Fast Picking Mastery: Decoding the Paul Gilbert Lick🎸🔥

[@peteryork6452]

I’ve been in a speed rut with the PG lick for the best part of 15 years. I felt like I’d tried everything. Didn’t feel the planting technique was going to make any difference. A few weeks in and it exposed a huge flaw in my playing. Id spent so long practicing just the string crossing part, I’ve realised that all of my pick strokes have been the same width (not economical at all) Planting has made my strokes much tighter. I’ve immediately gained 20 bpm on my picking. Thanks Jon!!

[@JonBjork]

That’s so awesome to hear Peter! I’m really trying hard to get the word out that HOW you practice makes the biggest difference😊

[@joevallandingham2605]

Agreed. This was the first speed picking exercise I ever played. It's such a staple. This should just be called "the speed picking exercise." 😂

[@JonBjork]

Yes!

[@NickATFGuitarMan]

Been practicing this lick 30 years. I learned something new. You can do so much with it .

[@JonBjork]

Awesome!

[@s4tchowns]

Your last few videos have been straight fire! I try to approach practice in a new way and your videos are extremely helpful. My main goals at the moment include awareness, focus and patience. While I do think working on my technique is important, I almost think cultivating a good mindset is equally valuable. Anyway, your efforts are appreciated and not taken for granted! Thanks Jon!

[@JonBjork]

Thank you Simon! Totally agree on the mindset, hard to get better at anything if you don’t approach it the right way😊

[@6nosis]

I 3rd that... if you let it- frustration - will completely ruin a month of practice. You will be so upset then uninspired to reach for your instrument. So be water my friend, water off a ducks bootay.

[@dougsteeleguitar]

I LOOOOOVE PG. Saw Racer X in the early 90's 3 or 4x. same with Cacophony. Now I'm old lol.

[@fretfirestudio]

your videos are very helpful, I knew this lick from 10 years but your explanation really help to break that barrier just after one practice. Thank you so much..

[@JonBjork]

Awesome to hear man!

[@GuitarJiuJitsuSkateboarding]

Great. Thanks Jon.

[@JonBjork]

Thanks Ben!

[@GuitarJiuJitsuSkateboarding]

@@JonBjork I actually had Paul Gilbert’s intense Rock VHS… on cassette tape recorded FROM a friends video/tv. I didn’t have a VHS player for many years back then. Wore it out. 😂

[@timhansen5162]

Another great video, once again! Thanks Jon!

[@JonBjork]

Thank you Tim!

[@shaharbar]

Happy comment, thank you for the insight and tips! Always appreciate your content!

[@JonBjork]

Thank you!

[@REIRBL]

very good! thanks!👍👍👍👍

[@JonBjork]

Thank you!

[@anderssvard4117]

Sjukt bra Jon! Precis det här du ska göra😊!!!

[@JonBjork]

Tack Anders!

[@michaelsly8565]

Love the videos. I assume access to the tab is only available on the site until the next one comes out?

[@JonBjork]

Thanks! No, you have access to everything published up to that point and what’s coming up.

[@ShredForth]

George Lynch plays this pattern at the beginning of the Unchain the Night solo.

[@JonBjork]

That he did, with a great tone as well!

[@efwfew]

As soon as I saw Paul Gilbert in the title I already knew what the lick is. Although you mention it's not really Paul Gilbert, I just assigned it to him. This lick and some string skipping is instant paul gilbert

[@JonBjork]

Like I said in the video, I find it fascinating that he basically played this lick/exercise so much that he bent the universe to his will and made it his own:D

[@jfo3000]

@Jon Bjork Well it's the first lick he showed on his first instructional video, that's probably why he's known for it. Probably lots of guys didn't need any of the other licks after this one, it's that powerful. Although I permutated another lick on there 8 ways and made it a huge part of my style.

[@qwertyzxcv123]

@@JonBjork you really hate Paul Gilbert, don't you?

[@permanentwaves4621]

What model guitar is that?

[@PanteRan]

The dime magic is to make every tone count just like a great composer!!! And a pretty good guitar player...loved this one but im not objective

[@CarlMornerR]

Tja Jon! Undervisar du privat i Stockholm utanför Skype?

[@JonBjork]

Hallå Carl! Kör bara via Skype, tror även att du skulle kunna ge mig lektioner lika gärna:D

[@CarlMornerR]

@@JonBjork Jag förstår, säg till om du skulle ändra dig! Har själv undervisat ganska mycket via nätet och om jag själv ska ta en lektion skulle jag vilja vara i rummet för att verkligen kunna se osv osv. Du fattar nog hur jag menar! Om inte annat vore det kanske trevligt att stråla samman någon gång och dricka kaffe och spela gitarr, du är välkommen hem till mig!

[@TomatePasFraiche]

Happy comment

[@JonBjork]

😀

[@shredgardener9231]

I've seen Guthrie played this starting with an upstroke. But for me, this is more efficient. Inside picking feels very unnatural to me. And i'm no Guthrie.

[@JonBjork]

It’s good to practice both though or you might find yourself having issues playing certain things.

[@shredgardener9231]

@@JonBjork will try

[@jfo3000]

@shredgardener Yes practice the inside picking more than the outside. That is what you need! I know because I do this as well.