Tosin Abasi | Ben Eller | ULTIMATE Selective Picking Primer

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Part 1: optimal setup, tone, and the cold hammer technique: 2:42
Part 2: palm muting: 4:27
Part 3: hand synchronization and left hand leading: 6:08
Part 4: cold hammer combos: 9:03
Part 5: selective picking phrasing: 10:10
Part 6: selective picking arpeggios: 12:09
Part 7: using odd note groupings: 14:57
Hey kids! Its your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller here with a very special guest: my main man Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders! And we are here to give you guys the ULTIMATE primer on his selective picking technique!!!
This cool technique is a combination of fret-hand "cold hammers" (or hammer-on's from nowhere, in the language of Eddie Van Halen) plus notes that are selectively picked on fretted or open strings. It produces a very machine-like, percussive, and rhythmic effect that you can't get from alternate picking or legato! Its all over the music of AAL, and now you're going to learn how to do it.
Tosin and i are gonna show you the basics of hand sync, tone and effects, palm muting, creating arpeggio patterns, cold hammers, and even more! Its everything you need to get ready to tackle those awesome SP etudes Tosin has put up on his channel! Tosin Abasi ! And don't fret if you don't have a dope 8 string, we both are using 6's through this whole video!
Playing my Suhr Modern Satin through the Axe FX 3. No DOD Grunge pedals were harmed in the making of this video.
Be sure to check out Tosin's channel to learn even more, and listen for him on the soundtrack of Bill and Ted Face the Music!!!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching the ultimate selective picking primer with Tosin Abasi!!! Now head over to his channels and get to work on some of those sick etudes he wrote!

[@prawtism]

Link to his channels? I can find them, but was expecting to find them in the description or in the pinned comment.

[@satchrules101]

Hey ben cool lesson , i noticed you were using small pick strokes .. but when u try to change to a new string it gets stuck in-between ... i guess u have to use swiping if using small strokes .

[@aymanarznifa259]

@@prawtism kzbin.info

[@infernalpriest8190]

You should dissect some Nile riffs

[@johnnycongamusic]

@@prawtism lĺi

[@Andreas_K_III]

Uncle Ben, nice to see that you also give rather unknown guitarists the chance to share their knowledge on your channel. That's what a real stepdad does.

[@afonsotopa9164]

"Unknown"... Ok then...

[@Andreas_K_III]

@@afonsotopa9164 Irony off ;)

[@BenEller]

Hahahaha

[@grayaj23]

Sadly, it's not a joke for a lot of my classic rocker / 80's metal friends. "Who is that guy? That sounds weird."

[@Guitarplayer724]

Afonso Topa yup, was unknown to me. But now thanks to Uncle Ben, I’ve been introduced. 👍

[@yesman8564]

plugging your buddie's go fund me for fighting cancer is the most wholesome thing i've seen a youtuber do

[@BenEller]

Haha thanks man. Cancer sucks!!!

[@APKyle]

The Lethal Weapon reboot cast we didn’t know we needed.. Plentiful of value this video has, yes. Thanks, Tosin and Uncle Ben!

[@BenEller]

HA!!!!

[@m0th3rst4r]

Im too old for this s**t!

[@davidgatto8042]

dude id watch that

[@BJSepuku]

Instantly shidded my pants upon the sight of the notification. Insane this isn't behind a pay wall

[@LuisSalgadoG95]

First Bill Kelliher now Tosin Abasi, this channel is too good, we don't deserve it.

[@maciek_p]

Now we need a video of Ben and Brent Hinds smoking weed and playing guitar banjo style for 30 minutes.

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

That Tosin guy is pretty good. He should start a band or something. Build some guitars, too. Why not. 😆

[@metaldad1967]

Or even revolutionize picking.....

[@guitarsteve940]

like and reply if your gullible

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

guitar steve - r/woosh

[@762Faneto]

@@guitarsteve940 lmao

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

Wow

[@kaladin783]

32 seconds in and there’s already a John Petrucci warmup.

[@sadfasdsfgs5941]

Selective picking gives me Adam Jones vibes

[@torinthunder3039]

I LOVE ADAM JONES ONE OF MY TOP 5

[@brettguitarlessons]

@Noah Wood Yeah man I've tried to get through Rock Discipline so many times bro caught it right away!

[@NickBurbeyGuitar]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the coordinated shirts?

[@BenEller]

We’re basically twins

[@NickBurbeyGuitar]

@@BenEller I mean. Obviously.

[@ExoShaman]

The DOD Grunge pedal gag gets me every damn time. lol

[@SHKEVE]

I know you did this because it's my birthday today. Thank you, uncle ben!

[@BenEller]

Happy birthday, nephew!!!

[@n34z3r]

Because he's that type of guy. 👍🏾

[@yohanonshine4664]

Ok so my right hand is in the taint, Missy Elliot is flipping and reversing it and the open G stiring is getting hammered on till it comes thru the hamburgers.....I got this!

[@SuperHorsecow]

Flipping and reversing a cold hammer to the taint

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

If I had nickel every time I heard that...

[@failuretocommunicate4976]

Smell my finger 👈🏻

[@OnlyAson]

I like Ben Eller because he teaches me things about my guitar that I didn’t know before. Things like my guitar has a taint! Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@RizoftheDead]

I’m so glad you got Tosin on. He has always awed me with his playing so it’s great to see him breaking down some techniques.

[@jasonmorgan4716]

if it is anything like selective hearing i should be good at this.

[@dmillaz]

The "guitar taint" bit got me. Well done uncle Ben.

[@stalker11421]

dude, I've been practicing this technique the whole day, and it is sooo addicting, i freaking love it!

[@ukcats82]

It's a real relief to know I'm not the ONLY guitar player in the world who holds their pick weirdly, Tosin is with me lol

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

The "make sure to take your DOD grunge pedal...and throw it in the trash" always makes your videos better.

[@guanoApe]

Some people r such great musicians that they can’t make a song someone just wants to listen to

[@j.r.morrison89]

Man, being a drummer for 20 years before finally deciding to tackle difficult guitar techniques has basically been a cheat code for this stuff. I found this to come pretty natural

[@OmiP42]

Uncle ben, i dont wanna be disrespectful or nothin to you, but Tosin was just on another level. Then again, none of us could hope to compare anyway.

[@BenEller]

Just trying to keep up!!

[@AbasiConcepts]

Actually I think you did a fantastic job explaining and executing this technique. You actually made some insights into how to practice it that I hadn’t thought of. Thanks for having me on!🤘🏿 🌴🦜🌸🌞

[@sikzo4628]

Heeey, it's the right angle thumb person :D (jk, love Tosin, he's a beast on guitar)

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

He's got the craziest hitchhiker's thumb I've ever seen

[@RobertMimms]

My thumbs do that too, am I as good as tosin yet?

[@kaladin783]

His picking technique looks like a car wreck

[@denniskielton2447]

Ya know, I've watched this video honestly several times now, & I must say. This has to be one of the most inspiring technique videos I've seen. It's pretty rare when someone makes not only such a relevant video, but also making it just as entertaining as it is informative. This isn't just exercises, it's VERY useful info on how exactly to use this technique and really apply it to your own style, your own chords and your own favorite scales and songs rather than just copying Tosin, it's really a good break down. Usually breakdowns that are in depth enough to make the point are hard to follow because their either super boring or have zero visual aids. You may not have the visual aids, but it hardly matters because this is just done so well & to-the-point. Thank you, & Bravo to this one.

[@psionic6126]

playing this Petrucci warmup for 20 years now and it is still in my daily routine. I recommend this to every beginner. It will take your alternate picking and your left/right hand sync to another level

[@jackiefrett3235]

It’s surreal to see somebody besides Tosin to pull this stuff! 😂 It had to be Uncle Ben though, I would trust him to break down any insane guitar-related madness! 🥰

[@patrickrocha4283]

My favorite lesson of yours, thank teaching this new technique. Definitely going to use in my playing

[@wilydingus]

Jokes on you I'm stealing part for and joining tool. Thanks so much for doing this yall! Also shoutout for my two fav teachers joining forces, was wanting some more specific selective picking help so this is awesome! Stay cool

[@Pericles777]

I have been working on this for the past few months im so glad you made this video

[@wphill2]

A well thought out step by step tutorial on how to begin studying this technique. Lots of other ‘tutorials’ are just guys showing off, but this is both shredding and explanation. Thanks!

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

What a gift to have Ben spotlight this style for us. Going to start today with a simple pattern because percussionating on the electric will ascend my kundalini. Serious.THX Ben

[@ashesog4204]

Thanks so much Ben for this great video helped me finish my new song!!!

[@aramaroian5831]

Thanks as always for keeping guitar practice fun!

[@bestboy897]

really love your hawaiian shirt uncle ben, its so snazzy.

[@BenEller]

Thank u

[@adrianurrusuno2607]

Wow Ben, this content is over the top. I mean, REALLY. This is gold. Keep'em coming please!

[@geraldpeck7602]

Caught a glance at this technique last year and already coming up with new rhythm ideas.This video is just excellent.I still need to work on my legato,this is a huge push towards that.Endless possibilities with an electric guitar, seriously.It never ends.

[@prateekgautam5514]

Wow!!!!!! Thank you so much for bringing him here!!! Now I'm gonna spend some years watching this video and practising it!!! I hope you bring some more guests!!!!

[@jeffreytaylor6257]

Such talent. Well done.

[@joshuadaniel4443]

I saw both of these guys in GTA: Vice City.

[@ebensf]

Superb lesson. Thanks for making this.

[@danielreeves4171]

Yessss i was hoping you'd have a video on this! And the toasty feature is frickin sick!!

[@dariendingus7038]

Thank you guys for making this kind of knowledge more accessible to mortals.

[@kakigoreng83]

Great stuff, thanks to you both!

[@lala-everyonescrazyaunt]

I can't wait to dig into some of this, this weekend. 👍✨

[@raybergstrom]

Thanks for this video! I've started working on this and it feels like I have to unlearn everything I thought I knew about playing the guitar.

[@rjprivate]

Some wicked cool licks came out of this

[@Krullmatic]

Wow Uncle Ben, what a treat! You're so good to your nieces and nephews! I love that Tele style guitar that Tobin created!

[@g99se9]

How did I know you were going to say “taint of the guitar”? Stepdad superpowers, that’s how.

[@glenjamin2703]

Last time I was this excited for an episode was Saturday morning cartoons in the 90’s. Super cool to see Ben and Tosin collaborating. 2 awesome dudes with incredible talent. The guitar community is so amazing!

[@non_brewed_condiment]

Wow, It's really awesome to see Tosin in this video. I just finished watching part 1 and 2 of your thump video from like 7 years ago and it was such a helpful way to learn that technique. It's really awesome to see how far you've come with this KZbin stuff since then. I've watched quite a few "KZbin Guitar Lesson" Creators but your videos seen to just click with me. I get a lot out of them and I can't wait to check out more. Definitely subbed, gonna go get on your patreon too because this is some really helpful stuff. Thanks Uncle Ben, I really appreciate all the help I've gotten from your videos.

[@BenEller]

Thanks a bunch, dude!

[@non_brewed_condiment]

@@BenEller thank you, man! You really are a great teacher. The way you explain things makes it very easy to follow. Very glad I found this channel.

[@DanKleeman]

The collab of the century!

[@RickerbyMusic]

Such an awesome technique! Also Tosin's tone is killer!

[@es4564]

An unexpected continuation of your "Thumping" video lesson from 2013. I'm all here for it.

[@JohnSmithiuyytw]

Thanks both for a fine video.

[@NathanFazekas]

I wanted to play along with all of your exercises, so I got the pleasure of hearing "very smoothly over a beat" at 16:44 as I played that pattern over and over again probably 30 times

[@Classic_DionysuS]

Repeating notes on the guitar is probably one of those things you don't see happening as much as other instruments. His tech with the pedal tone is basically making a flamenco approach work with a pick almost. I remember when I first starting learning flying in a blue dream, I was like ohhhhh you can play a lick like (1)5-7-(1)7-9-(1)9-10 without out the need to double pick, you just start each repeat with finger 1.

[@malidukica]

Total absolute kickassery. :D Flipping it and reversing it!

[@luxuriousfir]

Great video! Concise! Thank you!

[@jayseb]

What a great video and subject!

[@gunslinger80sguitars]

Good gravy, good thing its a long weekend to get this going.

[@JusticeXFalls]

This was super helpful thanks!

[@MikeSealguitar]

This is awesome!

[@BenEller]

Mike Seal is awesome!

[@han36solo]

Oh, oh ok I thought selective picking was when band security would hand out backstage passes to certain "selected" concert-goers, ala VH.

[@BenEller]

Hahahahahaha wow

[@Cognitoman]

Lol

[@rolandlemus203]

Love this video, thanks Ben and Tosin! I should have watched this before I entered the DSP contest:) Awesome stuff:) \m/!

[@kingofkingsVAR]

The lesson I didn't know I needed!

[@hollowthere3850]

Anyone that doesn't know much about this guy needs to listen to the first Animals as Leaders album from beginning to end. It's incredible! You're welcome.

[@stepitupandgo67]

Another great lesson... thanx shred meisters...great insight into Tosin's style...

[@rickrudd]

"Just the way your dad likes it. Hard and fast" bwhahahahaaaaa.

[@charliebowen5071]

This is very useful for violin too

[@KerryLiv]

Hmm, Today is quickly turning into a "Selective Picking" kind a day. There's enough top-notch info in this vid to turn it into a "Selective Picking" kind of life! Thanks, Tosin & Ben

[@SpectresOverVenice]

The Uncle delivers yet again and makes your day even goodlier!

[@PhobosDDeimos]

First Bill Killiher now Tosin Abasi. Man, you bring the best together, Uncle Ben! 💜

[@han36solo]

Great lesson Ben! ..and Tosin!

[@mitchellrcohen]

So. Helpful. Thank you!

[@riffsfromtheabyss666]

Sick video fams, gonna implement these!

[@RandyBakkelund]

Damn, you really nailed it with this video!

[@graysonhester2955]

I am way in love with all of this.

[@david_spillmour726]

Thanks fellas! Ben, you crack me up more betterer.

[@Brookzplayzmuzic]

Dude I swear to God. I have never understood a lesson more than this one..ty!!

[@maxbeau5062]

Killer video uncle Ben!

[@macdietz]

How did this only get 40k views in a month? This is one of your coolest videos!!!

[@EmotionalShredd]

Interesting concept

[@whitecollarguitarhero687]

Great and insipiring lesson! I am now looking forward to hearing some selective picking with the DOD Grunge Pedal activated.

[@DEPHY4NT]

Amazing!

[@basildog007]

Awesome thanks!

[@cebastianlayneOffical]

Bless you for helping the fight against cancer ✨✨😎😇🙌

[@nathangreen5097]

Soooooo that’s something I’ve stumbled upon in the past and I’m glad someone, Tosin especially, is the one to coin it and use it effectively and not like some dude teaching himself how to play guitar for his own self gratification and sanity. Thanks y’all!

[@GregsGarage]

Master level gold right there!!! Holy crap!!!

[@Pit_Lord]

The thing that helped initially with selective picking was thinking of it as playing a guitar like a piano; your left hand plays the low end, the right hand plays the high end. Your mileage with this mindset will vary, but it helped me a ton.

[@TobyKBTY]

THAT OLD PETRUCCI ARPEGGIO EXERCISE. Man that brought back some harsh practice memories from when I was a shredi knight in training

[@ErikAnders]

thanks for breaking it down even more. i get it but this helps even more.

[@Frankiecheek]

Selective picking gives me Adam Jones vibes

[@swarthygiant1463]

I think it’s because he’s a serial hammerer, and the tamber of leading with your left hand almost makes it sound like a delay which he also uses a lot

[@Frankiecheek]

Swarthy Giant Absolutely, especially in songs like 10,000 days and 7empest.

[@unclejack2093]

exactly my first thoughts, Vicarious and 7empest are great examples

[@sonicmayhym]

cool...have already been doing harmonies and rythmic patterns using the muted hammer on's etc.and tapping notes..but just that little spark of adding an open note or just let your mind wander and opened the door and yet another tool in the old tool box...thanks as always bro

[@eddiedoyle3607]

This is crazy good ! I have practiced legato playing , using fret hand hammers and pulls combined with some picking , and that’s cool , but this technique opens up possibilities of a more vertical playing in addition to the open string , and the variation of timing , I really like this whole idea , however it is simply obvious that it would take years to get good enough at this to incorporate it in my playing , but great stuff ! Opens up many new ideas in my mind

[@xcodychaosx]

Well better start now :b

[@vicentcarro]

Tosin is a guitar beast, seriously

[@tyler_m_tunes]

The tutorial makes me think I could actually do this.. we will see. Thanks for the lesson!

[@williamsanders2348]

Oh man this is awesome. I'll let you know how I make out in a few years.

[@marcusojito4438]

Ty Uncle Ben

[@ataberkozcelik9328]

Uncle Ben and Tosin I love you guya keep up the good work. Killer duo :)

[@EPIALUS]

The first chord to your intro score sounds like the first chord in The Cure’s love song

[@BenEller]

It sure as hell is, and it’s for that reason!!!