Circle Picking... Anyone ? (kind of long)

[bug music]

Didn't know where else to post this so here goes, hopefully someone here can guide me in the right direction.

Lately I've been trying to expand my style (god knows it needs it). I've been listening to a lot of Roy Buchanan, and I know he uses a lot of jazz type "circle picking" styles, especially on his fast scratchy triad (or duad type) chords up and down the neck. I know most of the basic forms he's using (strumming 2 and 3 string chords) while changing the root note very quickly hammered on and off (similar to Albert Collins). I can duplicate a lot of the riffs at half speed, but usually it ends with me dropping the pick or my arm cramping up, if I try to keep up with the actual speed. I have the left hand speed, but my right hand just can't go that fast! I pick/strum in a circular motion anyway, but when I try to make those little "high speed" 1/8th inch circles I totally Gumby! I know I'm holding the pick wrong or something.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a good instructional book or video (I need pictures) that goes into detail on "circle picking" techniques. I have found some web sites that describe the techniques, but they are mostly along the lines of... "picture the strings as a clock from 12 oclock to 180 degrees, position the pick from 72 degrees to 3 oclock and circle from 2AM to 4PM @ 45 degrees" Huh??
I was looking for pictures. Hopefully theres a Roy fan here who can help me. Thanks.
- Jay

[Mark Davis]

Roy did the fast stuff with 3-4 fingers no circle picking. He used his fingers in a sorta classical flamingo guitar style.

Try it that way. Watch some Roy videos for tips.

[bug music]

I do my own version finger picking, I use a modified "Dunlop nylon classical" thumbpick (I grind them down with a dremmel tool until they stick about as far from my thumb as a flat pick does when pinched between the thumb and 1st finger), and I use my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers to pick leads while slapping the Bass notes (ala Albert Collins) and it works well for that stuff.
I know my thumb won't go that fast ! :)

Thanks.
- Jay