How To Double Pick?

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

How To Double Pick?

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Tsar_Nicholas Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 67 Dublin, Ireland	Posted on Nov 04 2008 04:19 AM Greetings, Surf Monsters. Can anyone give me a few pointers about how to be able to double pick fast for an extended period of time? Are there any special exercises I should be doing? How in God's name does Dick Dale do it?! — The Pacifics - The Big Beat from Dublin Evil Sons - Wild Two-Piece Trash Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11048 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 04 2008 07:22 AM Nick, this is a subject that has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum. Please take a little time to look at the archives. You'll find more info and opinions than you ever thought possible on this. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
Tsar_Nicholas Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 67 Dublin, Ireland	Posted on Nov 04 2008 11:10 AM I've been trying but have so far failed to find topics so that's why I created this one.. I must hone my searching skills before I hone my Dick Dale skills. — The Pacifics - The Big Beat from Dublin Evil Sons - Wild Two-Piece Trash Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19266 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Nov 04 2008 11:18 AM Practice. — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Top
MadScientist Joined: Jan 17, 2008 Posts: 2188 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Nov 04 2008 11:34 AM Brian Practice. Could not be clearer or simpler. — Jamie SSS Agent #181 Cartoons drenched in reverb! The Mystery Men? El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists Top
Richard Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1683 Georgia	Posted on Nov 04 2008 12:01 PM Indeed. I find when I take a week or two off that I'm back to square one when I pick it up again. All the skill you build up and quickly fade away if you let it. — The Mystery Men? El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists SSS Agent #31 Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11048 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 04 2008 12:10 PM It can be confusing as it's called several different things e.g. double picking, tremolo picking, staccato(?)picking. http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=602&start=0 http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=231&highlight=tremolo+pick http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4119&start=0 http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4754 Here's a tip, pay close attention to the type of pick you use and where you attack the strings in relation to how you hold your arm up. But like Brian says the only way to get it is lots of practice, no shortcuts. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
zak Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728	Posted on Nov 04 2008 12:11 PM This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 20:55:29 Top
norcalhodad Joined: May 25, 2006 Posts: 537	Posted on Nov 04 2008 12:40 PM Use your ears to find the sweet spot too. The sound/tone qualities will vary according to where you pick. Picking closer to the bridge the strings are less rubbery with more resistance, pop and snap, which makes a rhythmic attack easier and produces a more cutting sound due the the metallic influence of the bridge. Toward the neck the strings get gooey and bounce around in a wider, more chaotic, circular pattern. Like walking on a tightrope. It's easier when you are closer to the anchored point. — > Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2682 Ventura, CA	Posted on Nov 04 2008 12:54 PM zak When i was learning to double-pick I found there was one thing more important than having the right strings or picks - the key is to not do all the work with just one muscle - if you don't want to feel like your arm is going to fall off after 2 or 3 songs, use a combination of wrist, elbow, and shoulder. This is what Dick Dale means when he says he uses his "whole arm" to pick. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but it will give you more speed, endurance, and control over your syncopation and tone. Picking from only the wrist or only the elbow is a great way to give yourself tendonitis. This is a good point. I learned in art school to draw with your whole arm to gain control and avoid fatigue and the principle is the same here. Top
tonetti Joined: Aug 20, 2008 Posts: 654 California	Posted on Nov 04 2008 01:21 PM I am pretty new to playing the surf style guitar, double picking came very easily to me, I'm not saying I am a pro, but I am no way frustrated, I feel progress everytime I pick up my guitar. Zaks advice couldn't have been better put. I never asked the question, but when I started playing surf, I could feel that the 9 rounds I had strung on my guitar was going to get in the way of progress and cause frustration. So I went to 11s. Now I am seeing even more progress. So I agree the things that are going to help you is practice, and remedy anything in your set up that feels uncomfortable to you, strings, pick, etc.. My advice would be to learn and play Miserlou all of the way through at least once a day. Top
Ruhar Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA	Posted on Nov 04 2008 01:25 PM I've never been very good at putting my whole arm into picking. I just can't be very accurate that way for some reason. So what I do is anchor my picking hand's heel to either the bridge or portion of the guitar's body and then use it as a type of fulcrum. This lets me be very accurate and fast. Its just the way I've taught myself. As far as materials go, I used to prefer the heavy strings + heavy pick combo, but that was destroying my picking hand and giving me terrible hand cramps. I've kept the heavy flatwound strings, but have moved to a .73ish mm Dunlop Gels (purple) pick. For now that is a good combo for me. — Ryan The Secret Samurai Website The Secret Samurai on Facebook Top
Doctor_Morbius Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Posts: 608 This Planet Earth	Posted on Nov 04 2008 01:28 PM DannySnyder It can be confusing as it's called several different things e.g. double picking, tremolo picking, staccato(?)picking. http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=602&start=0 http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=231&highlight=tremolo+pick http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4119&start=0 http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4754 Here's a tip, pay close attention to the type of pick you use and where you attack the strings in relation to how you hold your arm up. But like Brian says the only way to get it is lots of practice, no shortcuts. Thanks for the links. I'm going to read every post in them. I'm also going to practice, even though that's a fairly novel idea for me. — Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast! Fenderus Collecticus Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE Top
Tsar_Nicholas Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 67 Dublin, Ireland	Posted on Nov 04 2008 03:14 PM Thanks for all the input. I'm well used to practicing but never have I given so much thought to picking technique. I know it's very important in guitar playing in general but it's crucial in surf! I'm gonna go through those links, Danny. Thanks alot. — The Pacifics - The Big Beat from Dublin Evil Sons - Wild Two-Piece Trash Top
JC Joined: Oct 13, 2008 Posts: 98	Posted on Nov 04 2008 03:34 PM I found that the use of the metronome was fundamental for me. And of course the everyday practising. Top

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