Here is a song that I use both Alternate picking and Economy picking. With and Without Speed picking. No matter what Im doing, I maintain the same basic position. FIrst part of the song Im using a mix of Alt and Econ. Second time through I add tremelo picking and still use Alt and Econ. No change to my basic position. by0nd?feature=mhee#p/u/1/E2xBbTBtRpA
Sorry no examples of my work with Chronic Boom. Everything was lost in a house fire and when Funk metal became a trend, I left it behind
In fact if you had to use your whole arm for Economy picking, it wouldnt deserve the name "Economy". Its goal is to minimize effort..not to increase it. And even when guys move the arm, if you know what your doing its minimal motion. Like Frank. He slightly moves his arm because he picks up and down, verticly. I have removed that motion, by picking with the natural arch caused by the motion of the wrist. So I move from closer to the bridge slightly diagnoly back towards the trem
Thats one key to being a toptier player. You must consitantly use the same basic mechanics for all your playing. You use the exact same wrist motion for Economy, Alternate, and Sweeping. Or at least when you know what your doing this is the case. I have seen both Alt and Econ pickers who move the whole arm. That is their choise and if it works for them. Good for them. But I use the natural motion of the wrist to fascilitate all my picking and to minimze motion
I also think Economy picking and Alternate picking lead to the same level of speed.Ive used both since the mid 80s and cant play faster using one over the other. Though I do think they give a slightly differant sound, if that makes sense. To me its noticable when you incorporate a small sweep in one direction versus picking each note. And I completly disagree with saying you use your whole arm with Economy picking. Thats simply not true if you practise correctly. Wrist motion must be consistant
And I learned to incorporate shred technique into a context focused on groove. I include both alternate and economy picking in my playing, & had to learn how to apply both with groove. And they both work beautifuly. As Ive stated once internalised you can break wide from 'forumula' and use what picking fits the particular context of that one part of the song. Groove isnt limited by picking technqiue. Its limited by those using the technique and their personal lack of groove articulation.
We created our style simultaniously while Faith No More, 24-7 Spyz and Mordred were creating theirs.We played shows with 24-7 Spyz, Enemy Squad, Gangsta fun, Eke Mouse, Rage against the Machine ect. from 90- 94. My influence to mix genres came listening to the Badbrains. I really learned from the Dr.Know to not limit what I do, and to develop something fresh, by mixing things that are old. Prior to joining Chronic boom, as they existed as a traditional funk band before I joined,I was a shreder
And someone on here has shared their opinion on Groove being effected one way or the other by various picking techniques. I disagree. And I share the following not to brag, as Im a humble guy, but im sharing it as my 'resume' of experiance, to support my opinion.I was one of the inovators of Funk metal in the late 80s early 90s. I applied shred and metal to a traditional Funk band called Chronic Boom. We predated Infectious groves by several years
When we internalise all picking techniques, we can flow from one to the other seamlessly. We dont freeze our playing with adhereing to a 'formula' like the Alternate or Economy, turning our playing into something robotic. Context dictates. How we choose to set up the fingering of a passage, also dictates greatly what picking method makes sence for that particular passage. I might play one passage with straight alternate, but in the very next passage use economy. One is not superior to the other.
All techniques have their use and limitations, which is why we need to have as wide of a repetoir as possible . This is about achieveing a level of mastery that we are happy with. What does selfgrowth have to do with attacking others? Are people that insecure that they have to attack those with differing opinion? We in the USA should be even more open to varied opinion, because our country is built upon the freedom of self expression.
It gets tiring always finding people critizising one particular technique, and those that choose to use it. If you dont like it, dont use it. No point in Ad hominem attacks on those who use it. Just because someone doesnt share your opinion why do others feel the need to attack them personaly? We should be able to act like adults, sharing our opinions politley without having someone else, attempting to belittle and attack us personaly
More Youtube insantiy is afoot. Both economy and alternate picking are valid techniques, as is sweep picking, finger tapping, 8 finger tapping, virbrato,legato ect. Anyone who wants to be a top tier player, should have a solid grasp on all available techniques. The more techniques we have in our repetoir, the greater our ability to express what we hear in our head. Anyway all of the modern shred techniques can be found for hundreds of years on other stringed instruments.
@hsguitarist I don't understand your point. Metal wannabes tend to jump right on the "sweep licks from hell" bandwagon, when they haven't gotten the mechanics of alternate picking, which is necessary, too. Most guys who do this economy picking can pick fast but have no sense of timing and groove. Gambale, of course,is the exception
@funkifyyourlife i call this tec SMART Picking, not economy from my point of view, and dont think that most people using this tecn has any lack off groove or time, unless your just a metal wannabe trying to do this..
Dude you really got me with that statement. I learned how to sweep pick before i properly learned economy picking. In fact i only learned economy picking because i was already comfortable with sweeping. I would argue that i hav timing (most of the time) but hey i'm new and working on it.
Man i miss the FGM Ibanez model. One of the coolest looking axes out there.
@hsguitarist Actually, alternate picking gives you a lot of rhythmic advantage over economy picking. The speed you achieve with economy picking may be matched by alternate picking with sufficient practice. If you look at it on a certain way, alternate picking saves you a lot of motion when compared to economy (in alternate you move the wrist, in economy you move your whole arm).
@gnrcr Very few achieve what economy picking is meant to do, which is absolute minimalistic movement. Frank may have pioneered economy picking he never really got it down to its full potential. If you want to see purist economy picking at its finest, watch marshall harrison, who refined gambales technique. The speeds and options you can do with it far exceed strict alternate picking. ofc, to do it you need excellent wrist technique otherwise also needed for strict alternate.
FG's picking technique is not right? Lol. This is the guy who John McLaughlin jokingly said - I want to cut his hands off. Look up his credits on the net and listen to some of Chic Corea's records with him on it. FG is amazing.
No doubt Frank Gambale is one of my faves, he's simply awesome but I must say, is that a wig?? Being bald myself and having gone through "the look" problem with being a performer, I just can't believe such a beautiful head of hair can go wrong later on in life.
I'm kinda new to the guitar but doesn't this limit you to always play the scales in the same way? what if I wanna add another note per string and it's not an odd number anymore?
@TheNuncFluens I think when you've got this picking pattern down and you're playing at full speed, you won't be playing scales anymore, you'll just be playing music and the amount of notes will change, as they won't necessarily matter anymore.
@surfbumz major (ionian), minor (aeolian) and all the other modes of the major scale share the same shape (c major = a minor = d dorian etc) because they are the same notes, just the root changes. But it's imperative to practice them separately and be aware of what you're playing (the parallel approach) because if not, if you want to play a tune in G mixolydian for example, you will emphasize the sound of C major and it will sound like shit.
It takes a long time to master it, though, as the groove can suffer. Most players don't listen for rhythm enough. It's difficult to get a consistent feel and consistent dynamics when your picking hand is changing directions on inappropriate sections. Alternate picking puts downpicks on down beats, and if you don't adjust for this, your phrasing can suffer. There's no secret to this, it just takes practice. On the other hand, Al DiMeola alternate picks everything, and his speed is unsurpassed.
@funkifyyourlife I think it depends on how you practice.I've always done the Al Di Meola/John Petrucci thing of alternate picking everything. but as such, I make sure to practice anything with an even number of notes starting on both a down and upstroke.That way, not only is alt picking natural but when something comes up where you have to up-pick where youd normally down, its not an issue.I can easily alt pick this one chord shape Al says you have to do with down down up..i guess from practice
@MrUrech Al Dim Meola is known as one of the best alternate pickers in the world and has influenced players from Death metal to Fusion. In fact he is one of the inovatores of it, in a modern context. I have never heard of him advocating economy, and I have listened to him for 25 years. I would really be interested in knowing your sources, as I would love to increase my understanding of his playing, as well as learn about how he approachs economy
Ya know I find economy picking a LOT easier than alternate picking, and I've been alternate picking for like 8 years. After seeing this video I'm already playing scales and runs better than I could before. Maybe I'm just an oddity but this seems to be wholly changing for how I play guitar; in the best way possible.
@flimflam0069 I wouldn't drop alternate picking entirely, i think they each have their place. You become a bit limited with economy picking when you want to change direction etc. Just some advice... might not be the right thing for everyone
@icallgreens google "economy picking" or read the comments above. inform yourself before acusing FRANK GAMBALE of teaching something "wrong", please. ;)
@icallgreens No, your picking technique isn't right. No one economy picks better than Frank Gambale. Why don't you do a video showing what Frank's doing wrong and how much faster he could play if he did it your way?
i using the economy picking from start of my whole playing...and i teach the alternate picking after this...in my case it is not problem...sory for stupid english :)...but Frank is very Fast.... Klobuk dole Frantisek !!!! :D
i naturally found myself using down strokes across strings but doing upstrokes across strings feels odd but im gonna practice this and add it to my skills set. :D
i also need to practice strict alternate picking and as paul gilbert calls it "outside" picking, then i will be unbeatable!!!!
@juneausucks Wow, that was my era and everyone complained how hidous the 80's hair band guitars looked. It's good to hear from a young person with a fresh perspective. I guess they do look kind of cool when I look at them now.
@juneausucks the only reason i looked at this video is because i was saving up for a maverick guitar in this vivid yellow and before i had the cash it was gone so i wanted to look at another guitar in this colour. more people should use strangely coloured guitars.
Frank is probably the best fusion player I've ever seen. As a technician, he's the king.
But the guitar is a very versatile instrument. Some who might not have the technical skills can often make up for it in "feel". For instance, no matter how technically skilled you are, there is an art to sounding "soulful" or bluesy. I don't knock anyone. And, again, Frank is my favorite fusion guitarist!
this is truly amazing, really helping me learn, i'm a bit older to be learning faster stuff, but i'm getting there! does anyone have a rough idea of the bpm of when he plays it up to speed?
Its alternate picking in the aspect that it is up and down, and economy as in manipulating the note count to align the pick for the "economy" of not having to jump over a string..but I can see what someone said....what if I dont like that sequence or want a odd number of notes on a turn point? Looks like taste dictates technique..happy hunting guys!
As someone who played economy and alternate picking both exclusively I think I like alternate better. I do like economy though and I think it's best to know both. The reason I like alternate better is this: If you think about it economy is unbalanced. When you change strings while alternate picking you always cross strings three times whether you start with a down or an up stroke. With economy picking you cross strings three times starting with an up, but only twice when starting with a down.
What people still fail to realize is that Economy Picking INCLUDES Alternate Picking also. It's NOT some weird technique that you keep separate from other techniques. Economy Picking includes ALL PICKING. And this stuff Gambale shows is just a scale exercise, nothing more. He doesn't even stick to his own 'formula' anymore these days. A good picker can pick whatever the music demands. Check my video 'Chord Swing' to get an idea of what I'm talking about.
@dorlandosonicNL I understand what economy picking, and that is the only way I could have made that former inference. Economy picking includes alternate picking only when not crossing strings, and my comment was specifically about string crossing. I also believe that I said both techniques are valid I was merely pointing out that economy picking is not the ultimate perfect technique that some of its practitioners crack it up to be. Both have different sounds and different applications.
@dorlandosonicNL The best and most informed post on here, in my opinion. We need to have all picking techniques in our 'bag of tricks'. We dont need to always adhere to the economy nor alternate forumula. These things are mutatable, dependent upon the context. Why attempt to freeze these techs and make them lifeless? In one song I may use Alternating strokes in one passage, and in the very next, due to finger set up economy makes more sence.
"Fits all" method goes 2 far by dictating notes 2 add & omit on every scale, so not ideal. On every scale he goes straight back to B str after 2nd note on hi E str, limiting E str notes to 2, & not playing all desc hi E str notes. OK he wants to go from hi E str to B str as sweep but why? Why not play all 3 notes of scale on hi E str then "inside" alt pick upstroke when go back to B str? And why play a chrom "extra" note on low E str on every scale? Is it crime 2 end scale on upstroke?
If you end the scale on an upstroke then you break the picking pattern if you repeat the scale. You need an even number of notes on the turnaround, at the top and bottom of the scale.
There's no need to play the notes he left out. This is just an exercise to teach you the technique, and it's dumb to confuse it just to be anal about scale notes. Honestly if you're advanced enough to be learning this technique you should know your scales back to front anyway, skipping a note or two won't hurt.
i just think of it as a suggested exercise for speed picking, don't take it too literally. I mean it's not like u would play this pattern on stage : )
I managed to avoid this problem by playing 4 notes on the E string. i.e on G major scale 1st mode, you play 5th fret, then 8th, then 7th and then 5 again (to finish on an upstroke) before going down scale again. No need to play 4 notes on the low E and you have the "perfect" speed picking shape. For "testing" both for almost 20 years, I must say the FG picking pattern is 200% more effortless and allows you to focus more on beeing musical than technician. Allows 2 relax much more !
A lot of fusion players use this technique known as economy picking, hybrid picking is another. I guess where it falls short is sometimes in a metal context it wont sound as aggressive as an alternate picked run. Also I found with economy picking you have to be way more disciplined with the right hand as it naturally wants to run ahead when changing strings where you hit 2 downstrokes, so using a metronome is an absolute must.
I agree, it's a great technique, but it needs to practiced for hours and hours just like alternate picking. Either way, if you're looking for blistering speed with any kind of content, you have to be willing to make a commitment to it.
However, hybrid picking is usually what we call picking with fingers and pick. Jimmy Page did a lot of this, as does Larry Carlton.
@MetalFatigued funny.....i thought....i must use a metronome to learn this great technique.......and with the metronome i got some fantastic sounding picking stuff......but it's one of many techniques to make a sound...not the only. i love to mix metal and funk, and rock......say. And so I had to learn to tap, and play alternate.....legato....one more thing....odd amount of notes-next string....even, turn it around! except "one" is an odd number and I want to play between two adjacent strings
this is really straigt foward practice exercises (also, at high speeds)..........a Frank Gambale solo is not going to sound this easy...that's where using this technique becomes a challenge.
A lot of fusion players use the hybrid picking technique and I know what it is thanks! Brett Garsed, Guthrie Govan, Buckethead, Bumblefoot...lol a long list.
hey its not the end be all and end all of guitar tehniques.just encorporate this sweep or garden strumming into your already chosen guitar style to brighten things up a bit.
My OCD requires (ha-ha) that I always play the top (3rd) note on the 1st string as well (which he is leaving out to have only two notes on the 1st string)...so this is quite a challenge for me to unlearn alternate picking and make this work. My right hand gets it...but my left still wants to fret that one extra note. (!!!)
i use all the notes of the mode on all strings...........you can put four notes in on the high e...like gmaj, the high e string picking and notes go : acba and continue down the three notes per sting....it makes sense...it's even ..which is what turns you around..plus if you use a metronome in 4/16...it works out good.
@Barefoot67 I'm sorry that you just discovered Frank, because he is a master of sweep picking! You discovered a legend! Congratulations! Enjoy his music dude.
He's using a passing tone to make the picking work. In order to land on a down pick for the tonic note, he needs to add a note to incorporate an even number of notes on the low E string. He adds a different note as the passing tone with different positions of the scale.
ron Passing tones do more than enable sweep-picking patterns: Standard scales in 4/4 started on beat-1/bar-1 put the octave on beat-4/bar-2, a rhythmic dead end. It's more flowing to hit the octave on beat-1/bar-3. You can do this by phrasing, but bebop, fusion, & shredding often require notes in every subdivision of the beat: There are more complex solutions, but at first you must either add a note, or play a note twice. The note choice is yours.
I strongly disagree, I play very fast and use a combination of picking. a vast majority of great players, will play phrases where you pick only you have to or pick the phrase as it would come naturally.
the problem with alternate picking is You will never be able to play the notes as fast as a keyboard player because the keyboard player doesn't use a pick. That's why frank worked on it. It allows a person to track right with a keyboard player without scrubing the notes. Don Mock and frank had a discusion about this at GIT When frank was there. in some instances you have no choice in the matter and you have to alternate. I use both approaches and the notes just rip with ease
okay for all of the people that insist on arguing on youtube.
there is no picking pattern or style that is better or worse than another style, it all has to do with what you play and how you feel most comfortable playing. so please stop bickering and listen.
you still have to be able to use alternate picking when playing on one string or doing licks that involve more than two notes per string. With that said, why spend time learning different picking patterns when alternate picking covers basically everything?
I am the same. Down, up, down up. It works for everything. The key is learning how to alternate between inside and outside the string(s).
I don't let right hand technique dictate my left hand phrasing. The right hand should facilitate the phrasing. Many players do the opposite and it becomes a gimmick show rather than a choice of notes.
Frank can do it all, and he is a true legend but I wouldn't go forcing this method to replace alternate picking.
Yeah, that is certainly true. it helps to be versatile. Things like 'sweep picking' require economy picking. Other methods like strict down strokes during heavy rhythm parts are also good techniques.
Hmm. I think this is really from the 80s. Everything about it suggests that. It may have just randomly came out in 2002. His hair, shirt, pants, and guitar all say that this is an old video.
What he's demonstrating is also called "efficiency picking" and it's a method that I automatically took to without being shown how to do it, it just came natural. I once thought it was a bad practice and I should start focusing on alternate picking. How wrong I was.
you can't ignore alternate picking altogether because there are many situations when strict alternate picking is the only choice, such as playing a run up or down one string, etc. if you have to learn alternate picking anyways, why waste time learning other ways to pick?
Here is a song that I use both Alternate picking and Economy picking. With and Without Speed picking. No matter what Im doing, I maintain the same basic position. FIrst part of the song Im using a mix of Alt and Econ. Second time through I add tremelo picking and still use Alt and Econ. No change to my basic position. by0nd?feature=mhee#p/u/1/E2xBbTBtRpA
Sorry no examples of my work with Chronic Boom. Everything was lost in a house fire and when Funk metal became a trend, I left it behind
by0nd 1 month ago
In fact if you had to use your whole arm for Economy picking, it wouldnt deserve the name "Economy". Its goal is to minimize effort..not to increase it. And even when guys move the arm, if you know what your doing its minimal motion. Like Frank. He slightly moves his arm because he picks up and down, verticly. I have removed that motion, by picking with the natural arch caused by the motion of the wrist. So I move from closer to the bridge slightly diagnoly back towards the trem
by0nd 1 month ago
Thats one key to being a toptier player. You must consitantly use the same basic mechanics for all your playing. You use the exact same wrist motion for Economy, Alternate, and Sweeping. Or at least when you know what your doing this is the case. I have seen both Alt and Econ pickers who move the whole arm. That is their choise and if it works for them. Good for them. But I use the natural motion of the wrist to fascilitate all my picking and to minimze motion
by0nd 1 month ago
I also think Economy picking and Alternate picking lead to the same level of speed.Ive used both since the mid 80s and cant play faster using one over the other. Though I do think they give a slightly differant sound, if that makes sense. To me its noticable when you incorporate a small sweep in one direction versus picking each note. And I completly disagree with saying you use your whole arm with Economy picking. Thats simply not true if you practise correctly. Wrist motion must be consistant
by0nd 1 month ago
And I learned to incorporate shred technique into a context focused on groove. I include both alternate and economy picking in my playing, & had to learn how to apply both with groove. And they both work beautifuly. As Ive stated once internalised you can break wide from 'forumula' and use what picking fits the particular context of that one part of the song. Groove isnt limited by picking technqiue. Its limited by those using the technique and their personal lack of groove articulation.
by0nd 1 month ago
We created our style simultaniously while Faith No More, 24-7 Spyz and Mordred were creating theirs.We played shows with 24-7 Spyz, Enemy Squad, Gangsta fun, Eke Mouse, Rage against the Machine ect. from 90- 94. My influence to mix genres came listening to the Badbrains. I really learned from the Dr.Know to not limit what I do, and to develop something fresh, by mixing things that are old. Prior to joining Chronic boom, as they existed as a traditional funk band before I joined,I was a shreder
by0nd 1 month ago
And someone on here has shared their opinion on Groove being effected one way or the other by various picking techniques. I disagree. And I share the following not to brag, as Im a humble guy, but im sharing it as my 'resume' of experiance, to support my opinion.I was one of the inovators of Funk metal in the late 80s early 90s. I applied shred and metal to a traditional Funk band called Chronic Boom. We predated Infectious groves by several years
by0nd 1 month ago
When we internalise all picking techniques, we can flow from one to the other seamlessly. We dont freeze our playing with adhereing to a 'formula' like the Alternate or Economy, turning our playing into something robotic. Context dictates. How we choose to set up the fingering of a passage, also dictates greatly what picking method makes sence for that particular passage. I might play one passage with straight alternate, but in the very next passage use economy. One is not superior to the other.
by0nd 1 month ago
All techniques have their use and limitations, which is why we need to have as wide of a repetoir as possible . This is about achieveing a level of mastery that we are happy with. What does selfgrowth have to do with attacking others? Are people that insecure that they have to attack those with differing opinion? We in the USA should be even more open to varied opinion, because our country is built upon the freedom of self expression.
by0nd 1 month ago
It gets tiring always finding people critizising one particular technique, and those that choose to use it. If you dont like it, dont use it. No point in Ad hominem attacks on those who use it. Just because someone doesnt share your opinion why do others feel the need to attack them personaly? We should be able to act like adults, sharing our opinions politley without having someone else, attempting to belittle and attack us personaly
by0nd 1 month ago
More Youtube insantiy is afoot. Both economy and alternate picking are valid techniques, as is sweep picking, finger tapping, 8 finger tapping, virbrato,legato ect. Anyone who wants to be a top tier player, should have a solid grasp on all available techniques. The more techniques we have in our repetoir, the greater our ability to express what we hear in our head. Anyway all of the modern shred techniques can be found for hundreds of years on other stringed instruments.
by0nd 1 month ago
Top Gear fans--- he reminds me of Richard Hammond, looks-wise. justsaying.
YEApopcornBABY 1 month ago
Umm, where's the ubiquitous ozzie accent depicted by so many bad films?
Samsgarden 1 month ago
Fluorescent yellow guitar, tank top, pink pants, glam hair, and he plays jazz fusion, and he plays it damn fast and damn good. WTF??
tibyv8 1 month ago
Comment removed
egyptianminor 1 month ago
the synth playing in the back whenever he does a scale has me pissing myself every time..
samkGuitar 1 month ago
5:00 LOL
CooperMedearis 2 months ago
@kaladost I dare you to even hear it at anywhere near up to tempo. No one's smoother with this style than Gambale, and this is probably 20 years ago.
funkifyyourlife 2 months ago
@funkifyyourlife Don't worry, I was just talking about this exemple in this specific video, Frank's one of my guitar idol ;)
kaladost 2 months ago
metal wannabes choose alternate over economy which i think is SMART picking.
hsguitarist 2 months ago
@hsguitarist I don't understand your point. Metal wannabes tend to jump right on the "sweep licks from hell" bandwagon, when they haven't gotten the mechanics of alternate picking, which is necessary, too. Most guys who do this economy picking can pick fast but have no sense of timing and groove. Gambale, of course,is the exception
funkifyyourlife 2 months ago 8
@funkifyyourlife i call this tec SMART Picking, not economy from my point of view, and dont think that most people using this tecn has any lack off groove or time, unless your just a metal wannabe trying to do this..
hsguitarist 2 months ago
@funkifyyourlife im the one not gettin you "Point of vie"...
hsguitarist 1 month ago
@funkifyyourlife damn right
joesatriani1200rulez 2 weeks ago
@funkifyyourlife
Dude you really got me with that statement. I learned how to sweep pick before i properly learned economy picking. In fact i only learned economy picking because i was already comfortable with sweeping. I would argue that i hav timing (most of the time) but hey i'm new and working on it.
Man i miss the FGM Ibanez model. One of the coolest looking axes out there.
D1vid3By0 1 week ago
@hsguitarist Actually, alternate picking gives you a lot of rhythmic advantage over economy picking. The speed you achieve with economy picking may be matched by alternate picking with sufficient practice. If you look at it on a certain way, alternate picking saves you a lot of motion when compared to economy (in alternate you move the wrist, in economy you move your whole arm).
gnrcr 1 month ago
@gnrcr Very few achieve what economy picking is meant to do, which is absolute minimalistic movement. Frank may have pioneered economy picking he never really got it down to its full potential. If you want to see purist economy picking at its finest, watch marshall harrison, who refined gambales technique. The speeds and options you can do with it far exceed strict alternate picking. ofc, to do it you need excellent wrist technique otherwise also needed for strict alternate.
tastytasters 1 month ago
@tastytasters (picking but* he never really...)
tastytasters 1 month ago
FG's picking technique is not right? Lol. This is the guy who John McLaughlin jokingly said - I want to cut his hands off. Look up his credits on the net and listen to some of Chic Corea's records with him on it. FG is amazing.
kalapoka666 3 months ago
My God, he's got hair! :-)
JeeyonB 4 months ago
I say learn everything that you can in practicing but use as little as possible per song so that you remain spontaneous and unpredictable.
adalaku 4 months ago
Isn't that called "economy picking?"
ssolooc 4 months ago
lololol.
mitchjay93 4 months ago
Christ , way too much reverb
Charl760 4 months ago
No doubt Frank Gambale is one of my faves, he's simply awesome but I must say, is that a wig?? Being bald myself and having gone through "the look" problem with being a performer, I just can't believe such a beautiful head of hair can go wrong later on in life.
summerains 4 months ago
wow theres an australian flag on his guitar . awsome , aussie aussie aussie oy oy oy
sgtcaco 4 months ago
I'm kinda new to the guitar but doesn't this limit you to always play the scales in the same way? what if I wanna add another note per string and it's not an odd number anymore?
TheNuncFluens 5 months ago
@TheNuncFluens I think when you've got this picking pattern down and you're playing at full speed, you won't be playing scales anymore, you'll just be playing music and the amount of notes will change, as they won't necessarily matter anymore.
theScytheofGod 5 months ago
Does he mean the same (Left hand) shape for only minor scales? Or is it for major and minor?
surfbumz 6 months ago
@surfbumz major (ionian), minor (aeolian) and all the other modes of the major scale share the same shape (c major = a minor = d dorian etc) because they are the same notes, just the root changes. But it's imperative to practice them separately and be aware of what you're playing (the parallel approach) because if not, if you want to play a tune in G mixolydian for example, you will emphasize the sound of C major and it will sound like shit.
tibyv8 5 months ago
@tibyv8 -Great !! Thanks for the advice. This is a great forum and Frank is awesome!!
surfbumz 5 months ago
oh shit, i never thought of using two notes to turn around, i always did four notes by sliding up to the next one. Franks way is so much easier.
MjXllcommando 6 months ago
thats all cool...plus you can always use hammers and pulls for a more legato sound if you wish...all techniques are egually important
dpapaioannow 6 months ago
Now I know why I suck @ playing the guitar.
Alejoint73 6 months ago
thanks heaps for this video - i can see he uses his pinky as an anchor for those sweeps. floating hand sweeps are next to impossible and impractical.
kharnvelzyghur 6 months ago
Good education but what a head splitting horrible tone. He should have used a clean sound to make it more bearable.
Martin411966 6 months ago
I'm Just glad I Play Drums. Gee Zooks !
RayofVegas 7 months ago
It takes a long time to master it, though, as the groove can suffer. Most players don't listen for rhythm enough. It's difficult to get a consistent feel and consistent dynamics when your picking hand is changing directions on inappropriate sections. Alternate picking puts downpicks on down beats, and if you don't adjust for this, your phrasing can suffer. There's no secret to this, it just takes practice. On the other hand, Al DiMeola alternate picks everything, and his speed is unsurpassed.
funkifyyourlife 11 months ago
@funkifyyourlife I think it depends on how you practice.I've always done the Al Di Meola/John Petrucci thing of alternate picking everything. but as such, I make sure to practice anything with an even number of notes starting on both a down and upstroke.That way, not only is alt picking natural but when something comes up where you have to up-pick where youd normally down, its not an issue.I can easily alt pick this one chord shape Al says you have to do with down down up..i guess from practice
510shredder 4 months ago
@funkifyyourlife Di Meola uses economy picking just like this, ive seen him say it numerous times
MrUrech 4 months ago
@MrUrech You'll have to cite your sources on this. DiMeola has always been a huge supporter of alternate picking.
funkifyyourlife 3 months ago 2
@MrUrech Al Dim Meola is known as one of the best alternate pickers in the world and has influenced players from Death metal to Fusion. In fact he is one of the inovatores of it, in a modern context. I have never heard of him advocating economy, and I have listened to him for 25 years. I would really be interested in knowing your sources, as I would love to increase my understanding of his playing, as well as learn about how he approachs economy
by0nd 1 month ago
Ya know I find economy picking a LOT easier than alternate picking, and I've been alternate picking for like 8 years. After seeing this video I'm already playing scales and runs better than I could before. Maybe I'm just an oddity but this seems to be wholly changing for how I play guitar; in the best way possible.
flimflam0069 11 months ago
@flimflam0069 I wouldn't drop alternate picking entirely, i think they each have their place. You become a bit limited with economy picking when you want to change direction etc. Just some advice... might not be the right thing for everyone
rocklobter 10 months ago
HAHA his face has no emotion when he plays it fast!!
NikDanger98 11 months ago
@NikDanger98 Do think that the B.B. King "what's that smell?" look makes you play faster?
funkifyyourlife 3 months ago 6
super frank bgambale guitar
emo35100 11 months ago
I just discovered what I'm doing wrong with my right hand. Wow - thanks for sharing this! Good timing (er, in both senses of the word!)
burmanmusic 11 months ago
His picking technique isn't right. Your. picking should reverse multiple time throughout the scale with this particular scale
icallgreens 1 year ago
@icallgreens google "economy picking" or read the comments above. inform yourself before acusing FRANK GAMBALE of teaching something "wrong", please. ;)
machtin9 1 year ago
@icallgreens No, your picking technique isn't right. No one economy picks better than Frank Gambale. Why don't you do a video showing what Frank's doing wrong and how much faster he could play if he did it your way?
funkifyyourlife 3 months ago 20
@icallgreens Hahaha this guy is Frank Gambale!!! You will never be better than him!!
hansley270 2 months ago
@icallgreens you are an idiot, Frank is untouchable when it comes to sweep picking.. he can play circles around the new metal and shredder guys..
Pierceher 2 months ago
The only person who could criticize Gambale is Shawn Lane, and he´s dead. So shut the fuck up!!
mtaygoldin 1 month ago
i using the economy picking from start of my whole playing...and i teach the alternate picking after this...in my case it is not problem...sory for stupid english :)...but Frank is very Fast.... Klobuk dole Frantisek !!!! :D
JozefZemla 1 year ago
Is this be on DVD yet?!?!??!?!?!??!
BenEnyuh2 1 year ago
@BenEnyuh2: Yes! "Monster Licks And Speed Picking" is available on DVD.
kstrat 10 months ago
what scale is this
deadzior 1 year ago
check out my vds, im a young player influenced by gambale
TomRichardson92 1 year ago
chris poland use this technique too, I guess... listen Hip Hop Karma, from Chasing the Sun... amazing economics!!!!!!
chechoguitar112 1 year ago
im classic guitar, he play as like violin tecnique, sweep picking in inteligence´s way.
yenproject 1 year ago
economy picking is very hard to master after you've been working for hours on your alternate picking. That's the sensation I have.
NAThan9871 1 year ago
nice wifebeater. AT AN INCREDIBLE SPEED.
guitarjim346 1 year ago
i naturally found myself using down strokes across strings but doing upstrokes across strings feels odd but im gonna practice this and add it to my skills set. :D
i also need to practice strict alternate picking and as paul gilbert calls it "outside" picking, then i will be unbeatable!!!!
or just a lot more fluid. lol
dayiiv 1 year ago
A big thanks For Sharing This video..!!
jeffygmusic 1 year ago
guitars were so cool looking back then
juneausucks 1 year ago
@juneausucks Wow, that was my era and everyone complained how hidous the 80's hair band guitars looked. It's good to hear from a young person with a fresh perspective. I guess they do look kind of cool when I look at them now.
aynrandy1 1 year ago
@juneausucks the only reason i looked at this video is because i was saving up for a maverick guitar in this vivid yellow and before i had the cash it was gone so i wanted to look at another guitar in this colour. more people should use strangely coloured guitars.
dayiiv 1 year ago
Frank is probably the best fusion player I've ever seen. As a technician, he's the king.
But the guitar is a very versatile instrument. Some who might not have the technical skills can often make up for it in "feel". For instance, no matter how technically skilled you are, there is an art to sounding "soulful" or bluesy. I don't knock anyone. And, again, Frank is my favorite fusion guitarist!
guitarttimman 1 year ago
this is truly amazing, really helping me learn, i'm a bit older to be learning faster stuff, but i'm getting there! does anyone have a rough idea of the bpm of when he plays it up to speed?
TriWeeklyMidget 1 year ago
@TriWeeklyMidget It sounds like it's around 180bpm. Also, good luck! I'm trying myself :3
kibijit 1 year ago
Its alternate picking in the aspect that it is up and down, and economy as in manipulating the note count to align the pick for the "economy" of not having to jump over a string..but I can see what someone said....what if I dont like that sequence or want a odd number of notes on a turn point? Looks like taste dictates technique..happy hunting guys!
BGAguy 1 year ago
@Brosephine777 I know! I noticed that a couple minutes into the video. It's a ringing out epic chord in the background lol. I love it!
candlewick163 1 year ago
Si fuese en Español, lo entenderia, pero bueno, haber si aprendo yo Ingles, mejor!
espectaculardavidrcq 1 year ago
As someone who played economy and alternate picking both exclusively I think I like alternate better. I do like economy though and I think it's best to know both. The reason I like alternate better is this: If you think about it economy is unbalanced. When you change strings while alternate picking you always cross strings three times whether you start with a down or an up stroke. With economy picking you cross strings three times starting with an up, but only twice when starting with a down.
builditwithlegos 1 year ago
@builditwithlegos
What people still fail to realize is that Economy Picking INCLUDES Alternate Picking also. It's NOT some weird technique that you keep separate from other techniques. Economy Picking includes ALL PICKING. And this stuff Gambale shows is just a scale exercise, nothing more. He doesn't even stick to his own 'formula' anymore these days. A good picker can pick whatever the music demands. Check my video 'Chord Swing' to get an idea of what I'm talking about.
dorlandosonicNL 1 year ago
@dorlandosonicNL I understand what economy picking, and that is the only way I could have made that former inference. Economy picking includes alternate picking only when not crossing strings, and my comment was specifically about string crossing. I also believe that I said both techniques are valid I was merely pointing out that economy picking is not the ultimate perfect technique that some of its practitioners crack it up to be. Both have different sounds and different applications.
builditwithlegos 1 year ago
@dorlandosonicNL The best and most informed post on here, in my opinion. We need to have all picking techniques in our 'bag of tricks'. We dont need to always adhere to the economy nor alternate forumula. These things are mutatable, dependent upon the context. Why attempt to freeze these techs and make them lifeless? In one song I may use Alternating strokes in one passage, and in the very next, due to finger set up economy makes more sence.
by0nd 1 month ago
che ricordi sto video :)
TonyBellardi 1 year ago
Holy Crap!! That right hand thing just blew my mind!!! It totally contradicts everything I've been taught up to now!
jg76aries 1 year ago
The major scale never sounded so awesome...
rexasul 1 year ago
This guy is so laid back.
ExtremeBogom 1 year ago
RG Neck with an SA Body? :)
318825768 1 year ago
@318825768
i have the same guitar an SA body with rg neck.with h s h pickups.i guess this was popular in early 90s.
xeeet99 1 year ago
its better on picking D U one down one up
Punkerstyle9 1 year ago
this style of picking is very limiting to the direction in which you are going, i find alternate picking a lot easier to use in all situations
vheadfacelegs 2 years ago 2
If only you knew what you're talking about.
These videos are just for running up and down scales. That's limited indeed. But you don't just have to play scales.
Check my video to get an idea.
dorlandosonic 2 years ago
@vheadfacelegs yes, its easy to use always but eventually will make you sound similar to the people who use that pattern for fast runs.
fernandolavado 1 year ago
"Fits all" method goes 2 far by dictating notes 2 add & omit on every scale, so not ideal. On every scale he goes straight back to B str after 2nd note on hi E str, limiting E str notes to 2, & not playing all desc hi E str notes. OK he wants to go from hi E str to B str as sweep but why? Why not play all 3 notes of scale on hi E str then "inside" alt pick upstroke when go back to B str? And why play a chrom "extra" note on low E str on every scale? Is it crime 2 end scale on upstroke?
lukedeacon 2 years ago
If you end the scale on an upstroke then you break the picking pattern if you repeat the scale. You need an even number of notes on the turnaround, at the top and bottom of the scale.
There's no need to play the notes he left out. This is just an exercise to teach you the technique, and it's dumb to confuse it just to be anal about scale notes. Honestly if you're advanced enough to be learning this technique you should know your scales back to front anyway, skipping a note or two won't hurt.
ackajacka 2 years ago
i just think of it as a suggested exercise for speed picking, don't take it too literally. I mean it's not like u would play this pattern on stage : )
jdean9 2 years ago
@lukedeacon
I managed to avoid this problem by playing 4 notes on the E string. i.e on G major scale 1st mode, you play 5th fret, then 8th, then 7th and then 5 again (to finish on an upstroke) before going down scale again. No need to play 4 notes on the low E and you have the "perfect" speed picking shape. For "testing" both for almost 20 years, I must say the FG picking pattern is 200% more effortless and allows you to focus more on beeing musical than technician. Allows 2 relax much more !
krma1970 2 years ago
this shape is very similar to legato yeah?
xlaz13x 2 years ago
no..
LucasYahn 2 years ago 3
A lot of fusion players use this technique known as economy picking, hybrid picking is another. I guess where it falls short is sometimes in a metal context it wont sound as aggressive as an alternate picked run. Also I found with economy picking you have to be way more disciplined with the right hand as it naturally wants to run ahead when changing strings where you hit 2 downstrokes, so using a metronome is an absolute must.
MetalFatigued 2 years ago
I agree, it's a great technique, but it needs to practiced for hours and hours just like alternate picking. Either way, if you're looking for blistering speed with any kind of content, you have to be willing to make a commitment to it.
However, hybrid picking is usually what we call picking with fingers and pick. Jimmy Page did a lot of this, as does Larry Carlton.
funkifyyourlife 2 years ago 4
@MetalFatigued funny.....i thought....i must use a metronome to learn this great technique.......and with the metronome i got some fantastic sounding picking stuff......but it's one of many techniques to make a sound...not the only. i love to mix metal and funk, and rock......say. And so I had to learn to tap, and play alternate.....legato....one more thing....odd amount of notes-next string....even, turn it around! except "one" is an odd number and I want to play between two adjacent strings
jareds1007 1 year ago
this is really straigt foward practice exercises (also, at high speeds)..........a Frank Gambale solo is not going to sound this easy...that's where using this technique becomes a challenge.
jareds1007 2 years ago
A lot of fusion players use the hybrid picking technique and I know what it is thanks! Brett Garsed, Guthrie Govan, Buckethead, Bumblefoot...lol a long list.
MetalFatigued 2 years ago
WTF! Where was this advice 5 years ago! I've been slaving over scales FOREVER, and this video just turned my world upside down.
Such a simple concept, yet so effective!
fret2424 2 years ago
wtf is with that buzzing?!?! Cant be 60- cycle hum...
Blacksage959 2 years ago
My alltime fav video.Where i learned the sweeps.
guitonit 2 years ago
gambale es el mesias de la guitarra.
soulboos 2 years ago
hey its not the end be all and end all of guitar tehniques.just encorporate this sweep or garden strumming into your already chosen guitar style to brighten things up a bit.
1GonzoHead 2 years ago
My OCD requires (ha-ha) that I always play the top (3rd) note on the 1st string as well (which he is leaving out to have only two notes on the 1st string)...so this is quite a challenge for me to unlearn alternate picking and make this work. My right hand gets it...but my left still wants to fret that one extra note. (!!!)
ibanezdude777 2 years ago
i use all the notes of the mode on all strings...........you can put four notes in on the high e...like gmaj, the high e string picking and notes go : acba and continue down the three notes per sting....it makes sense...it's even ..which is what turns you around..plus if you use a metronome in 4/16...it works out good.
jareds1007 2 years ago
What is the name of this Frank Gambale's video please ?
Many thanks in advance.
marcanb28 2 years ago
Monster Licks
acdcfan9 2 years ago
I think aliens are trying to send a crypted message through your vid here.
Thanks for post!
eric1love 2 years ago 20
Ho my god, what a god!
judgeofwar 2 years ago
I just discovered this guy, man he's awesome!
Barefoot67 2 years ago 15
@Barefoot67 I'm sorry that you just discovered Frank, because he is a master of sweep picking! You discovered a legend! Congratulations! Enjoy his music dude.
alankmkz 1 year ago
Que efecto usa?
Xtremes54 2 years ago
i thought this was how you were sposed to do it in the first place lol :)
ilovestinalots 2 years ago 2
thanks frank.
my friend had this vid in early 90's
i had no clue what he was doing then.
funkyleaf 2 years ago
thanks for posting!
jewelfewel 2 years ago
He's plaing G major - but then chucks in Bb on the " 4 to turn around" WTF?
mattdbell 2 years ago
He's using a passing tone to make the picking work. In order to land on a down pick for the tonic note, he needs to add a note to incorporate an even number of notes on the low E string. He adds a different note as the passing tone with different positions of the scale.
funkifyyourlife 2 years ago
oh I see - thanks funkifyyourlife..
mattdbell 2 years ago
But what if I don't want that note? It doesn't sound good MOST of the time.
ronaldpettersen 2 years ago
You could always pick the same note twice.
YngtchieMusic 2 years ago
It sounds good all the time. It's just a passing tone. You could try leaving out a note, like on the high E string.
funkifyyourlife 2 years ago
ron Passing tones do more than enable sweep-picking patterns: Standard scales in 4/4 started on beat-1/bar-1 put the octave on beat-4/bar-2, a rhythmic dead end. It's more flowing to hit the octave on beat-1/bar-3. You can do this by phrasing, but bebop, fusion, & shredding often require notes in every subdivision of the beat: There are more complex solutions, but at first you must either add a note, or play a note twice. The note choice is yours.
lazur1 1 year ago
I strongly disagree, I play very fast and use a combination of picking. a vast majority of great players, will play phrases where you pick only you have to or pick the phrase as it would come naturally.
Wh00terman 2 years ago 2
ROFL...veeery nice...
TariusChade 2 years ago
its hard but amazing
dogstylerK9 2 years ago
the problem with alternate picking is You will never be able to play the notes as fast as a keyboard player because the keyboard player doesn't use a pick. That's why frank worked on it. It allows a person to track right with a keyboard player without scrubing the notes. Don Mock and frank had a discusion about this at GIT When frank was there. in some instances you have no choice in the matter and you have to alternate. I use both approaches and the notes just rip with ease
Dking863 2 years ago 4
okay for all of the people that insist on arguing on youtube.
there is no picking pattern or style that is better or worse than another style, it all has to do with what you play and how you feel most comfortable playing. so please stop bickering and listen.
SilenceArticulated 2 years ago
That's actually my point exactly.
funkifyyourlife 2 years ago
See? funkifyyourlife and i see eye to eye.
just play the way you feel most comfortable and stick with it :D
SilenceArticulated 2 years ago
no one is arguing, we are discussing.
ajohnson929 2 years ago
you still have to be able to use alternate picking when playing on one string or doing licks that involve more than two notes per string. With that said, why spend time learning different picking patterns when alternate picking covers basically everything?
ajohnson929 2 years ago
I am the same. Down, up, down up. It works for everything. The key is learning how to alternate between inside and outside the string(s).
I don't let right hand technique dictate my left hand phrasing. The right hand should facilitate the phrasing. Many players do the opposite and it becomes a gimmick show rather than a choice of notes.
Frank can do it all, and he is a true legend but I wouldn't go forcing this method to replace alternate picking.
Despond 2 years ago
I agree with everything you said. Economy picking is fine but i prefer the tried and true method of alternate picking.
ajohnson929 2 years ago
i don't think it is the same.
it's prety much how confortable you might feel.
but is always good to know different ways to pick, for example there are some things that are better played using economic picking,, like arpeggios.
guitarralaraja 2 years ago
Yeah, that is certainly true. it helps to be versatile. Things like 'sweep picking' require economy picking. Other methods like strict down strokes during heavy rhythm parts are also good techniques.
ajohnson929 2 years ago
I wonder what year this is from.
SalandFindles 2 years ago
2002.
funkifyyourlife 2 years ago
Hmm. I think this is really from the 80s. Everything about it suggests that. It may have just randomly came out in 2002. His hair, shirt, pants, and guitar all say that this is an old video.
SalandFindles 2 years ago
Hey it's Mr. G!
Great guy, great player, great lesson.
Tuttyistheshizz 2 years ago
I've been doing this forever.
No point to alternate picking.
largemoose 3 years ago
Wrong.
Orbit91 2 years ago
Tell that to Al DiMeola and John McLaughlin.
funkifyyourlife 2 years ago
esse foi o vídeo aula que o gustavo guerra usou para ser um dos maiores do brasil!!!valeu frank!!!
139045610 3 years ago
no, that's the accepted terminology
largemoose 3 years ago
-nice guy
-good teacher
-great lesson
godsmiddelfinger 3 years ago 6
i had this video on vhs over 10years ago...i wonder where it got to?...
DrMunroe 3 years ago
well I DIDN'T TAKE IT! :o p
but if I'da known that you'd had it...I'da taken it
jareds1007 3 years ago
What he's demonstrating is also called "efficiency picking" and it's a method that I automatically took to without being shown how to do it, it just came natural. I once thought it was a bad practice and I should start focusing on alternate picking. How wrong I was.
risetoruin 3 years ago
you mean economy picking?
stephenrettie 3 years ago 2
economy picking
jareds1007 3 years ago
"economy picking" Thats the old school terminology.
cast390 3 years ago
No, it's THE correct terminology
mindaflame7 3 years ago
you can't ignore alternate picking altogether because there are many situations when strict alternate picking is the only choice, such as playing a run up or down one string, etc. if you have to learn alternate picking anyways, why waste time learning other ways to pick?
ajohnson929 2 years ago
if my guitar teacher would have told me that 10 years ago!!! a!!
jazz24p7 3 years ago 5