Tremolo Picking

Kman1

Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:22 PM

I have a question, whenever I tremolo pick with anything smaller than a heavy pick, the pick bends alot and makes my sound really scratchy. How can I fix this?

—

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:23 PM

Keep practicing. Do you have a metronome? If so, start slow and work up to speed with accuracy. For more on picks, we have 13 pages here:
http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=133

—

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

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:24 PM

Practice. I've never experienced a scratchy noise. I am one of the fewer players on here that uses 'lighter' picks. I use .60mm. Started on .46mm.

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Kman1

Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:25 PM

My technique sounds great with heavy picks. But when I use smaller ones, they bend and it sounds scratchy. I'll practice, but it's really annoying me.

—

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Top

JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:26 PM

If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks?

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:29 PM

JakeDobner
Practice. I've never experienced a scratchy noise. I am one of the fewer players on here that uses 'lighter' picks. I use .60mm. Started on .46mm.

Could the scratchy noise may be because you're holding the pick at an angle to the strings thus using the side of the pick instead of the tip, and you're using roundwounds?

—

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

JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:29 PM

I hope to god that isn't the cause.

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Kman1

Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:30 PM

Roundwounds, I'm using them because I've lost all my heavies, and the Guitar Stores are closed.

—

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Top

MissingLink

Joined: Jul 23, 2008
Posts: 488
Edge of the East China Sea
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:40 PM

JakeDobner
If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks?

I was about to say the same thing. Like you Kman, I've tried thinner picks -- found them too 'bendy', leading to a lot of wasted motion. Bought all kinds of different sizes and even tried gluing different-sized picks together. Then I bought one out of a box of Dunlops labeled '1mm' and found home. Speaking of home, when I got the pick there I discovered it was really 1.6 mm. That's all I use now. If you get better results with heavy picks, cool -- that's why they make 'em!

Top

DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:41 PM

MissingLink

JakeDobner
If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks?

I was about to say the same thing. Like you Kman, I've tried thinner picks -- found them too 'bendy', leading to a lot of wasted motion. Bought all kinds of different sizes and even tried gluing different-sized picks together. Then I bought one out of a box of Dunlops labeled '1mm' and found home. Speaking of home, when I got the pick there I discovered it was really 1.6 mm. That's all I use now. If you get better results with heavy picks, cool -- that's why they make 'em!

1.6? If you run out you can always use a quarter

—

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

Kman1

Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:50 PM

They make 3mm Dunlops, those may be worth a try.

—

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Top

MissingLink

Joined: Jul 23, 2008
Posts: 488
Edge of the East China Sea
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:57 PM

DannySnyder

MissingLink

JakeDobner
If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks?

I was about to say the same thing. Like you Kman, I've tried thinner picks -- found them too 'bendy', leading to a lot of wasted motion. Bought all kinds of different sizes and even tried gluing different-sized picks together. Then I bought one out of a box of Dunlops labeled '1mm' and found home. Speaking of home, when I got the pick there I discovered it was really 1.6 mm. That's all I use now. If you get better results with heavy picks, cool -- that's why they make 'em!

1.6? If you run out you can always use a quarter

It's a man's life using 1.6mm picks.

Top

seafoam_johnny

Joined: Jul 27, 2007
Posts: 1099
4 faces. (Where the buffalo roam)
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Nov 15 2008 09:45 PM

Do whatever Danny tells you to do. Enough said.

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Kman1

Joined: Aug 29, 2008
Posts: 694
Surf City

Posted on Nov 15 2008 09:48 PM

Ok.

—

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Top

Felix

Joined: May 30, 2008
Posts: 135

Posted on Nov 23 2008 04:44 AM

ok, and what picks do youu guys use?

—

Band: http://www.myspace.com/theterrortones

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Nov 23 2008 09:38 AM

Felix
ok, and what picks do youu guys use?

http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=133

—

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

Kman1 Joined: Aug 29, 2008 Posts: 694 Surf City	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:22 PM I have a question, whenever I tremolo pick with anything smaller than a heavy pick, the pick bends alot and makes my sound really scratchy. How can I fix this? — Sonichris I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play. Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11046 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:23 PM Keep practicing. Do you have a metronome? If so, start slow and work up to speed with accuracy. For more on picks, we have 13 pages here: http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=133 — 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
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:24 PM Practice. I've never experienced a scratchy noise. I am one of the fewer players on here that uses 'lighter' picks. I use .60mm. Started on .46mm. Top
Kman1 Joined: Aug 29, 2008 Posts: 694 Surf City	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:25 PM My technique sounds great with heavy picks. But when I use smaller ones, they bend and it sounds scratchy. I'll practice, but it's really annoying me. — Sonichris I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play. Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:26 PM If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks? Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11046 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:29 PM JakeDobner Practice. I've never experienced a scratchy noise. I am one of the fewer players on here that uses 'lighter' picks. I use .60mm. Started on .46mm. Could the scratchy noise may be because you're holding the pick at an angle to the strings thus using the side of the pick instead of the tip, and you're using roundwounds? — 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
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:29 PM I hope to god that isn't the cause. Top
Kman1 Joined: Aug 29, 2008 Posts: 694 Surf City	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:30 PM Roundwounds, I'm using them because I've lost all my heavies, and the Guitar Stores are closed. — Sonichris I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play. Top
MissingLink Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 488 Edge of the East China Sea	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:40 PM JakeDobner If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks? I was about to say the same thing. Like you Kman, I've tried thinner picks -- found them too 'bendy', leading to a lot of wasted motion. Bought all kinds of different sizes and even tried gluing different-sized picks together. Then I bought one out of a box of Dunlops labeled '1mm' and found home. Speaking of home, when I got the pick there I discovered it was really 1.6 mm. That's all I use now. If you get better results with heavy picks, cool -- that's why they make 'em! Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11046 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:41 PM MissingLink JakeDobner If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks? I was about to say the same thing. Like you Kman, I've tried thinner picks -- found them too 'bendy', leading to a lot of wasted motion. Bought all kinds of different sizes and even tried gluing different-sized picks together. Then I bought one out of a box of Dunlops labeled '1mm' and found home. Speaking of home, when I got the pick there I discovered it was really 1.6 mm. That's all I use now. If you get better results with heavy picks, cool -- that's why they make 'em! 1.6? If you run out you can always use a quarter — 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
Kman1 Joined: Aug 29, 2008 Posts: 694 Surf City	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:50 PM They make 3mm Dunlops, those may be worth a try. — Sonichris I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play. Top
MissingLink Joined: Jul 23, 2008 Posts: 488 Edge of the East China Sea	Posted on Nov 15 2008 08:57 PM DannySnyder MissingLink JakeDobner If your technique is great with heavy picks why are you trying to use lighter picks? I was about to say the same thing. Like you Kman, I've tried thinner picks -- found them too 'bendy', leading to a lot of wasted motion. Bought all kinds of different sizes and even tried gluing different-sized picks together. Then I bought one out of a box of Dunlops labeled '1mm' and found home. Speaking of home, when I got the pick there I discovered it was really 1.6 mm. That's all I use now. If you get better results with heavy picks, cool -- that's why they make 'em! 1.6? If you run out you can always use a quarter It's a man's life using 1.6mm picks. Top
seafoam_johnny Joined: Jul 27, 2007 Posts: 1099 4 faces. (Where the buffalo roam)	Posted on Nov 15 2008 09:45 PM Do whatever Danny tells you to do. Enough said. Top
Kman1 Joined: Aug 29, 2008 Posts: 694 Surf City	Posted on Nov 15 2008 09:48 PM Ok. — Sonichris I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play. Top
Felix Joined: May 30, 2008 Posts: 135	Posted on Nov 23 2008 04:44 AM ok, and what picks do youu guys use? — Band: http://www.myspace.com/theterrortones Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11046 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Nov 23 2008 09:38 AM Felix ok, and what picks do youu guys use? http://www.surfguitar101.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=133 — 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

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