Thread: Guitar Players

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has any picking excercises they would like to share. Doesnt have to be a song, but structure would be nice. Just looking for something to hone my finger control. Something that works the ring finger would be nice. I guess if you have a tab of it you could post it here or email it to me. Thanks.

Dust in the Wind.

Youtube has tons of great vids so search there. I also recommend Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar by Troy Stetina and Shred Guitar by Paul Hanson. I have tons and tons of guitar books and those 2 stand way way way above the rest. I really need to get Troy's new sequel to speed mechanics but thats more about music theory and applying it to the fretboard I think.

For picking, 3-note per string scales are always good and help you actually apply it to music. Also doing simple things like going up 4 notes chromatically on a string then do the same thing on the next string, then go back and do it on the original string but then skip the second string and go to the next string, basically alternating between one string and all the other strings, or even just doing it randomly. Doing exercises where u skip strings, esp large distances like e string to e string really help with accuracy.

Also is there a specific type of picking you wanna work on? Is it being able to simply pick faster on one string or more of being able to just general get around with more accuracy or are you looking to shred?

Im just looking at getting better control and accuracy. The only finger that is lacking is my ring finger. Since I started(maybe 2 years ago) I always put my pinky where my ring finger should go, and that finger got behind on control. I dont really play any actual songs, save for a few, I just make up my own things. Which is pretty challenging, but success is sweeter.

I have dial-up(insert laugh here) so I dont frequent youtube. But ill try out some of your advice on scales. Thanks

Ninja, thats a great one to have in your arsenal, I will look that one up. Everytime I go looking for tablature, I always draw blanks and end up back with the same few artists.

I remember when I had dial-up, those dark distant days... errr anyway, one thing that i always do is 3 note per string patterns that arent scales but just fingers 1 3 4. Just basically triplets with those three fingers on 1 string or moving around. The frets would match up which each finger so for example in Am it would be 5 7 8 on the low E string.

Also use the minor pentatonic scale alot. You can do the whole thing just using your pointer and ring finger although it prob better to use your pinky for the notes 3 frets up. Many pentatonic scale licks will make your ring finger do bends which will help it with strength.

It's kinda interesting the way it is for you, for most people they never use their pinky so thats the finger that falls behind.

Get the guitar one DVD for this month with michael angelo Batio. there's tons of great excercises in there!