MASTER 2 Note per String Picking with THIS Workout!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching! Now head over to my Patreon page and grab the practice tracks and TAB so that you can MASTER 2 note per string runs!!! www.patreon.com/posts/74178760?

[@JesusRamirez-vt6lk]

Hello Ben, thanks for your lessons. I can get pretty fast with an upstroke instead of down. I've always picked like this without even thinking about it. Is this the reason why it feels so awkward when I start and end the runs on a downstroke? Do you recommend to do away with starting with an upstroke?

[@setexan7198]

Other than the real stretchy licks, picking has been my Achilles heel. As much as I practice, I can’t seem to master it even after 34 years of playing.

[@jonwanrocks]

just when i started to feel a little lazy for doing 2-note-per-string lines lately, uncle ben swoops in to validate!

[@everennui1]

If you asked a caveman to make 5 grunts, they would be the pentatonic scale. It's part of our soul. Totally know what you mean though. Haha.

[@harleyosterlund5796]

Well ain’t that some shit. Literally 30 minutes of this and I raised my 6 note pentatonic lick 10bpm I’ve been stagnant at 90 bpm for 25 years The small little 5 note pattern idea combined with the pauses plus the pick slant actually worked. Why do I feel like I need to send you a 100 bucks? Thanks The Man in Tan!

[@BenEller]

I’m so happy to help!!! Heck, you can do even better (and cheaper) by joining my Patreon! TONS of bonus material and practice tracks over there for ya!

[@LeonTodd]

The gambale "Chopbuilder" energy is strong on that intro!

[@andywoodmusic]

I want to master it.

[@BenEller]

You’re going to make it

[@zacharyanway5775]

The best teacher strikes again ❤ Now I can finally impress my father

[@KingBeevr]

Father… or stepfather?

[@billyarsenault1970]

Well that’s nice for a change- Bens students usually only have eyes for their step-mom.

[@zacharyanway5775]

@@KingBeevr I’ll take either

[@mikesurel5040]

I cannot believe you had an exercise with a deliberate rest and did not add your usual tip about watching out for tension. Of all the tips you have given on this channel that is one of the ones that has helped me the most!

[@TJTinerella]

I only watch to hear Ben say "at step Dad speed" lol ....but seriously I wish I had KZbin and a Ben Eller channel in 1974 and on..... Even after 40 years of guitar playing Ben's Ch. gives me LOTS of new stuff....PS 2 note per has been my bread and butter stuff for 30 years

[@stewpauc1232]

I’ve seen a lot of explanations of pick slanting and that was probably the best one I’ve heard/seen.

[@sorenahlback]

I bought a white Charvel-Jackson Model 6 1986 and owned it until 2020. A real shred machine with an amazing neck very similar to Bens here. And as always a great lesson.

[@faccsmachine]

After cutting off the tip of my middle-finger yesterday, this lesson kept the shred-train rolling. Thanks Ben!

[@jayseb]

Ah the downward picking thing... I remember back in the day when my teacher told me to never use this as it wasn't "appropriate" technique. But as any good student in the 90's, I still went with it for years and has serve me so well through the decades. Great video, great technique 😉

[@deanrobertnoble138]

I seemed to have developed the reverse of this; same principle but i have upward pick slanting but always start a phrase with an upstroke. I guess it just equates to the same thing; escaping the strings. Great video; thankyou!

[@sundroppunk1280]

Thanks for giving props to Troy. As you mentioned his discoveries are phenomenal. You’ve managed to remain authentic with your approach to content and I appreciate and respect that immensely. Another great practice technique; thank you for sharing!

[@brandoncook2560]

I was just working on this with a student today. There’s a long thing in Hook in Mouth that has a fair amount of two note per string groups, I sent this to him right away! Thanks for the insights.

[@davidgerlach1132]

I warm up along with this video A LOT! It's fantastic how Uncle Ben has time to teach us good folks the tricks of the love for always playing guitar. Shows dedication, and patience. :)

[@dannyspitzer1267]

I need this, definite weak spot for me (among many)

[@susysilva6028]

Ben, I have been playing guitar for 48 years and used to play in a rock club in the 80’s on broadway San Francisco. I so wish I learned this picking technique a long time ago. I practice it now and simply love it! Thank you so much for explaining it and showing it in detail with the camera. Keep it going. Victor 🥂

[@davidjean2635]

Pure unadulterated magic right here! I love me some Zakk pentatonic madness, but could never seem to figure out how he moved those big mitts so fast 😂. Well Uncle Ben delivers another “This is so obvious, you will never think of it” moment! Thanks again!

[@BTP40]

Lol dang dude been playin 20 yrs and this "easy sounding" is not easy! Love It and ur vids bro

[@KrwiomoczBogurodzicy]

08:24 - Cracking the code

[@InsolentMusicalPeasant]

You always go above and beyond with the backing tracks. Even my slow, clumsy fingers can manage with the slower tempos you provide. Much appreciated!

[@mojodojo5533]

Another awesome lesson. Missed you at the Shed with the Boyz Saturday night. Great great show!

[@SuperMozzman]

This is great. I've always used a lazy mix of economy and legato for this stuff and whilst I can do it pretty quick the alternate picked stuff is my nemesis. This really unlocks things, especially the bursts, they are the reall key to this. Thanks again Uncle B.

[@PatDurkinMusic]

As soon as you hit the first lick, I was dumbfounded at how perfect it was. You always have a way of making accessible licks to hone in on a skill. Plus that Creepshow tshirt rules

[@mookytc]

Nice workout and gear hanging out in the background. That Jackson is 🔥🔥🔥

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

Nice to hear Neal Schon mentioned, he's been shredding so long he's often forgotten. He really rips on Journey's early albums ( and he was only 21 at the time!), while Gregg Rolie tears it up on organ. Thanks, Uncle Ben!

[@supernothing77]

I remember he mentioned he warms up with Eric Johnson Jazz picks then switches to his normal medium picks

[@KingBeevr]

We see you looking off in the distance while you play, like it's nothing. We're already impressed by the Creepshow t-shirt, don't get greedy. 🤘🎸🤘

[@Thearrowslayer]

Why did that exercise in the beginning tickle my brain somewhere deep and make me feel happy

[@chadharland6410]

Thats very useful info I already use the downward slanted pick. But need to conscentrate on not hitting the strings an still staying close. An I get it slow it down an show my hands an fingers the spacing.

[@TheRockinDonkey]

These are the best kinds of exercises, because not only are you training your fingers, it's also musical, which makes it just a little more engaging. Great job, Ben!

[@paulbaglio6295]

I too have returned to playing my AWESOME Jackson's after going on an Evertune binge for a couple of years and predominantly playing my Solar guitars with said Evertune. I've not found a more shredtastic axe than a USA Jackson.... get one :)

[@michaeledwards7088]

This exercise is outstanding. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@robonguitarnz]

Awesome exercise!

[@bit747]

yoooo bennnnn ur the bomb bro this workout is gas⛽️⛽️⛽️ coming back 3 months later and my picking is ridiculously good. thank you uncle ben for these videos

[@scoobystap3159]

I never would have thought to do such a cool warm up exercise with the minor pentatonic, and it sound great as well. Thanks for another awesome lesson. Absolutely love your channel. ✌🏼🤘🏼

[@toltex7164]

That was probably the best, most helpful video I have ever seen. Very thorough and concise. You explained in the way I needed to hear it. Awesome!

[@MichelleHell]

This really helped me break away from 3 notes per string. I found doing this exercise you if you hit the octave of the last note in the phrase, it's a good exercise for playing 2 nps across 3 strings. This works both ascending and descending (going straight to the next and skipping a string).

[@gilbertcrediaprea2358]

Awesome Ben !!!!!!!!!!!!Great lesson .This is the first time I watch such a perfect way teaching how to move pick upstroke and downstroke .Congrats ......You are helping me to improve my technique .

[@connorwilliams2999]

Brennan Ellis is another dude who I have seen have such a dramatic downward pics slant, but he mostly utilizes that with economy picking as well

[@KOFguitarsGearOutlet]

Awesome technique and exercise thank you for sharing.

[@BenEller]

Glad you liked it!

[@guitarraae]

Woow. Excelente material.

[@shalomshalom735]

great video Ben !!

[@stephenpalummo9367]

Thanks Heaps Ben this will help out alot while im practicing bark at the moon

[@panagotispatrik515]

cool exercise. I try doing it with each pentatonic position.

[@blakebuxton570]

Thanks for clearing up the angled pick mystery for me. So many shredders talk about it, but no one's ever gone ahead and showed off the deal. Excellent content!

[@jfo3000]

Check out Troy Grady's "Cracking the Code" video series.

[@RazorRiley]

This video was even more better than I imagined 👌

[@gunner8226]

That magnet doo-hicky is awesome😂❤🤘👀

[@davidsawyer6784]

Great stuff. I’m gaining blinding speed. Pretty soon my phone will start t ring. It’s a pleasure to support another Stepson. Keep up the good work.

[@tomt.5799]

You're so right!! It works!! Geeez... Why can't I work such things out o my own? I would've been more better long ago... Thanks a lot Ben!

[@HOLYEVOL]

I gotta do this! 🤘🎸

[@sjm98126]

i need a soloist now lol. i picked up white X series warrior earlier this year with the maple neck and reverse headstock. black binding all on the body and neck. its amazing i love it. needs some upgrades, but the fit and finish could not be better. Only thing that disappoints me about it, and all the new jacksons is the headstock logo... they need to go back to the mother of pearl logo from the 90s. especially for the price of the American line, that was a big oversight on their part imo.

[@everennui1]

This is a really cool exercise. You can kind of see where it's going.

[@BenBreeg1138]

As a fingerstyle bass player my whole life, my picking hand is way behind on guitar. That downward pick angle is already making things easier!

[@MikaTarkela]

Thanks Ben this was very useful! I can shred those 3 notes per string patterns in very fast speeds but these 2 note per string pentatonics have always been my weak spot. This was really helpful!

[@PTGuitars-Music]

Great workout! The patreon practice tracks are awesome!! 2 weeks after signing up, soooooo worth it! Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@BenEller]

Glad you like them!

[@donald-parker]

Funny coincidence. I've just been recently working on this (after many years of 3 notes per string). But my natural way of playing is upward pick slant. And it works just great as long as you start with an up stroke. So what I am really working on now is alternating between pick slant orientations so I can start with an up or down stroke with equal facility. And your drill works well for that.

[@brandonjackson5865]

That white Jackson looks slick, I’ve come to associate the white Shur modern tiger with uncle Ben, or Uncle Ted has been known to whip it out with a white tiger print guitar too , anyway that Jackson would be even meaner with some tiger stripes or leopard spots on it . The group of notes pattern into a one motion burst has probably helped me learn speedy runs quicker than anything else. How do you eat an elephant ? One bite at a time. Seriously though your right hand and left hand thinking of it all as one motion and practicing until it’s instinctual is the key.

[@jacklaymac859]

downward pick-slanting?? thanks for the instant improvement uncle ben!

[@BenEller]

Heck yeah! Be sure to watch EVERYTHING Trot Grady/Cracking the Code has to say, it’ll change your life.

[@koyplaysguitar]

Thank you Ben.

[@josephvega3763]

This is genius Ben Fuckin Eller!! 👏 I've mostly played legato runs because my picking sucks. I'm gonna do this

[@jamescooper5372]

This idea is brilliant 🤩

[@Fishies125]

Yes! Practicing in bursts is the real key no one talks about.

[@charlesrocks]

Ben…I’ve been playing guitar for 23 years. This is a GREAT exercise. Thanks man.

[@Deekthagnome]

Great explanation of the downward pick slanting. A really great and extreme example is watching Marty Friedman's picking technique.

[@BenEller]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ClicheXeveryXday]

Last couple weeks I've been watching more of your videos and it's definitely starting to get some inspiring juices in the brain! I love the minor pentatonic scale so this is a great video thank you for this!

[@BriTubeYou]

Oh yeah, that in and out motion is the best

[@supDED]

I've been using this exercise the last few days and it is tightening up my 2 note pentatonic runs! Thanks Step-Dad!

[@solothesolos]

Just what I needed! I do really struggle with increasing my speed. Thanks for the lesson!

[@peablasfemo]

finally, thanks to you, I found what i was looking for. Thanks a lot Uncle Ben, i got something pretty useful to work with ❤

[@JuddOakes]

as long as you starting with the right pickslant it should be very doable. I do DSX so I usualy start these on upstrokes.

[@robguitar1969]

I always pick up something new from your lessons.

[@MuditBadlani]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but thanks yet again Uncle Ben. There's this 2nps Pentatonic thing in the (ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC) Frank Gambale Chop Builder that isn't fast at all, but I never quite get right (when I try pushing the tempo up to 120%, where I manage the other lines just fine). I'm going to take a damn good crack at it tomorrow morning. I have a feeling it's not going to be as messy as before. I honestly should've figured this out myself (given the ubiquity of pick slanting in the guitar nerd world today), but then again - that's what makes you the best - pointing out seemingly obvious things that make morons like me go "Doh!" (and of course, help us become more better shredders).

[@Akephalos13th]

So I have been wanting to comment for a while, I feel like I am in a guitar limbo. Asshole past me didn't take guitar serious when he was a teenager and now almost 30 I want to learn, I know basic chords and I can identify notes on the fretboard in an okayish timespan! what's the point? well Uncle Ben's videos are extremally helpful and have pushed me in great lengths over the last week already. What I think could be a really useful guide is a sort of list of watching order of Uncle Ben's videos for a newer player, to kind of know where to start and where to go next. Thanks for the awesome vids! Love the content

[@godevils1982]

I love that Jackson

[@BenEller]

Me too!!!

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Me too

[@irishRocker1]

I bought a trans purple quilted maple SL2 last year but miss my Kelly's sharkfin inlays. Nice guitar!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Fabulous! Very useful & effective. Have a rad weekend! 🤘

[@robertourista4743]

Great guitar lesson! Thats why I suscribed to your patreon page, this kind of stuff its really fun to practice and follow along, thanks Uncle Ben for teaching cool guitar techniques to us guitar apprentices.

[@BenEller]

Awesome, thank you!

[@aquilarossa5191]

This is a handy warm up for us step dad players with ageing hands. The rest beat gives the creaky fretting hand a rest, so we can go longer before having to reach for the arthritis cream.

[@yourguitarist]

Awesome t-shirt!

[@Xaion6]

Two notes sounding musical???? Blasphemy!!! You rock Mr. Dr. Professor Uncle Ben

[@arpeggiomeister]

If you are an upward pick slanter (which I am) start the lick with an up and you will be able to fly. I practice both so I can do 2 way slant licks, but my upward slant is by far the dominant one.

[@cmonsterz]

Excellent video, Ben! Since you named some 80s monsters, it seems like a good idea to bring up a lighting bolt of guitarist that people always overlook…and that’s Dave Menniketti from Y&T. Talk about 2 notes per string lit on nuclear fire! That’s Dave. And the phrasing is absolutely soul piercing!

[@al6377]

Fantastic lesson as usual!

[@rockdude5150]

this is a great work out , thank you , your a great teacher easy to follow :)

[@davidgerlach1132]

Excellent video, and great exercise. Although, I think Buckethead might disagree with you, he's a "perp" picker - 90 degree. And John's wrist is probably the fastest money can buy in plectrum speed, even Mr. MI Paul G. concedes this.

[@peteg1243]

Since doing this riff , My No More Tears end solo has so much more BALLS and tone ... Much cleaner too ... Thanks Unk !!!! ... Would luv a break down on solo for "On Fire" VH .. plzzzzzz ; )

[@seller559]

That was awesome 👍👍👍

[@BenEller]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@andypearce5537]

❤ awesomeness

[@CHXINS5150]

I feel like some of the best 2nps picking i've heard was Mark Tremontis solo for I Know It Hurts. Some Mark Tremonti stuff would be cool if you could.

[@waynegram8907]

BEN ELLER, try to make video lesson about Intervallic scale licks because eric johnson doesn't play scales up and down, he mostly uses intervallic scale licks and string jumping intervallic licks.

[@ChadRD]

Or the section of the John Petrucci song Gemini. This is one of the more difficult things to get down for me at least.

[@EivindFalken]

Thanks m8!

[@DoubleBarrelDarrell]

Thank you, Uncle Ben! Great lesson! 👍

[@yourguitarist]

insanely helpful ... as always!

[@kollabrock]

Oh great, now I got the munchies for tortillachips and salsa...lol. Great workout by the way

[@travislee9662]

🎶you drive a fast guitar🎶

[@waynesilver9094]

Excellent job 👍

[@RileyMerlino]

Thanks for the lesson Ben! Could you do a similar lesson to this about double picking? As in two notes on the same fret and then switch strings or even string skip? Tosin Abasi uses this technique a lot and it’s always been tricky for me

[@BenEller]

Great suggestion!

[@RileyMerlino]

@@BenEller thanks! It seems to be a common technique in prog and metal but it’s hard to find lessons about it. Tosin has a guitar lesson about it in Guitar World, but that’s one of the only videos I could find

[@philgraves4998]

Great lesson! Why do I find it harder not to do that economy upstroke on the ascending runs versus descending?