Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 02:33 PM
Over the course of the last few months I've noticed that tremolo picking (or whatever you want to call it) has slowly started becoming more difficult for me, both in speed and consistency. I can't play as fast as I could, and and keep missing notes too. I've not changed guitars, string gauge or picks, so I'm a little lost as to what might be causing it. I wear my watch on my picking hand, but I always have so I doubt it's that. Any of you guys have any advice? Do I just need to take a break?
Cheers!
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
Last edited: Mar 02, 2017 14:34:45
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 03:42 PM
Could it be age? Did you not practice/play as much recently? Are you working harder at work? Are you stressed? Have you been sick/do you maybe have a virus? Have you tried taking your watch off? Are you anemic? Did you change the time of day you play?
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Squid
Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1018
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 04:02 PM
Are you using heavier strings or a different guitar? Is the string action higher than it was (perhaps because of neck shape change with humidity and temperature)?
Did you change medications? Are you drinking more? There are lots of other medical possibilities; the most suggestive is an increase in muscle tension from a neurological condition such as Parkinsonian effects of a medication or illness.
— Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com
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pavlovsdog
Joined: Nov 22, 2010
Posts: 288
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 04:29 PM
It would be illustrative to quantify a marked decrease in performance. Do you play along to a metronome? If so, what was your performance before you noticed a decline and what is it now? Judging things by feel can be a nebulous gauge of performance.
Different muscle fibers fatigue quicker than others. The muscles of your arm, forearm, and hand are all pretty quick to fatigue.
OP - how old are you?
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MissingLink
Joined: Jul 23, 2008
Posts: 488
Edge of the East China Sea
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 04:50 PM
It may be that you just have other things on your mind when you're playing, or that you haven't warmed up as much as you used to. Both of these things can happen together, in fact. You feel like you really ought to shove some guitar time into your busy day, then pick it up and try to get into it too quickly. It's happened to me: "No time for the scales first," or "I just wanna play!" And then I find myself making errors and not being able to concentrate. My best answer, if this is the case, is to not force it. Play when you really feel like it and when you're not rushed, then warm into it.
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Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 05:00 PM
Wow, thanks for the quick responses!
JakeDobner wrote:
Could it be age? Did you not practice/play as much recently? Are you working harder at work? Are you stressed? Have you been sick/do you maybe have a virus? Have you tried taking your watch off? Are you anemic? Did you change the time of day you play?
I suppose looking back on it I've had less time to play daily than I used to, not by a huge amount, but less time nonetheless. Watch on or off are pretty similar for me.
_Squid wrote:
Are you using heavier strings or a different guitar? Is the string action higher than it was (perhaps because of neck shape change with humidity and temperature)?
Did you change medications? Are you drinking more? There are lots of other medical possibilities; the most suggestive is an increase in muscle tension from a neurological condition such as Parkinsonian effects of a medication or illness.
Strings and guitar are the same, but it has been noticeably colder here recently, maybe the guitar could use a set up.
**pavlovsdog wrote:
It would be illustrative to quantify a marked decrease in performance. Do you play along to a metronome? If so, what was your performance before you noticed a decline and what is it now? Judging things by feel can be a nebulous gauge of performance.
Different muscle fibers fatigue quicker than others. The muscles of your arm, forearm, and hand are all pretty quick to fatigue.
OP - how old are you?**
I'm only 20, so I'd like to think it's not age related, heh. I did use to play along with a metronome, but I guess over time I dropped off using it. Maybe I should start using one again.
MissingLink wrote:
It may be that you just have other things on your mind when you're playing, or that you haven't warmed up as much as you used to. Both of these things can happen together, in fact. You feel like you really ought to shove some guitar time into your busy day, then pick it up and try to get into it too quickly. It's happened to me: "No time for the scales first," or "I just wanna play!" And then I find myself making errors and not being able to concentrate. My best answer, if this is the case, is to not force it. Play when you really feel like it and when you're not rushed, then warm into it.
This sounds familiar. I just switched jobs and found myself with less time to play at home, so I probably have been skipping out on warming up to try and cram as much 'proper' playing is as I could.
Thanks guys, some really good point here!
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
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Squid
Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1018
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Mar 02 2017 10:17 PM
As you are 20 the only medically oriented comment that occurs to me is the possibility of decreased concentration, such as from sleep deprivation.
— Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11052
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 12:02 AM
Don't discount where your guitar sits relative to your body. Have you changed your straps or adjusted it lately?
— 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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shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 615
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 12:50 AM
I have been playing just over 30 years. Things change in life all the time that causes technique to suffer or improve. Tremolo (speed) picking is a very fine motor skill and it involves a lot of muscle movement. Very importantly, it is the economy of movement which is refined through repetition and frequency of those sessions. If you are spending less time working those muscles or anything else is changing in your health, muscles, joints (like working-out more for exercise, etc.) then things will change. Even if none of these things change, you will find that adjustments to technique, your patience, and your determination will be needed as you go through your years of playing an instrument. Aging, yes, but it is simply over the arc of time and not specifically because one is getting old, IMHO.
Adjust your grip, warm-up adequately (I never play guitar within one hour of getting up and only after I have done a few things around the house to loosen up those muscles). Repetition of movement like alternating picking, scales or just short runs of notes within a scale, short trem picking "sprints", etc, are all things that I will do mindlessly while watching a Youtube video, a newscast on TV, etc. Relax, and find a good posture/position that is comfortable and nonrestrictive.
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
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SurfBeat
Joined: Dec 31, 2008
Posts: 284
Riverside, CA
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 01:39 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
Could it be age? Did you not practice/play as much recently? Are you working harder at work? Are you stressed? Have you been sick/do you maybe have a virus? Have you tried taking your watch off? Are you anemic? Did you change the time of day you play?
Dr. Jake, that was a funny answer; definitely one of your best. I am laughing my @$$ off after a long day in court. Man, I sure am glad I did not write the question. That would have put me over the edge being the old man I am. lol. I am still laughing.
Last edited: Mar 03, 2017 12:17:25
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Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 01:54 AM
Squid wrote:
As you are 20 the only medically oriented comment that occurs to me is the possibility of decreased concentration, such as from sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation and me are rather well acquainted, heh.
DannySnyder wrote:
Don't discount where your guitar sits relative to your body. Have you changed your straps or adjusted it lately?
I did move my guitar up higher a while ago, actually. I'll try shifting it down again.
shake_n_stomp wrote:
I have been playing just over 30 years. Things change in life all the time that causes technique to suffer or improve. Tremolo (speed) picking is a very fine motor skill and it involves a lot of muscle movement. Very importantly, it is the economy of movement which is refined through repetition and frequency of those sessions. If you are spending less time working those muscles or anything else is changing in your health, muscles, joints (like working-out more for exercise, etc.) then things will change. Even if none of these things change, you will find that adjustments to technique, your patience, and your determination will be needed as you go through your years of playing an instrument. Aging, yes, but it is simply over the arc of time and not specifically because one is getting old, IMHO.
Adjust your grip, warm-up adequately (I never play guitar within one hour of getting up and only after I have done a few things around the house to loosen up those muscles). Repetition of movement like alternating picking, scales or just short runs of notes within a scale, short trem picking "sprints", etc, are all things that I will do mindlessly while watching a Youtube video, a newscast on TV, etc. Relax, and find a good posture/position that is comfortable and nonrestrictive.
Very in depth, a lot to keep in mind here, thanks!
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
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Clarry
Joined: Oct 01, 2014
Posts: 519
Streatham, London
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 04:02 AM
When I find things are going astray and feeling odd, I check my strap first. And it's usually stretched a bit and needs adjusting.
Other times I may have been playing a Strat for a few weeks, then I switch to the Jag and my left hand starts missing stuff. And vice versa.
If you are who I think you are, 20 from Chichester, too many late nights in Brighton visiting Endless Summer gigs.
Actually there can't be too many.
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Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 12:27 PM
Clarry wrote:
When I find things are going astray and feeling odd, I check my strap first. And it's usually stretched a bit and needs adjusting.
Other times I may have been playing a Strat for a few weeks, then I switch to the Jag and my left hand starts missing stuff. And vice versa.
Yeah, I'm going to try moving the strap around and see if that does anything for me.
If you are who I think you are, 20 from Chichester, too many late nights in Brighton visiting Endless Summer gigs.
Actually there can't be too many.
Thee one and only
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1400
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 05:16 PM
I know this sounds crazy, but try one of those small Eric Johnson picks. They really make fast double picking easier.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 05:29 PM
SixStringSurfer wrote:
I know this sounds crazy, but try one of those small Eric Johnson picks. They really make fast double picking easier.
Interesting, I'm using Jazz IIIs at the moment, are the Eric Jonson ones much different?
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
Last edited: Mar 03, 2017 17:33:18
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1400
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 06:10 PM
The Jazz III's are so much better than the Max .88 Grips I was using for fast double picking, but the Eric Johnson's are even better than the Jazz III's. I now use a 1.0 Max grip for traditional surf songs, but for Dick Dale I only use the Eric Johnson's.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Mar 03 2017 09:49 PM
Here is a thought for you: https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/28031/?page=1#p380012
I don't like smaller/sharper pointed picks.
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Smart_Patrol
Joined: Feb 14, 2016
Posts: 103
Brighton
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Posted on Mar 04 2017 01:42 AM
SixStringSurfer wrote:
The Jazz III's are so much better than the Max .88 Grips I was using for fast double picking, but the Eric Johnson's are even better than the Jazz III's. I now use a 1.0 Max grip for traditional surf songs, but for Dick Dale I only use the Eric Johnson's.
That's cool to know, I'll try and get a hold of some.
JakeDobner wrote:
Here is a thought for you: https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/28031/?page=1#p380012
I don't like smaller/sharper pointed picks.
Neat, I'll try this later, I have a couple of triangular picks but only really used them for bass.
— Earth. Atomizer. Let's go.
The Atom Jacks
The Tridents
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Mar 04 2017 03:07 AM
Smart_Patrol wrote:
Sleep deprivation and me are rather well acquainted, heh.
Try some cocoa or chocolate drink before bedtime. Since trying this I can leap out of bed before the alarm and whistle the original Tomorrows World theme tune start to finish no problem at all. 
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maximumsurfandroll
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 182
Edinburgh, Scotland
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Posted on Mar 05 2017 08:25 AM
Make sure you are well hydrated. Any dehydration will cause your muscles to seize up and cramp. Especially relevant when you're playing live in a stuffy venue with hot stage lights blasting down at you. Always keep a drink nearby (and no, beer doesn't count!)
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