The Essential “In Focus” Course
The Power of “Economy Picking”
Rules of Economy Picking
- If picking the same string more than once, use alternate picks – e.g. d u d u
- When changing to a string closer to the floor than the previous string picked, pick down – e.g. if plucking string 2 after string 4, pluck string 2 as a down.
- When changing to a string closer to the ceiling than the previous string picked, pick up – e.g. if plucking 5 after string 4, pluck string 5 as up.
Example 1 – A minor scale
Example 2 – Cream – Sunshine of Your Love
Example 3 – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication
If you find you pluck the wrong strings a lot when using a pick, this is definitely the lesson for you. Go slow and ingrain this lesson to make it a habit!
Your explanation in this video is very helpful. I have struggled with this concept before as my routine is down up, down up. Breaking that will take a little practice but the strings to the floor start with the down pick and the strings to the ceiling start with an up. Very simple and easy to understand. Thanks.
Brill, thanks for the comment, Bob. Delighted that you are finding it useful. Keep up the great work.
This is an excellent technique. Takes some work but well worth it.
Yeah, definitely one that everyone who uses a pick should have in the bag! Good work.
a-ha moment! I do alternate picking but just learned I was doing it a little wrong so THANK YOU for another great lesson Dan! I am having so much fun with all of this.
I love a-ha moments (and not just the band). So pleased you are enjoying it here and getting stuck in! Keep it up 🙂
Yet another new technique! Am unlearning every day what I have been wrongly playing and learning the right ways! Thx Dan 🙂
My pleasure, Gilson. Yeah, a very important technique this one, and one not many know about. Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
just started using a pick a couple weeks ago. been using the nail on index for down and thumb nail for up on a string. thanks Dan.. I needed this.
Glad to hear it, Robert. So important to get these fundamentals sorted. Good work! 🙂
This is the first time I’ve heard it explained like this. Much easier to understand.
Ace, it is a tricky concept to learn but super pleased you got it. 🙂
Awesome, as usual! Thankyou for your awesome teaching!
My pleasure, James, and thanks for the kind words. Keep up the great work! 🙂
I was taught this in my lessons many years ago. After a couple of decades not playing this was one of the things that came back quickly. It is a technique that is well worth the effort. I found that after a little effort it was the natural was to pluck the strings and you wonder why you didn’t do it previously
That’s great it came back to you quickly! It’s a real good technique for sure! 🙂