Learning flat picking accuracy ?

Hi, one of my viewers, Donnybrook8051 asked about how to learn to "accurately" pick the right notes on the right string at the right time.
Frankly this was a challenge to answer as I picked it up decades ago, and I think that many of us - who aren't performing every day, may still make mistakes from time to time.
It is about "muscle memory" or "motor skills" of course, and the old cliche of practice x 99 is the obvious answer.
However, I've come up with a method that might just help "programme" your picking hand. I'd like folks who have this challenge to try it and let me know what they think. Maybe it can be improved ?

[@cristiansperanta4802]

Really helpful…love you approach of not over complicating…keep it simple. 😊

[@SillyMoustache]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks, Andy

[@VincentCaruso-o2m]

Andy great stuff - better stuff is how vibrant and alive you look - seems like things are going your way thank the good Lord

[@andrewbowen6875]

Hey you beat me to it. For those of us who have been around for some time and seen what Andy been through it really is quite something

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, thanks, I'll send your comments to my make-up department! Well, I'm still suffering from the SSHL - wearing hearing aids but have little hearing in my right ear. Had by third injection into my inner ear last Tuesday. Thanks for yuor interest.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks Andrew,

[@mgn2949]

I was so interested and amazed to see this video, really great! I will re-watch and practice as soon as my guitar arrives. Thank you Andy. 👋

[@SillyMoustache]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnwashburn3793]

Hello Andy, I Saw you pop up on my phone a couple of busy days ago. Many family obligations.. I truly appreciate you. This is an excellent video! I also appreciate you for not chastising me and others for speaking a"American" I have heard it before and I cannot help but try to speak proper American. I continue to struggle with a need to engage you as a mentor. Simply because I would enjoy the opportunity and it is less expensive than an airplane ticket. Perhaps you could help me with my singing... Anyway, thank you. You are appreciated and enjoyable.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi John, You've confused me with the "speaking American" part, but never mind. Regarding mentoring you, I'm not doing much since the sudden deafness thing, but I've recovered enough hearing with my "aids" suitably adjusted, so if you'd like to arrange an initial zoom meeting, then why not? Best, Andy.

[@angusdevine7045]

Hiya, great straight forward video, and your looking brighter n more relaxed, carry on getting better !

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, Angus, I do hope that you find this useful. I'll pass your kind remarks on to my makeup department ! Best, Andy.

[@emilmalinov2893]

Love the detailed process explanation. I am just starting out learning guitar, and have been trying to do a bit without looking. Learning the notes in the chord while at it. I like that.

[@SillyMoustache]

Glad to help! Why not let me know how you get on with this method.

[@emilmalinov2893]

@SillyMoustache definitely will. I am encouraged it will work, by your advice. I was closing my eyes while learning to touch type on split keyboard with different key layout. Of course there is a lot more at play with guitar. But removing visual input actually increased the processing bandwidth available. While scary at first, it brought results faster overall. Il see how I go. Another thing I did was to do a short session just before going to bed, and soon after waking up. That allowed my subconeto be processing while I slept. Let's see how I go.

[@paulphillips5304]

Very good , thanks , always something new.👍

[@SillyMoustache]

I try ! and I always welcome questions or suggestions.

[@williambarco7144]

Great lesson. My worst habit, looking at the fretboard all the time. 👍👍

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi William, it is a very common restriction to learning. There are times, if going from first position to 3rd or 4th position - it isn't "against the law but to familiarise your hands with common chord progressions and melody notes etc., it is necessary to allow your hands to become "automatic". Let me know if I can help.

[@williambarco7144]

@@SillyMoustache Right on, Thanks.

[@sirlaw2930]

I will pay more attention to my posture and body awareness while playing. Closing eyes while playing sounds fun.

[@SillyMoustache]

and really works ! Thanks for watching.

[@russellr1509]

Thank you some great information.

[@SillyMoustache]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clintdickens3825]

Thank you and that guitar sounds great

[@SillyMoustache]

and thank you for watching! That is my 2003 Collings 0002h. I think it has reached its optimum now.

[@alanattfield7174]

Take your time i had to learn but it's taking it slowly and building up

[@SillyMoustache]

Something my clients have taught me - is that everyone learns at their own speed and in their own way. It's my job as a teacher/mentor, is to learn how each individual responds best.

[@hubertlavelle7554]

Thank you

[@SillyMoustache]

You're welcome - as I had to devise a methodology, I'd be interested in your feedback. Best, Andy

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

Great video.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks!

[@simonmiles1972]

This is such good advice. I wish I had trained my muscle memory from the off. Took me ages to retrain myself not to constantly look at my hands. And the older we get, the more posture matters - or that’s how it is for me anyway!

[@tony59able]

Exactly this couldn’t put it better. Chord changes I found difficult became second nature when I stopped looking. Thanks to you and of course to Silly!

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Simon, thanks for your kind comments. Thing is, if you want to share your music (like with an audience) you need to sing and play ... to them, and you can't do that looking down.

[@keithchilvers7434]

We didn't only play in G or D, remember Didmarton where the Friday night jam was always in D and the Saturday night jam in A 😉

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Keith (Collings F5 guy?) I didn't go to Didders that often but by saying that everything was in G I'm probably thinking of my first ever bluegrass band in Hertfordshire. How are you doing and where are yu doing it?

[@keithchilvers7434]

@@SillyMoustache I think it was the convention for the evening jams at Didmarton in order to make them as inclusive as possible. D and A are the easiest keys for beginner fiddle and mandolin players while guitarists and banjo players can easily capo up if they are happier with G or C shapes. I am retired now, at 78 my days of humping musical implements around are done. I just play for myself now, going back over what I used to do and trying to do it better. No, sadly I don't have a Collings F5.

[@andrewbowen6875]

Hey we love it when subscribers have good questions and ideas. Using a pick has always felt like an extra extension to me that is tricky to control. I developed a method of using the back of my nail as a pick.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, well that is essentially "frailing" - like Maybelle Carter's "scratch"? Do you play the melody lines on bass strings with yuor thumbnail?

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@SillyMoustache yes I do but what a difference it made last night just following the tips on posture and not tipping the fretboard towards me. I wouldn’t have believed that it would make such a difference to my playing with a pick in terms of accuracy and feel. Great video

[@johncarlo7395]

I'd check that Moustache for wild life if I were you, I'm sure I saw some movement.

[@worshipGod001]

If your right leg is parallel to the floor you'd be lying down😂😂😂❤

[@SillyMoustache]

Sigh, deep breath. Ok Mr Literal, replace leg with upper thigh. OK?

[@chewyfingers1288]

My problem is timing and rhythm. I also only play for my dog. He doesn’t mind.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, perhaps I could help wit a face to face zoom session or two?

[@chewyfingers1288]

@ I appreciate the offer. Been a long time watcher. I’m ok with my level. And don’t plan to play for anyone else. Love your vids though. Especially the ones about guitar history and development. 👍

[@rharoldkane4447]

Hey Silly, what acoustic box model are you pickin' here?

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, that is my 2003 Collings 0002h.

[@rharoldkane4447]

Sounds good ​@@SillyMoustache

[@keestoft250]

Hi Andy, it's obviously a trick of the camera, but your Collings always looks bigger than a 000 to me? It's my favourite of all your guitars. Have you ever tried a size 0000 martin, like the M36? I've never played one, but they're highly regarded by session players because of their versatility, 000 body depth but 16" lower bout like a dreadnought.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, my guitar is an "original" 000 Auditorium design 15" lower bout. Not seen a 0000, but I've seen an M36 years ago which would be an inch wider. I once had a Martin J-40 - my wife said it looked as if I was hiding behind it! Maybe I'm getting smaller, Dreads are 15 & 5/8" ...but what about the point I'm making?

[@jasper_north]

Flat picking? I see a bass and then a downstrum?

[@SillyMoustache]

Uhuh. but we know that there is FAR more than that ....... don't we?