COMBINING Economy + Alternate Picking Like the PROS!

Рет қаралды 23,201

Күн бұрын

Snag your official SHRED TILL YOU'RE UNDEAD merch here!!!! vonkowen.threadless.com/colle...
Downloadable practice tracks, bonus guitar lessons, and MORE here: / benellerguitars
This week, ALL my Patreon supporters get TABS for this etude PLUS practice tracks to help you get it up to MAXIMUM SPEED, plus a bonus video showing you how to take this lick concept and descend with it, too!
How about a treasure trove of drone tracks that i made!? 12 root notes, 12 major chords, and 12 minor chords, for a total of 36 super long drone tracks! Its everything you need to learn all your scales in every key! Here's the direct link you need: / 49828461
Wanna learn ALL the notes and master the board? Here's the lesson you need: / 45181774
The BEST Half Hour of Alternate Picking Practice EVER: / 33563344
The secrets of note targeting revealed: / 38535524
My followup to my Ditch the CAGED System video: / 40492155
Get sweet deals on all the nice things i use here @Sweetwater !!! Sick deals on all kinds of good stuff: imp.i114863.net/jxdA0
How do we combine the techniques of economy picking and alternate picking?! We're about to find out on Weekend Wankshop 341! Players like Marty Friedman, Brandon Ellis, Tosin Abasi, and Josh Stephan seamlessly combine the two main picking styles, and they typically do it with a dead simple logic that my good buddy Emil Werstler showed me years ago. Its such an amazingly simple approach, you won't believe it when i tell you later in the video!
Use this lick to practice any 3 note per string scale and you'll be burning in no time!
Gear
Jackson Soloist SL3
Fractal Axe FX 3
What should we work on next!?

Пікірлер: 133

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Thanks for learning how to combine alternate and economy picking with me! Grab the practice tracks and TAB on my Patreon page to master this FAST: www.patreon.com/posts/75669460?

@Collartie Жыл бұрын

i don't see a link for that brass pick you guys made.

@Minty.Fresh.Tunes. Жыл бұрын

I know im supposed to use both but its easier to alternate pick it :\

@Jammaster1972 Жыл бұрын

Uncle Ben, would you please teach "No More Tears" Ozzy/Wylde the RIGHT WAY?

@mikaelflodstrom6370 Жыл бұрын

👍🏻

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

I’m pretty good at my combos but definitely appreciate introducing new ideas!! Forever evolving yo bro!!

@craigitr0n Жыл бұрын

Always enjoy seeing Brandon Ellis getting his due from someone as awesome as Uncle Ben

@CreepingDeath_ Жыл бұрын

Brandon is an absolute monster

@craigitr0n Жыл бұрын

@@CreepingDeath_ The man is an otherworldly talent.. his skill and feel for the instrument is right up there with Eddie imo, made me fall in love with guitar all over again.

@maximejerjise276 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoy the new “step dad speed” format great video as always uncle

@Cysquatch Жыл бұрын

Marty Friedman, Brandon Ellis, and Psycho Goreman in one video? Hunk overload indeed.

@nc1969 Жыл бұрын

I listen to Yngwie's " Now your ships are burned" or "I am Viking solo, Soldier without faith intro... to me it's the definitive example of economy picking... just smoldering... that level of fluidity... I haven't heard anyone replicate quite like that.

@jfo3000 Жыл бұрын

Yng's first two albums were game changers.

@nc1969 Жыл бұрын

@@jfo3000 I would also include Trilogy... plus his work with Steeler and Alcatrazz

@michaelwade379 Жыл бұрын

Remember working so hard on strict alternate picking back in the 80s even thought I knew guys like Yngwie utilized a hybrid approach. Watched an instructional video from the insanely talented Frank Gambale and that ended that! Economy + alternate picking is so much more natural for me, don't shred much anymore but the technique is useful at any speed. Great lesson Ben.

@andershine Жыл бұрын

Best Uncle Ever

@dixonrooster5954 Жыл бұрын

About time you had Brandon featuring with Marty. They are too similar! Good job Also, during a live stream, I told Marty I loved his signature Kelly Jackson did for him. He said watch this space, something is coming!

@andrewsantos3283 Жыл бұрын

This is how you unveil a guitar technique. Thanks for this video, a big inspiration for me who have a poor alternate picking technique

@MaximeDUMONT59 Жыл бұрын

As far as my natural/confortable way to pick goes, I find it more easier to economy pick from high strings to low strings (Up-down-up-Up-down-up-Up-...) than to go down the strings. Luckily enough, my dear Uncle Ben has just given a good lick to work the Down-up-down-Down-up-down-Down-... way !!! Thanks a lot !

@wyzyguy726 Жыл бұрын

I am a true economy picker who is working on strict alternate... It is a hard thing to do...I feel that economy gives me the most freedom to pick whatever I want... but Alt has that tick/tock machine sound. Some patterns work out to be Alternate & Economy just because they do.... Great lesson. Thanks

@natesenglishkameoka3728 Жыл бұрын

Uncle Ben! Big fan. You asked for suggestions. We all learn lots of scales in various positions. BUT, one thing I feel is lacking in my own playing is techniques to link / stitch those patterns together between different positions all over the fret board. If you had any gnarly wisdom to share in that department, I would be very grateful! Thank you 🙏

@LucasFernandesSilveira 10 ай бұрын

That clarifies a lot why I was struggling for a long time. Every time I tried to go up and up the mess was installed. Thanks a lot

@ameratassi1852 Жыл бұрын

Dude, I love the channel! Long time follower! Amazing content and awesome tips and great work ethics! And hilarious. You deserve millions of subscribers. Thanks a lot

@shalomshalom735 Жыл бұрын

as always love this great video thanks Ben. Your Jackson guitar looks GREAT.

@shaharbar Жыл бұрын

Incredible lesson, one of your best IMHO! Keep delivering the goods!

@PerryCodes Жыл бұрын

This exact topic has been on my mind lately. Over the past decade, during my "noodling hobby" period, whenever I'd pick up the guitar I would only use economy picking when playing scales. And by scales I mean the major and minor pentatonic... so the absolute minimum to make the word "scales" correct and applicable. But I've recently been much more serious about playing and getting better at guitar - and to do so, it seems being able to fluently move between economy and alternate picking will be a big part of that journey. Thanks Uncle Ben!

@mattyleighramone734 Жыл бұрын

This is definitely going to help with my playing, thank you

@josephlangham9900 Жыл бұрын

Perfect timing! I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday evening regarding your channel / lessons. We started discussing economy / alternate picking so this is great. I'll send him this lesson, thanks' Uncle Ben!! 🤙🎸

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Perfect!

@tandybare Жыл бұрын

for a step dad you have some excellent lessons!! great concepts here. asymmetric approach I suppose is what this is.

@user-qj4vg9gq5m Жыл бұрын

I learned the solo from 'How Very Dead' recently, but didn't know how to get it up to speed. Thank you uncle Ben! You're always providing the best content.

@erix777 Жыл бұрын

This an awesome pattern for playing across all modes of all scales and also it going back down not just up. Thanks uncle Ben.

@erix777 Жыл бұрын

If you get used to doing it both ways (economy picking on the upstroke as well as alternate picking) then you really can feel what you explain about the challenge being the rhythm consistency (as in the accent right on time) with that, so it is helpful to learn it both ways. I got an even better simplification for picking technique: Don't get it stuck in between some other strings.

@GabrielTruck Ай бұрын

I like the Yngwie's technique. Using economy picking ascending versus alternate + pull offs to descending patterns. I like to see diagonal patterns in the fretboard haha

@karthain5742 Жыл бұрын

I quite accidentally noticed a major flaw in my picking. Coincidentally, a video covering that came up in my recommended list. And it was from this KZfaq channel. Now this one coming out today. It must be a sign! 😆

@23dvs Жыл бұрын

I’ve been messing with economy picking for awhile now but I feel this method of combining economy & alternate picking like this makes more sense at least for me. Thanks Uncle Ben, I really appreciate these videos….learned a lot from them 🤘

@satrianirocks Жыл бұрын

For sure, I always thought Gambale’s approach, needing the correct number of notes on a string to work absolutely impractical and limiting. I just completely wrote it off as I didnt want my playing premeditated.

@richardrrockenzburgh8469 Жыл бұрын

I had to learn this over time cause of the loss of use in my right hand but my hand is at 70 per now thank god nerve damage sucks

@PeterJDeVault Жыл бұрын

Ben - thank you! I spend my amateur guitar time split between playing metal (lots of directional or economy) on the one hand, bluegrass (diehard alternate) on the other. I've been trying to do directional (economy) picking in both directions and then stumbling around bluegrass crosspicking. In my head, there's got to be a set of principles that would direct me to one technique or the other. This should help significantly.

@Peter_Stoops Жыл бұрын

This was a good one!! Thanks Ben!!!

@satrianirocks Жыл бұрын

11:00 I would offer an alternate and that is to alternate starting your phrases with a down or up stroke. I find it an excellent way to balance proficiency in both directions and it lends to more of a call/response or rhythmically contrasted feels. Like an up stroke might feel more natural started on an up stroke.

@Krullmatic Жыл бұрын

Thanks as always Uncle Ben! I've been trying to economy pick, and I'm getting better. Thanks for showing us to pretty much use it on down strokes. Like you've shown, doing it on upstrokes, throws it all off.

@JohnCoughlan_JAC Жыл бұрын

Fantastic uncle Ben! Thanks for the helpful lesson. Would definitely dig some more stuff like this since my downward pickslant ain’t going away. :-)

@jamesswanson4391 Жыл бұрын

Economy Parking? That's value right there

@fluntimes Жыл бұрын

For some reason, I prefer to alternate pick as much as possible, especially in scalar runs. However, I like sweeping, which is pretty much what economy picking is, just on two strings.

@PawpawJamz Жыл бұрын

Good stuff, Man. Sweet Axe👍

@jfo3000 Жыл бұрын

Uncle Ben, "Start every sting on a downstoke." Early on I started doing this while DESCENDING! Yep, down up down on the first string, down up down on the second, then third...all the way through. It was natural for me and easy to get quick tempos. Thought I was weird and went to strict alternate. Now I've seen Syu do the method I started with! I'm back to doing it that way. It works! Seems counterintuitive, but it works.

@ramirodiaz7389 Жыл бұрын

Sos el mejor explicando técnicas de púas!!!

@wiscostrongman3430 Жыл бұрын

I caught that “meow” lololol you crafty SOB lmao

@JoeHeisler Жыл бұрын

I need to practice this and full alternate picking, I am really fighting my right hand. At faster speeds I automatically try to economy pick like this, but it isn't perfectly in time or clean. Doing full alternate picking is really hard for me because of that automatic switch to economy that keeps happening in my brain. Part of it is working on my pick slant too

@pizzagumby7049 Жыл бұрын

the down-stroke rule is such a great way to view licks like this especially cause i am a lazy stubborn bastard who refuses to learn a second pick slant

@nightfall215 Жыл бұрын

You sir get a thumbs up and sub for the psycho goreman reference and sweet metal music! Love the channel!

@mestengo22 Жыл бұрын

Perfect lesson Uncle Ben

@gainbear8853 Жыл бұрын

“Everybody’s favorite ruffly shirt scale, B harmonic minor…”. I’m sorry, but that’s some funny stuff and I know funny.

@KRayxKodessA Жыл бұрын

Jackie Vincent is also incredible at combining the two.

@RobbieFitzgerald Жыл бұрын

I came across Emil when he was in Chimaira. Guy is so good.

@nethbt Жыл бұрын

Cross string alternate picking , harrrd, really harrrd to execute peoperly

@danielsaturnino5715 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Uncle Ben

@willschafer5274 Жыл бұрын

Great lesson! We need a meet the machines on the Jackson.

@zlatanplaysguitar Жыл бұрын

I use this technique since I can play scales and I always thought that it is a "bad habit" i picked up cause noone told me how to do it, but as I see there's nothing wrong with it. It is much easier and comfy then the basic alternate picking. It has just more flow for me.

@tiborsiroky3040 Жыл бұрын

Very nice !!!

@wizardx4187 Жыл бұрын

ty uncle ben

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

My teacher was very strict about staying on the finger tips and alternate picking from the start!!

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

Most teachers start with pentatonic scales, mine was all about 3 note per string scales! He was working on his master’s degree in music!!

@SunKing968 Жыл бұрын

Ben Eller is the BOOTSY COLLINS OF HIS GENERATION!!! Genius!!!!

@satrianirocks Жыл бұрын

Since I changed my default picking to rest-stroke my playing has transformed. Im able to keep the pick engaged(even acting as a mute for the one string) and have dramatically improved every aspect of pick control and accuracy. I used “swing” like a baseball bat at the string and hope it connected at the right time but my timing was really based on when I started swinging if that makes sense. Now, I pick more like releasing an arrow, its set and ready and at the right moment I simply let the pick tip slide over the string and it sounds. I can play so softly and so hard i could almost snap a string.

@satrianirocks Жыл бұрын

One of my big mistakes was that my picking hand was disconnected from the guitar between passages and I had to always find the start point. In a way, its like economy picking or sweeping even on single note passages. Just remember to keep the rest-stroke really light on the string you rest on. Combined with tremolo picking and hybrid picking we can rule the world! haha

@satrianirocks Жыл бұрын

Another tip, is that when the notes start to fly by, they really dont need a lot of energy. I used to always use more and more force to try to play faster. Scrunch my face and dig in like in the music videos of yesteryear. However I learned after 40yrs that theres momentum in the notes and not much effort is required to sound like youre blazing. Watch Yngwie, theres no “effort” in his wrist. Its like smoke over water. But if you want an accent, rest-stroke picking can provide almost unlimited punch.

@hierrogm Жыл бұрын

Learned so much already from ya ..like tons ! Thanks uncle Ben

@danielfenmore2712 Жыл бұрын

Love the Psycho Goreman reference!!!!

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Hahaha I love that you caught it!!! Best movie ever.

@danted4917 Жыл бұрын

Subbed! I am also old. The answer: Game Gear

@DesignCourse Жыл бұрын

Bro, that meme is "Why not both" get with it, you're making us old turds look like.. well.. turds!

@relentlessvomit4361 Жыл бұрын

Enjoyed the Psycho Goreman Joke

@braxal6983 Жыл бұрын

Hahaha. Ben, If you are old, what am I? Ready for the grave? hehehe

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

That’s opening lick sounded like Tony Macalpine ! Christmas Island..

@ericolson326 Жыл бұрын

And on Marty's birthday! (60, wow)

@Ibanezguy2007 3 ай бұрын

haha the intro cracks me up

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

Uncle Bens Cabin !

@demongeminix Жыл бұрын

Old El Paso girl!!!!

@lmactapout Жыл бұрын

Shout out to Django Rhinehardt for the win. 👍🎸

@timothysmith4674 Жыл бұрын

Gypsy jazz guys do it this way as well. Down stroke is prominent.

@davidyates8880 Жыл бұрын

Oh yes, this is the perfect wankshop for my weekend. Cheers Uncle Ben, you must have read my mind through some weird transatlantic ESP 🧠

@nc1969 Жыл бұрын

Is that one of the new Jackson USA Soloist you got there??? You get all the cool stuff!

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Yes! It’s amazing, I love it

@nc1969 Жыл бұрын

@@BenEller awesome... I bought the riviera blue... what a beauty.... flat out muscle car

@bes5164 Жыл бұрын

What a hunky boy!!! :3

@thejship Жыл бұрын

Widdly widdly widdly!!!

@AeolianReflex Жыл бұрын

Great insight and lesson Ben but how do you apply that concept to a descending line?

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

I got that in the Patreon bonus video ;)

@T_SDuarte Жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Kiko Loureiro is another legend that combines alternate and sweep picking very well. Just listen to "Enfermo", from his first solo album, "No gravity"...

@tariksadiku4723 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I just wanted to ask, what about going from the High E string to the B string? Lets say we're playing Down, Up, Down on the high E, should we make that last down and Up so we can easier jump to the B or should keep it a Down and jump to the B string with another Down?

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Good question. The solution a lot of players would do here is down up hammer/pull on the high e, then go to the b. Or play the high e as up down up, which would make it easier to get to the B starting on a downstroke.

@tariksadiku4723 Жыл бұрын

@@BenEller Thanks for the reply my man, you rock!

@Peck_Bull Жыл бұрын

Fuck, Ben, your videos are pure gold!!

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

I like either jazz picks or these new Tortex Flex !! 1.0

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

My hand is way too big for a tiny Original Jazz pick ..I have an aluminum pick I use sometimes. Get those Rocky George tones and harmonics..

@richardrepp Жыл бұрын

This seems to work well for lines that are mostly ascending, but what about lines that mostly descend?

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Check out the Patreon bonus video!!

@metalheadpunk Жыл бұрын

Siiiiiiick

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Siiiiiiick!!!!

@ewljr Жыл бұрын

What do you do when you’re returning back up the scale?

@joshwalraven8518 Жыл бұрын

Does that pick deteriorate or flake at all? I had a carbon fiber pick at one point that sounded amazing but it would flake and my fingers would turn grey after using it

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Nope, not so far!

@busski Жыл бұрын

the psycho goreman reference haha

@Gillespie5150 Жыл бұрын

Emil was one of the first to the KZfaq game, but never went anywhere because of his attitude.

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

Mmm I don’t know about that. I’ve known Emil for years and years now. He’s played all over with Daath, Chimaera, Tony Macalpine, Colonel Bruce Hampton, and many others, plus his amazing solo career he just started. He’s done very well for himself. He’s never been interested in playing the game of social media, so he doesn’t always show off everything he’s doing. Incredible player and human who deserves the world.

@ErikAnders 11 ай бұрын

🎉🎉🎉

@bestboy897 Жыл бұрын

as someone who's strictly plays alt the two consecutive down picks when changing strings really messing up my brain

@sigiligus 3 ай бұрын

It’s weird to me that there are people who struggle with this single escape style playing. It comes naturally to me, whereas I had to work a lot harder to develop a pure alternate picking technique.

@billydeewilliams9104 7 ай бұрын

Great job recognizing your unconscious bias in the intro.

@Giraffinator Жыл бұрын

Ben I've been considering economy picking for the last couple of weeks, you're gonna have to pay some rent if you're gonna be in my head like that.

@Jimmyjimjum Жыл бұрын

Why 'or' when you can 'and' 👍

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

My hammer-on’s and pull-offs are so powerful I can pretty much play without picking..

@jeremyswalley8625 Жыл бұрын

What did it for me was the Ebow !! And of course obsessing to play like Steve Vai!!!

@yakuzsa1 Жыл бұрын

This stuffl for picking looks like a choclet christmas

@adrianmontel2892 Жыл бұрын

Im old 🤣

@proklyatiy82 Жыл бұрын

Привет из России! Спасибо Бен за урок. Но вот футболка у вас нехорошая.

@iamdecentatguitar1091 Жыл бұрын

That intro tho…

@FGC_Archer Жыл бұрын

as a hunky boi myself, im sad you dont care about me.

@BenEller Жыл бұрын

…. Or do I?????

@UserNameWasCensored Жыл бұрын

No metal picks!!! 😮‍💨 EVH swore till his dying day that it was the metal picks (and not the two pack-a-day habit) that gave him tongue and throat cancer. I do wish he hadn't smoked though...

@jennyprorock Жыл бұрын

No one plays like Marty Friedman..I could never play like that..try holding your hand and wrist that way just playing some simple chords.for a few minutes..it's painful. Guys a frigging legend.. Also..I'm old enough to have seen Megadeth w him a few times.. Clash if the Titans being the most memorable..he was awesome..but a hunk? You may be the only human who's ever said that about him..Chuck Schuldiner and Tom Araya..ok..but Marty Friedman? Not so much dude..aside from that..he's the only guitarist that really complimented and kept up with Dave imho...