Pick-Slanting Masterclass
Added 2023-12-11 20:53:07 +0000 UTCEver wondered how exactly all of the pro alternate pickers throughout history such as Paul Gilbert and Michael Angelo Batio manage to pick such blindingly fast lines while still remaining super clean and fluent?
While all of their approaches may be different, there's one thing they all have in common...
Pick slanting!
Pick-slanting is a picking mechanic that enables you to more efficiently switch between strings when playing fast alternate picking lines. Without pick-slanting it's just not really possible to transition between strings with alternate picking on certain types of licks, which results in the pick getting stuck in between strings.
If you spend some time mastering this trick I guarantee you will see some insane improvements in your picking!
Good luck and don't forget to share your progress with everyone in the Discord server!
0:00 Playthrough
0:32 Intro
2:14 Downward slanting lick 1
4:24 Downward slanting lick 2
5:39 Upward slanting lick 1
7:22 Upward slanting lick 2
8:34 Exaggerated slants
9:21 Two-way slanting lick
Comments
It looks like the half-speed tracks for the upward and downward licks are identical to the full-speed ones. I can slow them in GP or just practice with a metronome but wanted to point this out! Incredibly helpful lesson for refining my alternate picking technique.
Zac Haluza
2025-07-17 00:07:35 +0000 UTCjust changed my life
Spencer Southern
2025-06-22 17:07:33 +0000 UTCA very interesting lesson. Such a thing we can use in any occasion. Thank you 😊
MrB
2025-04-16 07:58:51 +0000 UTCThis is a very new exercise, never tried this. Years ago I did a bunch of Tom Hess lessons and it was all about directional picking, always starting in the direction of your playing. This is very different but the Paul G licks seem to be more coherent and cleaner with this approach, just not sure if I have the space to re-learn my approach :) . Anyone has a stance on the directional picking? Great exercise regardless.
Alex Marek
2024-12-08 08:46:30 +0000 UTCHi bradley, i find hard to do the upward slant because my hand position is quite uncomfortable. Is it normal at the beginning or doni have to modify my position?
Mario Ravasio
2024-11-16 19:31:00 +0000 UTCThanks, I've wondered about that for a while.
Hillson72
2024-11-09 02:26:55 +0000 UTCI tilt a bit yeah, it helps string transitions!
Bradley Hall
2024-11-08 22:35:00 +0000 UTCHi Bradley, I know you've got alot on your plate, but I'm still wondering do you not only slant your pick, but put it on a tilt as well? It looks like your thumb points down?
Hillson72
2024-11-07 22:58:49 +0000 UTCHi Bradley, I get the picking slanting thing, but it also looks like there's a fair amount of tilt with your pick. Is that part of it too? I've seen other players doing that and I was curious? Or am I just over ananalyzing? Lol
Hillson72
2024-11-05 14:37:09 +0000 UTCHey Bradley.. by any chance do you still have the clips of these exercises where you play them at full and half speed.. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to play along with those clips on loop and follow along with your hand movements..
nickk
2024-10-19 04:57:52 +0000 UTCI always thought pick slanting wasn't that important but trying this lesson out definitely proved me wrong. I instantly saw improvement in my alternate picking! Thank you for this great lesson Bradley
LucasPetit
2024-08-04 12:32:44 +0000 UTCGlad it helped mate, cheers!
Bradley Hall
2024-06-18 10:33:46 +0000 UTCThis is the type of tip that you notice instant improvement, incredible. Thanks a lot for this man, it should be so obvious but it was a problem I could never fix
Guilherme Utzig
2024-06-15 00:45:28 +0000 UTCmuseScore seems to work just fine
Florin Balate
2024-04-25 14:36:14 +0000 UTCSorry for this noob question, but how does one open the .gp tab files, I use gp7 but I can't seem to open the tabs there, is there an alternative?
anthony mascarenhas
2024-04-16 05:26:16 +0000 UTCgotta say, this is super helpful and informative, ive been playing for years but only now i have started ro actually learn how to do things.... instead of being infinitely hardstuck,
karvanenspurgu
2024-03-13 12:15:36 +0000 UTCFound it ✌️✌️
Neil Henry
2024-02-15 14:28:46 +0000 UTCPerfect, so glad it helped! Cheers Marcel
Bradley Hall
2024-02-10 13:25:48 +0000 UTCBrad... this is the best course, tips I've ever seen so far about crossing up and down the neck. I've been struggling so many years on this. Thank you very much !
Marcel Vézina
2024-02-10 06:56:44 +0000 UTCQuestion. I've been doing the first exercise for a little over a week and not getting any faster. But then I noticed when I go down a string (example: 10-12 G string down to 10-12 D string) I start with an up-pick on the D string. I've been playing guitar for many years and could never alternate pick fast, I've always done economy picking, and It's just a habit of picking upwards when I do a scale downwards. I hope this makes sense. I'm wondering if this is holding me back. It will be a difficult habit to break. Thanks.
Christopher Brown
2024-01-04 00:51:38 +0000 UTCAmazing!!
Bradley Hall
2023-12-18 22:03:18 +0000 UTCI’ve played for decades. I’ve been aware of pick slanting. I watch Troy Grady. But, I’ve struggled with my ascending scales for years…now I know why. It’s so simple…🤦♂️
MD Ziglar
2023-12-18 00:52:41 +0000 UTCI sure have, Troy's a God!
Bradley Hall
2023-12-15 00:03:14 +0000 UTCGood look man, let us know how you get on!
Bradley Hall
2023-12-15 00:02:52 +0000 UTCReal good video mate,it works,have you ever checked out troy gradys site or Bill hall guitarist,an alt picking god,thanks again,cheers.
Ian Mcevoy
2023-12-14 19:55:04 +0000 UTCLooking forward to getting stuck in
matt green
2023-12-12 16:45:23 +0000 UTCdude it help almost immediately during the discord hang lol
Chris Cannon
2023-12-12 02:37:08 +0000 UTCThat's so sick to hear, I'm glad it's already helping!
Bradley Hall
2023-12-12 01:10:26 +0000 UTCThis is truly amazing and mind blowing. With the already noticeable difference, right out the gate doing this.
Chris Cannon
2023-12-12 01:04:18 +0000 UTCSmall mistake I just spotted at 1:38 - I should say "escape UPWARDS", not "downwards". I'll fix it in the video tomorrow!
Bradley Hall
2023-12-11 20:58:03 +0000 UTC
