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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

Permalink Tremolo picked riffs

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dontrunfrombears
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Joined: Nov 05, 2021
Posts: 62
Link Posted on Oct 21 2023 04:01 PM

Hey guys

Just wondered how you guys go about writing a riff that’s tremolo picked? Do you use a scale on single string?

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Samurai
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006
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Kiev, Ukraine
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Link Posted on Oct 22 2023 04:41 AM

I am not good with scales so I mostly go where my tremolo picking leads me)

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Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

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synchro
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008
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Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Link Posted on Oct 22 2023 06:06 AM

For me, it’s a bit of a challenge. I’m not gifted at truly fast tremolo picking, but I can do it if I concentrate. I think it’s a lot easier on the low or high E strings, and that’s probably why Dick Dale played Miserlou entirely on the low E. What

I’ve found helps the most is to have a low grip on the pick. The Dunlop 205, which is more of a Jazz pick, works best, but the fact that it’s a thick pick, doesn’t favor reverb drip, so I choose that pick sparingly. That’s about all I know about tremolo picking.

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The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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ldk
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Joined: Nov 08, 2017
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San Francisco Bay Area
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Link Posted on Oct 22 2023 11:44 AM

Here's the the Space Cossacks playing Red Sunrise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbZW-JWZceQ

Ivan's playing scales, thirds, fifths, etc. on the same string, adjacent strings and skipping strings.

Basically, go where the melody takes you.

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If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

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ElectricLimnology
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Joined: Nov 20, 2017
Posts: 110
Southeast MIchigan
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Link Posted on Oct 22 2023 05:12 PM

Personally I think the whole tremolo picking thing is served by learning from influences outside of surf guitar. Dick Dale was such a weird outlier and his tremolo approach was so extreme and aerobic that I think it is a difficult place to begin. Looking back at thirty years of personal development as a guitar player, it seems like the thing that allowed me to develop tremolo picking was, what is now old school thrash metal and Robert Fripp. The main riff of “21st Century Schizoid Man” was definitely a gateway to tremolo picking. It’s fast and not really that difficult once you understand it because it’s stacks of chromatic notes. It kind of puts the focus on being precise and coordinating your hands so that you’re not playing sloppy notes. Throw in a dash of Ride The Lightening style rhythm guitar parts and you’re in a good position to get over the tremolo hump. Guitar playing is a continuum. It is really important to explore as much as you can and mix it into your own personal stew.

The one string melody versus multiple strings is more of an aesthetic thing. Obviously thanks to Dick Dale, playing a melody entirely on the low e string sounds more surfy. Sometimes playing across multiple strings sounds like shred guitar to my ears. Ultimately it’s a logistical thing and it’s easier to reach notes across strings rather than frets. The more comfortable you become with the technique the more effectively you can control the sound of the notes.

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Skiltrip
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Joined: Mar 09, 2014
Posts: 92
New York
United States
Link Posted on Nov 01 2023 11:53 AM

I often stick to a single string, especially if there's a large jump in notes. 1.) I like the sliding around that naturally happens, 2.) It often sounds cleaner not changing strings, and also more consistent, as each string can have it's own little EQ curve it brings because of gauge, wrapped, vs wound, and varying pickup pole height. Those differences might not bother some, but when I can one string it, I do, and for good reason.

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Guitarist for Northern Tides from Hudson Valley, NY.
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Last edited: Nov 01, 2023 11:55:11

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