#153 - Maximum Picking Speed, Control, Precision: Practice THIS!

I already was done programming drums by the time you mentioned you added a file :P

Demious Music

I like the GGD Invasion Kit :)

Bernd Brodträger

Bernth, what is a good drum package to get? I use Cubase 11

Carlos Tijerina

Thanks for asking! I sadly can't at the moment - but I will share it here first as soon as that changes! :)

Bernd Brodträger

Do you do private one on one classes online?

lefty here as well!

Thanks Bernth! 4 days in my practice routine and I can reach 140BPM! Great exercice as always!

kevin Dumont

I'm just an intermediate player, there's more than enough exercises here to keep me busy for a year. And yes this an awesome site with good advise and techniques!

Great lesson, but I found it a little bit hard, so I was wondering can you upload a play-along video for 60 or 80 BPM. I know there are backing tracks for that tempo, but it's much easier if I have a play-along video :) Thanks!

Awesome workout - Thanks! Great add to my routine and its awesome that there is all those mp3 files with different speeds. Only problem i have is guitar neck animation. As a lefty player i prefer (ofc) more just tabs in vids. But ofc .pdf file covers that so nothing missed. Anyways great job!

hey Bernth, this exercise is great and I certainly feel my dexterity improving. One thing that bothers me is the unwanted noise from strings between each phrase. Is there a particular muting technique used in the left or right hand that will cut this out? Thanks!

Christopher I understand your question. I run into this a lot too and the answer I'm pretty sure is that most people don't discern between "touching" and "resting" because we associate rest with relaxing the weight of our hands, versus touching for support and guidance. So when Bernth is always touching the bridge I don't think he's doing much more than making contact to keep a fixed angle of the overall grip.

The 'Jazz III' is the name of the pick. It is from Dunlop. Bernth didn't mean the style Jazz. They are great picks. I also like the Dunlop Ultex sharp picks. They are normal size but have a sharp point for better contact.

Thanks for asking about that Christopher! Yes, my hand is always somehow connected to the guitar - I personally can't imagine doing anything like this with a completely 'floating' hand approach but everything is possible I guess, we're all very different :) This is the exact pick, I sometimes play others but this works as a great all-round solution: https://www.thomann.de/at/dunlop_nylon_max_grip_jazz_iii_carbon.htm Hope that helps!

Bernd Brodträger

Hi Bernth, love this exercise. In one of your early videos you talked about the fact that you like to keep your picking hand connected to the bridge. I've adjusted a bit to playing this way but have found that it seems to make the fast transition between strings a little bit harder. When you are transitioning in these fast sections are you doing a slight lift off the bridge to move to the next string, or sliding along the bridge? Also, you mention that these are jazz picks but I was wondering which thickness and brand you prefer, and whether that changes with the style of music you are playing..

Christopher Byrum

I’m still trying to achieve your “slop” levels of playing but your advice has really shown me how to advance my stiff wristed picking. By all means, continue. Your methods rule, Bernth.

I've replaced 104 from last year with this one - I'm always struggling with these types of timings and rhythms - so I am sure this will help me improve overall - thank you!

John H

Looks simple and effective! Great exercise to concentrate on improving. Keep on making videos to this topic!

Martin Westreicher

I have to make an extra comment— this video finally made the picking angle click that you talked about several videos ago. It fits with me retraining my hand to only use the wrist. Awesome sauce

Goat Surgeon

You’re a man after my heart, Bernth! Exactly what I’ve been practicing! You made a lesson just for me!

Goat Surgeon

I am like 5 years away from this lesson. Saved for the future :)

Bernth! Thank you for all you do! Love your lessons and look forward to new ones to come!

Dustin Fitzpatrick