcky-gu2gi]

😮 Ooohhh Noooooowww I know its time to try this

[@ofnir123]

Remember, no matter what you do, warm up first. You,re gonna get a few PBMs just from that, and long term it's better for avoiding injuries

[@MRKABOOM12]

This actually fucking works

[@darkoFNFN]

My right forearm is bigger because of down picking. But most people think of another reason...

[@kekkakaka8503]

Whatsup Matt!

[@mattriffmaster]

DUDE!! Where you been!

[@shagstars]

When palm muted there is almost no difference for me, when open chords are used then yeah it does but you can switch around when needed.

[@jdom503]

Actually use a grip strengthener . Squeeze it at the speeds you will pick at ans for the time frames relative to the time your be playing. Change speeds and do this for 2 hours. The pains of playing wont effect you as you will be training to go way beyond this. Also do this with other hand but squeeze for fret control. Do this so you can use ring finger on power cords and spider technique. Having your pinkey free to accent and or hit harmonics will make you faster and sound crisper. Hope this helps as it has been passed down to me from someone who had it passed to him by the spider god himself.

[@freyabird]

That made it more difficult for me I don’t know why

[@creepymcpeepers]

I’m gonna try

[@mattriffmaster]

🤟🏻😈🤟🏻 do it

[@MiniMight]

I can only downpick because I can't seem to get my hand to properly mute the strings

[@ablazingrat3493]

Guys use this technique and just play disposable heroes, blackened, creeping death, through the never, master of puppets, and battery a bunch of times and that'll do the trick within at least 2-3 months

[@DP-eb2yn]

That was fat as man . What tuning is your guitar in. Mean as sound .. Cheers for the tip 🤘👹🤘🇦🇺 Subbed

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

My problem is that I know how to downpick but my hand muscle memory forgets sometimes even with conscious as I try to build speed.

[@flyingdutchman80]

Where can I get that skull and hat thats on your rig? It's cool and I want it.

[@BruteProductions]

How about the palm? rest at a string all the time or move with a wrist?

[@theanonymous4859]

Thank now i can downpick master of puppets and i fell like jaymz

[@rememberme3156]

I wish I could downpick as fast as I could on air guitar

[@nighthawk9532]

I was trying to play “Down for life” by Testament and the whole song is down picking and it’s like insanely fast like twice as fast as your downpicking I just can’t get it up to speed and when I do get it up to speed my fkn arm hurts I guess that’s why it’s bad to play alternative rock music but also want to play metal music

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

you'll call me idiot, but other thing that works its start downpicking with metronome, from slow to fast bpm's.....that works for Master of Puppets.....

[@mikaelthebard5068]

I never was really into fast downpicking. My alternate picking is insanely fast tho cus literally all I play is thrash.

[@SimpleKiid]

Feel so bad when watching this becaus i cant feel the "relife" while downpicking and trying this technique =(

[@mattriffmaster]

FOCUS

[@batuhandogan5661]

How to become a BRI'ISH accent GOD

[@GhostofRhurValley]

Tried it , cramped up after 15 seconds

[@mattriffmaster]

Should have warmed up first bud

[@psteeg3551]

looks like a great tip to give an "internal cue" to tell the right arm to relax. Do you also have some specific tips for the right hand itself? What do you do (and NOT do) with your picking hand when downpicking

[@colinclark1981]

Quick question, can you recomend and distortion pedals that can get somewhat close to metallicas RTL , MOP, AJFA and HWTSD tone? My budget is around 200$ just a good chug tone. Im looking into the evh 5150 signature pedal.

[@mattriffmaster]

Just buy a Blackstar amp ha ha that’s all the chug you need

[@mattriffmaster]

You will never get a pedal that will get close to all of the tones dude it’s just not possible nor is it to get close to these tones my friend if you want a chug heavy tone check out some Blackstar Amps that’s all I use for my covers

[@youreadopted3960]

I can transform a simple metallica song to an iron maiden one

[@adriang2332]

Is resting or "anchoring" on my guitar a good idea?

[@dieselviper7811]

Of course

[@altermann1ify]

My problem is that the faster I go, the more notes I miss hit. It'd be easier too if not for the palm muting as well.

[@mattriffmaster]

Start off slow and get the accuracy then build up speed gradually bud

[@user-kv4zc3qu3s]

So, this video has nothing in common with becoming a downpicking god, anyways , thank you for trying

[@maxmolodtsov]

I believe mighty Jon Schaffer from Iced Earth does the exact same thing!

[@underzerogravity8184]

how are those blackstar amps? I have a bs combo amp, I'm thinking of upgrading to a marshal head and cabinet but now seeing those has me thinking

[@mattriffmaster]

Blackstar Rock! I swear by them and used them for years and a proud blackstar artist ! Very versatile and rocking !

[@underzerogravity8184]

@@mattriffmaster ok, so are you using a 100 watt head and 4 by 12 inch speaker cabinet?

[@nicolasboisvert2737]

Have you ever played bass? If yes you should try to down pick a bass

[@aguareszegular1817]

Easy ,je joue depuis toujours en downpicking