Guitarfreaks Strum/Pick

[bloodwrath]

I'm just curious how everyone hits the pick thing, personally I think its I'm more relaxed when I do alternate strums the whole way.

So alternate the whole way

or

only when required (fast sequences)

Discuss!

[lstivate]

I normally down pick for anything that's below 150bpm or so...beyond that I just alternate all the way...like agnus dei for example.

[meis]

I think if you want to improve your skills, then you should do alternate the whole way.

But I can't do this becoz I'm too lazy to practice and afraid of the failure thing... Plus I played Guitar Freaks since 2nd mix. At that time I don't know what is "alternate"...

So I just do it down pick only when required (fast sequences come) as it's my habit. Normally I must get some misses at the fast sequences part...

[Hasuko]

I can't down pick, my thumb would sue me for damages. I found it easier to learn from scratch going up and down.

..Lord that sounded bad.

[original z]

I used to pick one way when I was just starting out GF, but when I got a home controller I figured that it'd be bad for the controller to play like that. I forced myself to start alternating, and I think it's definitely a much better playing style! It does seem like most people still pick one way though from what I've seen in the arcades.

[sanagi]

I don't even know how to hold/pluck the "pick" properly. I always downstrum with my thumb and use my palm to do alternates as if im rubbing the guitar, looks visually bad from afar. am i suppose to pinch the pick lever? slap it? How?! How does a GF tatsujin pick?

[Opethian]

i think its strange how they pick on the Top Ranker DVD i usually clasp the pick and jiggle it up and down they seem to slap/pluck it like a bass
maybe thats why i cant pass any 65+ songs

[Phil ver0]

50/50 on the voting?

there are some people bless with the ability to pick down only. Someone 99-1 agnus dei just by picking down alone.

Alternate saves a lot of trouble in the long run.

[Kei.SG]

Alternate actually has two types in them from what I have observed...

One variation is the one which everyone assumes - The Constant Alternator, as in, no matter how many small breaks in between each measure, the person continues from the previous direction. For example, if I were to end one measure with a down pick, and the next measure came, I would continue with an up, and vice versa.

Another would be the Halt Alternator, as in, with every break, the person would "reset" and begin with a down pick. For example, if I ended a measure with a down pick, I would continue the next upcoming stream with a down, and if I ended it with an upwards pick, I would also continue the next upcoming stream with a down, irregardless.

Anyway, I'm a "convertee" to constant alternating, and have found it to be very very relaxing, and can play songs like Onihime and Funky Sonic World with ease nowadays...maybe it's just me

[DeusExMachina]

I think its better to get in the habit of up down picking. Some songs are way too fast to do strumming alone. Or if you could you would lose stamina too quickly

[Rynen10K]

Four words -

LEARN TO ALTERNATE NOW!

I know it's really difficult at first, and you end up losing A LOT when you first start prcticing, but trust me, it wil definitely help you in the long run (unless you like having sore arms).

And if you haven't yet, up the speed to as high as you possibly can read - most people play 6x - 8x (although I usually play 5 or 5.5x :\ )

I dunno, though - I've heard there are people that can easily S Level 70+ songs picking down only.

I used to downpick all the tim, and I plateaued around upper 40's-lower 50's. After learning to alternate, I've able to beat every song on basic.

It helps, but most people don't like it because both hands are trying to keep the rhythm, but they're doing 2 different things. It takes a lot of practice, andit doesn't really "click" - it's a VERY gradual process (for me, at least)

Originally Posted by sanagi

... am i suppose to pinch the pick lever? slap it? How?!...

Don't "pinch" it - that just leads to weird timing problems for some reason.

Instead, keep your thumb and forefinger hovering above the pick, as if you are about to pinch it, but leave a bit of a gap between your thumb and forefinger.

When going to pick, kind of slap or "attack" the pick alternately with your thumb and forefinger.

Using a KOC requires more thumb and finger slapping, while an ASC requires a bit more movement with your wrist.

This is the way I do it, anyway.

[Sagat believer]

For the most part, I play with the pick down when the notes in question are 1/4's and 1/8's. I'm recently dabbling on alternates, especially when 1/16's and 1/32's are involved.

[SOUND BOY THRILLER]

I would pick only down, but after playing GH it was eaiser to get into up/down and now I use that for GF and I got it down good

[DeusExMachina]

Yeah I dont really pinch it either. I put my thumb and index finger pretty close to the pick and i push down and push up alternating.

[EternalDivinus]

I used to only press the pick down with my thumb, but since many pros seem to recommend the up-down picking, I forced myself to try picking up and down.

Right now I can't even pass Agnus Dei Basic without a B. XD