sweep picking arpeggios-right hand efficiency

jackspoon · Post by **jackspoon** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:38 pm

Hi
I've been practising my arpeggios and starting to develop a reasonable tone and a bit of speed.
However this is when ascending, when descending I am not playing them as smoothly or as quickly.
I am using downstrokes/reststrokes when changing strings but when descending my right hand is having to cover too much ground for the notes to flow nicely into each other.

Does anyone have any suggestions for enhancing my practise in this area.

As with so many things in life, it seems to all be 'in the wrist' but when i try to speed up my 'shaking out a match' motion, i lose nearly all power and most of the accuracy in my right hand.

When I watch competant players, their wrist doesn't seem to be moving that much yet they still hit the notes with plenty of power.

Any pearls of wisdom out there?

Ricardo · Post by **Ricardo** » Sat May 30, 2009 4:04 pm

Be sure not to let your wrist or forearm tense up. Take it slowly and build up gradually using a metronome. Most importantly don't let speed rule your learning - concentrate on creating melody. The speed will come as a by product of practice.

jackspoon · Post by **jackspoon** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:25 pm

Thanks Ricardo,

The dreaded metronome. i'm now using it seriously for the first time. i bought one about a year ago and very quickly dismissed it as the dullest rhythm section ever.
How does one maintain the will to live whilst playing arpeggios to a metronome set at 100 bpm?

If it is melody, it is not a very good one!

Presumably it is time to speed up when i can play in time, clearly and with a relaxed arm/wrist.

Thanks for replying, I didn't think anyone was out there.

Jack

Ganondorf · Post by **Ganondorf** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:18 pm

watch django and copy him, he is the best!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iJ7bs4mTUY

Ricardo · Post by **Ricardo** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:22 pm

It's much more fun to play over backing tracks rather than a metronome. Try learning some of the licks on this site http://www.serendipity-band.com/misc/ma ... toc-en.htm and put them to use over these backing tracks http://nuagesdeswing.free.fr/jouer/jouer_index2.html or these http://www.stephanewrembel.com/rhythmtracks.html.

jackspoon · Post by **jackspoon** » Sun May 31, 2009 7:00 pm

Very helpful suggestions. Thanks. Must go and practise some more.

jack

GrimFandjango · Post by **GrimFandjango** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:31 am

jackspoon wrote:Thanks Ricardo,
How does one maintain the will to live whilst playing arpeggios to a metronome set at 100 bpm?

For 4/4 time try setting it to 50bpm and imagine the clicks are on the 2nd and the 4th beat. This helps with the swing feel and sounds less monotonous.

-Grim

jackspoon · Post by **jackspoon** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:50 pm

now that is a good idea grim. I'll give it a go.