On guitar picks and picking (and a new blog)

[mark wein]

I just started a new YouTube channel and video blog. I got burnt out on doing the full lessons every week but I dig doing the videos so I changed format, and my old channel has become a giant bloated mess of videos, gig videos and gear demos. On the new blog there'll be some lessons, gear reviews and just general guitar stuff...I'll also probably put my better gear demos on this channel, too...

[mark wein]

I was asked about a riff I played in the video so that turned into a second lesson that I ended up doing "old school" with printable notation and even a Guitar Pro file:

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/for...6-E9-Funk-Riff

It's not really a riff I would play in an actual funk song (it's kind of busy to fit in most grooves) but it is fun to play.

[groverj3]

Very cool stuff, lots of people skip over all the different picking techniques out there when doing instructional videos. Its good to find one that doesn't immediately say that their technique is the ONLY way to do something. Your technique is very very clean, hope to reach that level of precision someday.

Coincidentally, I've been using the smaller teardrop picks from Dunlop for a long time. Its always made more sense to me to use picks that are smaller when I essentially choke the pick off so there isn't much showing anyway. Plus, the stiff nature of them makes them ideal for lead playing.

[mark wein]

Very cool stuff, lots of people skip over all the different picking techniques out there when doing instructional videos. Its good to find one that doesn't immediately say that their technique is the ONLY way to do something. Your technique is very very clean, hope to reach that level of precision someday.

Coincidentally, I've been using the smaller teardrop picks from Dunlop for a long time. Its always made more sense to me to use picks that are smaller when I essentially choke the pick off so there isn't much showing anyway. Plus, the stiff nature of them makes them ideal for lead playing.

Thanks!

There are so many of my favorite players that have such completely different ways of playing that it's impossible to pick out any one approach. I used to be very specific with my students and I still do try and steer them away from things that I know are inefficient no matter how you play but the reality is that there are many ways to skin this particular cat

[Tig***]

Good stuff, Mark. I like the direction your blog and new youtube channel are going. Casual, yet very informative and without a bunch of rambling.
Looking forward to future entries.

For V-picks, I'm going with the red versions to prevent losing them.

[mark wein]

Good stuff, Mark. I like the direction your blog and new youtube channel are going. Casual, yet very informative and without a bunch of rambling.
Looking forward to future entries.

For V-picks, I'm going with the red versions to prevent losing them.

Thanks!

the "not rambling" part is the hardest.

Also, Ive set it up as a podcast, too..here is the feed: http://markweinguitarlessons.com/for...hp?forumids=58

I'm hoping to have it in the iTunes store, too but I'm still waiting for their review...

[jasongins]

Mark...It is good timing for me that you did this video. I had been wondering lately about how I've been holding the pick, and if the picks I am using are too thick. I like Dunlops as well for their smaller size. What number Dunlop would you regard as medium? I have the "gator grips" in blue 1.14 and green 1.5. I also have a yellow Ultex floating around in a 1.14. What number do you use most often? I have some of the Fender pink clear mediums, just like in your video, but find them to be too floppy. Also, thanks for the funk riff lesson - had fun with that one.

[mark wein]

Mark...It is good timing for me that you did this video. I had been wondering lately about how I've been holding the pick, and if the picks I am using are too thick. I like Dunlops as well for their smaller size. What number Dunlop would you regard as medium? I have the "gator grips" in blue 1.14 and green 1.5. I also have a yellow Ultex floating around in a 1.14. What number do you use most often? I have some of the Fender pink clear mediums, just like in your video, but find them to be too floppy. Also, thanks for the funk riff lesson - had fun with that one.

The DUnlop number that matches the Fender Medium is .73 and the heavy is .88. I'm not sure what the Jazz III's are but they are pretty heavy....

[Tig***]

Thanks for the funk riff follow up lesson video. I loves me some funk and need all I can get.
http://markweinguitarlessons.com/for...3-E9-Funk-Riff

[tjcurtin1]

Mark...It is good timing for me that you did this video. I had been wondering lately about how I've been holding the pick,

+1! I've have been realizing that I really need to concentrate on the right hand and clean up my movement patterns and control. I was just puzzling over where to find some good info, and ...VOILA! Thanks!

[tjcurtin1]

Actually, I think that my question is how do you create/maintain a consistent attack/stroke when combining the choked pick with the wrist motion - other than just practicing it a lot! Any tips/tricks/techniques/suggestions?

[mark wein]

Thanks for the funk riff follow up lesson video. I loves me some funk and need all I can get.
http://markweinguitarlessons.com/for...3-E9-Funk-Riff

Actually that one wasn't planned but a new guy at my place asked about one of the riffs that I played so I made it another lesson...it's not really something I would play in a funk tune since it's really busy but it is a fun riff to play so it ends up in half of my videos

+1! I've have been realizing that I really need to concentrate on the right hand and clean up my movement patterns and control. I was just puzzling over where to find some good info, and ...VOILA! Thanks!

Actually, I think that my question is how do you create/maintain a consistent attack/stroke when combining the choked pick with the wrist motion - other than just practicing it a lot! Any tips/tricks/techniques/suggestions?

A lot of it is just pure repetition. I have my students drill the heck out of this book: http://astore.amazon.com/markweingui...ail/0634011685 and we really focus on the right hand consistency....you have to realize that the right and left hands need to be a little independent of each other and that the right hand is playing every subdivision in a groove and not jsut the parts that the ear hears...

[sunvalleylaw]

Nice stuff as always. After having spent a good deal of time on lead type stuff these last couple months due the band project I was in, I am ready to get back into my right hand and rhythm work again. Nice to see your new blog touching on things I had started. For those of you who have not looked at Mark's lessons and book, I really recommend it as he spends time encouraging students to do the correct, foundational things in the beginning, especially with regard to right hand and rhythm for me. Great stuff.

Re: the picks, that was cool! Your selection of picks kind of tracked the route I have followed in terms of material, though I have tended to stay in the Fender Heavy equivalent weights mostly. Started with Fender heavy tort picks, then a long time with Tortex green and some purple, and have been loving the Ultex now for a while, though I use the regular shape rather than the jazz shape. I should try a pack of those jazz shaped ultex ones next time.

In closing, listening to your opening technique demos points out to me what I STILL need to work on. Loosening that grip and wrist and forearm, and hopefully getting some better velocity and consistency/fluidity in my motion. Thanks for the reminder!

[mark wein]

Nice stuff as always. After having spent a good deal of time on lead type stuff these last couple months due the band project I was in, I am ready to get back into my right hand and rhythm work again. Nice to see your new blog touching on things I had started. For those of you who have not looked at Mark's lessons and book, I really recommend it as he spends time encouraging students to do the correct, foundational things in the beginning, especially with regard to right hand and rhythm for me. Great stuff.

Re: the picks, that was cool! Your selection of picks kind of tracked the route I have followed in terms of material, though I have tended to stay in the Fender Heavy equivalent weights mostly. Started with Fender heavy tort picks, then a long time with Tortex green and some purple, and have been loving the Ultex now for a while, though I use the regular shape rather than the jazz shape. I should try a pack of those jazz shaped ultex ones next time.

In closing, listening to your opening technique demos points out to me what I STILL need to work on. Loosening that grip and wrist and forearm, and hopefully getting some better velocity and consistency/fluidity in my motion. Thanks for the reminder!

Thanks!

I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or not but I tend to focus my lessons on the things that I'm always concerned about in my playing...most of the time I hit on a lesson idea after climbing the mountain myself.