Picado hand angles - i and m alternation using rest stroke.

A camera fly around showing picado hand position and playing angles. Picado is index and middle finger alternation using rest stroke. Take 1 is a simple C scale in the open position. Take 2 is a 2 octave C scale.

I messed up at the end but that's because I'm human and also because I forgot to take my vitamins this morning.

My next video will be about how to file and shape fingernails so they don't sound as rough as they do in this video.

The camera was held by my lovely assistant Karen.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• picado
• rest stroke
• guitar
• nylon guitarist

[sainik]

I thought that thumb was used for top 3 strings and rest of the 3 fingers (excluding the pinky) were used for bottom 3 fingers? Isnt that the ideal way to finger-pick a guitar?

Actually, I have just started and dont wanna learn any bad habits. :)

[hersoveela]

Attempting to define the ideal way to play the guitar is like trying to find the perfect length for a piece of string. The system you mention is the "ideal way" to teach beginners basic folk picking. But that's about it. The reality is that you can play any string with any finger or the thumb, depending on your needs. If you ever hear a guitar player saying, "you MUST do it this way, or that way", my advice is to walk away. You can be sure that person doesn't know what they're talking about.

[Steviebee123]

Thanks for this, Sal. It's really appreciated.

Just one quick question, if you don't mind - if you're playing a faster picado run, would you normally anchor your thumb against the sixth string, or do you just let it float like you do here?

[hersoveela]

I would not anchor anything anywhere. It is common practice to rest the thumb lightly (on the E bass string when playing notes on the three treble strings. As the scale progresses down to include the D string, the thumb is lifted off the E bass string and gently rests on the guitar body. As the i m playing fingers continue to play on the A and then E bass strings, the thumb moves up a little with each string to leave the same relative gap between thumb and playing fingers.

[cienanosdesoledad]

You make it look like that guitar is so easy to play, or is it my impression.

[hersoveela]

The guitar helps a lot because it wants to be played. Even a simple scale feels good on this guitar.

[slugedinahead]

By the way whats a 2octave c scale.

[slugedinahead]

Nice camera work.

[danglang11]

@hersoveela haha exactly ...

[moojeni]

My queston is: the hand should be perfectly parallel to the guitar? It feels rather uncomfortable and I get tension of trying to do it that way.

Great videos anyways, thanks!!

[Luchito316]

Nice guitar! I like it the S is good!

[Steviebee123]

I see. Thanks!