Techniques With Todd #2 - Alternate Picking Part 2

[Nostalgia404]

is thispattern on one or two strings i cant tell?

[toddsquadxyz]

@Nostalgia404 It's on Two :) I'll post another version with some tablature.

[Nostalgia404]

@toddsquadxyz sweet man thx

[ALONVI95]

Can i use pinky??

[toddsquadxyz]

@ALONVI95 Sure :)

Practice!

Todd

[ALONVI95]

@toddsquadxyz oooo you answered in the both videos.. you rock!!! Thanks :D

[toddsquadxyz]

@ALONVI95 Happy to help :) Thanks for watching!

Practice!

Todd

[Tomastheskater]

can you recommend anything for my right hand(picking hand)? im havin trouble picking from one string to another

[toddsquadxyz]

@Tomastheskater Great question. Most of my videos focus on right hand work so I'd say start from #1 and work your way up. Also, I do skype video lessons as well so let me know if you want to book one.

Practice!

Todd

[zuhairreza41]

How long did it take to achieve that kind of speed and accuracy man? I have been playing 1.5 year and want to get faster and more consistent!

[toddsquadxyz]

@zuhairreza41 Great question. It really comes down to the player and how much time you practice. Also, it helps to have really good private instruction. I do lessons via skype and I"m sure I can help you get to over the hump in terms of speed. Contact me through my channel page or comment and we can set up some lessons.

Practice!

Todd

[crazycory11]

thank you for making them free

[toddsquadxyz]

@crazycory11 Thanks for watching :) Glad they are helping! More to come.

Todd

[Turisas4]

i don't know why, but just hearing you say "practice" so much, and seeing it on all your comments filled me with great motivation haha. enjoying the videos thanks!

[maggjot]

ur bad A thanks todd

[toddsquadxyz]

Well thanks :) I appreciate that. Many more lessons on the way!

Practice!

[Alejandro1313sixx]

By double pick do you mean ALternate pick?

[toddsquadxyz]

Yes. "Double Pick" is just slang for "Alternate Picking".

Practice!

Todd

[meattheparents]

i have a question as well, i can alternate pick pretty fast ive been doing it for like 3 years , how do i work my speed up that fast ?

[toddsquadxyz]

That's easy :) PRACTICE YOUR BUTT OFF! Seriously, start slow and get a metronome. Work up in little increments. Increase the speed of the metronome a little each day and keep at it.

Practice!

Todd

[dud3p4l]

ive got a question. are you alternate picking or economy picking for this video? i.e. should i work on speeding up my alternate picking or cleaning up my economy picking?

[toddsquadxyz]

@dud3p4l Great question. This vid is about alternate picking but economy picking is important as well. I'd say practice both!

Todd

[gitarboy93]

do you like play 1 pick at every note or do you just play fast with you`re right hand and then just play the scale with you`re left?

[toddsquadxyz]

@gitarboy93 I"m playing one note every time I pick. It's really a matter of practice to be able to do it fast. I'm sure you will be shredding in no time!

Practice!

Todd

[RandomVideosRox2]

What happens to me is when I'm picking up the neck I end up hitting one of the other stings and it sounds really bad.

[toddsquadxyz]

@RandomVideosRox2 Yup. That's what happens at first. Try to play slowly at first, and pick up speed over time. As you go along, you'll be able to do it faster without hitting the other strings.

Practice!

Todd

[RandomVideosRox2]

Thank you!

[Laquistifah]

How long have you played? How many hours do you practice per day? You are pretty skilled

[toddsquadxyz]

I"ve been playing since I was in my early teens so, forever :) Thanks for watching!

Practice!

Todd

[Alejandro1313sixx]

What do you mean by double pick?

[toddsquadxyz]

It's just slang for "Alternate Picking" which is just, upstroke, downstroke, repeat.

[hiitsrandy]

dude i like your lesson! right on

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks much :) More to come!

[MastersOfTheNight]

Your Videos are great im subscribing and checking out the rest they help a lot

thanks

[DoubleIntruder]

What do you mean when you say "Double pick" ?

Is it that you're picking the first note of the triplet pattern twice..?

[toddsquadxyz]

It is just slang for "Alternate Picking". Up stroke, down stroke, repeat.

Practice!

Todd

[dariusmk]

nice lesson. One question. do you mute the strings with the tip of your left hand fingers when changing strings?

I mean in the upstrokes.

[toddsquadxyz]

Great question! Yes, it's a bit more advanced but I often mute with my left and right hand at the same time. As you practice, you will do it naturally as a matter of habit.

Todd

[ej4627]

todd, how deep can i use to pick the strings sir? is it picking it hard? or in a light way.. hmm

[toddsquadxyz]

I usually pick a little harder when playing slow, and then use less of the pick, just the very tip when playing fast.

Practice!

Todd

[ej4627]

can i pick heavy when im playing fast? hmm

[toddsquadxyz]

Whatever works :)

Practice!

Todd

[skatesftw]

man alternative picking is so hard! this seems like a awesome way to practising it thou. thx !

[mah38900]

Here's a question--I'm not sure if I can phrase it clearly.

With alternate picking, are you supposed to move you wrist back and forth, or your thumb and finger?

I was watching another technique video on YouTube which showed the played picking hand, and he was moving his whole hand up and down from the wrist.

I have always tried to move the pick up and down just with the joints of my thumb and index finger.

Maybe if I posted a video it would make this easier to understand.

[toddsquadxyz]

Great question. Of course, in the end it comes down to what works for you but I'd suggest watching the rest of the videos in my series and focusing on the pick hand. I use a bit of both techniques actually. When I'm picking really fast, I barely move my right hand.

Practice!

Todd

[kaelthebloodmage]

hey todd i really need to learn how to pick really quick... its really hard because i find it that some times my hand gets off the string but if i put the pick way to down onto the string when im picking i lose the rhythm.

[toddsquadxyz]

I was never able to pick it up "really quick" it took me years of practice. But if you want to speed it up, I'd say maybe double the amount of time you are putting in on practice. That should speed it up.

Practice!

Todd

[danbaker90]

thanks sooooo much ive subsribed and look forward to your lessons! youve given me something new to practice and always keep a guitar in my hands. KEEP IT UP!!!(practice!)

[toddsquadxyz]

Glad the lessons are helping :) Thanks for watching! More spiff lesson on the way.

Practice!

Todd

[Addycoolman]

what do you mean by double picking?

[toddsquadxyz]

It's just a slang for "Alternate Picking" but not a very good one.

Practice!

Todd

[freeatlast1963]

this really worked as a lesson because back&white contrast with the guitar's clear and very visible!

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks ;) I'll keep that in mind for future lessons as well.

Practice!

Todd

[benzuckerman]

Hey Todd. I just found your lessons, and so far they are great - thanks! I plan on following your recommendation about practicing.... :.) A question: what exactly is meant by ¨double picking¨? Also, do you play with particularly low action on your guitars? Thanks! BZ.

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :) "Double Picking" is just a slang term for alternate picking. There are several lessons on my web site about this. As for action, I typically set my action as low as I can get it before it starts to buzz.

Practice!

Todd

[EpicXI]

Big question here, Todd. it seems naturally I'm using my pinky finger to play this. should I switch it out for index/middle/ring to get that speed?

[toddsquadxyz]

Now that is a great question! The "proper" technique is to use your pinky. So if it feels natural, keep doing it that way :) I use a modified Jazz fingering on the 12th fret and higher.

Practice!

Todd

[LordCarney]

HOLY SH@T, HE's FRIKEN GOOD, EXTREME SPEED !!!

[toddsquadxyz]

Many thanks :) It really is just a matter of practice. The more you play the better you will get. Many more lessons on the way :) All free of course.

Practice!

Todd

[ZettaiBaka]

Arrrgh, I'm starting to think double-picking at that speed is just plain impossible for ordinary people...

[toddsquadxyz]

I feel your pain :) It took me a while to work out my picking. It's really just a matter of time and practice. Don't try to get ahead of yourself, just keep at it and it will start to come together.

Practice!

Todd

[Robertoroboto]

Could you spell that lick out...like a pattern description?

[toddsquadxyz]

Sure ;) It's Fret 12, 14,15, then go up one string and hit fret 12, then go back down to the starting string and fret 15, 14, 12.

Practice!

Todd

[jogreeen]

Hi

Great stuff, i have no probs with my left hand flying all over the place ,its my right hand,any tips, i cant seem to get the right feel-wrist or arm or finger tremolo??

Thanks todd

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :) I've got several lessons coming up on my web site about this very topic. Bop over and sign up! techniqueswithtodd dot com.

Practice!

Todd

[ultimateinfinite]

cool guy

[toddsquadxyz]

Well thanks :) More to come!

Practice!

Todd

[wingkeyb]

thank!!!

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :) More to come!

Todd

[bleeksy15]

you are great todd

[toddsquadxyz]

Well thanks! :) I have a lot of fun making these. I've got a new batch about to go up on my web site.

Practice!

Todd

[k2bim23]

Tnx todd U Share UR talents to all..Rock oN

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem :) Thanks for watching! Much more to come.

Practice!

Tod

[juankavamo89]

Really good lesson, thank you man. Hey, I'm having some bad time with my picking style, I have decided to pick with the wrist and no tension but I think something is wrong, can you please make a video trying to solve this problems. Thank you.

[toddsquadxyz]

Got some picking lessons coming up on my web site. The link is on my profile page here on youtube. Be sure to sign up, its free.

Practice!

[haruko958]

Could you make a brief example video or anything of your pick hand form? I seem to be having trouble and keep switching between anchoring and not anchoring my pinky

[toddsquadxyz]

Sure ;) Thanks for watching.

Todd

[BatteryHuman]

Your lessons have helped me so much! Many thanks :]

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem :) glad they are helping! More to come soon.

Todd

[SirSmokeal0t]

You rock man.

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for wathcing :) More to come! Be sure to join up at my web site. Techniqueswithtodd dot com.

Todd

[SirSmokeal0t]

Already did after watching this ;)

Practice! <-----Epic

[wannabeyngwie]

hey todd thx 4 tips whats your website address? cheers dan

[toddsquadxyz]

It is

techniqueswithtodd dot com

Sign up :)

Todd

[Jdith135]

I suck horribly, I tried to do this and I failed terribly, but then again I just picked up my guitar 5 days ago, Fender Squire(Stratt)

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :) Just keep at it! Practice :)

Todd

[egc101]

Hi Todd!

I just found your lessons on YouTube and they're really useful! :)

English is not my first language, so, to be precise, what do you mean exactly by 'double picks'?

Do you play each note 2 times to obtain this sound?

Sorry if my question is stupid... ;)

Also, ok to 'practice', but how many time will it get for me to play at this speed when I can play guitar only 1 to 2 hours a day?? Is it just possible?

Thanks for the advices! :)

Keep up!

Greg

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :) I play each note once but I play the pattern very fast. If you practice about an hour a day, you should be really fast in about a year or so. Be sure to check out my web site as well for other lessons :)

Todd

[freddycreager]

i don't understand how do you do those dubble picks you can do it very well but i don't understand how to it!

[toddsquadxyz]

It very simple really :) Up stroke, down stroke, up stroke, downstroke :) Start by doing that on one fret, on one string. Then practice, practice, practice :)

[toddsquadxyz]

It really is just  a matter of practice :) Up stroke, down stroke, repeat.

[toddsquadxyz]

Click on LESSON 12 on the first page :)

[toddsquadxyz]

Good question :) Its 12, 13, 15 if memory serves :)

[toddsquadxyz]

Lesson 12 is the first lesson to get tablature. Check it out :)

Todd

[theoroc]

thank u |:)

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem :) Check out my web site (you can find the link on my youtube channel, just click on my name) for all the lessons.

Todd

[knopfler85]

Wow amazing!!! Thx for this.

I've got a question. If i practise that. Do I have always to keep it at low speed? I always hear to play slowly. But if I can play faster. Can I also play at higher speed level and gain also speed?

[toddsquadxyz]

Always start slowly. Increase speed over time, just make sure you don't get sloppy when you speed up. It's important to be able to play with good articulation at any speed. It just takes practice :)

[rock4eva13]

wat i struggle with wen alternate picking fast is tht sometimes the co-ordination of my right and left hands dont match ... how can i fix this?

[PedroMiguel78]

Fucking thanks very much =)

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem ;) More to come!

[moyga]

do you have a video on how to alternate pick better O_o

[toddsquadxyz]

Alternate picking is really just a matter of practice. Just start slow and keep it very even. I will make up some hand workouts to help and have more lessons about it in the future :) For now, PRACTICE!

[boodoodoll]

wow i hope someday i can do that type of speed, your hand cotains high octaine. thanks for sharing this

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks :) All you have to do is practice :)

[infeza]

Black Label Society Fan?

[toddsquadxyz]

Well, I am a fan of Zakk. He really is a great player.

[infeza]

he truly is

[luchovoley]

hey todd, from Colombia I want to thank U for teachin so easily.

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :)

[jiggerting]

great teacher,can u please tell me what effects ur using to get a sound like that. thnks.

[toddsquadxyz]

Go to my personal web site (The link is on my channel) you can buy my gear directly at a discount. The secret to great tone is in the gear! Get my efx pedal off my site and you will have killer tone :)

[alessiogaldi]

respect!

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks very much for watching! :)

[alessiogaldi]

respect!

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching and commenting :)

[fedroger]

Hi, Todd, again.

[toddsquadxyz]

Again? Do I know you?

[nigmar]

You are much easier to take lessons from than one of my actual best friends

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks much :) I'm working on more lessons as we speak. Youtube has been great! You can also see the lessons on my regular site

www(dot)techniqueswithtodd(dot­)com

[eddieleija]

I really like the 7 string Ibanez,I'm gona have to get one.Its very cool.

ed

[toddsquadxyz]

You can get one like mine on my web site in the gear section.

www(dot)techniqueswithtodd(dot­)com

[eddieleija]

Its an AWESOME lick man,Blues Saranceno does one using that pattern.

[toddsquadxyz]

Blues is an AMAZING player. I'm honored to be mentioned in the same sentence as him. I would love to meet him and take a lesson. Many thanks for watching :)

[TatsuhikoShido1990]

your a great guitar player but could you tell us the notes so it is a little easier then just trying to figure out exactly where your picking thanx

[toddsquadxyz]

Sure :) The basic patter is very simple. It will work anywhere. For starters, try it like this, on the G string, fret first finger 12th fret so it would be G, A, A#, B, A#, A.

[toddsquadxyz]

I'm going to try to start linking to a tablature sheet so that it's easier for folks. Thanks ;0)

[latinviper]

what's up todd

can u do a lesson on arpeggios, i want to do the steve vai's eugenes trick bag. thanks

[Tamerair]

YOu are totaly awesome dude, fantastic teaching style great personality friendly aproach

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks :) I really enjoy teaching guitar and youtube has let me reach people from all over the planet. Its been fun!

[machine27]

I'm practicing and loving it. Thanks!

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem :) Keep practicing! :)

[magicninjamatt]

Thanks a lot man. I really apprieciate it.

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem :)

[magicninjamatt]

And one more last thing. Since I just aquired this electirc guitar (I was using acoustic before) I don't really know what to set the 'tone' knobs on the guitar on and the treble and bass and such on the amp. Anyways, thanks, just for reading. If you cant answer all, or any of the questions I understand.

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem :) For playing heavy parts, leave the treble/tone all the way up on the guitar. If you are using the pickup near the neck, some players turn the tone on the guitar down for a thicker/bluesy tone. For the amp, twist away until you find a sound you like ;)

[magicninjamatt]

Also, all I have to work with is a 'memphis' guitar (electric)that was given to me that is about 20 years old, and a 20 year old amp. The guitar wasnt top of the line when it was bought, but it wasnt like a k-mart guitar either. Will this suffice for learning?

Sorry about all the questions, but you seemed very knowledgable, but I have one more.

Will taking guitar lessons (1 on 1) really benefeit me, or would I be learning at the same pace if I was teaching my self or whatever.

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks for watching :) Really, any electric guitar will be fine for startin out. As you advance, you may outgrow it. Then it will be time for new one :) I would say try to find a good guitar instructor near you. I was self taught and always wished I could have found a really good teacher. Thats part of the reason I make theses vids :)

[magicninjamatt]

Is there anything I should really learn before this, like I know power chords, some major/minor chords, and a few other things, Is there anything I should learn before I start these lessons?

[RichJ66]

These tuturials are awesome thanks.

[toddsquadxyz]

Thank for checking them out :) More to come!

[ShadowWingsKyo]

ok im just wondering what model of ibanez zeven string your using i have just purchased an rg7250 (i think thats the right model number) and i have to say they play great.

and thanks for the lessons man big help.

[toddsquadxyz]

ITs a 7620 and I love it :) I will play Ibanze only as soon as Ibanez sends me a check ;)

[ShadowWingsKyo]

checking the model number (heh i had a friend setting the bridge height for me) it is a 7620 in vampire kiss (metallic burgundy) i have to say the thing gets my praise it has a great clean and the distortion is great through my amp. the low b has good definition. this is one of the few 7's to me that dont play more like 2x4 thanks to the prestege neck (wizard 7?) the dissapointing thing is that they have replaced it with a lower quality model

[toddsquadxyz]

Yes, they don't make the 7620 anymore. I'm glad to have gotten one when I did. The 2570 is the replacement. Its cheaper which is good for those just getting in to seven strings. But it's not quite the guitar the 7620 is.

[pwargan]

RG2570, you mean?

[toddsquadxyz]

That's the new entry level 7 string, they don't make the 7620 anymore. I'm glad to have gotten one when I did. The 2570 is the replacement.

[haigan147]

ok first of all,i think yer great and yer videos are really helping..

second of all: can you focus the camera on yer right hand sometimes,you showed a close up before but i still cant break it down...

thanks man,keep rocking ;)

[toddsquadxyz]

No problem. I may actually use two cameras in the next set of lessons too get a close up on my right hand. Thanks for watching :)

[darthyoda99]

how do you double pick i'd like to know

[toddsquadxyz]

You up stroke, then down stroke :) Its thats simple. Start on just one string. Up, down, up down. Try to keep it in a steady rythm :)

[Luridmess]

thanks dude!! you rule!! x

[toddsquadxyz]

Many thanks :) All of the lessons are available at

www.toddsimpsonguitar.com

Enjoy!

[speedlick]

=O mmm lets see o_o

[toddsquadxyz]

Take a peek. :)

[speedlick]

x) jejejejje =) im waiting some more lessons jojo n__n

[toddsquadxyz]

Some new ones are up now, woohoo!

Practice!

Todd

[speedlick]

mmm are u using EMG pickups? the sound is really punching//solid o_o

[toddsquadxyz]

Thanks :) the pickups are stock for the Ibanaz Seven String. I would like EMG's though. I love the tone they give. However, the stock pickups have been pretty good so far. Its rough on pickups to get definition on the low B and these do quite well. I'll be playing Ibanez exclusivey as soon as they send me a check ;)