Speed #1- Flatpicking Guitar or Mandolin Lesson

Tabs available @ http://banjobenclark.com and tons of free learning material @ http://facebook.com/thebanjoben . This is my first installment in a series I'm doing on building speed. This is probably the most "boring" lesson, but probably the most important. For those of you looking to begin flatpicking, start HERE!!

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[MrBoombalitsy]

Hey ben, can I learn to flatpick on any old guiar? My strings seem a little heigh above the fretboard.

[BanjoBen1]

@MrBoombalitsy Well, you can learn on almost any guitar, but it sure makes it frustrating when the action is too high (like you're describing). I had a cheap starter guitar that was hard to play, and it really held me back. I recommend carrying it to a luthier to have it set up, or think about investing in a guitar with more playability. Good luck!

[d08scl]

Hey Ben - What happened to speed #2?? I'm suffering from all the ailments you describe in this lesson and was really looking forward to the exercises...

[BanjoBen1]

@d08scl I'm working on it bud! Things have been crazy busy and I hope to get to it soon!

Thanks!

[lumpful]

@BanjoBen1 I as well am waiting on speed # 2, how much longer? just learning mandolin and need all the advice on speed and clarity training. Ive been eagerly waiting, but I,m patient! thank you for being such a down to earth teacher, learning to play from the you tube watching people an d trying to mimic what I see thanks for all your help!!

[BanjoBen1]

@lumpful Haha! Thanks for being patient! I don't know when I'll make another speed video, but I'm adding a full 20-30 minute video lesson every week on my website. Drop by and check it out at banjobenclark do tcom.

[claytrell]

Also, go ahead and bevel the pick a little with a nail file or sandpaper to break them in faster. Look at an old pick to see if you need a left or right hand bevel and sand your new picks to match!

[claytrell]

He’s right about a closed hand. It takes some getting used to, but it makes a world of difference in speed and tone (you aren’t damping the sound of the pinetop with your pinky). Watch Larry Keel play in his videos with Keller Williams here on youtube. That’s when I decided to adopt this technique for flatpicking. When I play Hank III i’ll open my hand a little. ‘pends on the song... Thanks Banjo Ben!

[jimsinthehouse]

I'm a member of Ben's website and it's really helped my playing. If you play banjo, guitar, or mandolin you should check it out, it's the best deal on the 'net!

Banjo Ben Clark .com

[NYhomewrecker]

Thanks for the lesson Ben. I'm using a thicker pick now. I kind of worry about breaking a string half way through a lick though. By the way, what is that thing in your guitar's sound hole? Is it for sustain?

[LinwoodCIII]

You teach well. I have watched you several times and have learned well at the pace that you teach at. Thanks for all us guitar and mandolin beginners.

Linood

[smartacus88]

@BanjoBen1 that makes perfect sense!...i need a better guitar!....i dont know much about the instruments like you,but the strings feel like they're a freakin quarter inch from the neck and everything i play sounds wirey and jumbled...i cant really play anything other than rhythm on it....i need to get serious!

[MedicTJ]

@BanjoBen1

I use pennies...good ole' American currency. 3 reasons. 1. I'm cheap. 2. Growing up, I lived out in the boonies and would always run out of the picks I had...so I got tired of it and used the best thing I could think of. A penny. 3. I'm really cheap.

[TrappedInABikini]

Thank you so much. Been looking for this one:) can you give a list of pick you recommend for flatpicking?

[GreenAshR47]

I can't seem to hold the pick right to build up speed for crosspicking. If you have a chance can you watch my practice vid & tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[DuskY1991]

I still wonder how people can play those heavy picks... I currently use a 1.5mm pick made of acrylic...