#217 - You're Probably Holding Your Pick WRONG
Added 2022-03-18 15:01:03 +0000 UTCYou guys and girls voted for more pick escape movement exercises - and since I also got a lot of questions from new members about the pick grip in general, this is the perfect opportunity to do an in-depth video about all this :)
Here are your practice files for this week (exercise play-along videos, backing tracks, tabs, guitar pro files): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_LhsRMjMdzS0wKhSQT5RKmt28BaacZSd?usp=sharing
Remember that there are many roads to victory when it comes to picks and the pick grip - but I've been definitely holding my pick wrong for my style for so many years, so I hope I can inspire you to test out different possibilities with this video as well :)
By the way, here's a Dropbox folder in case Google Drive doesn't work for you: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hgbmuo2th2ecib3/AADXeqALpCe_RyiK_A6UtryMa?dl=0
Comments
How has this gone for you?
Mason H.
2023-01-12 17:15:08 +0000 UTCHow I hold my pick is horrifically wrong... Will fix soon coach!
Mason H.
2023-01-12 17:14:34 +0000 UTCmy fingers are too pudgy to hold them on the second knuckle :(
Woke coffee price knower
2022-11-24 13:20:56 +0000 UTCThese exercises have made it apparent that I suck at doubles. Going to keep going at it. I do well with exercises 2 and 3. But exercise 4 took me like an hour to get up to 75% speed on 60 BPM. - Addendum: I made it up to 90% of 110 BMP in one day :]
Patrick
2022-10-29 14:27:36 +0000 UTCI would (am) work my way up to 110 by going up metronome settings in small increments like 5bpm or even 1bpm when things get really tough. I’ve neglected downward pick escapes for so long that it feels like a real struggle.
Rob Tribe
2022-10-05 15:46:39 +0000 UTCThis topic is currently a part of my practice plan. The problem I have is that I don't know when to go over to the next exercise. At the moment I work at the downstroke escape motion at 80 BMP. 110 BPM seems unreachable right now. Should I stick to exercise 2 for the next couple of months to get to the 110 BMP or skip it and move on and add a speed workout to my practice plan? Moving on feels like failing right now and I don't want to develop the habit to skip exercises if they become too difficult.
MateMatze
2022-09-03 11:14:31 +0000 UTCIf you're having trouble keeping your hand closed, try holding a pick in your fist with your pinky and ring finger. I did this for a week or so, and now it feels completely natural.
Zachary Van Sickle
2022-08-20 13:58:32 +0000 UTCTo everyone on here, just wanted to share a helpful tip that really helped improve my playing,which is to place a large mirror in front of you when you practice to watch your hands. It really helped both my timing and string transitions and getting those faster speeds down. Plus it's easier to compare your technique with Bernths in his videos.
Erick Kasecamp
2022-06-07 11:29:30 +0000 UTCI would love to see some more close-up footage of the picking hand to make sure I am holding it correctly. I haven't been able to unlock faster speeds and want to practice correctly to gain the technique needed for fast speeds. Thanks!
Corey Winkelmann
2022-06-07 04:34:32 +0000 UTCThe transition takes a while and comes with practice, but it's worth it - I'm definitely not looking back and this is what finally got me (and the majority of the students) the results I've been looking for :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-06-06 04:44:50 +0000 UTCWhat did you do to help yourself get used to this new pick holding technique? Trying to work with it now, but, I must admit, it feels very awkward
Rian Christopher Mitch
2022-06-04 20:58:59 +0000 UTCThis is the same question I was asking about the pick direction😌🤨
Erick Kasecamp
2022-04-11 02:08:35 +0000 UTCThat would be great though👍 and thanks for the response
Erick Kasecamp
2022-03-25 12:58:21 +0000 UTCHey Erick, thanks for asking! I'm not sure I fully understand the question but I'd love to do a follow-up video with more close-up footage if that's interesting for the community :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-25 05:40:20 +0000 UTCWhich*
Erick Kasecamp
2022-03-23 16:54:27 +0000 UTCBernth, could you explain whitch direction the tip of the pick sticks out from your index? Your video shows how the pick sits on your finger, but not the direction/ angle.
Erick Kasecamp
2022-03-23 16:52:26 +0000 UTCGripping the pick according to this video feels weird, but it IS effective! Right now, I’m topping out at 60BPM, but I am aiming high. The pick angles for escape - does this become automatic as we practice it more? If feels very alien to me.
Ignacio Martinez
2022-03-22 10:17:02 +0000 UTCI know this problem. For me it was helpful, to hold the pick not to tight. I let the pick "flow"
Mani 83
2022-03-22 05:55:42 +0000 UTCI've been practising these techniques for some time, but however much I try my wrist only works smoothly and fast with a downstroke escape movement. It never feels natural with an upstroke escape and I can only make slower jerky movements. A fast tremelo picking speed and string switching feels very awkward unless I do it with downstroke escape
Dimebar A
2022-03-21 19:10:27 +0000 UTCHi Bernth. Is it true that your students get free tickets for seiler&speer in Fürstenfeld? :-)
Mani 83
2022-03-21 08:49:35 +0000 UTCAs always, the link in the post will lead you directly to the 8 video play-alongs and all your files - have an awesome day!
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-21 05:41:30 +0000 UTCGroovy. I've been going nuts trying to figure out the optimal grip.
Gm F
2022-03-21 02:17:17 +0000 UTCI second that idea
Nate
2022-03-21 00:22:38 +0000 UTCAwesome! This kind of video is the reason why i’m here! Thanks Bernth for always making great lessons and very helpful videos! By the way, i saw your youtube “The sound of depression”; if i may ask, is it possible that you will upload that in here with with tab file and backing-tracks? I also love the guitar tone on the videos, hope you can also discuss how to achieve that kind of sound. Cheers!
Davens Michael
2022-03-20 18:13:29 +0000 UTCThis just unlocked so many issues I have had when learning faster songs
Soulless Shredder
2022-03-20 16:24:11 +0000 UTCI wonder how I can get access to the "8 Exercise Video Routines" show at 5:58 of the video? Am I missing something?
Cong Li
2022-03-20 06:02:46 +0000 UTCI have had a lot of injuries in my life when I thought I could just blast through the pain and come out stronger on the other side. The most recent one is a partially torn rotator cuff, not sure if it was caused by weightlifting, guitar, or both. It just felt like my arm was kinda sore no big deal until one day I had shooting pain going up and down my arm. I want to make sure the pain I'm feeling isn't because I'm holding the pick wrong. A pick grip that works OK for strumming or single note runs might not work once you start adding palm muting. I can't make my hand into the same shape as Bernth's in the thumbnail. The explanation isn't clear: https://imgur.com/a/xeETHLO
S S
2022-03-20 02:44:58 +0000 UTCThanks so much for the first section of this video. Pick grip is exactly what I struggle with for month. Watching this, I realized my guitar is currently hanging too high as my wrist is angled weirdly when trying to do the downstroke escape motion. Simply lowering the strap a bit felt so much better, natural and finally correct. Thank you for this epiphany. I'm looking forward to my first song using everything I've learned here since November, now that I'm finally ready for a tasty alternate picking line I've planned in the song :-)
Fhynix
2022-03-19 20:17:41 +0000 UTCoh boy, so Bernth's holding the pick between like the 2nd and 3rd knuckle? That's wild, 2 years ago I switched to what I "thought" was proper pick technique, right on the end of index finger, kind of on the side of the finger nail. Not sure how I feel about trying to switch AGAIN lol.
Aaron Shepanik
2022-03-19 17:02:53 +0000 UTCI really like how Bernth is incorporating his music into the exercises. It makes it really fun to have something to listen to and aspire to play while incorporating a building block system that allows a new player like myself ti work their way up. Brilliant! Thank you Bernth!!!
Rob Lee
2022-03-19 15:50:59 +0000 UTCThanks for asking about this David! I mostly just go with a dotted eighth note setting and I love stereo delays to make the leads sound huge :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-19 05:53:56 +0000 UTCThanks for asking about this Anthony! There are actually more parts tabbed out here, hope this helps: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bernth-seance-57720040
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-19 05:52:30 +0000 UTCWell SS you said Iron Maiden so I know your heart is in the right place 😂...I play bass and guitar. Your fingers will bleed and you will be sore. Then one day you pick up your guitar and all the pain goes away and you just play. I feel where you're coming from but trust me the discomfort goes away with practice just like any other task or job you might be subject to.
Jason Fields
2022-03-19 03:56:32 +0000 UTCIn the initial explanation when you say "and then I simply put my thumb..." it looks like your thumb is actually in a funny position where the thumb and the pick are pointing in the same direction. Then a few seconds later when say "this kind of pick grip" it looks like the pick suddenly points 90 degrees to the left. I think I'm holding my pick the same way you seem to when you demo the exercises. I get some soreness in the area around my fingernail sometimes when I practice a lot of alternate picked rhythm parts. I think upstrokes push on my fingernail and after a lot of repetitions it gets sore. I'm trying to learn songs like Iron Maiden - Run to the Hills, Ghost - Faith, In Flames - I Am Above.
S S
2022-03-19 03:36:57 +0000 UTCI'm really liking this lesson. I am working on exercise #3 atm. The 100bpm is closer to the song and a great exercise. I'm staying clean there...but the 60bpm version has 3 added notes. So at either speed this is a great pick exercise. I'm working on getting the 60 bpm up to maybe 80bpm. Fun stuff!
Jason Fields
2022-03-19 02:18:29 +0000 UTCthis is perfect you always know what i need to work on straight on to exercise 1 and can play it at 110 sloppy filmed it and my transitions are going well with the up escape i just need to sync up , working on it slowly to get the picking up to scratch , thank you so much bernth
jaz
2022-03-18 23:51:14 +0000 UTCGREAT LESSON AGAIN, would love a full song guitar pro file in the future
Anthony
2022-03-18 20:27:24 +0000 UTCI recently switched from an open right hand technique to a closed one and I think this video could not have come at a better time!
Joe Sullivan
2022-03-18 20:26:30 +0000 UTCThis is exactly what I've been looking for. Among other challenges, this is one of the biggest that I need to fix. Thank you for this !!!
Antonio Lopez
2022-03-18 19:52:15 +0000 UTCBernth - the Youtube algorithm took a holiday already, and the thumbnail seems to be missing for the next video. :D
Robert Bjärmyr
2022-03-18 17:57:54 +0000 UTCAim for the stars and reach the tree tops! \m/
Robert Bjärmyr
2022-03-18 17:46:33 +0000 UTCAll of it is beyond my present skill level, but I refuse to give up. Thanks for the inspiring lessons.
Chuck Hodupp
2022-03-18 17:38:42 +0000 UTCAnother brilliant lesson, thanks Bernth for all your hard work.
Steve Shaw
2022-03-18 17:03:23 +0000 UTC"You've got your picking motion to a certain speed like 180bpm or even over 200bpm" 🤣👏🏻👏🏻 You are a funny guy Bernth! ☕️
Eric Bailey
2022-03-18 16:12:33 +0000 UTCI miss the "german word" ^^ Nice video as usual. Thank you Bernth.
Khoudj
2022-03-18 16:03:49 +0000 UTCThis is so what I need - been following Troy Grady's site and taking lessons but still can't really get the right escape motions and alternate picking down at speed, will be adding this to my daily routine to see if it helps, thanks Bernth!
Paul Jenkins
2022-03-18 15:43:08 +0000 UTCAwesome video sir!! Quick question tho...What delay do you use in your videos? Settings? I LOVE the ways the trails take a lilt to fall off. Thanks !
David Montgomery
2022-03-18 15:31:21 +0000 UTCThank you Bernth!
Alex History
2022-03-18 15:09:22 +0000 UTCIch liebe dich Bernth
Amir Ahmadyar
2022-03-18 15:06:49 +0000 UTC
