Speed Picking - Everybody Can Do This!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

The Complete Guitarist is THE place for Rock/Metal/Shred Guitarists to improve their skills and make continuous improvement! Includes Daily Practice Plan! bit.ly/3Jq8jmf

[@noone-oo1bn]

Youre ibanez isnt real

[@lovelylozette]

I definitely will be signing up for that ^__^

[@larrybryant2022]

BenHigginsOfficial Thanx!

[@cuzinroland1394]

Is this a seven string guitar?

[@mr.toastthebrokenlink9934]

Is that Ibanez crafted in Japan?

[@JCridford]

"Our bodies are incredibly capable machines: You create the demand and it finds what it needs to do to meet it." Worth it just for that sentence.

[@TheDistortionPrinciple]

Yea it is

[@theminer2526]

@@michaelfitzpatrick6307 lol wut

[@pyrojason]

2:25

[@55davidmark]

@@michaelfitzpatrick6307 Michael its also about using speed when its called for, in guitar as well as your woman..."Slowhand" got that nickname because he wasn't........

[@pg1171]

Don't you mean, ACTUALLY?

[@kingwickens8457]

16 minutes of video, 16 minutes of practical content. That's a rare sight on youtube. Usually we get 40 minutes of monologue with a couple minutes of useful stuff buried in the middle. Thank you!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

You're welcome!

[@dandr0id950]

Intelligent design. 😁 Jesus saves.

[@ripit.3457]

@@dandr0id950intelligent design? why do humans only use 5% of their brains then?

[@PhotonVision]

The student Ben refers to at 10:18 is me, and it is true what he says. I had been struggling with upping my picking speed for a long time, and the path Ben set me on has been very fruitful from the get go. I practiced with a metronome daily for over a year, trying to increase my speed by using "the right technique", which I thought was moving just the wrist. Turns out my body does not want to move that way. Ben had me experiment with different positions, and, within the first lesson, it suddenly "clicked" when I pronated my wrist, such that my thumb touch the string, and picked from the elbow. My speed and stamina have increased tremendously in the short time I have taken lessons, and I feel they will keep rising for a while. The leap of faith was really what I needed, not textbook guitar technique. I really enjoy Ben's lessons and am improving like never before. Wholeheartedly recommended!

[@markopolo2224]

r

[@zdubbs7609]

marko polo 2 wha

[@markopolo2224]

@@zdubbs7609 t

[@jonathanschubert9052]

I can relate

[@mattm1982]

I can pick very fast from my elbow, but I always thought that was bad technique... but I guess not. One issue I have with it though is my bicep gets very tight and tense. I have trouble picking fast from the elbow without tensing my arm up.

[@brandonmonroe9822]

"Our bodies are incredibly capable machines. You create the demand, it figures out what it needs to do to get there." GOD, that was absolutely BRILLIANT! K, I'm inspired now lol.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Glad to hear it Brandon!

[@prestonjobe]

Oddly enough, that's the quote that got me too haha

[@pg1171]

Yes, that is a brilliant line! People need to take that line to heart. Your body and mind will work together to figure it out. You will be astounded at what your body and mind can achieve. When you master something on the guitar, you will feel SOOOOOOO happy! Such gratification! You have succeeded in something that you thought that you would never, EVER do! It's almost orgasmic...well, not quite, but it does give you a HUGE amount of satisfaction, and it also give you the will to move on to something that is even more complicated or a little harder to accomplish. You will also succeed in that endeavor!

[@dezkightz]

Actual practical advice? NO WAY!!! I implemented the first piece of advice that you gave, and i could feel the improvements immediately. This vid was a godsend and it gave me more motivation to play guitar than I've ever had. Thank you so much.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's great to hear!

[@APPALACHIAN_MOTH]

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST TUTORIAL ON PICK SPEED!! My ability to play fast and clean improved in an hour, after 2 hrs I couldn't believe I was playing like I have wanted to play for 5 years. Thank you so much for the amazing video.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's what I like to hear - great news!

[@APPALACHIAN_MOTH]

1 year practicing your methods and I am playing at a level I thought was impossible for me to ever reach. Thanx again for this tutorial. YOU ROCK BEN!

[@ketokun]

@@APPALACHIAN_MOTH oh damn, really? I'm starting right now then :)

[@Tang526]

Prove it

[@Ou8y2k2]

Me, first minute: double amputee Me, after video: playing the solo of "Technical difficulties" at 1.5x

[@red8tuber]

"Let go of the way you think it should be" applies to just about everything in life.

[@StecHouse]

"and go and find what IS" I love it.

[@michaelpage7691]

I have played the guitar for 45 odd years and can play an awful lot of music and I can play lead, but only slow progressions. I've never been able to work out why I'm unable to play fast riffs. After watching this I went and played a few lead riffs and guess what? You've shown me why I can't play leads with speed. I will apply what you've shown and get back to you. THANKYOU.

[@janX9]

Michael Page How's your speed and such now?

[@michaelpage7691]

janX9 took up your method and still practicing. It does seem to make a difference in the speed but it takes time to change older habits. Thanks for asking...cheers.

[@janX9]

Michael Page It's not my method, it's BenHigginsOfficial I can identify, I've been playing for about 20 years. Old habits die hard. And I feel the older I get the harder it is to change them and learn new things.

[@zentan-4621]

And after 10 months?

[@lippymuff1871]

Michael Page So how's your speed after a whole year of having this technique under your belt..??

[@antonbackstrom]

"Of course it doesn't sound very musical or interesting". RIP black metal

[@megaloblabber2948]

12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-

[@pkepix5405]

RIP motorbreath and whiplash

[@geompon6505]

Was thinking the same about black metal lol

[@marcdouglas6466]

I was off to listen to Mgla after this video

[@snow-puppetsofficial360]

@@pkepix5405 motorbreath by Metallica is awesome

[@elijahbecker2570]

“Let go of the way you think it should be and go out and find what is” is some of the best advice I’ve ever heard.

[@mikeg9b]

Good advice. Like Rusty Cooley says, "Your only limitations are the ones you place on yourself" (after you buy his signature model guitar).

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Damn, I guess I should buy that guitar!!

[@madddog6790]

Eh, save your money...I have a JEM, and it didn't help :)

[@VioletDeliriums]

never buy any signature model...that is for fan boys...the first step to becoming an artist is to think for yourself and be your own person.

[@VioletDeliriums]

I mocked signature models by calling one of my guitars the Fender Violet Deliriums ESM Signature Model Blacktop HH Jaguar (ESM = Explosive Space Modulator) -- a ridiculously long name with a reference to a fucking cartoon in it. A couple people asked me how I got my own signature model named after me. I answered that I just called it that.

[@VioletDeliriums]

well, it has more mods than just stickers -- it also has seymour duncan pickups and a killswitch, but yes, the look is part of any guitar that you should not overlook...but i don't think you get the point, apparently.

[@bigshuff]

My picking improved absolutely loads just in the time it took to watch the video. I will put it into my practice routine now for sure. Thanks Ben.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's great to hear, Steve

[@67GuitarGeek]

“Let go of the way you think it should be and just go and find what ‘is’.” - This is true wisdom and can be applied to everything in life. Sage advice for sure! Thank you, Ben!

[@PontschPauPau3451]

Just wanted to say that I discovered this video a while ago. I had been struggling with getting my right hand faster for years, without any success. This video was worth more than all of those hours trying to get faster, the wrong way. Just a few months after watching this video, I have gone from struggling to play 16ths at 110BPM, to being able to confidently play songs with 16ths at 190, 200, and even 220 BPM. I can even play complex right-hand patterns at 210BPM now. Not comfortably, still need some practice for that, but the fact that I can even physically do it is a testament to the brilliance of the advice in this video. Thank you so much Ben Higgins!! I owe you big, please take this measly tip as a small token of my gratitude.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's amazing! Well done to you for putting in the work 👍👍👍

[@GR_BackingTracks]

This is it. What I learned 30 years ago and forgot 15 years ago had come back through You! Thanks for posting this. I watched a few dozen speed picking videos before I found this definitive one. Sixteenth notes at 150bpm here I come...

[@davidmcleod1760]

Hey ben, I just practiced my tremolo picking for about half an hour after this video. I done exactly what you said and after it I went back to practicing a song I have been trying to play that was too fast for me to pick. During the tremolo picking practice I didn't really feel a difference but when playing that song it was much easier and I really felt faster. Thanks so much for this because I have really been struggling with speed picking.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

David, that's awesome - keep at it!

[@kasperrghat4318]

"Always have a contact with the string - THAT maybe is the essential one. Thanks Ben.

[@boogaloojohnson2]

This helped me breakthrough my shred barrier. After 15 years of guitar playing I feel like I can play the way I've always wanted to play. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's been 1 month since I watched this video and my speed playing has tremendously progressed! You Rock!!!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

I'm really pleased to hear that - well done!

[@UuHt-x8p]

Me too it helped thanks to him

[@somedudewithoutamustache]

I literally got an ad telling me not to use KZbin to learn guitar 🤣🤣

[@markbriones8567]

Same😆

[@vladionescu8222]

Yup same here

[@yohkukiTV]

Don’t use it to learn guitar use it to learn techniques then rehearse alone to learn guitar using the techniques you learn from KZbin

[@allenrocks5439]

Yep

[@danilobatista1329]

thats' exactly the one to ditch and not to buy! it shows they are disrespecting a lot of excellent people and teachers here! assuming they are the one and best. Never trust anyone who claims to be the best. The real best people on whatever field - are Humble and don't say they are the best - because others know they are the best!!

[@SoftTacoDFXR]

I could not have explained it better myself. I've been shredding for over a decade, but he pointed out all the things I once struggled with (and things I STILL struggle with), and he walks you through every step and provides a solution of the way to becoming a faster player. Thank you!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thanks Dominick

[@ketz_165]

Ah alternate picking, the first technique we learn but the last we master, good shit ben.

[@SlapChop1000]

words of truth bro

[@enlightenedwarrior7119]

Yep I kicks my ass

[@rookymusic6310]

Truth

[@Adrin1117]

If you wanna improve your picking speed look no further. This is the best instructional video you're going to find. Everything he says is 100% accurate and very well explained. I wish I had found this video sooner.. would've saved me so much time. Thank you for the advice!

[@TheStaniz]

May I say, you are a wonderful teacher, Ben. Truly. I'm 68! Been playing 45 years. People who know me tell me I'm good. I KNOW I suck, and labor over trying to learn new things, and then give up really fucking quickly. Old dog? New tricks? I don't know. Maybe. That aside, you're a terrific teacher. Thanks, man.

[@quentinbohannon4089]

Dude I know I'm missing on alot of different new techniques like developing solos of speed arpeggios palm mute string skipping learning notes chords it's hard work but pays off knows were ur at and I'm at just advance guitar techniques slow is were it is so you can fully understand what's going on alternating slow to fast I want learn slow to medium fast speeds tell that diffrents of playing.

[@AS34N]

I love this comment man. Super positive! Would super be interested in a video of you shredding. I'm 30 and played percussion since 5th grade...concert, jazz, marching, corps, ect...I'm new to the world of strings, but comments like yours keep me motivated. Maybe by the time I'm your age I'll learn to rip the upper stairs enough to impress myself ;)

[@pg1171]

Never EVER give up! THAT is the first rule! If you can think it, it CAN be done! It just take time and practice. Master one thing, then move on to something else. You have been playing for longer that I have. I learned years ago, to just forget what you can't do. If you want to do something, you CAN do it! Keep on playin'!

[@claudetoybox]

Great Lesson. I've searched You Tube for ages for a solution to my picking troubles and this is not only the best video I've seen, but you also talk about stuff that no one has ever talked about. That's what grabbed my attention - you came from a point of difference and offered a simple, but untouched solution. Thx Ben!

[@gweenbawng]

this actually helped me, youre the first youtube teacher i’ve seen who actually taught something

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's great to hear!

[@rsa4834]

TL;DR - Every beginner and simply everybody who has been struggling with alternate picking for years should watch this video. This is crucial advice, people. I used to struggle a lot myself until a couple months ago maybe. Heck, I couldn't even tremolo pick... In fact, I actually never bothered with it which was such a huge mistake! I eventually looked into it by accident, and finally found the picking motion that feels right to me. I literally went from maxing out at 110/120 bpm 16th notes to 160/170 in a matter of a couple days, doing pretty much what Ben talks about in this video. Ridiculous.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thanks for sharing your experience, it really can be done!

[@rsa4834]

Well thank You, man! There is already so much information on the matter out there, most of it probably dating back to the REH days, haha. But you're actually helping people connect the dots by making concepts such as relaxation or picking mechanics more concrete and simple. It's so useful and relevant it's stupid.

[@cdreid99999]

he babbled for 37 minutes about how important it was you listen to what he's about to say about how to learn to pick blablabla jesus christ just show us

[@OneLifeYourWay]

LOL you can't count this vid is only 16mins longs hahaha no wonder you're having problems

[@JariSatta]

I have nothing to add. Well done BenHigginsOfficial.

[@Kreecher82]

HO LEE SHIT! iv been playing since I was 16 I'm now 37 iv never been able to reach "The Level" iv been applying this for a week and mate I can pull off the still of the night solo without burning out or feeling I'm outta time, iv gone from 130 where iv been for years to 170 without hardly trying. Thanks so much for this

[@jons.5357]

Where’s fapswell? Tell Dan I said wassup

[@sjgfloydrose1234]

I would love to hear your still of the night solo dude !!!

[@thevictorioushodler8809]

Sometimes the secret for success, lays within the smallest details.

[@arnoldp8962]

I started playing guitar when I was about 15. Fast forward 20-30 years old... I still play with the exact same level of skill. Then came these youtube tutorial videos came out. I poured hours into learning theory, particularly via the jazz guitar path... learned about intervals, chord voicings, phrasing and what not. And did daily exercises to sync my right hand to the left, using lovely licks and arpeggio runs. Now finally at 40+ years old I am actually shredding. Many thanks to channels like these. Benhiggins in particular is a very good teacher, and a very good performer as well.

[@cleanman5459]

Wow.... I've been playing for forty years and that's the best lesson on speed picking I've ever seen. Upped my speed by the end of the video. No one ever explained it so perfectly to me. Thanks a million..... from the comments below I can see I'm not alone. Once again... Wpw...

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Ross, that's awesome - thanks for sharing!

[@zeppelinmexicano]

This guy is spot on. He's a great teacher and knows what he's talking about. The idea of keeping contact with the string is even better than thinking "keep the motion compact" because it gives the player something concrete to feel with his pick. Also his idea of starting off with chunks, instead of trying to tremelo continuously, is invaluable. In fact it's the only way possible to survive it.

[@theericbeaty]

This is definitely one of the best videos I've seen on developing alternate picking technique. I like your concept of picking "on" rather than "through" the string. I'm mostly a Bluegrass player, but I dabble in shred every now and then. Even so, when learning some of the most difficult pieces in Bluegrass I've found that the right hand is 9 times out of 10 the likely culprit that's holding you back.

[@TimmyTantrum]

I think the most groundbreaking thing I learned from your videos was learning to let your picking hand "hang" by loosening your wrist instead of fighting gravity and using way too many muscles. I developed carpal tunnel syndrome, no doubt at least partially due to my shitty technique, and had to basically relearn how to pick after playing for 20 years. I thought I was going to have to give up because every position I tried hurt. It's been a couple years of rehab, but it no longer hurts to play, and I can point to that single demonstration as the turning point for me. Thank you for your videos.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Wow... I'm really happy to hear that, my friend!

[@shanewilliams247]

Where's that video?

[@madzangels]

Dude I had exactly the same thing after playing for like 20 years, and I could pretty much play any solo but the glass ceiling was always speed dependant - once it got to fast alternate picking I became unstuck...I was doing the same, tensing my wrist because in my head I thought I needed the control - it's a weird feeling coming out of it, that I'm now picking so much faster, cleaner and with less effort xD In lamens term MY PICKING ACTION SUCKED FOR 20 YEARS xD

[@rayburnhonea9405]

Ben I really enjoyed your video today I’m an old guitar player started playing back in 1965 when I was 15 . I really liked your lesson today how you handle the mental conditioning of picking. Like you said there’s a million ways to pick and you just have to find your own way your own style that’s basically what I did . But I have not found anyone that breaks down the art of picking like you did in this video great job🎸

[@peterv4270]

"Keeping your pick always close with the strings" It makes all the difference on may picking speed. Thanks a million!

[@arno5405]

I've been struggling with Sweet Child Of Mine's Solo for weeks now and after a few hours after trying this I'm finally able to play it at the same speed as in the original.

[@kdp2575]

'Let go of the way that you think it should be and go and find what is' - Ben Higgins, on speed picking, and by association, love, truth and the meaning of life...

[@adamroddis3218]

Wow. Followed this advice and literally found a way to pick faster than ever before, which seems effortless in a way. I hold the pick a certain way that just feels right now. I think the best advice was the bit about not focusing on going past the string like when you normally hit a string when playing slower. Tremolo picking has been a thorn in my side for 20 years and now it's been taken out in an instant. Can't thank you enough 🙌

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's brilliant! Enjoy your new abilities!

[@adamroddis3218]

@@BenHigginsOfficial thanks👍

[@mudb0ner]

This might be the best guitar lesson on youtube, it's just brilliant. This advise also applies for fingerpicking! "first you need to access the raw power of technique..and take a leap of faith, by doing! Not thinking.. This video is 17 min long and there is not one sentence that doesn't need to be there. Brilliant Ben! bless you

[@codasticpark]

This really simple thing of "resting the pick on the other side" just made me instantly improve my speed. Just thank you very much for it!!!

[@bongofury67]

This is great. Within the first 4 or 5 min I was trem picking very cleanly and what I noticed the most was that my arm was completely relaxed. No cramping or fatigue whatsoever.

[@Guitarisforgrins]

This concentrating on the feel of keeping the pick on the string is great advice. I've never heard it said in such a clear way! Thanks!

[@GoldtriggerDude]

Wow. Great lesson. Been playing for years (not professionally, more for fun). I'm more of chord guy because I gave up on trying to pick fast. Always mucked it up! This video REALLY helped. You showed me how to unlock untapped potential. Sweet!

[@garymacdonaldmusic]

I wish I had this video about 35 years ago when I started to learn guitar. This is one of the best explanations of alternate picking I have seen. Also, you can't play Surf Guitar without having a serious ability to do tremolo picking.

[@jakebriscoe]

found this video on my first day ever playing guitar. trying to learn live wire at actual pace was the most stressful thing i had ever done in my life lmao, this video finally helped me get the main riff!!! never thought one tip could help so much

[@Addicted2Guitar]

Nice philosophical talk about speed picking. Thanks for approaching it from a realistic viewpoint.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it! The mindset is the most overlooked part!

[@SilverPaladin]

This has been my biggest desire lately is to get my picking speed up. I love that you have broken this down, and provided a START HERE FIRST lesson. Can you continue this as a series? So the next thing I guess is working on string skipping, or synchronizing left and right hand? I don't know, your the expert! But I love the idea. Start here, when you get to a certain level move to step 2 and son on. Very awesome! And Thanks!

[@JawTooth]

My favorite part is around 10:30 for good advice. I approve this video!

[@marcelors2764]

Take it easy, Chuck Norris.

[@jasonsoros6422]

Thank goodness 'Jaw Tooths' approval on this video! Now I know what Ben means. Great advice Ben, magic.

[@jezzaboi2168]

One of the only videos that can legitimately show positive change in skill straight after watching the video. Well cone

[@giangiang]

When I watched this video 2 years ago, I didn't even understand what to do or what should I do first. Now 2 years later, it's all making fuckin sense, I've been so hooked religiously in slowing it down and going up gradually and this video is like a wall of bricks that hit's you and say "Just let go and see what you can do". Tremolo picking is so fundamental that nobody uses it for practice but after Ben explained it, the positioning of your pick and how you position your hand is everything. Thanks Ben! I may have a breakthrough moment and I'll start practicing everyday from now.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's awesome - well done for keeping with it and getting the breakthrough! Now go and get those guitar gains :)

[@nickmellor344]

Outstanding presentation. The simple 'imagine you are keeping the pick in contact with the string at all times' concept is a really clever psychological trick Ben.

[@thepoozer]

Watched a lot of Troy Grady's stuff about pickslanting but this one video here, was my "OHHHh this is why I suck moment" Thank you so much. Will be purchasing your programs soon. Fixed a lot of problems.

[@HastOsth]

Dude, Honestly, best tip ive ever seen. I´ve been playin for 20 years and cant alternate for shit. Now i can, after just 3 days of praticing with this technique! Awsome vid!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Great to hear, Daniel!

[@peppasgeorge]

You are a true MASTER teacher! 18 years of trying and give up several times for 130bpm tremolo picking... I see this video and try some things... 2 days and 190 bpm tremolo picking!!! I can't really express my gratitude!!! Thank you very much Ben! I've started your courses after that!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's great, Giorgos - I'm glad it helped!

[@mojako5725]

i waste my 1 year try to understand how to speed my picking , i do it wrong! this video change me, and now i can do speed picking !!! thank for your tip and help!

[@curlzwalk]

THIS IS TRULY ONE OF THE BEST PICKING VIDEOS MADE! It works!! Thank you!!!

[@loveprestrump824]

He's absolutely right pounding scales is actually very simple once you learn the shapes and practice and your muscle memory. Practice makes perfect. I think it's harder to make the notes sound tasteful and to make yourself just sound good(voicing) speed playing gets boring real fast.

[@usbzoso]

this video changed my life overnight! thank you for posting this

[@angelagrimaldi8247]

Ok

[@kieronbrown5862]

This is GOLD. As others have mentioned, I was stuck at ~120BPM 16th notes. I dropped the metronome right back, messed around with picking technique and started using a tremello action instead of picking individual notes and quickly realised I'd been going about this all wrong for years. Immediate, significant improvements. Thanks!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Great to hear this, Kieron

[@justinpaul6916]

I just started doing this yesterday, and my picking got better, and today I am watching your video . I think I did it right this time..Trust me this is the best technique to improve your speed. ..

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's great!

[@Wyldwulf]

I needed this video a year ago- fortunately I've been picking up speed (pun intended) over the past few months by finally figuring out that endurance is actually a HUGE part of being able to pick quickly, and that I was lacking it. Tremolo picking is the arm/hand muscle equivalent of running in place- you may not be getting anywhere, but you will still gain stamina. I started out with the stiff arm TREMBLE technique- which is awful and I nearly hurt myself irreparably. Ben's video is THE video for this subject. Picking fast for a duration will cause some minor discomfort even when your pick grip is soft and your wrist is loose. The best trick I have found is doing alternating 4ths, 8ths and 16ths while decreasing the first two and lengthening the latter. The slower reps remind your body of proper looseness and solidify the unison of your fast/slow technique. Your muscles will burn a bit- I usually stop in short order after it begins and tension starts to build- the tension is a result of not yet building the proper endurance- you are effectively pushing tension out to an acceptable time where long unbroken rhythm and leads sections are possible tension-free. Also on point is the speed for speed's sake thing. Speed is a valuable tool for dynamics in pretty much any style and not exclusive to shred. John McLaughlin, anyone?

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Yes, mixing up the note values is another way to do it... like an active rest. It also 'primes' the pick for quicker movement by having it already doing something rather than going in cold. Both ways work well so I encourage anyone to mix it up.

[@CPettybone1]

I have played the guitar and mandolin for over 40 years with the guitar being my primary instrument for 27 of those 40. As a guitarist I didn't develop a decent tremolo picking style. I have played a lot of blues based music and have relied on a pretty good legato technique for years. Back in '04 I started playing primarily mandolin with a group that I stayed with for about 11 years. So? Well, for about 11 years I was a mandolin player playing mainly folk/ragtime/old timey music with a shitty tremolo technique. In the group I was in we "gigged" all the time and were learning/writing new music continuously so I had no time to practice technique as my time was taken up learning and rehearsing. About a year and a half ago we stopped playing, and all of a sudden I had time. I watched a handful of videos about tremolo picking on the mandolin and found nothing that really impressed me. I started watching a lot of metal guitarists(yngwie etc) that I loved in the '80s. I noticed that many were using the same basic ideas that you mentioned in this video. I started practicing nearly every day for about a year. Some days I would practice for a couple hours, others just a couple minutes. Now, I tremolo pick with the big boys. I'm babbling. I wish I would have had this video to watch when I started building my technique. Somehow I have stumbled onto your ideas on my own. Your suggestions work, I can attest to that. I now apply these ideas to my guitar playing as well. Today I'm playing stuff that I couldn't even approach before. You sir are an excellent teacher. I'm going to watch again as there were a couple of things I saw that I'm going to try. Thank you for posting this video!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Cheers, the mandolin is not an easy instrument to play at all!

[@CPettybone1]

I started when I was a kid before I started playing guitar so I grew up with it.....sort of.

[@Eli-C-]

I saw a blues cover band back in April and the guitarist was tremolo picking a solo, so this stuff isn't exclusive to metal. I don't know the name of the song he was covering, though. Personally, I'm not a metal player and I still want to learn how to do this.

[@mcbill7352]

The stuff coming out of this guy’s mouth is directly from god

[@vnoctishiru3960]

R.I.P dictator

[@prredo]

@@vnoctishiru3960 he resurrected #update #fakenews

[@vnoctishiru3960]

Sike

[@antonhy_v8]

I should fire u up

[@tombaron2505]

Man thankyou so much. I started playing at 13 and played electric for years. I am all self taught and although I've tried to improve my technique, I hit a plateau in my early 20s on my picking which I could never overcome. This prevented me from playing fast without resorting to tapping or legato. I blamed this on being left handed. I switched to finger picking acoustic and oddly enough, even being left handed my right hand technique for fingerpicking is very very good. So I hit my mid 30s and bought an electric again determined to succeed this time. I still couldn't pick properly. I watched your video and it totally opened up my mind to the level of detail required to break out of this plateau. I realised my right hand technique was still off and the pick catching slightly on the upstroke in faster pieces and on string skips. Being a leftie my left hand would follow a lick fine but these tiny pick catches would throw my hand sync out. Following what you said I sat there for hours man! Tremolo picking different positions of pick, wrist, forearm, guitar in lap and rotating my hand. I wore a pick out just doing this. I finally nailed it to get a near perfect position. I then realised that on the string skips my wrist and forearm were slightly lazy and my fingers were adjusting the pick angle slightly. Fixed that too and now I'm sailing. Just need to relearn hand sync with a far better right hand technique. I would have never fixed this without this video! It's not because I'm a leftie and not capable of playing right hand guitar, just a lack of attention to detail! Now I can fulfill my guitar goals of 20 years and learn all the metal solos I enjoyed and still enjoy now. Thanks dude. Tom

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Tom that's amazing to hear - well done for putting in the work! I'm about to do a free 10 day workshop which starts a week from now... you're welcome to come along and join in! www.benhigginsofficial.com/free-workshop.php

[@GuitarFool1569]

Dude, you spoke right to me. Everything you mentioned that was a improper technique is exactly what I've been doing for years. And, like you said, the mental aspect is going to be the hardest to get past. Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting this video up. Now, if you don't mind, I got some picking to do.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

I'm really pleased to hear that, Bill!

[@adamoxx1]

You are truly an amazing teacher. I kind of intuitively arrived at the same conclusions by being very conscious and cognizant of my body. Indeed it is impossible to feel relaxed when picking fast at first, but all you need to do is just be aware that being relaxed is the goal, keep this thought in your mind, even if you are far from being relaxed, and wait for it to come true. Muscles do need weeks or even months of consistent training, with ups and downs along the way. But then, sometimes suddenly, the tipping point comes and you begin to realize you no longer need to struggle.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Yes this is a very good point. You do need to feel that build up of muscle fatigue and feel the muscles working... but at the same time you can consciously try to shift the effort away from the arm and focus more on the hand itself, allowing the muscles to relax gradually. It does take time... we refine as we go on.

[@Yamagatabr]

Excellent! You just managed to put years of experience and search, and hours and hours of lessons in this videos. It's good to see how guitar teaching and practicing is evolving nowadays to a concise set of accurate and usable universal concepts :D

[@stevesturdivant6081]

This is a very intelligent guitar player !!

[@fuRRioso]

Finally somebody that knows how to explain the technique!!!! All the other videos are crap. They show you a tab and 0 technical explanation. You gain 1 subscriber sir. 🙌🏼

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thank you!

[@johnandkassbolles7708]

Dude - I'm 64 years old. I've been playing guitar since I was 10 years old. (!) I've been trying to build up my speed for years, but to no avail. I watched this video LAST NIGHT, and already I'm seeing MAJOR growth. I knew I was doing something wrong but I couldn't bring it all together. This video cracked the code. Thank you!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's awesome!!

[@guibepacheco9711]

Great tips man! I play for 20 years now and this lesson really made a difference. Thmak you!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Awesome!

[@dannyanker7852]

This man is egoless and skilled .....a complete joy and revelation .... a brilliant teacher that true lyrics wants us all to get it .... one of the best ... if not the best on line tutors I’ve come across. Thank you sir .... incidentally he has cool tats too

[@sourpatchkid20]

I love this video i used to only anchor my palm on the strings trying to play thrash with crazy elbow pain until I decided to experiment with hand positioning at first I did the position u said to avoid if we could the forward backward one that caused my shoulder tickle and my neck hurt, did some more experimenting and found my new position anchor my palm AND the fat of my thumb on the body above the strings.....although I had doubts after seeing no masters with that technique. Although my speed and capability doubled almost immediately and I felt the sky is the limit. Now after 2 weeks playing slayer riffs like chemical warfare and angel of death accurately and I just keep getting better, so this video saved me tears and frustration I found what works for me and will stick to it.

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

I’m on Level Two in Fender Play, though I’m an experienced musician. This answered a lot of questions about more than how to simply pick faster. It’s especially helpful that you’re showing how people do it wrong.

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

Now I’m Level Five in Yousician, and it’s only week nine.

[@paulsaunders1165]

Thanks Ben this is so useful has increased my picking speed in two hours just got a Fender Telecaster Ultra and this video has pushed me into the Ultra zone thanks again and I have subscribed

[@anthonytaroni9277]

Thanks Ben... I have been trying to learn for years... about to give up. BUT I found this - it is a break thru!!

[@paulbureauforvp]

Most practical lesson ever...genius teaching!

[@sirtyler9272]

Wow! Thanks to your lesson I cured my carpal tunnel syndrome, and I can play 123⁴ bpm, I attracted my new wives and all 13 of my children are now lead guitarists in popular metal bands! All thanks to your lesson! ♥️ from Bermuda

[@LinkySlinky]

Thanks m8 you explained that way better than 98% of anybody else

[@nebur8030]

The goat actually, has been struggling with proper picking technique for a while and you made my speed go up by at least one hundred procent during the time of this video

[@relaxjack2249]

Not just a speed picking lesson. Thank you.

[@carlosmatos9848]

Excellent video, Ben! Not just a "Here's how to alternate pick 3nps licks at 290bpm" video but you covered a lot of important technical and philosophical points as well.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thanks! That's exactly the point, people don't need to see another 100 zillion examples of fast picking. We already know what it sounds like... it's getting there that's the problem!

[@ramynoureddini5487]

Incredibly articulate and clear instructions. Great lesson man!

[@mrwolf-jk3wg]

Now that is what I call useful information, I’ve watched other videos on techniques and none match this. You have described it so well that a toddler could understand it clearly. Really gets the message across. 🤘🏻

[@kevc-69-]

Very true, my tremolo picking was tight as a gnats ass when i began learning the guitar, life took over and when i went back to my guitar i picked like a beginner, i could barely pick without a stutter or two.

[@MCHH-ml2qq]

as a death metal guitarist, speed picking (at 300+ bpm) and playing technically complex riffs really fast in general is pretty much my specialty so I'll post some valuable advice here that hopefully beginners will come across. in speed picking, the most important thing to remember is not really the speed you're playing at but how much you're able to control that speed. its one thing to just learn how to play fast, its another thing entirely to control your speed and pushing for precision in what you play every time you play it. my advice is to take what this video shows you and play it SLOWLY (yes you heard what I said) then keep playing it slowly and before you know it you end up playing it faster and faster. I've been playing guitar for 14 years and learned this not just from my guitar teacher but also from listening closely to the songs I wanted to play and pushing myself to practice all night every night for years on end tpo be as good as I wanted to be which leads to another important piece of advice in this comment. You are only as good at guitar as how much you practice playing guitar, never forget that in your development as a guitarist.

[@princeworld4769]

I am playing guitar for 35 years now..started when i am around 10 years old..but i still have problems with speed…maybe i am dong it wrong

[@frankg3278]

These are amazing words of wisdom! You've pretty much summed up most of my problems with playing.

[@rookymusic6310]

Made a 40 bpm jump after 20 mins of your advice --“keep the tip of the pick in the string” was my a-ha moment! Thanks dude!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Really pleased to hear that - well done!

[@rookymusic6310]

BenHigginsOfficial thanks dude-this stuff is gold!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

@@rookymusic6310 Feel free to grab the free Warm Up course too.. you can use what you've learned to apply to a really cool picking exercise to help with string crossing www.benhigginsofficial.com/courses.php

[@rookymusic6310]

BenHigginsOfficial thanks dude I actually grabbed warm up, badass picking, legato gym and hand sync! Your stuff cuts through all the bs and gets right to the point! Love it

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

@@rookymusic6310 That's great man, I'm really glad to help. NO B.S. guitar technique tuition is my mission!

[@cainm8808]

Brilliant video! You are saving years off people that are practicing wrong.The best part is your helping people like me that have been playing many years figure out why we can’t shred at super high speeds.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

I'm pleased to hear that!

[@Bluehmind]

Hi Ben! just want to say THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

You're welcome!

[@argylemcgoogin3298]

I really think that I've hit pay dirt this time. Many promises made, many failures. I have a deep gut feeling that this is the technique that is really going to pay off. Thanks.

[@deancrow3525]

How did that turn out for you one year later?

[@kurtshousedemos3671]

@@deancrow3525 probably didn't work out because guitar is played on more than one string

[@easchit]

This was a great video. You really addressed the psychological issues as well as the physical technique. Well done! And thanks... now I need to go practice

[@caiolopezcomz]

I didn't even try your lesson and already liked it.

[@MrMrJameskeegan]

Love folk that are really good at explaining their skills and how others can gain the knowledge,

[@drewharris2167]

Damn bro this video has totally changed my playing... I was that player that you explained at the beginning,,, stuck a around 90-100 bpm... Now playing the same riffs at required speed needed, at 175-220... thank you so much!!!!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

That's brilliant Drew - well done!

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Incredibly useful video!!

[@SomethingImpromptu]

This is easily one of the best guitar technique videos I’ve ever seen. I’ve been playing for years & years & was quite stuck in the situation you describe at the beginning. I learned to play guitar right-handed as a kid despite being left-handed, because it felt more natural at first, but that has held back my picking, & I had plateaued for so long that I felt like I was hitting a ceiling due to that idiosyncrasy. And in 16 minutes you broke down the mechanics of the necessary technique both in terms of the physical process & where your focus & intentionality should be directed throughout, & how to practice so succinctly that after just a few minutes of trying to integrate your approach I can already tell it’s going to make a tremendous difference, because it made a notable one right away. And a lot of the advice is versatile enough that it can apply to the finger style I’ve been working on, which is super valuable to me, because I’m working on adding some classical guitar to the repertoire & it’s hard as hell. Thank you, Ben Higgins. You’re providing an invaluable public service. I may eventually end up writing music that I wouldn’t have been able to play if it wasn’t for you. 😊 You’re opening doors.

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thanks man that's great!

[@TheRokkis]

Amazing. "Pick on the string". That was exactly what I needed to answer a question I couldn't form for so long time. This really hit the spot and I think "got it". The increase in speed is unbeliavable compared to my previous awful attempts =D Great job, thank you!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Glad to hear it!

[@buffsop3191]

This video made guitar playing fun for me again! I'm a guitarist of about 12 years and I've felt like I would never get this under my belt, but now that I'm putting these ideas into practice, I finally feel like I'm improving rather than just doing the same old shit day in and day out and getting nothing out of it. Thanks, Ben!

[@BenHigginsOfficial]

Thank you, that's great to hear!