thumbpicking speed???

how in the world do you guys get to that smooth,fast, speedy place in your thumb picking? ive been trying now for several months and i cant seem to figure it out. any suggestions, tips,techniques, exercises, a fellow can do to get better? i feel like iam at a stand still in this thumbpicking thing. esp. after watching some one like brent mason or scotty anderson. i even rented thier videos but they really didnt go onto any detail about HOW to do my scales or runs. sure could use some help.

...i feel like iam at a stand still in this thumbpicking thing. esp. after watching some one like brent mason or scotty anderson. i even rented thier videos but they really didnt go onto any detail about HOW to do my scales or runs. sure could use some help.

Who doesn't feel that way after watching Scotty Anderson?
Seriously!

I don't know how to answer you, I'm a thumber, but NO where like Brent Mason or Mr. Anderson..
speed: I guess it depends on what you are playing. I'm asuming you mean quick single note runs. There are a couple of ways you can approach it.
1) pinch/support you thumbpick with your first finger and use it up and down (flatpicking style: alternating picking). takes practice, but doable on single note/fast type stuff.
2) Pick down with thumb, up with first finger. (alternating picking) from the wrist, not the thumb.

Personally I use method 2 more, only I tend to really rely on my second finger more. (on single note runs)

BTW: 90% of what I thumpick, is Travis picking. SO, I'm no expert on fast single note runs.

I hope others chime in on this one, it's a good topic!

Brent use Thumb-Middle-Thumb-Ring finger alternating picking.

Scotty use Index-Thumb- Ring and if he plays more than 3 tones on the same string he holds the thumbpick like a flatpick and uses alternate picking.

i understand both of these picking patterns. but i quess my question is how to get it smooth and flowing sounding instead of the constant "plucking" sound i get when i try these methods.?even doing a standard scale sounds"plucked" instead of smooth like when others do it.

I don't know how to answer you well sorry, but start wery slow and get all the tones the way you want them to sound, then speed up maby with a metronome. Using the thumpick like a flatpick is best for me, but im not you... Even Scotty and Brent dont use the same pattern but it works for them..

This is a great post and something that I have been working at since jumping to the thumbpick after seeing the Brent video, and a few other hot pickers that were using thumbpicks.

After months and months, the comfort level got much better and now several years later, I can't imagine not playing with it. But, what I gained in the ability to banjo roll, double stop and open string run (with ease) ... I feel that I have lost a little in speed picking.

For example, a bluegrass player, rock player or shredder would alternate pick a row of 2-4 notes in a row on one string (for 3 notes .. some will sweep pick that triplet to move to the next string quickly). I have tried all combinations of Thumbpick and fingers to try to "rip" through 4 notes per string sequences with poor results. (TP, 1st, TP, 2nd) or (TP, 2nd, TP, 3rd) all seem to be slow and clumsy .... when I compare to my own alternate picking with a flatpick. Maybe .. the secret is ... using wrist action instead of the thumb.

Can any Thumbpickers elaborate on this? Is speed developed in the wrist?
Does anyone have any lessons or drills that they would recommend.

Lately, I have used my "custom made" hybrid thumb pick to sweep pick through groups of 3 notes, and alternate pick through groups of 4 notes.
I do this by grasping the thumbpick traditionally. Im getting a little better
at it .. and this might be a good solution for people to try, but the trade-off is that you have to grip, re-grip within a solo.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/picks.jpg

I grip the thumbpick like a flatpick (support with index finger), Chet did that a lot. only move the wrist and can play just as fast as i can with a flatpick. The problem for me is strumming, here I find a flatpick better.

Great thumpicks there,:mrgreen: do you use superglue?

This is a great post and something that I have been working at since jumping to the thumbpick....
After months and months, the comfort level got much better and now several years later, I can't imagine not playing with it. But, what I gained in the ability to banjo roll, double stop and open string run (with ease) ... I feel that I have lost a little in speed picking. ....

I eluded to this in another post. Playing with a thumbpick (for me, anyway) is different than playing with a plectrum both in technique and STYLE.
Style being the key. There are certain things good flatpick technique just does better. Other things that ONLY sound/feel right with a thumbpick (even Hybrid picking will not completely be able to emulate a Thumbpick),

So what you say about gaining (Banjo rolls, double stops etc.) and losing (speed picking) is absolutly true.

Sure, Brent Mason and Scotty Moore pretty much pull it all off, but, I think they really have a diff Style than the plectrum players in general. (and are one in a million players!!!)

I guess my long winded point is: Develop and really use the strengths of whatever technique you choose (fingers, thumbs, picks, slides, whatever) and don't worry so much over the weaknesses. In time, I imagine, those weaknesses will simply go away as you get better.

my point exactally! how can they just go away if you keep doing the wrong thing with the thumbpick or your technique? i was always taught that if one person can do what you want to do,you can do it to as long as its within reason. i quess thats why i get so frustrated at these videos these guys put out. they dont really show a lot of the how to's. just hit and miss and a lot of show off of their talent. i love to watch them play, but i also want the insight of how they do it, so i at least have the techniques to practice,learn,get better, and not hope my weakness;s will just go away.

my point exactally! how can they just go away if you keep doing the wrong thing with the thumbpick or your technique? i was always taught that if one person can do what you want to do,you can do it to as long as its within reason. i quess thats why i get so frustrated at these videos these guys put out. they dont really show a lot of the how to's. just hit and miss and a lot of show off of their talent. i love to watch them play, but i also want the insight of how they do it, so i at least have the techniques to practice,learn,get better, and not hope my weakness;s will just go away.

Yeah, I hear you. Good point.

I have a few of the Hot-Licks Dvds, as well. They are real fun too watch, but to me not that useful. The problem is the guys featured are amazing PLAYERS but not so great TEACHERS.

How about something more like:
http://guitarvideos.com/video/dvd/925dvd.htm

or really, look here:
http://www.vestapol.com/

I have a few of these (Vestapol DVDs) and they taught me a lot more than most othe DVD's I've tried.

thanks for the links. i just watched buster b jones from a netflix rental and he is a great teacher. great picker if your into the jerry reed, chet atkins, approach. not quite mason style though but worth a look and listen.

thanks for the links. i just watched buster b jones from a netflix rental and he is a great teacher. great picker if your into the jerry reed, chet atkins, approach. not quite mason style though but worth a look and listen.


Brent learned a lot from Jerry Reed and put it into his style...