Picking Hand Positioning For Fast Playing Styles - Intermediate Guitar Lesson

[@GuitarLessons365]

It's an Eric Johnson signature model with a Dimarzio Fast Track 2, Pro Track and Chopper pickups in it. :)

[@viiridianas]

I just found out that it wasn't my fretting hand that was giving me trouble keeping up with a faster tempo, but my strumming hand being the source of the issue. This was a really helpful video, thank you!

[@superslip103]

Once in a while you see a video which levels you up on guitar. This is an amazing video and I am finally starting to see results with this idea. Thanks Carl! You just made me play fast!!!!

[@MoCatt]

Years ago, I bought a couple of the "stylus picks" (look them up if you can't picture what I mean). The tip of the pick is not flat, but cone shaped and trains you to uses the very tip of the pick. If you go too deep into the string it stops you dead. It actually encourages you to pick properly overall and use more of your wrist/finger joints to pick. This is a practice tool only of course. You wouldn't want to use it full time.

[@jazzercaster4749]

They are awesome! Have used them on and off over the past few years, come back to them when my picking is feeling off, really great for getting it nice and accurate.

[@guitarhvac]

Just ordered some, so I’ll see how they do for me. I’ll try to remember to report back.

[@smatty1713]

@@guitarhvac how are they?

[@GuitarLessons365]

Hey Taxue, just as nowinterweather said if you want pinch harmonics just dig in and pick a little harder over a harmonic node point. I personally pick very lightly and it keeps my pick a lot more nimble. I also do a lot of circular movement with my thumb to ease the transition from string to string. :)

[@GuitarLessons365]

Hey!! My pick is a red Jazz III by Dunlop and it is 1.38mm. If you haven't tried them I recommend checking them out because after a little of getting used to the smaller size it can really dramatically change your picking abilities for the better. Cheers!! Carl..

[@hamedalharbi6590]

I started playing about 3 months ago. I can downpick really quickly but every-time i attempt to quick alternate pick, the pick gets stuck on an upstroke. It is extremely frustrating.

[@muriloescher8607]

Check out Troy Grady's Cracking the Code to see what pickslanting is. If you don't have the time/patience (bunch of long videos), check out Ben Eller's videos about pickslanting, he has about two or three of them, which are straight to the point. I believe it is gonna help you greatly. And if you want to play fast stuff, check out the channel BERNTH, he has a great channel with great exercises and is a great player. One of his latest videos is a compilation of 10 picking exercises he did. Perhaps it may be "too advanced" (not being condescending) for your current stage, or not even your goal, but I love the channel and had to share it. I hope I helped and keep practicing! (watch Paul Gilbert for motivation, he is my favorite player by far)

[@hamedalharbi6590]

Murilo Escher rock on man, I appreciate the help.

[@mak_m9]

That problem will go away with time. Don't worry too much about it. Just practice

[@hamedalharbi6590]

Mak Mehmedovic it already did. Im galloping and alternate picking with ease.

[@dimitristziaros3464]

I have been playing the guitar for 11 years and the most difficult thing for me was to fix my alternate picking whet it comes to crossing string (usually 3 notes per string). You can start slow with a metronome and increase the speed by 2 or 3 bpm when you feel comfortable. And remember that it takes time to develop speed and accuracy. If you can play in 120 bpm right now, there is no way you can reach 200 in a month. Be patient and the results will come ;)

[@NK73080]

Thank you oh so very much, Carl. I’ve been plateauing for about 2 weeks because I didn’t realize I’ve been stringhopping for two years. This video saved me

[@happytobeproud]

You took the words right out of my mouth man. Ive been playing for about 25+ years and once i hit my 30's i started getting numbness in my picking thumb well doctor did nerve conduction test and said I had carpel tunel syndrome. Basically all from to much picking from the wrist. Since then I had to relearn to pick with the circular picking technique and Ive never had any flare ups with the CPS. Albiet My picking isnt as fast but id rather that then have to have surgery or give up guitar.

[@ІгорМолодецький-д8е]

Thank you Carl! You are a gifted guitarist and a gifted teacher too. And this is really important for those who want to learn how to play a guitar!

[@jonbravo778]

transitioning to the electric after playing acoustic for years, your videos are just incredibly informative!!! THANK YOU

[@no1everreallydiez]

THANK YOU! I finally found a lesson on this. It's all I wanted to know. I wish I would've known this when I had started playing guitar. It's working already, but like these guys said I hope that it won't strain anything.

[@GuitarLessons365]

Do what you feel is the most comfortable to you and see where you get the best results. Your playing will gradually evolve so try not to get stuck into one way of approaching things. I know the regular red Jazz III that I use is 1.38mm but I believe the EJ model Jazz III is a little bit thinner and it also has kind of a matte finish. Didn't really care for it myself but I played a couple that Dunlop sent me before they were made publicly available so I don't know if there still the same, :)

[@SetNMotion]

Thanks for that lesson. I've been a fingerpicker for years and found flatpicking to frustrating as hell. But, I'm determined. For some reason, I thought that anchoring was detrimental and tried to avoid it because I was under the WRONG impression that I might be starting a "bad habit." No wonder I was frustrated. So, I went back to my guitar after this lesson and found it really helpful.

[@hjprochazka]

This felt of kind of a eureka moment. I've been consistenty playing for 3 months or so and I'd been struggling with the pick until now. I picked up the guitar to match what you were doing and it somehow clicked. I tried before, resting my hand on the bridge, but I didn't quite get it. Thanks a lot dude!

[@ava-tb3ot]

thank for explaining where to anchor your hand so well, it finally makes sense

[@andrewdennis0]

Carl, I just have to thank you. I always knew that it's good to keep the picking hand planted but the way I was doing it was not really working for me. Then I watched your video and I tried it the way how you explained it and immediately my alternate and sweep picking cleaned up much more. You're an amazing teacher and I want to try and support your work however I can by donating and telling others about your site. Thanks again for everything. Your videos are wonderful and you're not only an amazing guitarist but an amazing teacher as well!

[@DestroyerMariko]

Omg just changed my pick and the difference is huge! Woah, I actually don't suck quite as much as I thought! And it's also nice to know it's okay to put my hand down like that, coming from a violin background I was expecting so many "never do this" rules but I keep missing the correct string if I don't!

[@borhanus]

after 3 years of playing i came to your hand position of playing (without seeing your video) i guess thats the most relaxed position i can think of after trying almost every other hand position.this hand position is even good at muting when sweeping

[@Duckers_McQuack]

Thank you! Just got my guitar for rocksmith, and can't wait to practice this!

[@zachlandon4002]

Me too

[@StiffWiff]

rocksmith is a bad way to learn

[@zachlandon4002]

It worked for me

[@StiffWiff]

it still doesnt teach theory and it teaches you to skip notes instead of practicing whatever you're struggling with slowly

[@XxGamersUnitedxX]

tist mcgee how so? there's a mode on the 2014 version of the game so you can practice what you struggle with.

[@MissIshere1]

I really like learning playing the guitar but have been discouraged as far as picking goes. I am left handed learning to play right handed, and while I know I can purchase a left handed guitar I didn't find out until after I started playing right handed...Anyway this is a very good tutorial. Where to place your hand, the angle to hold it at, the type of pick to use, and the motion of the hand while relaxing the fore-arm. All of this really makes a huge different in execution, and mobility.Thanks

[@sparshpriyadarshi]

THANKS a lot...! i stumbled upon this video as my pinky naturally tends to anchor beneath the pickup as i play something fast or tricky for my picking hand.... i thought may be i'm getting into wrong technique or something... but it turns out that it isnt that wrong afterall.... and thx again... u made me realize my huge picking movements need to be reduced...

[@khairiazuandi179]

my guitar guru tqvm for your lesson. now after 12 years, i can play almost any songs that i loved.

[@abdallabassam9089]

I just found out that thick picks are better it helped me play faster and more comfortable with less mistakes after 2 years wasted on playing with thin picks , thanks you really helped

[@OlsenReid]

It's the little things like hide the pick and use a small mart of it for picking, that make such a huge difference. Thank you.

[@neilchatwin4801]

Thank you I have been searching for a while on a guide to the best place to put your hand when picking and your video is very helpful. Very much appreciated.

[@SektaJePrijatelj]

This is a very good lesson...what do you think about anchoring on the wood of the guitar while playing the low E string? I've been doing so for quite a while, especially when I do fast Palm Mute sixteenth note runs...

[@source32439]

u just give me the best type of my life, is not about the video talks, is about the hand position, thanks a lot!!

[@DaveTomasetti]

the net is full of demonstrational videos that bring nothing, sometimes a video like this one is very usefull, so in my opinion this is a good video, clearly explained

[@jonathanschubert9052]

You and Mile High Shred are keeping me on the electric guitar thanks so much

[@GuitarLessons365]

I know a major majority of players keep the pick at about the same angle as the forearm coming across the guitar, but there are exceptions and one of them is quite possibly my favorite player Shawn Lane. He used a red Jazz III but turned it completely around and even though he was probably one of the greatest pickers ever I probably wouldn't recommend it. :)

[@kumarramesh46]

Hi Carl , what an Awesome lesson is this !!. Thanks millions for the video.. It helped me a lot to play fast guitaring relaxing now.. I trying to master playing fast for years, but i was able to play fast only on the higher 3 strings& when i came to the lower 3 strings i was uncomfortable in playing fast.The techiniqe you explained helped me in playing freely with the same position in all the strings now..Thank you very much for your explanation.Plz do posting more videos .Have a great day !!..

[@GuitarLessons365]

@pnoplyr14 The pickups I had in my EJ start at the time I did this video were a Dimarzio Fast Track 2, Pro Track and Chopper. I have since gone back to the original single coils because I don't really need a humbucking sound at the moment. :)

[@johnnyconnemara]

great lesson thanks.i have ears so I can hear what ur saying,its a free lesson and you took time out to show us so peace to you bro

[@theHAL9000]

Terrific helpful video. Best 10 minutes I'll spend today. Thanks!

[@autocrow]

It's funny you should mention that. I just discovered the other day, that the pickup could be lowered. It was WAY too high! I lowered it and it helped a lot. I'm trying to learn how to alternate pick better. When starting out, one concentrates on the left hand a lot, I'm trying to take it to the next level, and now I'm focusing on both hands. Thanks for your help. : )

[@StraightRocketFuel]

SO refreshing to see someone who hasn’t fallen for the “absolutely have to float” philosophy. Seems like every KZbinr nowadays is pushing that, but it’s so much more nuanced than “float pick fast” and “anchor pick slow”. They both have their pros and cons. You can pick fast while anchoring (see John Petrucci, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Angelo Bateo, Paul Gilbert, Zakk Wylde, Kirk Hammett).

[@mahmoudeledrissi7234]

pure awesomeness and full of hidden advice's that no one will explain that to you. take his advice and you will see. thank you bro thank you, diffidently checking your website

[@Abenjohar22]

Just the best lesson with lots of detail for beginner Thanks a million!!!! Keep them coming please!!

[@SupurNinja]

Great job! This video answered some questions that all the others failed to touch.

[@cavihokhanh2907]

I think this is great Video, common sense approach that sometimes we don't think about. Things like a hard pick and hand position. Thanks for sharing

[@GuitarLessons365]

I do the same at times, there are people who say that you shouldn't do it but I think it can create some extra stability and another pivot point to use. Some very well known and extremely fast players do it like John Petrucci and Michael Angelo Batio. Thanks for watching!! Carl..

[@Ziplomatic007]

Best video I have seen on right hand placement. You cover all the important points. Subscribed just for that. I mainly came here to review my technique because I am having some string noise issues. It was reassuring to see that this video conforms to my exact technique. Glad you mentioned picks, too. I think they aren't discussed enough and they really affect my sound almost more than anything. If you like a heavy pointed pick also try the Ultex Sharp. They are like an oversized version of the Jazz III which I feel is far too small for me especially when I switch to big movements like heavy riffs. I just can't go big with a small pick, but maybe that's just me. 10/10 on the lesson. Bravo.

[@natesctz]

Hey man, I would just like to say thankyou so much for uploading these lessons, this lesson in particular has helped me so much as a intermediate metal guitarist who's been playing for 2 years. I've always had trouble with positioning of my hand and tremolo picking. I had no idea those little jazz picks were so good for metal! Alexi Laiho is my idol and I want to be able to shred like him so thanks for helping me on my way

[@Dunn6120]

Excellent video and Explanation of technique

[@shinkaicity]

ive been playing hand style perfectly well, even able to play things like highway star and comm. breakdown but i thought it was about time to learn with a pick

[@winefliesparty]

I just started learning guitar and my right hand bugged me big time... Just couldn't figure out where and how to anchor it and how to pick... Two teachers tried to explained me and I also watched tons of videos on that to no avail... I watched this video and I see huge difference instantly! This should be mandatory lesson number 1....

[@pippynugget]

thank for the video. it cleared up alot. i consider myself to play decently fast, but my instructor always told me to float. i was never comfortable with it and i always anchored my pinky. glad to know its "allowed". as for the pick, my friend gave me one a long time ago and once i held it, it was like i found my soul mate. iv had it forever. its the only pick i use and the only one iv never lost for an extended period of time. so yeah. theyre amazing. but they were that turtle brand lol.

[@Soumil-f7]

Great video as always mate! Since i have huge hands I was curious if its okay if I put my hands just below the bridge as opposed to on the bridge where the strings end (just as you did)?

[@autocrow]

Thanks for answering. That's what I have been doing. Guess my fingers are shorter. No resting palm of bridge for me. Picking behind the middle coil is too cramped and just too far back, so between the middle and neck coil is the spot.

[@GuitarLessons365]

Yeah exactly, it feels almost effortless. :)

[@bluesriderDF]

Awesome vid. This will help me move ahead leap years. Many things I've been doing wrong!

[@Edward-MTBKR]

Great lesson, thanks. Not many videos address this.

[@WCWMidnight]

This was awesome! It doesn’t appear you do anything new on your channels anymore.

[@brCharlieNagy]

great video, thanks. How those hot rail pickups sound comparing to single coils ? Thanks

[@southpawpabst]

I'd have to say these are all things that I've discovered on my own since having injured my picking wrist in a work accident and have tennis elbow in my dominant hand as well. So I'd say these are all good ideas. In fact if I don't pick like this then I'll probably have more problems with my wrist and possibly my elbow. Being relaxed and keeping things more ergonomic is always best when doing anything to avoid problems in the future.

[@EntreMetido]

Very nice video 😁👏

[@mickscrill]

The description says " Picking Hand Positioning For Fast Playing Styles " not "im gonna play a load of fast picking" there are loads of vids with people playing fast on the net, this is showing how it's done. Good vid mate..

[@bbsb300]

Hey Carl thanks very much for the info. I use a Jim Dunlop USA Nylon.60mm. That would be like using a coin,but I will give it a go. Cheers mate, Have a great day, Billy ;)

[@TaXue]

that's the exact same way i position my hand, i'm relieved. lol btw with so little of the pick sticking out, how do you avoid doing accidental pinch harmonics? great video!

[@LAMF1976]

This is very helpful because it's so specific. I can tremelo pick very quickly or do 2 strokes per note quickly in this hand position, but I can't seem to alternate pick all the way up and down quickly this way. Any tips?

[@MattyBEightyThree]

Awesome lesson. Thank you very much. It really is improving my right hand technique.

[@theosiggelakis4948]

Really good to help you think more about how you pick and why!

[@AmarMTV]

@guitarlessons365 I am confused, we should strumm from the vertex/corners of pick or side of the pick? Doing it from corners sounds loud.

[@OrangeFerriswheel]

are those Dunlop Jazz 3 picks the dunlop nylon jazz 3? or the XL / Tortex? thanks! very good video, helped me a lot

[@JD-im2kh]

I’m a violist learning guitar so right hand stuff is harder for me! I’m using Jazz III picks now and trying to get faster!

[@hifellowkids8990]

but when i anchor my pinky and plant my side hand how am i suppose to play the lower strings without tensing my wrist? it curls maybe i should move my forearm upward? edit: found out! you just slide your hand down the bridge

[@davon5047]

Plant your pinky lower.

[@GuitarLessons365]

@OrangeFerriswheel Hey, its the red Jazz 3. I have been using the Ultex Jazz 3 lately though. Thanks for watching!! Carl..

[@stephjans6411]

I am a semi beginner but still can't say which string is which. Some arpeggios I try you have to jump from string 2 to string 5 and then back to string 3 etc really fast. Most of the times I end up in mixing up the strings. I would be very pleased to reach the point and pick the way you pick at 3:30-3:35. Picking the right string without looking at the picking hand. Could you recommend some exercises to sort out this problem? Thanks

[@AaronCabb]

Try practicing fingerstyle guitar, start with simple patterns or songs like House of The Rising Sun at a pace you can manage, then build up to more difficult ones. It'll give you a good grasp of the distance between strings. There are likely many other ways that you could practice through picking exercises, but that's just how I developed it because I was classically trained a few years back.

[@trinitydiaz4804]

3:30-3:35 sounds like a song already in my head xD

[@grantmays]

Get a Les Paul.

[@grantmays]

Then play Rebel Rebel 1000 times.

[@leamanc]

5 years later, so hopefully you learned your EADGBE. Honestly you must have had a bad teacher if they didn’t start you off with skills that let you instinctively go to any string without looking.

[@RocknCorruptrepublic]

thanks for this. I have a hard time with fast picking for some reason.

[@zachdoppler9383]

Thank you, keep up the great videos! That really helped me.

[@gvarundgr8]

thanks a very good video... however i had a question...i plant my pinky of the right hand on the pickguard below the strings...is it alright to do so??

[@khanmu28]

where do you put your hand on a floyd rose style guitar?

[@mcren6781]

You're recommending anchoring on the bridge of a fender strat. I have a floating tremolo, and when I do that it engages the tremolo. So what so you recommend for that? I can block it down to where its parallel and use a different type of springs that have less tension, allowing for me to still use the tremolo.

[@cameronscovers6713]

I think I have this same problem, I have my picking hand in an "OK" position with my other fingers down "anchoring" (mainly my pinky I think, it just comes to me naturally) I notice sometimes when my hand is one the bridge it definitely brings it up a bit, especially on my G string. It's so annoying! I also play metal so I palm mute so my hand is always on the bridge lol

[@zoidelux]

thanks for the video... i still don't know who to believe though... some people say planting is bad and some say its good... i guess ill do a happy medium! How thick exactly is the EJ jazz 3 pick? are all jazz 3s 3mm?

[@bbsb300]

Excellent instruction Carl, I had to check my video's to see which way I was doing it, cause you tend to do these things subconsciously. It's a great lesson. Is you pick a particular thickness eg .60mm, Cheers Billy;)

[@joelweddington]

GREAT lesson very rare to get so much detail about hand position, pick, etc

[@tastytasters]

@ShredableGuitar I think it's the pinky anchor that's considered an unfavorable habit? correct me if I'm wrong.

[@Live2playloud]

hi i have a problem picking the thicker strings fast i cant find a comfortable spot and my pick just wants to bounce over the string i can pick the d g b and high e very well just not the other two any suggestions? thanks

[@dlaregerald123]

nice lesson man, i have a question for you. i hold my pick with my index and thumb and the three extra fingers would touch the body of the guitar like john petrucci's style of picking. can this picking style make me pick faster? and im practicing right now with small motion strokes up and down.

[@mijit.859]

I love ❤️ the Double Hot rail pick ups !!

[@jaguarcarrera]

Interesting tips. If you switch to rhythm guitar, should you let the pick protrude more? I've found that if I don't, my fingers block the string when I strum.

[@aasartori1987x]

I enjoy your lessons! Don't stop! Oh and your YJM Strat!

[@udayghimire2461]

it is the best best best best and best and again best lesson......i got many mistake in my picking and i now it make me clear.

[@patdixon3844]

Carl, first off, let me say you've saved my a*s so many times learning covers. Anyone who plays in a cover band must subscribe to your channel, as I do. Thank you. I've watched your training vids to try to overcome bad habits (no formal lessons) that are over 40 years old. Any tricks/tips on how to "unlearn" bad things? Ex- planting my pinky, raising both hands too high, etc. Any response is much appreciated, even if I have to pay you for a private lesson.

[@Mrmetal73]

I hold my pick at a 45% angle back up instead of downwards-I know this is unconventional but i've always done this for years-i'm now learning to shred so is this going to cause problems ie should I re-learn holding the pick downwards??

[@rcadenow7543]

after years i still struggle with picking. do you need to move the wrist like a "hammer knock move" or side to side?

[@diazzsama]

Have this problem for 7 years, watching tons of guitar lesson, try to find the best one, still don't know what position is the best for me. Especially when I got into economy picking. My picking hand become tense when picking fast (because the pinky finger tends to bend inside and tensing the whole hand). Fucked up synchronizing between picking hand and fretting hand. Too forget to go back to alternate picking. I'm gonna try this lesson (actually my picking style not that different from yours). I guess I have to start over again from beginning. I really want to play guitar nicely and nailed the fast lick. Actually sometimes I can nailed it accurately, but most of the times I Just screw up. Thanks for the lesson by the way.

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

Great information. Thanks

[@blackwolves8607]

So should i hold my hand on the silver thing there?? Please give me an answer, i really have problems with my hand..

[@blackwolves8607]

And if you have your hand like that, how do you then play the low e string? Should i move my hand on the body or..?

[@lesterl9654]

Thanks. Googled Dunlop Jazz III and there must be a half dozen or more types of Dunlop Jazz III picks?

[@darrellhendren5783]

I know This is an old video, but does the side of the thumb touch the strings? Like at the knuckle before the thumb nail? Mine does, but I’ve found it creates unwanted noise when playing with high distortion

[@kianooshtaherkhani5820]

this helped so much thanks man!

[@bnfu3428]

Very,very helpfull! Thank you!

[@francoiswildi8087]

I have 2 acoustic guitars on which I can plant my wrist on the bridge the way suggest and I have been doing it for quite some time. My electric is a Stratocaster and I just cannot find a position where my wrist sits comfortably. The bridge is pointy, uncomfortable AND, worst of all, my pinky always messes with the volume button. I was at the music store the other day and the guy acknowledged that it gets a lot of getting used to. I am considering moving the controls so that the middle one (neck pickup tone) is as close to the bottom one as possible and the volume control is where the neck pickup tone normally is. Another idea is to make an anchor point in formed metal sheet that would be attached by 2 of the pick guard screws. This anchor point would be 1-1.5 inch towards the neck with respect to the bridge. Any comments?

[@clugokillscluco]

@MrKneitan I think they're called Hot Rails. They are basically humbuckers the size of single coil pickups.

[@IsleyTribute]

Nice. Thanks for the perspective about picking position.

[@jubnx2781]

Im at a pretty high level of classical guitar so I play with my finger nails, but recently I picked up an electric guitar. Playing with my fingers is great and it works great but to trem pick and to play faster it’s easier. It’s kinda frustrating tho cause things I can usually play super easily is hard while using a pick, I just can’t seem to hold it right urgh

[@seanverso6712]

Have trouble anchoring on the low e string with small hands any tips?

[@JoMarquez]

Great tips! Thanks.